Ward County Court Records Search
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Ward County is situated in north-central North Dakota, with Minot — the state’s fourth-largest city — serving as the county seat. The Ward County District Court, part of the North Central Judicial District, processes a substantial volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases each year. Court records from these proceedings are maintained by the Clerk of District Court at the Ward County Courthouse in Minot. Whether you are conducting a background check, tracking an active lawsuit, verifying a probate filing, or researching a historical case, understanding where and how to access Ward County’s court records is essential.
For those seeking North Dakota court case information, records can be located through the clerk’s office, in-person public access terminals at the courthouse, and online search tools provided at the state level. NorthDakotaCourts.us may help users find publicly available court case data and connect to relevant district court resources. The North Dakota court system also maintains a case search portal that covers criminal, traffic, civil, family, and probate filings across most counties, including Ward County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Ward County?
There are three primary methods for accessing Ward County court records: online searches, in-person visits, and written requests.
Online Case Search
The District Court Case Search portal provides free public access to Ward County case information. To use it:
- Navigate to the search page and select “Ward County” from the location dropdown.
- Choose either the CriminalTraffic or Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link.
- For criminal/traffic searches, enter a case number, defendant name, citation number, attorney name, or filing date range.
- For civil, family, and probate searches, enter a case number, party name, attorney, or filing date.
- Click the search button to view results.
Search results display docket entries, party information, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions. Restricted or confidential case information will not appear in public results. Users should always consult the Disposition section of a case to determine the final outcome, as charges may be amended during proceedings.
In-Person Access
The Ward County Courthouse has a public computer terminal where visitors can view and print court records. Staff at the Clerk of District Court office can also conduct searches on a requester’s behalf.
Ward County District Court — Clerk of Court
Address: 315 3rd St SE, Minot, ND 58701
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5005, Minot, ND 58702-5005
Phone: (701) 857-6600
Fax: (701) 857-6623
Jury Line: (701) 857-6624
Email: 51clerk@ndcourts.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Parking is available in the lot west of the courthouse entrance. A court schedule and courtroom assignments are displayed on a television monitor in the main foyer.
Copy and Search Fees
Ward County follows the North Dakota Court Fee Schedule (effective July 1, 2025):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies per page | $0.10 |
| Faxed documents (outgoing) per page | $0.25 |
| Certified copy of judgment, order, or other filed paper | $20.00 |
| Additional certified copies of the same document | $10.00 |
| Civil record search per name | $10.00 |
| Criminal record search per name | $10.00 |
Electronic copies carry no charge. Federal, state, and local government entities are exempt from record search fees.
Municipal Courts in Ward County
In addition to the District Court, several municipal courts operate within Ward County:
| Court | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington Municipal Court | (701) 852-5233 | cityburl2@srt.com |
| Kenmare Municipal Court | (701) 334-1970 | gabbynelson@nd.gov |
| Minot Municipal Court | (701) 857-4759 | municourt@minotnd.org |
| Surrey Municipal Court | (701) 852-4154 | surreycityclerk@srt.com |
Some municipal court cases also appear in the District Court Case Search results.
Are Court Records Public in Ward County?
North Dakota law establishes a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. The North Dakota Open Records Statute (N.D.C.C. Ch. 44-04) provides that all records of a public entity are generally accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours. Court-specific access is further governed by Supreme Court Administrative Rule 41, which defines court records as either case records (documents relating to a particular judicial proceeding) or administrative records (documents relating to court management and supervision).
Under Rule 41, all courts in Ward County release records for inspection and copying upon request and payment of reasonable fees. However, certain categories of records are excluded from public access:
- Juvenile court records
- Mental health commitment records (N.D.C.C. § 25-03.1-43)
- Adoption and paternity records (N.D.C.C. §§ 14-15-16(4), 14-20-54)
- Psychological evaluations and drug/alcohol treatment records (42 C.F.R. Part 2)
- Sealed criminal records under N.D.C.C. Ch. 12-60.1
- Court records under in-camera examination pending disclosure
- Divorce parties’ property and debt listings (N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.3)
- Criminal complaints where the court found no probable cause
- Financial, household, or employment information in indigent defense applications
- Child Relinquishment to Identified Adoptive Parent records (N.D.C.C. Ch. 14-15.1)
- Deferred imposition of sentence records (N.D.R.Crim.P. 32.1) or pretrial diversion records (N.D.R.Crim.P. 32.2) after dismissal
- Complaints or warrants made confidential by court order under N.D.C.C. § 29-05-32 or § 29-29-22
- Affidavits and proceedings supporting arrest or search warrant issuance before execution
- Records involving domestic violence protection order applications (N.D.C.C. § 14-07.1-02), sexual assault restraining order petitions (N.D.C.C. § 12.1-31-01.2), and disorderly conduct restraining order petitions based on alleged domestic violence
Protected Personal Information
Rule 41 also mandates redaction of specific personal data from public filings, including birth dates (excluding the year), minor children’s names (excluding initials), taxpayer identification numbers, Social Security numbers, and financial account numbers (excluding the last four digits). The privacy protection rules in N.D.R.Ct. 3.4 provide additional safeguards for filings containing sensitive information.
