Grand Forks County Court Records Search
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Grand Forks County occupies the northeastern corner of North Dakota, with the city of Grand Forks serving as its county seat and the hub of local judicial activity. The county falls within the Northeast Central Judicial District, where the District Court exercises general jurisdiction over all criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings. Court operations are centralized at the Grand Forks County Courthouse, and the Clerk of District Court—currently Amber Fahey—serves as the official custodian of case records, processing filings, issuing certified documents, and responding to public requests for court information.
For those seeking court case data in North Dakota, several official channels are available. The North Dakota Courts District Court Case Search provides free online access to criminal, traffic, civil, family, and probate case information from district and certain municipal courts across the state. County clerk offices allow in-person inspection and copying of records during regular courthouse hours, and written requests are accepted by mail. The Legal Self Help Center maintained by the state judiciary offers downloadable form packets and procedural guidance. NorthDakotaCourts.us may also assist users in locating publicly available court 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. The principal court and its contact information are as follows:
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
The courthouse main entrance is through the East door. All-day parking is available on the 3rd floor of the Grand Forks County Parking Ramp along Bruce Avenue and Third Street.
Municipal courts also handle local ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and certain misdemeanors within their jurisdictions:
| 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, follow these steps:
- Online search. Visit the North Dakota Courts Public Access portal and search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include criminal, traffic, civil, family, and probate case data. The help guide explains search techniques and available data fields.
- In-person request. Visit the Clerk of District Court on the main floor of the Grand Forks County Courthouse during regular hours. The clerk may limit access to ten files per day per requestor at the clerk’s discretion under Administrative Rule 41. 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 the applicable fees by check or money order.
- Record searches. The clerk performs civil record searches (e.g., unsatisfied judgment searches) and criminal record searches at $10.00 per name. Federal, state, and local governmental entities are exempt from search fees.
All fees are governed by 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 establishes a strong presumption that court records are open to 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 in the office of the Clerk of District Court are subject to examination, inspection, and copying during regular business hours, subject to specific exceptions.
The following categories of records are confidential or exempt 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 governed by 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.
- 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 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)).
- Search and arrest warrant materials — All records supporting issuance of a search or arrest warrant are confidential pending return of the warrant (N.D.C.C. §§ 29-05-32, 29-29-22).
- Other restricted records — Presentence investigation reports (N.D.R.Crim.P. 32©), grand jury proceedings (N.D.C.C. §§ 29-10.1-30, -31), genetic testing 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).
A party or any person whose information appears in a court record may petition the court to prohibit access under the data access procedures established by the state judiciary. The custodial judge decides sealing or unsealing motions after notice and hearing, weighing the interest in closure against the interest in public disclosure.
Grand Forks County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Grand Forks County—ranging 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, provides law enforcement services 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. Users should review the Disposition section within each case record to determine the final outcome, as charges may be reduced or dismissed during proceedings. In-person 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. 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 the 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. Expedited processing requires a pre-paid self-addressed overnight envelope and payment by certified cashier’s check or money order.
A name-based search will not identify 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—including 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 maintains all civil case files.
How to obtain civil court records:
- Online. Search the North Dakota Courts Public Access portal by party name or case number. The civil records search help page explains how to search by case number or party name and filter results by case type.
- In person. Visit the Clerk’s Office at the Grand Forks County Courthouse. Copies are $0.10 per page; faxed documents cost $0.25 per page (outgoing). Certified copies of judgments, orders, or other filed documents are $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy.
- By mail. Submit a written request with party names, case number (if known), 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. Individuals who cannot afford filing fees may request a fee waiver through the court.
Property records. The Grand Forks County Recorder’s Office maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records. The Recorder’s Office is located at 151 South 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201, and can be reached at (701) 780-8262 (mailing address: P.O. Box 5066, Grand Forks, ND 58206-5066). Copy fees are $1.00 per page; certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page. The county offers online search tools including a property search, GIS property and document searches, and real estate and mobile home tax searches.
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—are handled by the District Court. There is no separate family court division; the district judges hear all family cases.
Divorce and custody records. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and related pleadings are maintained by the Clerk of District Court and can be searched through the District Court Case Search. The Legal Self Help Center provides downloadable form packets for uncontested divorces, modifications of parenting time, and child support review and amendment. Court form packets, if requested in hard copy from the clerk rather than downloaded online, cost $5.00 per set (individual forms are $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 (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, a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate of the deceased spouse must be presented. Both parties must be at least 18 years old; applicants between 16 and 18 require notarized parental consent. 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 filing of the original and duplicate copies. 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. Records can be ordered 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 simultaneously. 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 handled by the District Court under Title 30.1 of the North Dakota Century Code. The Clerk of District Court maintains probate files and serves as the point of contact for record requests.
How to access probate records:
- Online. Search the North Dakota Courts Public Access portal using the decedent’s name, estate case number, or the name of the personal representative. The civil, family, and probate search help page provides instructions for locating 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 are $0.10 per page; certified copies are $20.00 for the first and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same document.
- By mail. Submit 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 pursuant to court order or upon the testator’s death. Guardianship reports and personal information in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings may also carry confidentiality protections under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-28-03.1.