About North Dakota Public Records

North Dakota public records are governed by the Open Records Statute, N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18, which presumes all records of public entities are open to the public unless specifically exempted. County recorders hold land records, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) within the Office of the Attorney General handles statewide criminal history, and the North Dakota Courts publish case dockets through ndcourts.gov.

North Dakota Public Records

Court Records

Auction Clerks
Official Free
Browse this alphabetical listing of licensed auction clerks in North Dakota to view license number, name, address and phone in Adobe Acrobat format.
🌐 psc.nd.gov
State Bar
Official Free
Search the North Dakota State Bar Association in North Dakota by attorney name.
🌐 ndcourts.gov
Protective Orders
Official Free
Search for protective orders in North Dakota by case number and respondent name and county of issuance.
🌐 vinelink.com

Criminal Records

Child Support Payments
Official Free
Search this database of child support payments in North Dakota by SSN to access payment information. You must be a registered user.
🌐 nd.gov
Criminal Histories
Official Free
North Dakota Attorney General information on how to request a criminal history record check.
🌐 nd.gov
Grain Elevators
Official Free
Browse this alphabetical listing of licensed Grain Elevators in North Dakota by city or name. Information provided in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
🌐 psc.nd.gov
Criminal Records
Official Free
Search Systems Premium combined database of North Dakota statewide criminal records. Includes statewide felony and misdemeanor dispositions, Department of Corrections inmate records, and registered offenders.
🌐 searchsystems.net

Property Records

Surplus Property
Official Free
Browse this North Dakota Office of Management & Budget Division of State Surplus Property for a complete listing of Surplus Property inventory.
🌐 nd.gov
Unclaimed Property
Official Free
North Dakota Department of Trust Lands is responsible for maintaining the unclaimed property database. Search by individual or business name, city, or zip code.
🌐 land.nd.gov
Company & Trademark Search
Official Free
ND Secretary of State database of North Dakota corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, LLLPs, fictitious business names, real estate investment trusts, and trademarks.
🌐 sos.nd.gov
Lobbyists & Organizations
Official Free
Browse alphabetically by year and name for lobbyists and organizations that employ registered lobbyists in North Dakota.
🌐 sos.nd.gov

Vital Records

Obituaries | Archives
Official Free
North Dakota University library obituary database s containing records published in The Fargo Forum between 1892 and 1909, and from 1982 through 1995.
🌐 library.ndsu.edu

Business

Company & Trademark Search
Official Free
ND Secretary of State database of North Dakota corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, LLLPs, fictitious business names, real estate investment trusts, and trademarks.
🌐 sos.nd.gov
Lobbyists & Organizations
Official Free
Browse alphabetically by year and name for lobbyists and organizations that employ registered lobbyists in North Dakota.
🌐 nd.gov
Uniform Commercial Code
Official Free
Register with the North Dakota Secretary of State Direct Access Central Indexing systems and download their software to search for North Dakota Uniform Commercial Code Filings (UCCs).
🌐 nd.gov

Civic

Agencies
Official Free
Browse this North Dakota government listing by name for North Dakota Government Agencies.
🌐 nd.gov
Election Results
Official Free
Find out the North Dakota election results from primary and general elections.
🌐 nd.gov
Legislation
Official Free
Click on "Bill Status" in the left-hand column of this North Dakota Legislature site to search for current North Dakota legislation.
🌐 legis.nd.gov
Photo Archives
Official Free
Browse this State Historical Society of North Dakota collection by subject for historical North Dakota photographs.
🌐 history.nd.gov
State Facts (History)
Official Free
This site contains such information as state symbols, natural & historic highlights of state to aspects of local government, etc.
🌐 nd.gov

Other

Contractors
Official Free
Search by license number, owner name, business name, city, and/or county for contractors licensed in North Dakota.
🌐 nd.gov
Gaming Equipment Distributors
Official Free
Browse this alphabetical listing of licensed gaming equipment distributors in North Dakota to view license number, name, type, address and phone in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
🌐 nd.gov
Gaming Equipment Manufacturers
Official Free
Browse this alphabetical listing of licensed gaming equipment manufacturers in North Dakota to view license number, name, type, address and phone in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
🌐 nd.gov
Gaming Organizations
Official Free
Browse this alphabetical listing of licensed gaming organizations in North Dakota to view license number, name, manager, type, address and phone in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
🌐 nd.gov
Engineers
Official Free
Use this American Council of Engineering Companies of North Dakota service to search or browse for Engineers in North Dakota.
🌐 acecnd.org
Insurance
Official Free
National Association of Insurance Commissioners lookup for licensed Arkansas insurance companies, producers, brokers, administrators, and agents.
🌐 sbs.naic.org
Nursing
Official Free
Search by name and social security number, or by RN/LPN license number for licensed Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses in North Dakota.
🌐 ndbon.org
Airports
Official Free
Browse this interactive map form the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission for North Dakota airports.
🌐 nd.gov
Auctioneers
Official Free
Click on "Licensed Auctioneers" to browse this alphabetical listing of licensed auctioneers in North Dakota.
🌐 psc.nd.gov
Boat Registration
Official Free
Search this North Dakota Game and Fish service for Watercraft Safety Boat Registration in North Dakota by last name and birth date.
🌐 nd.gov
Job Vacancies
Official Free
Search the job vacancies in ND State Government. Gives the qualifications needed, job descriptions, salary, and application procedures.
🌐 nd.gov
Maps (GIS)
Official Free
View the North Dakota GIS (Geographical Information System) databases of interactive maps of boundaries, districts, communications, environmental, recreation, transportation, water and other inform...
🌐 nd.gov
Railroads
Official Free
Browse this North Dakota Public Service Commission list of North Dakota Railroad Companies in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
🌐 psc.nd.gov
Vanity Plates
Official Free
Search this North Dakota Department of Transportation site for NDDOT "Motor Vehicle Special Letter Plate Availability."
🌐 apps.nd.gov
Census 1885
Official Free
Search this North Dakota State University database for 1885 Dakota Territory Census records by name, nativity, and/or county.
🌐 library.ndsu.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in North Dakota?

North Dakota provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are North Dakota public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in North Dakota?

North Dakota public records are governed by the Open Records Statute, N.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most North Dakota agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).