How to Find North Dakota Public Records (2026 Guide)

Public records in North Dakota are funded by your taxpayer dollars — and because of that, you have the legal right to access them. Whether you need court records, criminal history, vital records, or property information, North Dakota’s open records laws give residents and non-residents alike the ability to request these documents, often for free or for a small administrative fee. This comprehensive 2026 guide walks you through every major category of North Dakota public records, how to find them, what they contain, and how tools like TruthFinder can make the process faster and easier.

What Are Public Records in North Dakota?

Public records are documents, data, photographs, audio files, or any other recorded information created or maintained by a government agency using public funds. Because these records are produced with taxpayer money, the public has a legal right to access them under freedom of information principles embedded in both state and federal law.

In North Dakota, public records include — but are not limited to — court records, criminal history, vital records (birth and death certificates), property records, legislative proceedings, government contracts, law enforcement logs, and professional licensing records. These records are maintained at the local, county, state, and federal levels, and each level has its own procedures for how to request them.

It is important to understand that while anyone can request a public record in North Dakota, access to certain records may be restricted. Records involving minors, sealed court cases, ongoing law enforcement investigations, or sensitive national security matters may be withheld from general public access. Your request can be denied for lawful reasons — but the denial itself must comply with North Dakota open records law.

North Dakota Open Records Law

North Dakota’s primary open records statute is the North Dakota Open Records Law, codified under North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Chapter 44-04. This law establishes that all records created by public entities in North Dakota are presumed to be open and accessible to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The law applies broadly to state agencies, county governments, city and municipal bodies, school districts, courts, law enforcement agencies, and any entity that receives public funding and exercises a governmental function. The North Dakota Attorney General’s Office enforces these rules and publishes guidance documents to help both requesters and government agencies understand their rights and obligations.

When you submit a public records request in North Dakota, the government agency typically has a reasonable amount of time to respond — usually within a few business days for straightforward requests. Agencies may charge a fee to cover the actual cost of retrieving, copying, or mailing records, but they cannot charge excessive fees designed to discourage access. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

As a requester, you do not need to explain why you want a record or prove that you are a North Dakota resident. The right to access public records extends to all people, regardless of residency or citizenship status.

Types of Public Records Available in North Dakota

North Dakota maintains a wide variety of public records across multiple agencies and government levels. Here is a summary of the most commonly requested types:

• Criminal History Records: Maintained by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) under the Attorney General’s Office.
• Court Records: Maintained by the North Dakota Supreme Court and district courts across all 53 counties.
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees maintained by the North Dakota Department of Health.
• Property Records: Maintained at both the county level (County Assessor’s Office) and the state level by the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner.
• Sex Offender Registry: Publicly searchable through the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
• Driving Records: Maintained by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT).
• Professional Licensing Records: Maintained by individual professional licensing boards across the state.
• Legislative Records: All legislative proceedings, votes, bills, and public meeting minutes are publicly accessible.
• Inmate and Corrections Records: Maintained by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (NDDOCR).

Criminal History Records

One of the most frequently searched categories of North Dakota public records is criminal history. Whether you are an employer conducting due diligence, a landlord screening a tenant, or an individual checking your own record, understanding how criminal history records work in North Dakota is essential.

The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) maintains the state’s central repository of criminal history records. These records include arrests, charges, convictions, dismissed cases, deferred sentences, and information about probation or parole status.

There is an important distinction in North Dakota between a standard background check and a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC). A standard background check can be performed using publicly available court records and law enforcement logs. A Criminal History Record Check is more comprehensive — it pulls directly from the BCI’s central database and may include records not visible in public court databases, including sealed records accessible only to authorized parties.

To request a standard name-based background check through the BCI, you will need the subject’s full legal name and date of birth. The fee for a name-based search is nominal. Fingerprint-based checks are more thorough and are typically reserved for employment in sensitive industries such as childcare, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. Fingerprint-based CHRCs are authorized under North Dakota Century Code and can only be requested by specific employers required by law to conduct them.

