About Williston

Key landmarks in Williston include the Williston Basin International Airport, which opened in 2019 and is an important transportation hub for the region, and the Missouri River, which provides recreational opportunities and scenic views. Neighborhoods such as the Southside and the Northside offer a mix of residential options and community amenities. Economically, Williston has been heavily influenced by the oil industry, with the Bakken formation being one of the largest oil reserves in the United States.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Williston

Williston Police Department

Williston Police Department, Williston. 21,870 likes · 2,899 talking about this · 352 were here. Official Page of the Williston Police Department - North Dakota. Serving and protecting Williston.

Williams County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Verlan Kvande Chief Deputy Kevin Simmons The Sheriff's Office is dedicated to serving and protecting the citizens of Williams County. Our purpose, within jurisdiction boundaries, is to prevent crimes, preserve the peace, protect life.

https://www.williamsnd.com/departments/sheriff/

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Williston

Clerk of District Court - Williams County, ND

Physical Address (and FedEx/UPS) Williams County Courthouse 1st Floor 205 E Broadway Williston, ND 58801 Mailing Address P.O. Box 2047 Williston, ND 58802-2047. The Clerk of District Court is the official holder of all District Court records for the Northwest District, which includes Williams, McKenzie, and Divide Counties.

🔗 https://www.williamsnd.com/clerk-of-district-court/

🏠 Property & Public Records in Williston

Williams County Recorder

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

🔗 https://williamscountynd.gov

Public Records & Services in Williston

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

Jail & Inmate Records

The Williams County Correctional Center is the primary detention facility for the area, handling all booking procedures For people arrested throughout Williams County. Located in Williston, the facility processes arrestees through standard protocols including photographs and fingerprinting. Those seeking information about current detainees can use the inmate lookup service available through the facility's website. Visitation at the center requires advance scheduling, and visitors must follow strict guidelines established by facility administrators.

Arrest Records

The Williams County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county, documenting details of each arrest including charges filed and personal information of arrestees. Under the North Dakota Open Records Statute, residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office and following established procedures. A typical arrest record contains the date of arrest, specific charges, and documentation of any subsequent court proceedings. This system balances the public's right to access government information with necessary protections for individual privacy.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Williams County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Williams 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 criminal history reports. The bureau's services are accessible to the public, for openness and aiding in employment and housing decisions. The state's system allows for thorough checks while maintaining the integrity of individual privacy rights.

Vital Records

Vital records for Williston, North Dakota, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are managed by the Williams County Recorder's Office (https://www.williamsnd.com/recorder-office.html). The Williston Health Department (https://www.willistonnd.com/health-department.html) also maintains some public health records for the city. Residents can request copies of vital records through the appropriate government agencies.

Business & Licensing Records

Business records for Williston, Williams County, North Dakota, are available through several channels depending on the type of information sought. The City of Williston's Economic Development Department at https://www.willistonnd.com/economic-development.html maintains records on local economic initiatives, while the Williston Chamber of Commerce at https://www.willistonchamber.com/ serves as another resource for business related information. These local sources cover business licenses, commercial property assessments, and development projects.

Economy & Demographics

Economic and employment-related public records for Williston, North Dakota, can be found through the City of Williston's Economic Development Department (https://www.willistonnd.com/economic-development.html) and the North Dakota Department of Commerce (https://www.business.nd.gov/). These records include information on local businesses, economic development initiatives, and employment statistics. The Williston Chamber of Commerce (https://www.willistonchamber.com/) also maintains some economic data for the city.

Elections & Voter Records

The Williams County Auditor/Treasurer's Office administers all elections for Williston and the surrounding county from its location at 205 East Broadway, Suite 1, Williston, ND 58801. Residents can reach the office at 701-577-4550 or visit www.co.williams.nd.us for election information. North Dakota stands apart from other states by not requiring voter registration, eligible residents simply present valid identification at their polling place on Election Day.
Acceptable forms include a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver ID card, tribal ID, or long-term care certificate showing both name and current residential address. When an ID lacks the current address, voters can supplement it with documents like utility bills or bank statements. Without registration requirements, there are no deadlines to worry about before casting a ballot. The city operates under a commission form of government with five elected commissioners serving staggered four-year terms. Municipal elections typically take place in June of odd-numbered years, with the next contests scheduled for June 2025 and June 2027. The City Auditor's Office at City Hall handles candidate filings and local ballot measures for these municipal races and can be reached at 701-577-8110. Residents unsure of their assigned polling location can contact the Williams County Auditor's Office or use the North Dakota Secretary of State's polling place lookup at https://vip.sos.nd.gov. While no U.S. Senate seat is up that year (both were contested in 2024 and 2022), the ballot will include North Dakota's at-large U.S. Representative seat, all North Dakota House of Representatives members serving two-year terms, and half the state Senate on its four-year staggered schedule. County races may include Williams County Commissioner positions, Sheriff, State's Attorney, and other officials depending on term cycles. North Dakota's absentee voting system allows any voter to request a ballot from their county auditor without stating a reason. Applications are available at https://vip.sos.nd.gov or directly from the Williams County Auditor. Public election records in the state include candidate filings and campaign finance reports accessible through the Secretary of State at https://vip.sos.nd.gov, precinct-level results published by the county and compiled statewide, and ballot count records by precinct. The absence of voter registration means no registration lists exist.
City Info
StateNorth Dakota
CountyWilliams
Population27,964

Frequently Asked Questions

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