Stark County

Stark County is located in southwestern North Dakota, established in 1879 and named after George Stark, a vice president of the Northern Pacific Railway. Stark County Seat is Dickinson, the largest city in Stark County and a major economic hub for western North Dakota. Stark County includes approximately 1,340 square miles and has a population of around 33,000 residents, making it one of the more populous counties in western North Dakota. The scene is characterized by rolling prairie, buttes, and badlands topography typical of Stark County.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Stark County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Stark County. This office oversees Stark County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records.

Police Departments

In addition to 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, making sure of full coverage across Stark County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Stark County Sheriff's Office, located at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Stark County. The agency operates Stark County Detention Center, which houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences. Inmate information and jail rosters can be obtained by contacting the detention center directly at or by visiting the facility in person during business hours.

• Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency, though certain exemptions apply for ongoing investigations and juvenile records.
• Booking photographs and mugshots are generally available through the detention center, though formal public records requests may be required.
• Processing times for arrest record requests typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the complexity of the request.
• Fees for copies and research time may apply according to Stark County's fee schedule.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Stark County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the Bureau, which compiles data from various law enforcement agencies, including those in Stark County.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Stark County are maintained by 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.

Jail & Inmate Records

Stark County Jail, located in Dickinson, is the primary detention facility for Stark County. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and documenting the personal information of the arrestee. 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.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Stark County are taken and retained by Stark County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These images are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases. North Dakota does not have specific mugshot removal laws, so mugshots remain part of the public domain unless expunged through legal proceedings.

Stark County is served by the Southwest Judicial District Court, which handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $15,000, domestic relations, probate, and appeals from lower courts. Stark County Court is located at Stark County Courthouse, 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601, and can be contacted through the office’s website. North Dakota operates a unified court system, and case information can be accessed through the North Dakota Supreme Court's public access portal, though not all records are available online.

• Fees for certified copies of court documents typically range from $10 to $25 depending on the document type and number of pages.
• Online case searches may be limited to case numbers and party names, with detailed documents requiring in-person retrieval or formal records requests.
• Requests for bulk data or extensive research may incur additional fees based on staff time required.

Stark County Recorder's Office, located at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601, maintains all land and property records for Stark County. This office can be reached at and is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, easements, plat maps, and other real property documents. The Recorder's Office provides public access to these records dating back to Stark County's founding, with indices organized by grantor, grantee, and legal description.

• Online property record searches are available through Stark County's website, though full document images may require a subscription or per-page fee.
• Property tax records can be searched online through Stark County's GIS mapping system, which provides parcel boundaries, assessed valuations, tax amounts, and payment history.
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee of approximately $10 for the first page and $3 for each additional page, though rates are subject to change.
• Recording fees for new documents vary by document type, typically ranging from $15 to $50.
• The Recorder's Office accepts documents for recording during regular business hours and provides same-day recording for documents submitted before 4:00 PM.

Vital records for Stark County, North Dakota, are maintained both at Stark County level and by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Division of Vital Records in Bismarck. Birth and death certificates occurring in Stark County can be requested from Stark County Recorder's Office at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601 The fee for certified birth certificates is $7 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Death certificates cost $5 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy.

• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if records are readily accessible, while mail requests may take one to two weeks.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Stark County Recorder's Office, with couples required to apply in person and pay a fee of approximately $65.
• The state Division of Vital Records in Bismarck maintains records statewide and can be reached at or through their website for online ordering via VitalChek, which includes additional processing fees.
• Expedited service is available for an additional charge, with overnight delivery options for urgent requests.

Business records and licensing in Stark County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Stark County Recorder's Office handles filing of trade names and fictitious business names (DBAs) for businesses operating in Stark County, with registration fees typically around $25. These records are public and can be searched at the Recorder's Office at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601.

• This database provides information on entity status, formation date, registered agent, and principal office address.
• The Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 314 3rd Avenue West, Dickinson, ND 58601, provides resources for business development, networking, and economic information.

Elections in Stark County are administered by Stark County Auditor's Office, which is the election authority for Stark County. The office is located at 51 3rd Street East, Dickinson, ND 58601, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Voter registration in North Dakota operates under a unique system: the state does not require advance voter registration. Eligible residents can vote by providing proof of residency and identification at their polling place on Election Day. This makes North Dakota the only state without traditional voter registration.

• North Dakota law provides strong transparency for election records, with most documents available for public inspection under Century Code Chapter 16.1.

Stark County's economy is diverse, historically rooted in agriculture and ranching but significantly transformed by energy development, healthcare, education, and retail sectors. The Bakken oil boom of the 2010s brought tremendous growth, though the economy has stabilized following fluctuations in oil prices. Major employers include CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson Medical Center, one of the largest healthcare facilities in western North Dakota, Dickinson State University with approximately 1,500 students and several hundred employees, and Dickinson Public Schools.

• The median household income in Stark County is approximately $70,000 to $75,000, above the national average and reflecting the impact of energy sector wages.

Court Records: Limited: Online Access | Property: Yes: Online GIS & Records | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Yes: Available In-Person & State Online | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Good Access | Overall Score: 7/10, Stark County provides solid access to property and election records with good in-person service, though some arrest and court records require direct contact with offices.

Explore public records for 7 cities and communities in Stark County, North Dakota.