Court records at the district and county level are also a valuable source of criminal history information. North Dakota’s Odyssey court system allows online access to many case types, including criminal misdemeanors and felonies. You can search case records through the North Dakota Courts website by name, case number, or date.

Keep in mind that not all arrests result in convictions, and under North Dakota law, certain records — including juvenile records and some deferred sentences — may be sealed or expunged and will not appear in a standard public search.

Court Records in North Dakota

North Dakota’s court system is unified under the North Dakota Supreme Court and consists of district courts serving all 53 counties in the state. Court records are among the most widely accessed public records in North Dakota and cover a broad range of civil and criminal proceedings.

Types of court records available to the public include:

• Criminal case filings, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions
• Civil lawsuits between private parties or businesses
• Probate and estate records, including wills and trusts filed with the court
• Small claims court filings
• Domestic relations records (some portions may be restricted)
• Traffic violations and infractions
• Bankruptcy filings (maintained at the federal level through PACER)

You can access North Dakota court records online through the ndcourts.gov case search portal. Many records are available without charge through the online portal. Physical case files can be obtained by contacting the clerk of court in the relevant county courthouse. Fees may apply for certified copies of documents.

For federal court records involving North Dakota residents or businesses, use the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system maintained by the U.S. federal judiciary.

Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce

Vital records in North Dakota are maintained by the North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. These records document major life events and are frequently needed for legal, genealogical, or personal identification purposes.

Birth Certificates: Birth records in North Dakota are confidential for 125 years after the date of birth. Only the registrant (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or others with a direct and tangible interest can access certified copies. After 125 years, birth records become publicly available. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

Death Certificates: Death records are confidential for 50 years. After the confidentiality period, they become public records. Certified copies of death certificates can be obtained from the North Dakota Department of Health or the county recorder where the death occurred.

Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and records are maintained by the county judge’s office in the county where the license was issued. Certified copies can be obtained through the county office or through the North Dakota Department of Health.

Divorce Records: Divorce decrees are court records maintained by the district court in the county where the divorce was granted. Certified copies can be obtained from the clerk of court. Divorce records are also maintained at the state level by the North Dakota Department of Health.

For genealogical research, the North Dakota State Archives and Historical Society maintains older records, microfilm, and digitized collections that can be accessed through their website or in person at the State Historical Society in Bismarck.

Property Records in North Dakota

Property records in North Dakota are unique compared to many other states. While most states maintain property records exclusively at the county level, North Dakota also maintains property tax and assessment records at the state level through the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner.

Property records typically include ownership information, legal descriptions of the land, assessed values, tax payment histories, deed transfers, liens, and mortgages. These records are valuable for real estate buyers, sellers, investors, and researchers.

At the county level, property records are maintained by the County Recorder or County Auditor’s Office. Most North Dakota counties now offer online property record search tools through their official county websites. You can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address.

Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents are typically filed with the County Recorder. These documents become part of the permanent public record and can be accessed by anyone. Copies may be obtained in person or by mail for a small fee.

Sex Offender Registry

North Dakota maintains a publicly searchable Sex Offender Registry through the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 12.1-32-15, convicted sex offenders and offenders against children are required to register with local law enforcement, and their information is made available to the public.

The online registry allows users to search by name, city, county, or zip code. Each registered offender’s listing typically includes their name, photograph, address, offense history, and registration status. The registry is updated regularly and is available at the North Dakota Sex Offender Website.

Using the sex offender registry is completely free and requires no registration. This is one of the most important free public records tools available to North Dakota residents — especially for parents, property owners, and individuals concerned about community safety.

Background Checks in North Dakota

A background check is the process of reviewing publicly available records to verify information about a person or entity. In North Dakota, background checks draw from multiple sources including criminal court records, property records, driving records, sex off