Richardton, North Dakota Public Records

In addition to the Richardton, Stark County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Stark County includes the Dickinson Police Department and the Belfield Police Department. The Dickinson Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Dickinson, while the Belfield Police Department serves the city of Belfield. These agencies coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and public safety initiatives, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the county.

The Stark County Jail, located in Dickinson, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and documenting the personal information of the arrestee. Inmate information can be accessed through the Stark County Sheriff's Office, which provides an inmate lookup service. Visitation rules require scheduling in advance, and visitors must adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows North Dakota state laws, allowing for cash or surety bonds to secure an inmate's release.

Richardton residents are served by the courts located at the Stark County Courthouse, 51 3rd Street East in Dickinson, North Dakota 58601. The South Central Judicial District Court has jurisdiction over Stark County and handles all felony criminal cases, civil matters over $15,000, domestic relations cases including divorce and child custody, probate and estate matters, and appeals from municipal courts. The main clerk's office can be reached at (701) 456-7654. Stark County also has a magistrate division that handles initial appearances, preliminary hearings, misdemeanor criminal cases, and small claims matters (disputes up to $15,000). Richardton does not maintain its own municipal court, so all violations of city ordinances are prosecuted through the county court system. North Dakota offers statewide online access to court records through the North Dakota Courts ePurse system (www.ndcourts.gov), where users can search cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The public portal provides access to case summaries, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case outcomes for most civil and criminal matters, though certain sealed records and juvenile cases are restricted. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of District Court for a fee of $10 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. Regular photocopies cost $1 per page. Marriage licenses issued by the Clerk of Court cost $65, and the office maintains marriage records dating back to the county's establishment in 1879.

Criminal records in Stark County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Stark County Sheriff's Office maintains these records, while the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Bureau, which compiles data from various law enforcement agencies, including those in Stark County.

Arrest records in Stark County are maintained by the Stark County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the North Dakota Open Records Law, these records are generally accessible to the public, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy or ongoing investigations.

Property and land records for Richardton are maintained by Stark County offices in Dickinson. The Stark County Assessor's Office, located at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601 (phone: 701-456-7660), is responsible for assessing all real property for taxation purposes. The Assessor maintains property ownership records, legal descriptions, assessed valuations, property classifications, and tax assessment history. Stark County provides online property search capabilities through their GIS mapping system and property database, accessible via the county website (www.starkcountynd.gov), where users can search by owner name, property address, or parcel number to view current ownership, sale history, tax amounts, acreage, building characteristics, and aerial imagery. The Stark County Recorder's Office, also located at the courthouse at 51 3rd Street East (phone: 701-456-7650), is responsible for recording and maintaining all documents affecting real property ownership including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, judgments, and other encumbrances. North Dakota is a race-notice state, meaning that the first party to properly record an interest in property generally has priority. The Recorder's Office provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based system, though basic index searches are available free of charge. Recording fees vary by document type, with standard deeds costing $50 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Property records in Stark County date back to the 1870s, providing comprehensive title history for properties in Richardton.

Richardton's economy has traditionally centered on agriculture, with wheat farming, cattle ranching, and agricultural services forming the economic backbone of the community for over a century. The city's largest employer is Assumption Abbey, the Benedictine monastery that not only serves as a religious institution but also operates agricultural lands and provides employment in education, hospitality, and maintenance. Other significant employers include the Richardton-Taylor Public School District, which serves students from Richardton and surrounding areas, and several agricultural implement dealers and grain elevators that support the farming community. The energy sector has become increasingly important since the mid-2000s Bakken oil boom, with some Richardton residents employed in oil field services, though the industry's impact is less pronounced here than in communities closer to the drilling activity. Small business owners operate Main Street establishments including cafes, a grocery store, farm supply stores, and service businesses. The median household income in Richardton is estimated at approximately $52,000, somewhat below the North Dakota state average but reflecting the community's rural agricultural character. Recent economic developments include modest housing growth and infrastructure improvements funded partly by oil impact revenues distributed by the state. Richardton benefits from its proximity to Dickinson (30 miles southeast), allowing residents access to the larger city's medical facilities, retail, and employment opportunities while maintaining a small-town character. The community faces typical rural challenges including an aging population and youth out-migration, though it has maintained stable population numbers in recent years better than many similar-sized North Dakota towns.

