Grand Forks County Court Records
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Grand Forks County sits in the northeastern corner of North Dakota, with the city of Grand Forks as its county seat and the center of local judicial activity. The county falls within the Northeast Central Judicial District, where the District Court handles all criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Court operations are based at the Grand Forks County Courthouse, and Clerk of District Court Amber Fahey keeps official case records, processes filings, issues certified documents, and responds to public records requests.
Several official channels can help you find court case information in North Dakota. The North Dakota Courts District Court Case Search gives free online access to criminal, traffic, civil, family, and probate case data from district and certain municipal courts statewide, including Grand Forks County. In-person inspection and copying are available at the county clerk's office during courthouse hours, and written mail requests are also accepted. The state judiciary's Legal Self Help Center offers downloadable form packets and step-by-step procedural guidance. NorthDakotaCourts.us may also help you locate publicly available case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Grand Forks County?
Grand Forks County's trial-level courts include the District Court and several municipal courts operating within the county's incorporated cities. Here's the main contact information for the District Court:
Grand Forks County District Court
Grand Forks County Courthouse
124 South 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: (701) 787-2700
Email: 18clerk@ndcourts.gov
Regular Courthouse Hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Enter through the East door of the courthouse. All-day parking is available on the 3rd floor of the Grand Forks County Parking Ramp along Bruce Avenue and Third Street.
Municipal courts handle local ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and certain misdemeanors within their own areas:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks Municipal Court | 1701 N. Washington St., Grand Forks, ND 58206 | (701) 787-8160 |
| Emerado Municipal Court | 201 Main St., Emerado, ND 58228 | (701) 594-4542 |
| Larimore Municipal Court | P.O. Box 776, Larimore, ND 58251 | (701) 343-2181 |
| Northwood Municipal Court | P.O. Box 397, Northwood, ND 58267 | (701) 587-5370 |
| Thompson Municipal Court | 306 Pacific Ave., P.O. Box 266, Thompson, ND 58278 | (701) 599-2973 |
To search for a case, you have four options:
- Online search. Visit the North Dakota Courts Public Access portal and search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results cover criminal, traffic, civil, family, and probate cases. The help guide walks through search techniques and available data fields.
- In-person request. Go to the Clerk of District Court on the main floor of the Grand Forks County Courthouse during regular hours. Under Administrative Rule 41, the clerk may limit access to ten files per day per requestor at the clerk's discretion. Copies cost $0.10 per page; certified copies are $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same document.
- Written request. Mail a written request to the Clerk of District Court at 124 South 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201. Include the case number or full party names, the approximate year of filing, and applicable fees by check or money order.
- Record searches. The clerk performs civil record searches (such as unsatisfied judgment searches) and criminal record searches at $10.00 per name. Federal, state, and local government entities are exempt from search fees.
All fees come from the North Dakota Court Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025, as authorized by N.D.C.C. 27-05.2-03.
Are Court Records Public in Grand Forks County?
North Dakota law starts from a strong presumption that court records are open for public inspection. Under Administrative Rule 41 — adopted by the North Dakota Supreme Court and most recently amended effective August 1, 2025 — all records filed or docketed with the Clerk of District Court are open for examination, inspection, and copying during regular business hours, with specific exceptions.
The following categories are confidential or restricted from public disclosure under Rule 41 and various provisions of the North Dakota Century Code:
- Personal information. Social Security numbers, credit or debit card numbers, electronic fund transfer card numbers, and other financial account numbers must be excluded from public access in all filed documents (Rule 41, Section 4(7)).
- Domestic violence and restraining order files. Except for the court's final order, files related to domestic violence protection orders and disorderly conduct restraining orders sought due to domestic violence are confidential (Rule 41, Section 4(5); N.D.C.C. Ch. 14-07.7).
- Juvenile court records. Inspection is restricted under N.D.C.C. 27-20.2-21 and the N.D. Rules of Juvenile Procedure.
- Mental health commitments. Records under N.D.C.C. 25-03.1-43 and commitment proceedings for sexually dangerous individuals under N.D.C.C. 25-03.3-03 are confidential.
- Adoption and paternity proceedings. Adoption records (N.D.C.C. 14-15-16(4)) and paternity proceedings (N.D.C.C. 14-20-54) are both confidential.
