Ward County Court Records

The Sup. Ct. Admin. R. & Ord. Rule 41 defines Ward County court records as including administrative or case records. A case record is a document relating to a particular judicial proceeding, such as a calendar, decree, register of actions, judgment, docket, index, order, or minute order. An administrative record refers to a record relating to a court's management, supervision, or administration.

Ward County court records hold significant value in legal proceedings as they document various judicial activities. These records contain vital information regarding civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. They are helpful to law enforcement, lawyers, government agencies, and members of the public seeking evidence or background checks. Ward County court records usually contain the following information:

• Case number
• Party information (party type and name, date of birth, and attorney's name and number)
• Charge information (charges, statute, level, and date)
• Events & orders of the court (date, disposition, hearing information, and name of the judicial officer)
• Financial information (transaction assessment, receipt number, and balance due date)

Are Court Records Public in Ward County?

Yes, court records are open and accessible upon request and are consistent with the North Dakota Open Records Statute and Sup. Ct. Admin. R. & Ord. Rule 41. All courts in Ward County would release their records for inspection and copying upon request and payment of reasonable fees. However, some court records may not be available to the public. Examples of such records are:

• Juvenile court records
• Mental health commitment records
• Adoption and paternity records
• Psychological evaluations and drug and alcohol treatment records.
• Sealed criminal records according to N.D.C.C. Ch. 12-60.1
• A court record for in-camera examination pending disclosure.
• Divorce parties' property and debt listing pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.3.
• A case record where the court found no probable cause for criminal complaint issuance.
• Any financial, household, or employment information provided in an indigent defense service application.
• A record relating to a Child Relinquishment to Identified Adoptive Parent matter according to N.D.C.C. Ch. 14-15.1.
• A deferred imposition of sentence record (N.D.R.Crim.P. 32.1) or pretrial diversion (N.D.R.Crim.P. 32.2) after the dismissal of the matter
• A complaint or associated arrest or search warrant deemed confidential by a court order pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 29-05-32 or N.D.C.C. § 29-29-22.
• An affidavit, declaration, sworn testimony, or record of proceedings supporting an arrest or search warrant issuance before the execution of the warrant.
• Court records containing protected information such as birth dates (excluding the year), a minor's name (excluding the initials), taxpayer identification numbers, social security numbers, and financial account numbers (excluding the last four digits).
• A court record involving:
  • A sexual assault restraining order petition (N.D.C.C. § 12.1-31-01.2).
  • A domestic violence protection order application (N.D.C.C. § 14-07.1-02).
  • A disorderly conduct restraining order petition (N.D.C.C. Ch. 12.1-31.2) sought based on alleged domestic violence.

Ward County Court Records Search

A court record search can be performed online or in person at the Ward County District Court. The court has a public computer terminal that can be used to view and print court records at the office. Individuals can also go to the record staff to perform a search. Online requests can be made using the Case Search tool following the steps below:

• Go to "Select a location" and select Ward County from the dropdown
• Click the CriminalTraffic or Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link
• On the CriminalTraffic page, search by case, defendant, citation, attorney, or date filed
• On the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records, search by case, party, attorney, or date filed
• Click the search button to conduct the search

Ward County Courts

Ward County has a District Court and several Municipal Courts. Below are the addresses of the available courts:

Ward County District Court
315 3rd St SE
Minot, ND 58701
Phone: (701) 857-6600
Fax: (701) 857-6623
Email: 51clerk@ndcourts.gov

Burlington Municipal Court
P.O. Box 159
Burlington 58722
Phone: (701) 852-5233
Fax: (701) 852-5928
cityburl2@srt.com

Kenmare Municipal Court
P.O. Box 816
Kenmare 58746
Phone: (701) 334-1970
Email: gabbynelson@nd.gov

Minot Municipal Court
P.O. Box 5006
Minot 58702
Phone: (701) 857-4759
Fax: (701) 857-1522
Email: municourt@minotnd.org

Surrey Municipal Court
100 Pleasant Ave S.
Surrey, ND 58785
Phone: (701) 852-4154
Fax: (701) 839-1256
Email: surreycityclerk@srt.com

Ward County Criminal Records

The Ward County Sheriff's Department provides criminal records to members of the public. A full name and date of birth of the subject of the record would be required for the search. The requester must visit the office with a completed Request for Report/Information Form and a valid ID. Copies of record cost $0.25 per page. Requests can be made from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:

Ward County Sheriff's Department
204 Front St SE
P.O. Box 907
Minot, ND 58702
Phone: (701) 857-6500
Fax: (701) 857-6520

Since criminal records contain arrest information, individuals can retrieve Ward County arrest records from the Detention Center. Arrest information can be viewed for free online on the Inmate Locator.

A complete Ward County criminal record may be obtained from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) by name or fingerprints. Record seekers must submit their fingerprints to conduct a finger-based search. The Ward County Detention Center and Sheriff's Office no longer offer fingerprint services to members of the public. Therefore, the requester would have to visit approved third-party vendors for such services.

