About Oakes

The city is also home to several neighborhoods, including the residential areas surrounding Main Street and the historic district that features early 20th-century architecture. Economically, Oakes has a strong agricultural base, with a significant focus on wheat and sunflower production, contributing to the local economy. The city hosts the annual Oakes Harvest Festival, celebrating the region's agricultural heritage and attracting visitors from surrounding areas. The city council, led by Mayor Thomas W. Kauffman, meets regularly on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Oakes City Hall, providing a platform for community engagement and governance.

Public records for Oakes, North Dakota are scattered across several government offices and online platforms. The city's official website at oakesnd.com offers access to city council meeting minutes, zoning documents, and other municipal records. For property deeds, vital statistics like births and deaths, and related records affecting the Oakes area, the Dickey County Courthouse in Ellendale maintains files. Those researching businesses based in the community can turn to the North Dakota Secretary of State's office, which provides an online searchable registry of companies throughout the state.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Oakes

Oakes Police Department

Oakes Police Department, Oakes, North Dakota. 1,156 likes · 102 talking about this · 2 were here. The oakes police department is here to protect and serve the community of Oakes. In case of an emerg

Dickey County Sheriff's Office

Dickey County Sheriff: Chris Estes Email: dcso@nd.gov

https://dickeynd.com/sheriffs-department

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Oakes

North Dakota Court System - District Court Case Search and Payment Processing

This website provides access to North Dakota District Court Case information for Criminal, Traffic, and Civil case types. The search results also include municipal court cases from certain areas. The search results do not include restricted case information.

🔗 https://www.ndcourts.gov/public-access

🏠 Property & Public Records in Oakes

Dickey County Recorder

Property records for Oakes, North Dakota are maintained by the Dickey County Recorder. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Dickey County, including Oakes.

🔗 https://dickeycountynd.gov

Public Records & Services in Oakes

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Oakes, Dickey County, North Dakota are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Dickey County school administration or the North Dakota Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Oakes, Dickey County, North Dakota is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Dickey County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Oakes police department or the Dickey County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Oakes Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Dickey County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Oakes, North Dakota residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Dickey County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact local police (where present) or the Dickey County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The North Dakota Attorney General or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.

About Oakes North — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

Individuals arrested anywhere in Dickey County are processed through Dickey County jail in Ellendale. The booking procedure includes collecting personal information, fingerprinting, and photographing each detainee. Those looking for information about current inmates can access lookup services through the Sheriff's Office. Visitation at the facility operates under specific rules that typically require advance scheduling. Bond and bail procedures follow North Dakota state guidelines, which establish conditions under which defendants may be released while awaiting trial.

Arrest Records

The Dickey County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county, including those made in Oakes. These records contain arrest details, charges filed, and personal information about arrestees. Residents and legal representatives can obtain arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Access to these documents falls under the North Dakota Open Records Statute, the state's public records law that ensures transparency and public access to governmental information.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Dickey County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Dickey County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which provides statewide criminal history information. The bureau's services are essential for employers, landlords, and individuals seeking background checks.

Vital Records

Vital records for Oakes, North Dakota, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are maintained by the Dickey County Recorder's Office located in the Dickey County Courthouse in Ellendale, ND. Residents can obtain copies of these records by submitting an application and fee to the recorder's office. The Oakes Public School district also keeps student records for the local school system.

Business & Licensing Records

The business scene of Oakes, North Dakota is documented in the city's online business directory at oakesnd.com/business-directory.php. This resource includes contact information, website links, and details about the various companies, shops, and service providers operating within the community. For broader searches covering entities registered in the area, the North Dakota Secretary of State maintains a statewide business registry that can be accessed online.

Economy & Demographics

Oakes, North Dakota has a diverse local economy centered around agriculture and supporting industries. Major employers in the area include the Oakes Public School district, local healthcare providers, and numerous small businesses. Economic data and statistics for Oakes can be found through the city's website, the Dickey County Economic Development Corporation, and regional economic development organizations serving southeast North Dakota.

Elections & Voter Records

The Dickey County Auditor's Office handles all election administration for Oakes residents from its location at 309 North 2nd Street, Ellendale, ND 58436. The office can be reached at 701-349-3249. As Dickey County's election authority, the Auditor maintains voter rolls, processes absentee ballot applications, coordinates polling places, and certifies results for every federal, state, county, and municipal contest affecting local voters. North Dakota stands apart from other states by not requiring voter registration.
Instead, residents can vote on Election Day simply by showing valid identification that proves residency in their precinct. Acceptable forms of ID include a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver's ID card, or tribal government-issued ID displaying a current residential address. Those without qualifying identification can still vote by completing an affidavit and providing supplemental documentation. Without registration deadlines to worry about, North Dakota residents just need to appear at their polling place with proper ID. Municipal elections in the city take place during June of even-numbered years, when city council and mayoral positions appear on the ballot. The Oakes City Commission consists of five at-large commissioners serving staggered terms. The next municipal election is set for June 2026, when city commission seats and possibly mayoral positions will be decided. Candidate filing periods typically open in January and close in early April before the June election. Details about local candidates, ballot measures, and election dates are available through Oakes City Hall at 701-742-3292 and through the County Auditor. Voters can confirm their polling place assignments by contacting the County Auditor or using the North Dakota Secretary of State's Polling Place Lookup tool at vip.sos.nd.gov. The city typically operates one or two polling locations depending on the election, with locations posted publicly beforehand. Chapter 44-04 of the North Dakota Century Code makes certain election records publicly accessible. While voter lists don't exist due to the absence of registration, precinct-level results, candidate filing documents, and campaign finance reports are all public records available through the Secretary of State at www.sos.nd.gov or the County Auditor. Those figures reflect North Dakota's relatively strong civic participation. North Dakota doesn't have a U.S. Senate seat up that year, as both senators were last elected in 2024 and 2022. However, the state's At-Large U.S. County-level positions including County Commissioner seats, County Auditor, State's Attorney, and Sheriff may also appear depending on term expirations. Absentee voting is available to any qualified voter who requests a ballot. Applications can be submitted to the Dickey County Auditor beginning 40 days before an election, with completed ballots due by the time polls close on Election Day. Military and overseas voters have special provisions under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. The state does not have universal mail-in voting; absentee ballots must be specifically requested. Early voting is available in person at the County Auditor's office starting 15 days before Election Day.
City Info
StateNorth Dakota
CountyDickey
Population2,046

Frequently Asked Questions

North Dakota is the only U.S. state that does not require voter registration. To vote in Oakes, North Dakota, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and have lived in your North Dakota precinct for at least 30 days. Bring valid photo ID and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or current driver's license) to the polls. For more information, see the North Dakota Secretary of State elections page at sos.nd.gov. North Dakota requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the North Dakota Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Oakes, contact the Dickey County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Oakes, North Dakota are maintained by the Dickey County Director of Tax Equalization's Office and the Dickey County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Dickey County, including parcels in Oakes. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Dickey County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many North Dakota counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Dickey County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Oakes, North Dakota residents are available through both county and state offices. The North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, located in Bismarck, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in North Dakota. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Dickey County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Dickey County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.