- Sealed criminal records. Records sealed under N.D.C.C. Ch. 12-60.1 and deferred imposition records where a guilty plea has been withdrawn (N.D.C.C. 12.1-32-07.2(2)) are not publicly accessible.
- Search and arrest warrant materials. All records supporting the issuance of a search or arrest warrant remain confidential pending return of the warrant (N.D.C.C. 29-05-32, 29-29-22).
- Other restricted records. These include presentence investigation reports (N.D.R.Crim.P. 32), grand jury proceedings (N.D.C.C. 29-10.1-30, -31), genetic testing results in paternity cases (N.D.C.C. 14-20-35), mediation proceedings (N.D.C.C. 14-09.1-06), jury qualification forms when restricted by court order, and substance use treatment records (42 C.F.R. Part 2).
Any party, or anyone whose personal information appears in a court record, may petition the court to restrict access under the data access procedures set by the state judiciary. The custodial judge decides sealing or unsealing motions after notice and a hearing, weighing the interest in closure against the public's interest in disclosure.
Grand Forks County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Grand Forks County — from misdemeanors to felonies — are prosecuted in the District Court by the State's Attorney and processed through the Clerk of District Court. The Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Andrew Schneider, handles law enforcement countywide.
Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office
3005 Heartland Drive
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: (701) 780-8280
Grand Forks County Correctional Center
1701 North Washington Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Phone: (701) 780-8224
Searching criminal court records. Non-confidential criminal case information — including charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing — is available through the District Court Case Search. Check the Disposition section within each case record to see the final outcome, since charges can be reduced or dismissed during proceedings. In-person name searches at the Clerk's Office cost $10.00 per name.
Statewide criminal history records. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), a division of the North Dakota Attorney General's Office, maintains the central repository for criminal history data. Here's how to request a record check:
- Complete the Request for Criminal History Record Information form (SFN 50744).
- Provide the subject's full name (including any aliases or maiden names), date of birth, and either a Social Security number or fingerprints.
- Include either the subject's current address or a signed authorization form (SFN 51156). Without an authorization, the BCI will notify the subject that their record has been released.
- Submit the form with a $15.00 fee (check or money order payable to ND Attorney General) by mail to the BCI. Eligible nonprofit organizations may apply for a fee reduction to $5.00.
- Processing takes approximately 7–10 business days. For expedited processing, include a pre-paid self-addressed overnight envelope and pay by certified cashier's check or money order.
Keep in mind that a name-based search won't turn up records if the subject was arrested under a different name. A fingerprint-based search will identify arrest records even when the subject used an unknown alias. National (FBI) record checks must be requested through the BCI when required by state or federal law, or directly through the Federal Bureau of Investigation for all other individuals.
Grand Forks County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Grand Forks County — personal injury claims, contract disputes, property litigation, injunctions, quiet title actions, foreclosures, and small claims — are filed in the District Court. The Clerk of District Court keeps all civil case files.
To obtain civil court records, you have three main options:
- Online. Search the North Dakota Courts Public Access portal by party name or case number. The civil records search help page explains how to filter results by case type and search by case number or party name.
- In person. Visit the Clerk's Office at the Grand Forks County Courthouse. Copies cost $0.10 per page; faxed documents (outgoing) are $0.25 per page. Certified copies of judgments, orders, or other filed documents cost $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same document.
- By mail. Send a written request with party names, the case number if you have it, and applicable fees.
Civil filing fees under the North Dakota Court Fee Schedule (effective July 1, 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (personal injury, injunction, quiet title, change of name, etc.) | $160.00 |
| Answer to a civil case | $100.00 |
| Small claims claim affidavit | $20.00 |
| Small claims removal to district court | $160.00 |
| Filing a foreign judgment | $20.00 |
| Filing and indexing a lien | $20.00 |
| Issuing a certified copy of a judgment or order | $20.00 (additional copies $10.00) |
| Issuing a subpoena (civil) | $20.00 |
| Notarizing a document | $5.00 |
The state does not collect filing fees from government agencies or political subdivisions. If you can't afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a fee waiver.
