Burleigh County Court Records Search

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    Burleigh County is located in south-central North Dakota and serves as home to the state capital, Bismarck. The county’s court system operates within the South Central Judicial District and processes a significant volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases each year. The Clerk of the District Court, based at the Burleigh County Courthouse, is the primary custodian of court records and the main point of contact for anyone seeking case information, certified copies, or background checks. Bismarck Municipal Court and Lincoln Municipal Court also handle ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors within their respective city limits.

    For anyone looking to find court case records in North Dakota, several avenues are available. The state judiciary maintains a public case search platform, and individual clerk of court offices provide both in-person assistance and public access computer terminals for reviewing case files. The North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry System (NDCRIS) enables online searches across district and some municipal courts statewide. Additional court resources, rules, and forms can be found through NorthDakotaCourts.us, which may help users identify publicly available case information and connect with specific court offices.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Burleigh County?

    There are three principal methods for looking up court cases in Burleigh County: searching online, visiting the courthouse in person, or submitting a written request by mail.

    Online Search

    The NDCRIS public search portal provides access to criminal, traffic, civil, family, and probate case records from North Dakota District Courts, including Burleigh County. Users can search by:

    • Party name
    • Case number
    • Citation number
    • Attorney information
    • Case type, status, or filing date

    Search results include registers of action, case dispositions, civil judgments, and court calendars for non-confidential matters. The system also includes some Bismarck Municipal Court cases. Restricted or confidential case information does not appear in public search results. The courts caution that users should always review the disposition section of each case to determine its final outcome, as charges may change during the course of proceedings.

    In-Person Access

    Visitors to the Burleigh County Courthouse can use public access computer terminals to search statewide court records and view case documents. Paper case files may also be reviewed at the Clerk’s office during regular hours. Staff can provide copies of documents, though fees apply.

    Burleigh County District Court — Clerk’s Office
    Address: 514 East Thayer Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1055, Bismarck, ND 58502
    Phone: (701) 222-6690 ext. 1
    Fax: (701) 222-6758
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Mail Requests

    Written record requests should be addressed to the Clerk of District Court at the mailing address above. Include the full names of parties involved, the case number if known, and a description of the documents needed. Enclose payment by check or money order for applicable fees. Personal identification may be required for certain record types.

    Applicable Fees

    The North Dakota Court Fee Schedule (effective July 1, 2025) sets the following copy and search charges:

    ServiceFee
    Certified copy of judgment, order, or other filed document$20
    Additional copies of the same document$10
    Civil record search (per name)$10
    Criminal record search (per name)$10
    Standard copies (per page)$0.10
    Faxed documents, outgoing (per page)$0.25

    There is no per-page charge for certified copies and no fee for electronic copies. Federal, state, and local government entities are exempt from record search fees.

    Are Court Records Public in Burleigh County?

    North Dakota’s constitution, under Section 6, Article XI, establishes a public right to inspect government records, including those maintained by the courts. Administrative Rule 41 of the North Dakota Supreme Court implements this principle, providing that court records are generally open for examination, inspection, and copying during regular office hours for a fee.

    Rule 41 also identifies specific categories of records that are classified or exempt from public disclosure. These include:

    • Records made confidential by federal law, state law, court rule, or court order
    • Juvenile delinquency and juvenile court records (N.D.C.C. § 27-20.2-21)
    • Contact information of parties, witnesses, and crime victims (phone numbers, emails, addresses)
    • Grand jury proceedings (N.D.C.C. § 29-10.1-30, -31)
    • Child custody-related records (N.D.C.C. § 14-09.1-06)
    • Records of domestic violence victims and sexual offense victims
    • Records identifying child victims of sexual assault or abuse (N.D.C.C. § 12.1-35-03)
    • Property and debt listings in divorce proceedings (N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.3)
    • Adoption proceedings (N.D.C.C. § 14-15-16(4))
    • Mental health commitment records (N.D.C.C. § 25-03.1-43)
    • Sealed criminal records (N.D.C.C. Ch. 12-60.1)
    • Wills deposited for safekeeping prior to the testator’s death (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-11-01)
    • Presentence investigation reports (N.D.R.Crim.P. 32©)

    If a request is denied, the clerk must explain the basis for the denial and cite the applicable statute or rule. A requestor may seek a ruling from the custodial judge, and if that ruling is unfavorable, the remedy is to institute a proceeding in district court. The clerk is not required to permit access to more than ten files per day per requestor, though this limit may be relaxed at the clerk’s discretion.

