Guide
Where to Look in North Dakota
North Dakota courts share one free statewide search, so a search can start there and with these state offices before going to the county recorder. In the Bakken counties, mineral and oil records also help.
- ND Courts Public SearchFree statewide district court civil, criminal, traffic and family cases
- ND Secretary of State FirstStopBusiness entities, UCC filings and trademarks
- ND DOCR resident lookupPeople now held in state prisons
- ND Sex Offender RegistryKept by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation; includes offenders against children
- Vital Records, North Dakota Health and Human ServicesBirth, death, marriage and divorce records and who may order them
Guide
About People Search in North Dakota
Conducting a people search in North Dakota benefits heavily from the state's transparent open records framework, governed by the North Dakota Open Records Statute (N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18). Unlike many states that charge fees or fragment their court data, North Dakota provides a highly unified and free public court search system.
The Bakken oil boom in western North Dakota, above all in Williams and McKenzie counties, brought many short term workers, new businesses and mineral rights filings in the last 15 years. Many of those workers also have records in Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana or their home states.
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Official State Sources
The Secretary of State's FirstStop portal, linked in Where to Look, covers business entities, UCC filings and trademarks, with registered agents and officers.
<i >What it's useful for: Identifying business owners, verifying corporate standing, and locating commercial assets.</i >
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Court Records
North Dakota has one statewide court system with 7 judicial districts covering its 53 counties, and the district courts share one case system.
ND Courts Public Search, linked in Where to Look, is a free statewide search of district court civil, criminal, traffic and family cases.
<i >What it's useful for: Comprehensive background checks, finding civil litigation history, and verifying criminal records statewide.</i >
Researcher Tip: the Public Search shows case details, not the filed documents. For a copy of a document, contact the clerk of court of the county where the case was filed.
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Property & Tax Records
Unlike states where a "County Clerk" handles property deeds, North Dakota utilizes the office of the County Recorder. Property taxation is handled by the County Director of Tax Equalization.
Oil and gas mineral rights are recorded by the county recorder and regulated by the Oil and Gas Division of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, which matters in the western counties.
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Business & Licensing Records
North Dakota's professional licensing is highly fragmented. While the FirstStop portal handles corporate registrations, professional licenses are maintained by independent boards.
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Corrections & Inmate Lookup
For individuals incarcerated in state facilities, the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) maintains a centralized database.
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Vital Records
Vital records are kept by the Vital Records office of North Dakota Health and Human Services, linked in Where to Look. The public index of the State Historical Society includes births at least 125 years old and deaths more than one year old; recent birth records are confidential.
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Voter Registration
North Dakota is the only state without voter registration: voters show an ID at the polls. So there is no voter registration list to search.
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Archives, Genealogy & Obituaries
For historical research, the State Historical Society of North Dakota in Bismarck holds territorial records, historic newspapers and genealogy sources.
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County & City Resources
Local jurisdictions hold the keys to property and municipal records. Below are the key counties in North Dakota.
| County | County Seat | Major Cities & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cass | Fargo | Largest population center; borders MN. |
| Burleigh | Bismarck | State capital region. |
| Grand Forks | Grand Forks | University of North Dakota. |
| Ward | Minot | Minot Air Force Base impact. |
| Stark | Dickinson | Western gateway. |
| Williams | Williston | Epicenter of the Bakken oil boom. High transient data. |
| Morton | Mandan | Adjacent to Bismarck. |
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People Search Tips for North Dakota
When researching in North Dakota, always account for the Bakken oil region's data surge. Many individuals who appear in Williams or McKenzie county records from 2010-2015 may have primary residences in other states (especially Texas, Oklahoma, and Montana). Cross-referencing out-of-state addresses is mandatory.
Common Mistake: looking for a voter registration list. North Dakota has no voter registration, so use property and court records instead.
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Privacy & Legal Framework
North Dakota's open records law, N.D.C.C. 44-04-18, makes most government records open. When records are used for employment or housing decisions, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) applies.
Privacy Note: North Dakota has no general consumer privacy law like California's CCPA; federal laws (GLBA, DPPA) cover financial and motor vehicle records.
Straight answers
North Dakota People Search, questions
Can I search North Dakota court cases by name?
Yes. The North Dakota courts offer an online district court search by name, citation number or case number, covering records anywhere in the state. A written record search by the clerk costs $10 per name and record type.
Is someone in a North Dakota prison?
Use the North Dakota DOCR Resident Lookup by last name. It shows only people now held in a North Dakota correctional facility. People sentenced in North Dakota but held out of state do not appear.
How do I search the North Dakota sex offender registry?
The North Dakota Office of Attorney General runs the sex offender website. Search by first or last name, or use the neighborhood search to find registered offenders within a set distance of an address. You can sign up for email updates.
Can I get someone's North Dakota criminal history?
Yes. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation releases North Dakota records on a signed request form with a $15 fee. You need the full name, date of birth, and Social Security number or fingerprints. Without a signed authorization, BCI notifies the person.
Who can get a North Dakota death record?
The general public can get a certified informational copy, without the cause of death or Social Security number. The complete record goes to relatives, authorized representatives and funeral directors. Copies cost $15, and $10 for each extra copy.
Where do I get a North Dakota marriage record?
Certified copies of North Dakota marriage records come only from the county where the license was bought and filed. Depending on the county, that is the Clerk of Court or the County Recorder, and fees vary by county.
Where do I get a North Dakota divorce record?
Divorce copies come only from the county clerk or recorder in the county where the divorce was granted. If you do not know the county, North Dakota Vital Records can help at (701) 328-2360.
Can I look up someone's voter registration in North Dakota?
No. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. Voters show a valid ID to vote, and the state's Central Voter File records whether each voter has already cast a ballot in an election.