Property records. The Grand Forks County Recorder's Office keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records. The office is at 151 South 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201 (mailing address: P.O. Box 5066, Grand Forks, ND 58206-5066), and can be reached at (701) 780-8262. Copy fees are $1.00 per page; certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page. The county also offers several online search tools: a property search, a GIS property and document search, and a real estate and mobile home tax search.
Grand Forks County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Grand Forks County — divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody and parenting time, child support, domestic violence protection orders, paternity, adoption, and termination of parental rights — all go through the District Court. There is no separate family court division; district judges hear all family cases.
Divorce and custody records. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and related pleadings are kept by the Clerk of District Court and can be searched through the District Court Case Search. The Legal Self Help Center offers downloadable form packets for uncontested divorces, parenting time modifications, and child support reviews. If you ask the clerk for hard copies rather than downloading them yourself, court form packets cost $5.00 per set, with individual forms at $0.50 each.
Family law filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for divorce, annulment, or separation | $160.00 |
| Motion to modify spousal support, property division, child support, or parenting time | $160.00 |
| Motion for enforcement of parenting time | No fee |
| Petition for domestic violence protection order | No fee |
| Petition for sexual assault restraining order | No fee |
| Action for child support (no prior court order) | $160.00 |
| Child support action filed by government entity | No fee |
| Answer to a modification motion | $100.00 |
| Filing of a UIFSA support order or action | No fee |
| Adoption — filing a foreign adoption order | $20.00 |
Marriage licenses. The Grand Forks County Tax Equalization Office issues marriage licenses. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification — a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The marriage license fee is $65.00 (cash only; fees apply to credit card use). The license is valid for 60 days. No blood test or waiting period is required. If either party was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or the deceased spouse's death certificate. Both parties must be at least 18 years old; applicants between 16 and 18 need notarized parental consent, and no license may be issued to anyone under 16. Further details on applying are available on the county website.
Tax Equalization Office (Marriage Licenses)
151 South 4th Street, 1st Floor
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: (701) 780-8251
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (no appointment necessary)
Certified copies of the marriage license are available after the ceremony and after the original and duplicate copies have been filed. The fee is $10.00 for the first certified copy and $5.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time.
Vital records. Birth and death certificates for events occurring in North Dakota are issued by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vital Records. You can order records online, by mail (birth) or mail (death), or by appointment in person at the Bismarck office by calling (701) 328-2360. Certified birth certificates cost $15.00 per copy. Certified death certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Uncertified copies are not issued. A public index for death records is available for informational searches. Access to certified records is restricted to authorized individuals under N.D.C.C. 23-02.1-27.
Grand Forks County Probate Court Records
Grand Forks County does not have a separate probate court. All probate, guardianship, conservatorship, trust, and testamentary matters are heard by the District Court under Title 30.1 of the North Dakota Century Code. The Clerk of District Court keeps probate files and is the right contact for record requests.
To access probate records, you have three options:
- Online. Search the North Dakota Courts Public Access portal using the decedent's name, the estate case number, or the name of the personal representative. The civil, family, and probate search help page walks through how to find probate case records.
- In person. Visit the Clerk's Office at the Grand Forks County Courthouse during regular hours (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday). Copies cost $0.10 per page; certified copies are $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same document.
- By mail. Send a written request to the Clerk at 124 South 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201, with the decedent's full name, approximate date of death or year of filing, and applicable fees by check or money order.
Probate filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate, guardianship, or other testamentary case | $160.00 |
| Guardianship petition filed by habilitation plan team or state employee in official duties | No fee |
| Trust proceedings (filing, not registering) | $160.00 |
| Petition for subsequent administration of an estate | $20.00 |
| Certified copy of appointment as domiciliary foreign personal representative | $20.00 |
| Probate form packet (hard copy from clerk) | $5.00 |
Common probate filings include petitions to open an estate (formal or informal administration), petitions for appointment of a personal representative, inventories and appraisals, accountings, petitions for distribution, and petitions for guardianship or conservatorship. The Legal Self Help Center offers downloadable probate form packets. Wills deposited with the clerk for safekeeping are confidential under N.D.C.C. 30.1-11-01 until opened by court order or upon the testator's death. Guardianship reports and certain personal information in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings may also carry confidentiality protections under N.D.C.C. 30.1-28-03.1.