How to Search North Dakota Criminal Records (Start Here)

North Dakota criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.

What this page covers: North Dakota state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.

Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of District Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.

Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.

Statewide criminal-history agency
Criminal History Records - North Dakota Attorney General
Public name-based search
North Dakota Court System - Criminal Case Records Searches
Fingerprint-based screening
Criminal Background Checks | Health and Human Services North Dakota
Sex offender registry
Offender Search - North Dakota State Government
Open records statute
Open Government Guide North Dakota - Reporters Committee
Number of counties
53 counties
Population
796,568
Households
326,200
Median Income
$76,525
Median Home Value
$234,500
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: North Dakota repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

North Dakota Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)

ND BCI fees were updated August 1, 2025. Separate from court case search (ndcourts.gov).
$15 state / $5 specific purposes
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Mail
Primary method
How to submit
North Dakota BCI (Attorn
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
N.D.C.C. §12-60-16.9
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What a state criminal-history check actually covers

State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.

Multi-state / federal check (FBI Identity History Summary): Returns records contributed by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies through the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III). See FBI Identity History Summary FAQs and Interstate Identification Index (III).

What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.

What Changed in 2026 — North Dakota Criminal Records

2026
North Dakota state-only check active
The North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) continues to process state criminal history checks via attorneygeneral.nd.gov.
2026
North Dakota background check fee structure
Current fee for a North Dakota state-only check: $15 state / $5 specific purposes. Method: Mail; check/money order to 'ND Office of AG'.
2026
North Dakota statutory framework
North Dakota criminal history records are governed by N.D.C.C. §12-60-16.9 and disseminated through North Dakota BCI (Attorney General).
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside North Dakota, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.

The 4-Step North Dakota Criminal Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a North Dakota state-only check from the North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
Mail; check/money order to 'ND Office of AG'. Current fee: $15 state / $5 specific purposes.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at attorneygeneral.nd.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.

Five Things People Get Wrong About North Dakota Criminal Records

❌ Myth: "North Dakota background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) check covers ONLY North Dakota arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only attorneygeneral.nd.gov (the official North Dakota repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under North Dakota law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most North Dakota public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The North Dakota state check shows North Dakota-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.

Primary Sources (Official county registries and state portals)

Related Criminal Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Sample North Dakota counties: Barnes · Benson · Billings · Bowman · Burke

Criminal Records Databases

9 official North Dakota criminal records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Criminal Records

Correctional Center - Official Website of Barnes County, North Dakota
Official Free
The mission of the Barnes County Corrections Facility is to protect the public by maintaining proper custody of offenders sentenced by a court of law or being detained for criminal violations and waiting an initial appearance before a court of law; to provide a safe and healthy environment for all staff and inmates; and to offer work, education and treatment programs when possible, encouraging inmates to make the needed changes to be law-abiding and successful in society. The Barnes County Correctional Center, herein referred to as “BCCC”, is regulated by the North Dakota Century Code…
🌐 barnescounty.us
Corrections | Cass County, ND
Official Free
It is the mission of the Cass County Jail to provide a safe and secure confinement for lawfully committed inmates or detainees in compliance with standards set forth by the North Dakota Century Code and the North Dakota Administrative Jail Rules.
🌐 casscountynd.gov
Resident Lookup | North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Official Free
An individual incarcerated in a North Dakota correctional facility but sentenced out-of-state will not appear in this lookup. Individuals currently incarcerated may be reviewed for a parole as determined by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation based on eligibility and.
🌐 docr.nd.gov
ND Court Records
Official Free
Copyright 2009 Tyler Technologies. All rights Reserved
🌐 publicsearch.ndcourts.gov
Criminal History Records - North Dakota Attorney General
Official Free
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is the state’s central repository for criminal history information, a system that compiles records of arrests and prosecutions of individual offenders for use by law enforcement, the courts, and the.
🌐 attorneygeneral.nd.gov
Offender Search - North Dakota State Government
Official Free
Enter a last name and/or first name to search for registered offenders. Use the neighborhood search feature to show the location of offenders within a certain proximity to a fixed address. For instance, insert the address of your home, school, or local park and then choose a city and radius.
🌐 sexoffender.nd.gov
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.
🌐 ndcourts.gov
The Fargo Police Department to Host News Conference ...
Official Free
The full 2025 Crime Statistics Report is provided as an attachment with the news release email. The 2025 report and additional crime statistics are also available online at FargoPolice.com/CrimeStats.
🌐 fargond.gov
Uscourts
Official Paid
This site is maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary. PACER Service Center (800) 676-6856 pacer@psc.uscourts.gov
🌐 ecf.ndd.uscourts.gov

North Dakota Counties

53 North Dakota counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Cass Burleigh Grand Forks Ward Stark Williams Morton Mountrail Stutsman Barnes Benson Billings Bowman Burke

Frequently Asked Questions

North Dakota's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the North Dakota BCI (Attorney General). Begin the request at attorneygeneral.nd.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by North Dakota statute.

Most adult criminal-history information in North Dakota is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) explains who can request what at attorneygeneral.nd.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.

A state check from the North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) (attorneygeneral.nd.gov) covers only criminal activity within North Dakota. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.

Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the North Dakota BCI (Attorney General). The North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) documentation at attorneygeneral.nd.gov lists each authorized requester category.

If you find an error on your North Dakota criminal history, the North Dakota BCI (Attorney General) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at attorneygeneral.nd.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.