Searching Pembina County: what to expect
Searches in Pembina County run on two layers: a few county-run sources (1 below) and North Dakota's statewide databases for everything else. You don't need a county-level docket here — North Dakota courts are searchable statewide, mapped on our North Dakota court records page. The standout local source is pembinacountynd.gov, covering local vital-records requests. One gap: recorded documents aren't published by the county itself. Use the North Dakota recorded documents page for those.
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by SearchSystems Editorial Team — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Pembina County record-source URLs verified against the official local and North Dakota state publishers on the review date. 5 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Pembina County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Pembina County, North Dakota — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
6,588
Population
Census estimate
2,961
Households
Census estimate
$64,243
Median income
Annual household
$112,700
Median home value
Census ACS
Cavalier
County seat
In North Dakota
Criminal records
see state portal
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
2 sources
Vital records
2 sources
Voter records
1 source
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
1 source
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Pembina County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Pembina County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | North Dakota Court System - Pembina County ND Court Records |
| Criminal records | Pembina County ND Jail Inmate Records Search, North Dakota - StateCourts |
| Wants & warrants | North Dakota Court System - District Court Case Search and Payment Processing |
| Property records | Pembina County, ND - County News Notice of Disclaimer |
| Vital records | Pembina County, ND - Links Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce - State A… |
| Voter records | Pembina County, ND - Home |
| Professional licenses | |
| Recorded documents | Pembina County, ND - Departments |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Pembina County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Pembina County Records
2026
Pembina County court records portal verified
State court system links for Pembina County verified against the North Dakota judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Pembina County property records online
Pembina 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 Pembina County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Pembina County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Pembina 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 Pembina County Records
MYTH"Pembina County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Pembina 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 Pembina 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 Pembina County data."
FACTOnly the official North Dakota state repository has verified, current Pembina County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Pembina County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Pembina 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.pembinacountynd.gov — Property records — official source
- www.history.nd.gov — Vital records — official source
- pembinacountynd.gov — Recorded documents — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Pembina County & North Dakota Records
For records not specific to Pembina 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
Looking for a person, not a database? Start with the North Dakota guides:
About Pembina County, North Dakota
Pembina County is located in North Dakota.
- Population: 6,588
- Households: 2,961
- Median household income: $64,243
- Median home value: $112,700
- Below poverty line: 9.2%
- Land area: 1,118.5 sq mi
- Population density: 5.9 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 3
- NCES schools indexed: 13
North Dakota Court System - Pembina County
Official Free
Court case information for Pembina County, North Dakota. For copies the site doesn't display, the clerk fills requests at a per-page rate. Try surname-only searches when a full name returns nothing; spelling variations are common.
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 click here 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.
Pembina County, ND - Links
Official Free
Vital-record certificates connected to Pembina County are ordered here. If a link breaks, the office homepage at pembinacountynd.gov carries the new path.
Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce - State Archives - State Historical Society of North Dakota
Official Free
Vital Records data is provided in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Vital Records (NDDoH). All Vital Records data is maintained by the NDDoH. Any questions about the data should be directed to the NDDoH.
Pembina County Clerk and Recorder
Official Free
The County Clerk/Recorder’s office is a combination of the Clerk of District Court’s office and the Register of Deeds’ office. This office is responsible for maintaining the district court files and the county land records.
Pembina County, ND - County News
Official Free
Parcel and valuation data for Pembina County — ownership, assessed values, and property characteristics. It is an official government source.
Notice of Disclaimer
Official Free
Notice of Disclaimer: County makes the Web information available on an "as is" basis. All warranties and representations of any kind with regard to said information is disclaimed, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular use.
Pembina County, ND - Home
Official Free
Our Web site is here to provide you with information on many different areas of the county including county government, local businesses, cities and recreation. There are links to resources at the State of North Dakota and Pembina County cities.
North Dakota Voter Information
Official Free
Voter and election business for Pembina County is managed here. If a link breaks, the office homepage at vip.sos.nd.gov carries the new path.
Pembina County, ND - Departments
Official Free
passport application (by appointment), marriage license application (by appointment), marriage license records, money judgment records, criminal/civil record searches, land title records (mortgages, deeds and related instruments), and other related duties.
Pembina | 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
Registered Lobbyists | 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. Filings show registered agents, status, and history — the paper trail behind any company name.
Pembina County ND Jail Inmate Records Search, North Dakota - StateCourts
Official Free
The best way to locate or get information of any inmate currently incarcerated in Pembina County ND Jail is to contact the County Jail for information on the inmate or visit them online at https://www.bop.gov/ .
North Dakota Court System - District Court Case Search and Payment Processing
Official Free
If you're unsure which county to choose, you may select any county and after entering your information, you will be automatically redirected to the correct payment portal · This website provides access to North Dakota District Court Case information for Criminal, Traffic, and Civil case types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Pembina County?
Pembina County court cases are searchable through the North Dakota Court System - Pembina County portal: https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/pembina-county. North Dakota also operates a state-level case lookup through the ND Courts Public Search system. For federal matters, see PACER.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by North Dakota law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
How long does an arrest stay on my record in North Dakota if I wasn't convicted?
In North Dakota, an arrest stays on your record indefinitely unless you petition the court to seal or expunge it, even if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. North Dakota's rules for clearing non-conviction records are stricter than for convictions — start with the North Dakota BCI.
Are Pembina County records free to search?
Yes — every link on this page goes to an official government source. Basic searches are free. Certified copies and formal background checks carry the standard government fee.