Public Records & Services in Surrey

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 Surrey, Ward County, North Dakota are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Ward 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 Surrey, Ward County, North Dakota is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Ward 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 Surrey police department or the Ward 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 Surrey 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 Ward 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 Surrey, North Dakota residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Ward County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact the Surrey Police Department or the Ward 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 Surrey North — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

Anyone arrested in Ward County typically ends up at the Ward County Detention Center in Minot, the primary holding facility for the area. The booking process follows standard procedure: detainees are photographed and fingerprinted, then held until they post bail or appear before a judge. Family members and attorneys can locate detainees through the Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system. Visitation at the facility requires advance scheduling and strict adherence to posted guidelines.

Arrest Records

The Ward County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county, including Surrey. Each record documents the arrest details, charges filed, and identifying information about the individual taken into custody. Residents and legal counsel can request these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the North Dakota Open Records Law, arrest records are generally accessible to the public, though certain exceptions exist to protect privacy and security interests. A typical record includes the arrest date, specific charges, and which agency made the arrest.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Ward County cover felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses, as well as the sex offender registry. The Ward County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under the North Dakota Open Records Law. Background checks can be conducted through the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which provides criminal history reports for residents. The Bureau also manages the state's sex offender registry, providing an essential resource for community safety and awareness.

Vital Records

Vital records for Surrey, North Dakota, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, are maintained by the North Dakota Department of Health. Requests for these records can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the department's office in Bismarck. Fees may apply for copies of vital records.

Business & Licensing Records

Business records for Surrey, North Dakota are accessible through the North Dakota Secretary of State's website at https://sos.nd.gov/, which houses information on registered businesses, corporations, and limited liability companies operating in the community. For local business licensing and permitting requirements specific to the city, the City of Surrey's website at http://www.surreynd.org/ provides relevant information and guidance on compliance with municipal regulations.

Economy & Demographics

Economic and employment data for Surrey, North Dakota can be found through the U.S. Census Bureau's American FactFinder tool (https://data.census.gov/). This includes information on the city's top industries, largest employers, and median household income. The North Dakota Job Service also maintains a database of job openings and labor market information for the state, including the Surrey area.

Elections & Voter Records

Surrey voters cast their ballots under the administration of the Ward County Elections Office, housed in the Ward County Administration Building at 315 3rd Street SE, Minot, ND 58701. Residents can reach the office at 701-857-6450 or visit https://www.wardcountygov.com/departments/auditor-treasurer. The Ward County Auditor-Treasurer serves as chief election official for all federal, state, county, and municipal contests, including Surrey's local races. North Dakota stands alone among states in not requiring voter registration.
Eligible residents simply show up on Election Day with proof of residency and identification. Acceptable IDs include a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver ID card, tribal ID, or other documents displaying name, date of birth, and current residential address. Voters without ID showing their current address can bring a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document, or have a registered voter from the precinct vouch for their residency. This streamlined process operates under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 16.1. Municipal elections for mayor and city council seats in Surrey typically follow a staggered schedule, with the next election expected in June 2026. Candidate filing opens in early spring 2026, and specific dates, candidate lists, and local ballot measures are posted at Surrey City Hall and available through the Ward County elections office. Polling place assignments depend on precinct boundaries. Residents can confirm their voting location by contacting the Ward County Elections Office or checking https://vip.sos.nd. North Dakota will elect a U.S. Senator - the Class III seat currently held by John Hoeven is up in 2026 - along with all statewide offices including Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and other constitutional officers, since North Dakota elects these on presidential midterm cycles. State legislative races will fill all 94 House seats and roughly half of the 47 Senate seats. At the Ward County level, voters will decide Ward County Commission seats, Sheriff, State's Attorney, and other county positions. Surrey will hold municipal elections for city offices either aligned with the general election or separately in June 2026, depending on the schedule. Absentee voting in North Dakota is available to any eligible voter. Since the state doesn't require registration, residents can request an absentee ballot by contacting the Ward County Elections Office by mail, phone, or in person. Absentee ballot request forms are available at https://vip.sos.nd.gov. Requests must arrive by 5:00 p.m. The day before the election, though earlier applications are recommended to ensure timely delivery. Voted absentee ballots must reach the Ward County elections office by the close of polls on Election Day. Early voting in person begins 15 days before Election Day at the Ward County Auditor-Treasurer's office. Election records available to the public in North Dakota include precinct-level results showing vote totals by candidate and ballot measure, published by the Secretary of State at https://results.sos.nd.gov and by the Ward County Elections Office. Candidate filing information and campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are searchable at https://www.sos.nd.gov. Voter history is limited since North Dakota doesn't maintain a voter registration database. Individual ballot secrecy remains strictly protected - no information revealing how any specific person voted is ever made public.
City Info
StateNorth Dakota
CountyWard
Population1,672

Frequently Asked Questions

North Dakota is the only U.S. state that does not require voter registration. To vote in Surrey, 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 Surrey, contact the Ward County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Surrey, North Dakota are maintained by the Ward County Director of Tax Equalization's Office and the Ward County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Ward County, including parcels in Surrey. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Ward 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 Ward County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Surrey, 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 Ward County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Ward 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.