Law enforcement services for Richardton are provided primarily by the Stark County Sheriff's Office, as the city does not operate its own municipal police department. The Stark County Sheriff's Office is located at 51 3rd Street East in Dickinson, North Dakota 58601, and can be reached at (701) 456-7759. The Sheriff's Office provides patrol services, responds to calls for service, conducts criminal investigations, and maintains records for incidents occurring within Richardton city limits and throughout unincorporated areas of Stark County. Residents seeking police reports, incident records, or accident reports should contact the Sheriff's Office directly during regular business hours. The North Dakota Highway Patrol also has jurisdiction on state highways passing through the area and can be reached through their Southwest Region office. Arrest and jail booking records for individuals detained in Stark County are maintained at the Stark County Detention Center. An online inmate roster is available through the Stark County Sheriff's website, showing current inmates, booking dates, charges filed, bond amounts, and projected release dates. Mugshot photographs are typically included in these public records. Historical arrest records and case dispositions can be requested through the Sheriff's Records Division. Public records requests in North Dakota are governed by North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-04, the state's open records statute, which requires agencies to respond to requests within a reasonable time and permits charging for actual costs of locating and copying records. Exemptions exist for ongoing investigations, certain juvenile records, and information that would jeopardize officer safety.

Vital records for Richardton residents are maintained at both the county and state levels. Birth and death certificates are issued exclusively by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vital Records, located at 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Department 301, Bismarck, ND 58505-0200. The office can be reached at (701) 328-2360. Birth certificates cost $7 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates are also $7 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies. North Dakota birth records are confidential for 100 years and death records for 50 years, accessible only to family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with an additional service fee. Processing time is typically 5-7 business days for mail requests and 2-3 business days for online orders. Applicants must provide valid photo identification and documentation of their relationship to the person named on the certificate. Marriage licenses are issued by the Stark County Clerk of District Court at the courthouse, 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601 (phone: 701-456-7654), at a cost of $65. Both parties must apply in person with valid photo ID, and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement. Marriage records are public immediately upon recording. Divorce records are maintained as court records through the District Court, accessible through the clerk's office or the state's online court record system. Historical vital records dating back to 1893 are housed at the state vital records office.

Business licensing and registration for Richardton operates through multiple jurisdictions. The City of Richardton requires business licenses for most commercial operations within city limits; applications and information are available through Richardton City Hall at 21 Main Street, Richardton, ND 58652 (phone: 701-974-3241). City business license fees vary based on business type and are typically renewed annually. For businesses operating under an assumed name (DBA), fictitious name certificates must be filed with the Stark County Recorder's Office at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601. The filing fee is $50 and the certificate must be published in a qualified newspaper (such as the Dickinson Press) for one week. All corporations, limited liability companies, and other formal business entities must register with the North Dakota Secretary of State's Business Division. The state maintains a comprehensive searchable database at firststop.sos.nd.gov where anyone can search business entities by name, registered agent, or officer to verify status, view formation dates, check good standing, and access registered agent information. New business entity filings can be completed online with fees ranging from $100 for domestic LLCs to $135 for domestic corporations. Annual reports are required and cost $25-$50 depending on entity type. UCC financing statements (liens on personal property and business assets) are filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State's central filing system and can be searched online at the same portal. Commercial property tax assessments for businesses operating in Richardton are managed by the Stark County Assessor's Office and can be searched through the county's online property database using the business address or parcel number.

Richardton voters access election services through the Stark County Auditor-Treasurer's Office, which serves as the county's election authority. The office is located at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601, and can be reached at (701) 456-7666. The official website www.starkcountynd.gov provides election information, sample ballots, and results. North Dakota is unique in that it does not require voter registration; eligible residents can vote by simply showing an approved form of identification at their polling place. Acceptable IDs include a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver ID card, tribal government-issued ID, or long-term care certificate. The ID must show the voter's current residential address and date of birth. For those without an approved ID showing their current address, a supplemental document such as a current utility bill can be used. Municipal elections in Richardton are held in June of even-numbered years for city council and mayoral positions. The next Richardton city election will be held in June 2026, when voters will select city council members and potentially the mayor depending on term expirations. Richardton voters find their specific polling location by contacting the Stark County Auditor-Treasurer or checking the county website; Richardton residents typically vote at designated polling places within the city. North Dakota provides extensive public access to election records including campaign finance reports through the Secretary of State's website, candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and voter history (though not registration lists since registration is not required). In the November 2024 presidential election, Stark County reported approximately 63% voter turnout with roughly 11,000 ballots cast from an estimated eligible voting population of 17,500. On November 3, 2026, Richardton and Stark County voters will participate in statewide elections including races for U.S. House of Representatives (North Dakota's at-large seat), state legislative district seats (Richardton is in District 37), county commission positions, the Stark County Sheriff, County Auditor-Treasurer, and potentially State's Attorney depending on the cycle. No U.S. Senate or gubernatorial races are scheduled for 2026 as North Dakota's senators were elected in 2022 and 2024, and the governor was elected in 2024. Absentee voting in North Dakota is available for any voter who requests it; applications are available from the Stark County Auditor-Treasurer or online through the Secretary of State's website at vote.nd.gov. Absentee ballots can be requested beginning 40 days before an election and must be returned by the close of polls on election day.