Individuals can conduct a name-based search by mailing a completed and signed Request for Criminal History Record Information and a fee of $15 payable by check or money order to the BCI. Eligible non-profit charitable organizations can submit an Application for a Reduction in Fee to have their fees reduced to $5. The mailing address is:

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations
Criminal Records Section
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 1054
Bismarck ND 58502-1054
Phone: (701) 328-5500

Get Ward County Civil Court Records

The Ward County District Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases. Interested persons can get copies of civil court records online or in person at the courthouse. Online requests can be made via the District Court Case Search tool using a case, party, attorney, or date filed. To conduct a search, users must select "Ward County" from the "Select a Location" dropdown and click the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link. Scroll to the "Case Types" section and select the specific type of civil case to be searched.

In-person requests can be made at the courthouse during business hours. The record staff will require the name of the case party or case number to search for the appropriate record. Copies of record can also be printed from the court's public computer terminal. A fee of $0.10 per page applies to copies of civil court records.

Ward County Marriage Records

Couples may obtain certified copies of their marriage certificate from the Ward County Recorder after their wedding. Mail a Request for Recorded Marriage License with the bride and groom's names and marriage date to the office. The mail should include the appropriate fees. Certified copies of marriages before 1995 cost $8, while marriages after 1995 cost $6. Non-certified copies cost $1 per page. Mail the request form and fee in check or money order to:

Ward County Recorder
P.O. Box 5005
Minot, ND 58702

Ward County Divorce Records

Ward County public records include divorce records available at the District Court Clerk's Office. Requests can be made online using the District Court Case Search tool. To initiate a search, select Ward County from the "Select a Location" dropdown and click the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link. Conduct a search by case, party, attorney, or date filed. Regardless of the search option, scroll to the "Case Types" section and select "Divorce" to view only divorce cases.

Alternatively, requesters can visit the courthouse on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to obtain copies of divorce records. The case party's name or case number should be provided to facilitate the search. Individuals can either request copies of records from the record staff or use the public computer terminals at the courthouse to print out the desired record. The clerk charges $0.10 per page for copies of divorce records with a $1.00 minimum charge.

Ward Birth and Death Records

Ward County vital records of births and deaths are not available at the Recorder's Office. The North Dakota State Department of Health Vital Records maintains them. Certified copies of Ward County birth records can only be requested by the record holder when they reach the age of 16 or their parents. Other individuals can request certified copies of Ward County birth certificates if they have a court order or legal documentation revealing that they are authorized representatives of the subject of the record. The office will issue birth records of a person who is deceased to the deceased's immediate family members (mother, father, child, grandchild, and grandparent) and an authorized representative acting on behalf of the deceased.

The Vital Records Office issues certified copies of complete death records (including the cause of death and the social security number) to relatives, an authorized representative, a funeral director, and persons with a court order. Members of the public can obtain a certified informational copy of a death record that includes the decedent's demographic information but excludes the cause of death or the social security number.

Individuals can order birth or death records online, by mail, or in person. Mail applications must include:

• A birth or death request application form.
• A check or money order.
• A primary or two secondary forms of identification are sent to the Vital Records Office.

In-person requests can be made at the office during business hours. Call (701) 328-2360 to make an appointment. Birth and death records cost $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. The office is located at:

North Dakota State Department of Health
Vital Records,
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Dept 325,
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2360
Email: vitalrec@nd.gov

Ward County Probate Court Records

The Ward County District Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases, including probate. Probate court records can be viewed online for free on the District Court Case Search portal. Users must select the appropriate county and click on the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link. The search criteria are case, party, attorney, or date filed. Scroll to the "Case Types" section and select Probate Administration (formal or informal) or Probate of Will (formal or informal) to view all probate records.

Individuals can also visit the courthouse from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to get probate court records. Copies can be obtained from the record staff or printed from the public computer terminal at the courthouse. Probate court records cost $0.10 per page with a $1.00 minimum charge.

Ward County Property Records

The Ward County Recorder processes property record requests submitted by mail. Applicants must submit a completed Request for Recorded Documents and the necessary fees. Certified copies of property records like deeds, mortgages, and satisfaction cost $5 for the first page and $2 for any additional pages. Non-certified copies cost $1 per page. Alternatively, requesters can visit the Recorder's Office in person during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). They must provide a name or record number to process the request. The office is located at:

Ward County Recorder
Administration Building
225 Third St.
SE Minot, ND 58701
Phone: (701) 857-6413
Fax: (701) 857-6414
Email: kristin.kowalczyk@co.ward.nd.us

Individuals can find property tax records online or in person at the Ward County Auditor / Treasurer's Office. The Parcel Viewer tool allows users to view property tax information online for free. A search can be conducted by address or PIN. The pay property taxes online link can also be used to view property tax records. The search criteria are parcel number, property address, subdivision, section, township, or range.

Ward County Court Records Online

Most third-party sites, like northdakotacourtrecords.us, allow members of the public to access court records online. To access court records, go to the search field of the chosen site and enter a name or case number. Some sites charge a small fee or a subscription to access complete court records reports. Therefore, users should review the costs before proceeding with in-depth searches. Third-party sites may not have the most current or complete records as they are not the official custodians of court records. Verifying the court information by cross-referencing it with official government databases or directly contacting the appropriate Ward County Court is advisable.