    North Dakota Rule of Court 3.4 also imposes privacy protections on filings, requiring parties to limit the inclusion of personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive identifiers in documents submitted to the court.

    Burleigh County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Burleigh County are prosecuted by the Burleigh County State’s Attorney and heard in the District Court for felonies and serious misdemeanors, or in Bismarck Municipal Court for city ordinance violations and Class B misdemeanors. Criminal case files maintained by the Clerk of District Court typically include charging documents, bond information, plea records, motions, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation conditions.

    Searching Criminal Case Records

    Criminal docket information is available through NDCRIS by defendant name, case number, or citation number. The portal displays charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and registers of action for non-restricted criminal cases. Public access terminals at the courthouse offer the same search capability.

    Certified Criminal Record Search Through the Clerk

    The Clerk of District Court conducts name-based criminal record searches within Burleigh County for a $10 fee per name. This search covers only Burleigh County District Court records and is not a statewide check. Requests can be made in person at the courthouse or by mail. Government entities are exempt from this fee.

    Statewide Criminal History Through the BCI

    For broader searches, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) maintains the state’s criminal history database. A BCI record check requires:

    1. The subject’s full name and any aliases
    2. Social Security number or fingerprints
    3. Current address
    4. A signed authorization form
    5. A $15 fee per record check (check or money order payable to the North Dakota Attorney General)

    Requests should be mailed to:

    Criminal Records Section — ND Bureau of Criminal Investigation
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1054, Bismarck, ND 58502-1054
    Physical Address: 1720 Burlington Drive, Suite B, Bismarck, ND 58504
    Phone: (701) 328-5500

    Sheriff’s Office and Arrest Records

    The Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department handles law enforcement and detention services. Arrest records and booking information may be available by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly. Records requests can be submitted by email to tnichols@burleighsd.com.

    Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department
    Physical Address: 514 East Thayer Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1416, Bismarck, ND 58502-1416
    Phone: (701) 222-6651
    Fax: (701) 221-6899

    Sealing of Criminal Records

    North Dakota allows certain criminal records to be sealed under N.D.C.C. Chapter 12-60.1. Individuals who have been convicted of eligible offenses may petition the court to seal their records after satisfying statutory waiting periods. Once sealed, disclosure of the existence or content of those records is prohibited, and the records will no longer appear in public searches.

    Bismarck Municipal Court

    Ordinance violations and Class B misdemeanors occurring within Bismarck city limits are handled by:

    Bismarck Municipal Court
    Address: 514 East Thayer Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501
    Phone: (701) 355-1350
    Fax: (701) 255-6378
    Email: municipalcourt@bismarcknd.gov
    Window Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

    Lincoln Municipal Court
    Address: 74 Santee Road, Lincoln, ND 58504
    Phone: (701) 258-7969
    Fax: (701) 258-1105

    Burleigh County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Burleigh County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property actions, foreclosures, and debt collection matters — are filed in and adjudicated by the District Court. Small claims cases are also processed through the District Court under a simplified procedure.

    Searching Civil Records

    Civil, family, and probate case records can be searched through NDCRIS using party name, case number, attorney information, or case type. The system returns registers of action, judgments, and calendar information for publicly accessible cases. A help guide for civil case searches is available on the North Dakota Courts website.

    In-person searchers may review case files at the Clerk of District Court’s office during regular courthouse hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday). Public access terminals are also available for self-service searches.

    Requesting Copies

    Requesters must present a government-issued ID and pay applicable fees. Under the current fee schedule:

    • Certified copies: $20 for the first copy; $10 for each additional copy of the same document
    • Standard photocopies: $0.10 per page

    Mail requests should be sent to the Clerk of District Court, P.O. Box 1055, Bismarck, ND 58502.

    Filing Fees

    The filing fee for most civil actions in Burleigh County District Court is $160, as set by N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03. Filing an answer to a civil case costs $100. Small claims filings carry a $20 fee. Certain cases — including appeals from municipal court and some government-filed actions — have no filing fee. The full court fee schedule is published by the North Dakota Supreme Court.