Anyone seeking a court record that is not available through the public access terminal may submit a formal request to the Clerk of District Court.
Ward County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records in Ward County are generated through proceedings in the District Court and, for lower-level offenses, the county’s municipal courts. These records document arrests, charges, plea proceedings, trial activity, sentencing, and post-conviction matters.
Searching Criminal Court Records
The District Court Case Search provides free online access to criminal and traffic case records. Select Ward County and use the CriminalTraffic link to search by defendant name, case number, citation, attorney, or filing date. Each case listing shows charges, statute references, hearing dates, and dispositions.
Ward County Sheriff’s Department Records
The Ward County Sheriff’s Department maintains local criminal and traffic records. To obtain an individual records check or a copy of an incident report, visit the office with:
- A completed Request for Report/Information Form
- A valid photo ID
- The subject’s full name and date of birth
Ward County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 204 Front St SE, P.O. Box 907, Minot, ND 58702
Phone: (701) 857-6500
Fax: (701) 857-6520
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fees at the Sheriff’s Department include:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident report | $0.25 per page |
| Accident/crash report | $7.00 |
| Photographs (if releasable) | $4.00 per page |
| Docket entry | $0.25 per page |
| Mugshot | $4.00 |
| CD/DVD | $10.00 |
The Sheriff’s Department does not maintain court dispositions and will not release juvenile records or records from other law enforcement agencies. Incident reports are considered open records only after the case has cleared the court process or been closed; reports from active or ongoing investigations remain confidential.
Arrest and Inmate Information
Current custody information is available through the Ward County Inmate Locator on the county website. The Detention Center can also be contacted for booking details.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a complete criminal history beyond Ward County’s local records, individuals may contact the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). A name-based search costs $15, payable by check or money order. Eligible non-profit organizations can apply for a fee reduction to $5. Finger-based searches are also available; however, the Ward County Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office no longer offer fingerprinting to the public. Requesters must use approved third-party vendors for fingerprint services.
BCI mailing address:
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Criminal Records Section
P.O. Box 1054
Bismarck, ND 58502-1054
Phone: (701) 328-5500
Ward County Civil Court Records
The Ward County District Court has general jurisdiction over civil matters, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property actions, foreclosures, quiet title proceedings, name changes, and small claims. Civil case records document complaints, answers, motions, court orders, judgments, and related filings.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records can be searched on the District Court Case Search portal by selecting Ward County and clicking the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link. Users can narrow results by scrolling to the “Case Types” section and selecting the specific civil case category of interest.
In-person searches at the Clerk of District Court office follow the same process: provide a party name or case number to staff, or use the public computer terminal. Copies cost $0.10 per page, and a formal civil record search costs $10 per name.
Civil Filing Fees
Under the North Dakota Court Fee Schedule, the following fees apply to civil filings in Ward County:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (personal injury, injunction, quiet title, writ, name change) | $160 |
| Small claims affidavit | $20 |
| Answer to a civil case (non-small claims) | $100 |
| Filing a foreign decree or judgment | $20 |
| Lien filing and indexing | $20 |
Small claims cases dismissed without prejudice result in a refund of the filing fee to the plaintiff under N.D.C.C. § 27-08.1-04.1.
Court Forms
North Dakota state court forms are available in fillable format through the Legal Self Help Center on the North Dakota courts website. If a person does not have computer access, the Clerk’s office will provide printed sets of forms for a designated fee — $5 for small claims form sets, and $0.50 for individual forms from a set.
