Recorded documents in North Dakota — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the County Recorder in each county.
What this page covers: North Dakota recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the County Recorder in the county where the property is located. Many county county recorders offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
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Primary Sources (Official county registries and state portals)
- sos.nd.gov — Official North Dakota Recorded Documents — State portal for North Dakota recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
- 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 →
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Recorded Documents Databases
4 official North Dakota recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in North Dakota?▼
In North Dakota, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official North Dakota Recorded Documents at sos.nd.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in North Dakota?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official North Dakota Recorded Documents at sos.nd.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are North Dakota recorded documents available online?▼
Most North Dakota countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official North Dakota Recorded Documents at sos.nd.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a North Dakota recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official North Dakota Recorded Documents (sos.nd.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in North Dakota?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in North Dakota are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official North Dakota Recorded Documents at sos.nd.gov publishes the statewide rules.