    Forms

    North Dakota provides free, fillable court forms through the Legal Self Help Center, including forms for small claims, general-use civil templates, and other common filings. If a person does not have computer access, the clerk’s office will provide printed form sets for a nominal fee (typically $5 per set, or $0.50 per individual form).

    Burleigh County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Burleigh County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence protection orders — are handled through the District Court. These cases often involve heightened privacy protections, and not all filings are publicly accessible.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce cases are filed in District Court, and the case files maintained by the clerk include the complaint, settlement agreements, property and debt listings, custody orders, and the final decree. However, property and debt listings in divorce proceedings are classified as confidential under N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.3 and will not appear in public records.

    The filing fee for a divorce petition is $160. Filing an answer costs $100. Motions to modify spousal support, property division, child support, or parenting time also carry a $160 filing fee. Self-represented individuals can access divorce forms and guides through the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center, with separate form packages available for contested and uncontested divorces, with and without children.

    Certified copies of divorce records can also be obtained from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Division, which maintains divorce records from 1925 to the present.

    Child Custody and Support

    Child custody mediation proceedings are confidential under N.D.C.C. § 14-09.1-06. Parent coordinator proceedings (§ 14-09.2-06) are similarly protected. Court orders regarding residential responsibility, parenting time, and child support are part of the public case file, though the underlying mediation records are not.

    Motions for enforcement of parenting time carry no filing fee. The Legal Self Help Center provides form sets for child support review and modification at $5 per set from the clerk’s office.

    Domestic Violence Protection Orders

    Filing for a domestic violence protection order under N.D.C.C. § 14-07.1-03(6) carries no filing fee. Sexual assault restraining orders (§ 12.1-31.2-01) are also filed at no cost. As of January 1, 2026, all restraining and protection order filings in North Dakota are fee-free under H.B. 1489 (2025). Protection order case files — with the exception of court orders — are classified as confidential under Administrative Rule 41 and exempt from public disclosure.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage certificates for unions performed in Burleigh County are maintained by the Burleigh County Recorder’s office. Certified copies cost $5 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy; uncertified copies are $1 each. Requesters must complete a marriage record request form and submit it in person or by mail to:

    Burleigh County Recorder
    Physical Address: 221 North 5th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5518, Bismarck, ND 58506-5518
    Phone: (701) 222-6749
    Fax: (701) 222-6717

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are maintained by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Division. Certified birth certificates cost $15 per copy. Death certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or by scheduling an in-person appointment at (701) 328-2360.

    Vital Records Division
    Address: 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
    Email: vitalrec@nd.gov

    Burleigh County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Burleigh County — including estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust proceedings — fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court. The Clerk of District Court maintains all probate case files.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case information is searchable through NDCRIS using the decedent’s name, case number, or attorney information. Users can filter results by case type (selecting probate or estate) and case status. Public access terminals at the Burleigh County Courthouse also provide access to these records.

    Requesting Copies

    In-person requesters must present a government-issued ID. Certified copies of probate documents cost $20, with additional copies of the same document at $10. Standard photocopies are $0.10 per page. Mail requests should include the case number or the decedent’s full name and be sent with appropriate payment to the Clerk of District Court, P.O. Box 1055, Bismarck, ND 58502.

    Filing an Estate

    The filing fee for probate, guardianship, and other testamentary matters is $160 under N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03. Petitions for guardianship filed by certain state employees acting in their official capacity are exempt from this fee. Filing a petition for subsequent administration of an estate costs $20.

    North Dakota provides probate form sets through the Legal Self Help Center. Printed form sets are available from the clerk’s office for $5. Individual forms from any set cost $0.50 each.

    Wills and Estate Administration

    Once a will has been admitted to probate and the testator has died, it becomes a public record accessible to anyone. However, wills deposited with the court for safekeeping during the testator’s lifetime remain confidential under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-11-01 and cannot be inspected by the public until the testator’s death.

    Guardianship and Conservatorship

    Guardianship proceedings for incapacitated adults and minors are administered through the District Court. These files generally include petitions, investigation reports, court orders, and annual accountings. Reports containing personal medical or financial information filed under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-28-03.1 are classified as confidential and are not available for public inspection. Guardianship of a child proceedings are separately protected under N.D.C.C. § 27-20.1-22.

    For assistance with any probate matter in Burleigh County, contact the Clerk of District Court at (701) 222-6690 ext. 1 or visit the courthouse at 514 East Thayer Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501.