Judgments and Liens
Civil judgments entered in Ward County become part of the public record. Certified copies of judgments cost $20 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies of the same document. Transcripts of judgments can be filed in other district courts at no charge under N.D.C.C. § 28-20-13.
Ward County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Ward County are heard by the District Court and include divorce, child custody and parenting time, child support, paternity, domestic violence protection orders, and adoption proceedings. These cases are filed and maintained through the Clerk of District Court.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases can be searched through the District Court Case Search by selecting Ward County, clicking the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link, and choosing “Divorce” under Case Types. In-person requests can be made at the Clerk’s office during regular hours. Copies of divorce records cost $0.10 per page with a $1.00 minimum charge.
Parties’ property and debt listings in divorce cases are confidential under N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.3 and will not be disclosed publicly. The filing fee for a petition for divorce, annulment, or separation is $160, while motions to modify spousal support, property division, child support, or parenting time also cost $160 to file. Filing an answer to a modification motion costs $100.
Self-represented parties can access divorce forms and guides through the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center. Printed divorce form sets are available from the Clerk for $5.
Child Custody, Support, and Parenting Time
Custody and parenting time orders, modification petitions, and enforcement actions are part of the family case file. Motions for enforcement of parenting time carry no filing fee. Child support review and amendment form sets cost $5 from the Clerk if printed copies are needed.
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Petitions for domestic violence protection orders under N.D.C.C. § 14-07.1-02 carry no filing fee. Similarly, sexual assault restraining order petitions and disorderly conduct restraining order petitions involving domestic violence are filed at no cost. Records associated with these petitions are restricted from public access to protect the safety and privacy of the petitioner.
Adoption Records
Adoption proceedings in North Dakota are confidential under N.D.C.C. § 14-15-16(4). Adoption case files are sealed and not available for public inspection. Records related to Child Relinquishment to Identified Adoptive Parent proceedings under N.D.C.C. Ch. 14-15.1 are likewise excluded from public access.
Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage certificates recorded in Ward County are available from the Ward County Recorder. Requests can be submitted using the online Request for Recorded Marriage License form or by mail to:
Ward County Recorder
P.O. Box 5005
Minot, ND 58702
Fees for marriage license copies:
- Certified copy (marriage filed after January 1, 1995): $6
- Certified copy (marriage filed before December 31, 1994): $8
- Non-certified copy: $1 per page
Payment should be made by check or money order.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Ward County events are maintained by the North Dakota Department of Health — Vital Records, not by the county. Certified copies can be ordered online, by mail using the appropriate birth certificate or death certificate application form, or in person by appointment. The fee is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
North Dakota Vital Records Office
600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2360
Email: vitalrec@nd.gov
Ward County Probate Court Records
North Dakota does not have separate probate courts. Probate matters in Ward County are handled by the District Court under its general jurisdiction. These cases include formal and informal probate of wills, formal and informal estate administration, guardianship of incapacitated persons, conservatorships, and trust proceedings.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched on the District Court Case Search portal. Select Ward County, click the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records link, and under Case Types, choose “Probate Administration (Formal)”, “Probate Administration (Informal)”, “Probate of Will (Formal)”, or “Probate of Will (Informal)” as appropriate.
In-person searches are available at the Clerk of District Court office during regular business hours. Provide a party name or case number to the staff, or use the public terminal. Copies of probate records cost $0.10 per page with a $1.00 minimum charge.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate, guardianship, or testamentary case (Title 30.1) | $160 |
| Trust proceedings (Titles 30.1 & 59) | $160 |
| Petition for subsequent administration | $20 |
| Filing authenticated copies of foreign personal representative appointment | $20 |
| Registering a foreign adoption order | $20 |
Guardianship petitions filed by a member of an individual habilitation plan team or state employee acting in official capacity carry no filing fee under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-28-03.
Probate Forms
The North Dakota courts website provides informal probate forms and instructions through the Legal Self Help Center. Printed probate form sets are available from the Clerk for $5.
Confidential Probate Records
Wills deposited for safekeeping are confidential under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-11-01 until the testator’s death. Guardianship reports and personal information in guardianship cases may be protected under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-28-03.1. Additionally, guardianship of a child records are confidential under N.D.C.C. § 27-20.1-22.
Certified copies of probate orders, letters testamentary, or other filed documents cost $20 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies of the same document, consistent with the statewide court fee schedule.