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Finding Court Records in North Dakota
North Dakota Courts Overview
It helps to understand how the North Dakota state court system works when you’re trying to find court records. The North Dakota trial court system consists of District Courts and Municipal Courts.
District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, and usually only handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of Municipal Courts. Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases.
If you prefer, you can start your search by going to North Dakota Courts by County.
North Dakota District Courts
District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, and generally do not handle trials for municipal ordinance violations that are within the jurisdiction Municipal Courts.District Courts handle all criminal cases, and may handle municipal ordinance violations cases transferred from Municipal Courts if a right to a jury trial exists and a proper request is made.
District Courts handle all civil cases, including general civil, domestic relations, juvenile, mental health and probate matters.
Each District Court has a Small Claims Court division that handles most general civil claims for less than $5000, if both parties agree to Small Claims Court jurisdiction. The Small Claims Court division can hear cases for the recovery of money and cases involving the cancellation of agreements when mental fraud, deception, misrepresentation or false promise is alleged. If a case has complex facts or legal issues, it may be dismissed and can be filed in the regular civil division of District Court.
District Courts each have a Juvenile Court division with exclusive original jurisdiction over cases that allege a juvenile is unruly, delinquent or deprived.
Under certain circumstances, District Courts may exercise limited jurisdiction over some civil claims from Tribal territories, including claims related to guardians appointed by a Tribal Court and enforcement of certain Tribal Court orders.
North Dakota Municipal Courts
Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases and typically handle most violations of municipal ordinances.Municipal Courts do not offer jury trials, so if a right to a jury trial exists and a proper request is made, the case will be transferred to District Court.
North Dakota Tribal Courts
North Dakota has a separate Tribal Court system that may interact with District Courts.Under certain circumstances, District Courts may exercise limited jurisdiction over some civil claims from Tribal territories, including claims related to guardians appointed by a Tribal Court and enforcement of certain Tribal Court orders.
Where to Find Court Cases in North Dakota
The chart below gives general information on the types of cases heard in each type of North Dakota court.
= Most or all cases.
= Some cases.
| Case Type | Court Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | District Courts | Municipal Courts |
| General Civil - Unlimited | |
|
| General Civil - Limited | |
|
| Small Claims | |
|
| Civil Equity | |
|
| Complex Commercial | |
|
| Foreclosures and Liens | |
|
| Real Estate Title and Boundary | |
|
| Landlord / Tenant | |
|
| Ordinance Violations | |
|
| Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders | |
|
| Administrative Agency Appeals | |
|
| Criminal | District Courts | Municipal Courts |
| Felony | |
|
| Felony Preliminary Hearings | |
|
| Misdemeanors | |
|
| Ordinance Violations | |
|
| Juvenile | |
|
| Traffic and Infractions | |
|
| Domestic Relations | District Courts | Municipal Courts |
| Divorce | |
|
| Child Custody and Visitation | |
|
| Child Support | |
|
| Paternity | |
|
| Domestic Violence Protection Order | |
|
| Juvenile | District Courts | Municipal Courts |
| Adoptions | |
|
| Juvenile Delinquency | |
|
| Child Abuse and Neglect | |
|
| Termination of Parental Rights | |
|
| Children in Need of Supervision | |
|
| Mental Health | District Courts | Municipal Courts |
| Involuntary Commitments | |
|
| Other Mental Health Cases | |
|
| Probate | District Courts | Municipal Courts |
| Wills & Estates | |
|
| Name Changes | |
|
| Trusts | |
|
| Guardianships and Conservatorships | |
|
Find North Dakota Courts by County
- Adams
- Barnes
- Benson
- Billings
- Bottineau
- Bowman
- Burke
- Burleigh
- Cass
- Cavalier
- Dickey
- Divide
- Dunn
- Eddy
- Emmons
- Foster
- Golden Valley
- Grand Forks
- Grant
- Griggs
- Hettinger
- Kidder
- Lamoure
- Logan
- McHenry
- McIntosh
- McKenzie
- McLean
- Mercer
- Morton
- Mountrail
- Nelson
- Oliver
- Pembina
- Pierce
- Ramsey
- Ransom
- Renville
- Richland
- Rolette
- Sargent
- Sheridan
- Sioux
- Slope
- Stark
- Steele
- Stutsman
- Towner
- Traill
- Walsh
- Ward
- Wells
- Williams
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