Searching McLean County: what to expect
McLean County publishes some records directly — a single local source below — and leans on state systems for the rest. You don't need a county-level docket here — North Dakota courts are searchable statewide, mapped on our North Dakota court records page. For vital records there's no county-level source online — the statewide routes on the North Dakota vital records page cover that piece.
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by SearchSystems Editorial Team — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all McLean County record-source URLs verified against the official local and North Dakota state publishers on the review date. 3 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
McLean County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for McLean County, North Dakota — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
9,845
Population
Census estimate
4,176
Households
Census estimate
$80,556
Median income
Annual household
$222,100
Median home value
Census ACS
Washburn
County seat
In North Dakota
Criminal records
see state portal
Court records
3 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
1 source
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
1 source
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
McLean County Records at a Glance
| Record type | McLean County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | North Dakota Court System ND Court Records |
| Criminal records | Sex Offenders |
| Wants & warrants | |
| Property records | McLean County Commission Proceedings Tuesday, October 7, 202… |
| Vital records | |
| Voter records | County election officials |
| Professional licenses | |
| Recorded documents | McLean | ND Recorders Information Network |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for McLean County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — McLean County Records
2026
McLean County court records portal verified
State court system links for McLean County verified against the North Dakota judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
McLean County property records online
McLean County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside North Dakota, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step McLean County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the McLean County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the McLean County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the North Dakota statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the North Dakota state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About McLean County Records
MYTH"McLean County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for McLean County are held by the North Dakota state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in McLean County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have McLean County data."
FACTOnly the official North Dakota state repository has verified, current McLean County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The McLean County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe McLean County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.ndcourts.gov — Court records — official source
- www.mcleancountynd.gov — Property records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — McLean County & North Dakota Records
For records not specific to McLean County, use North Dakota's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 North Dakota statewide record systems:
- North Dakota Court Records →
- North Dakota Criminal Records →
- North Dakota Property Records →
- North Dakota Vital Records →
- North Dakota Voter Records →
- North Dakota Wants & Warrants →
- North Dakota Licenses →
- North Dakota Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
North Dakota statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
Most McLean County searches end up needing one of these:
About McLean County, North Dakota
McLean County is located in North Dakota. The county seat is Washburn.
- Population: 9,845
- Households: 4,176
- Median household income: $80,556
- Median home value: $222,100
- Below poverty line: 6.9%
- Land area: 2,110.3 sq mi
- Population density: 4.7 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 7
- NCES schools indexed: 12
North Dakota Court System
Official Free
A Notice of Consultation regarding a vacancy in North Central Judicial District Judgeship No. 5, with chambers in Minot, has been posted. This notice is provided under North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 7.2.
ND Court Records
Official Free
Notice: The Payment Processing feature ("Make Payment" button) will now reroute you to a new payment portal. If you are making a payment you may to get to the new portal - https://www.ndcourts.gov/public-access. You will be asked to select the county where your case was filed.
McLean County, North Dakota - Departments
Official Free
The current McLean County Sheriff is Jerrry "J.R." Kerzmann of Garrison. He was elected to office in 2018. The Sheriff's Department employs 22 full- and part-time officers and 13 full- and part-time jailer/dispatchers. to see a list of registered sex offenders in McLean County.
McLean | ND Recorders Information Network
Official Free
Not a Member? join today · North Dakota Recorders Information Network (NDRIN) is not liable for any legal opinions or assumptions made based on viewed images and/or data contained herein
Divide County Recorder Information
Official Free
As North Dakota law allows the “severing” · of mineral interest (often called “mineral rights”) from “surface ownership”, the · tracing of this ownership can become complex.
McLean County, North Dakota - Contacts
Official Free
Office directory for Mclean County, North Dakota. Directories like this exist because the right office varies by county — confirm before you mail anything. Bookmark it if you work across multiple counties; the layout rarely changes.
McLean County, North Dakota - Departments
Official Free
The documents include all varieties of deeds, instruments of conveyance, probate instruments, mortgages/mechanics liens and other lien-type instruments, easements involving utility companies and highway rights-of-way, oil and gas, coal, gravel and farm lease, contracts for deeds, satisfactions/releases of mortgages, affidavits and many other documents. Up until August of 2001 the Recorder was known as the Register of Deeds. The Recorder staff includes: Deputy Lori Blotske and Deputy Ashley Woolley.
Search | North Dakota Secretary of State
Business, Voter & Other
.gov
Business filing records for North Dakota. Annual report lapses show here first — a company in bad standing flags before it fails. It is the first stop for confirming a business is real, active, and who stands behind it.
McLean County Commission Proceedings Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Official Free
Moved by Cottingham, seconded by Olson, to approve minimum sale prices of property taken for delinquent 2022 taxes as presented. Roll Call Vote: Aye: Cottingham, Olson, and Lee. Nay: None. Motion carried. Notice of Sale of Real Estate Forfeited to the County Chapter 57-28 N.D.C.C.
McLean County, North Dakota - Departments
Official Free
Online access to the McLean County Recorder's land records is available through the North Dakota Recorders Information Network (NDRIN). NDRIN is a subscription service and is available for $25.00/month. McLean County's records are available online from January 1, 1997 to present.
Sex Offenders
Official Free
Registered offender information covering Mclean County, North Dakota. Using registry information to harass or discriminate is itself an offense — the site states the rules plainly.
County election officials
Official Free
County Election Officials County election officials, who are primarily County Auditors, are responsible to the Secretary of State for administering state election laws, rules, and regulations. to ND Dept. of Transportation Select from the options below for the detailed information and forms organized for each group. Verify your address as recorded within the Central Voter File.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in McLean County?
McLean County court cases are searchable through the North Dakota Court System portal: https://www.ndcourts.gov/. North Dakota also operates a state-level case lookup through the ND Courts Public Search system. For federal matters, see PACER.
Can my employer see a sealed record in North Dakota?
Generally, most private employers running a standard name-based check cannot see a sealed North Dakota record. However, government employers, law enforcement, schools, healthcare facilities, and any role requiring a fingerprint-based check can see sealed records under specific statutory exemptions. Confirm specifics with the sealing court.
Does an active warrant show up on a background check in North Dakota?
Yes. Active warrants in North Dakota appear on name-based criminal background checks through the North Dakota BCI system the moment they are entered. Some employers also run a separate NCIC warrant query, which catches federal warrants as well.
Are North Dakota criminal records public?
Mostly yes. North Dakota's public-records law makes adult arrests, court filings, and conviction histories accessible to anyone unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Juvenile cases and sealed records are generally excluded by statute.