What are North Dakota Property Records?
North Dakota property records files, documents, reports, maps, books, correspondence, and other written materials that contain information on real property in North Dakota. These documents contain details such as mortgages and mortgage transfers, liens, plats, survey records, leases, property survey records, tax records, deeds, covenants, satisfactions, assignments, and easements. Inquirers can assess property records online or in person at the State Archives of the North Dakota State Historical Society office or County Recorder's offices.
Are North Dakota Property Records Public?
North Dakota property records are public records. Hence, any North Dakota resident and members of the public can request access to copies of property records. Every county or local government records every single residential or commercial property inside its perimeters with reference to its history in terms of value, taxes, and possible liens. The North Dakota Recorders Information Network is the custodian of property records of most counties in North Dakota. As such, anyone who wants to retrieve information regarding a property should check the county information pages on the interactive map on the webpage, then select the county of the required property record and make requests via the contact information given.
Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:
- The property’s exact location.
- The property owner’s details.
What Information is Included in North Dakota Property Records
North Dakota property records include the following information:
- The property owner's name
- The address of the property
- The date the property was last sold
- The price of the property
- The taxes on the property
- The property's zoning
- Deed restrictions and easements on the property
- Liens or judgments against the property
- The mortgage history of the property
- The assessment history of the property
Where to Search North Dakota Public Property Records
In North Dakota, property records are located with the County Recorder. A public property records search can be conducted online or in person at the Recorder's Office in the county where the property is located. For instance, a record seeker who wants to retrieve property records in Burleigh County can use the Recorder's office computers to view such records or visit the North Dakota Recorders Information Network (NDRIN) website. The Burleigh County Recorder of Deeds office is located at
Burleigh County Recorder's Office,
221 N 5th Street,
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 222-6749
Email: mshanson@nd.gov
Alternatively, individuals can search for property records (especially land survey records) in person at the State Archives of the North Dakota State Historical Society office:
North Dakota State Historical Society
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone: (701) 328-2666
Email: history@nd.gov
Requesters who want to access North Dakota land records electronically can use the online tool provided by the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
How to Do a Property Records Search in North Dakota
In North Dakota, a record seeker can conduct a property record search at the Recorder's office in the county where the property is located. For instance, an individual can conduct a property records search in Morton County by visiting the Recorder's office during business hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). The office is located at:
Morton County Recorder of Deeds
210 2nd Avenue Northwest
Mandan, ND, 58554
Phone: (701) 667-3306
Fax: (701) 667-3453
How to Find the Owner of a North Dakota Property Using Public Records
A prospective buyer can find owners of North Dakota properties by making requests at County Recorder offices. For instance, an interested person can find the original owner of a land in Cavalier County by making requests to the Recorder's office. Land records requests can be made in person from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday at:
Cavalier County Recorder's office
901 3rd Street, Suite 13
Langdon, ND 58249
Phone: (701) 256-2136
What are North Dakota Property Records Used For?
Property records in North Dakota can be used for the following purposes:
- To resolve disputes between individuals with competing claims to a property.
- To determine property ownership.
- North Dakota courts can use the property records to determine lien payment priority.
- Property buyers use property records to retrieve information about a potential property before making purchase decisions.
- It helps determine the boundaries of a property.
How to Find North Dakota Property Tax Records
Property tax records refer to how much a town or city charges for taxes each year on properties in states and counties. Property owners must pay their taxes or risk losing the property or special assessments tacked on the property's tax bill.
Each county's County Treasurer manages the real and personal tax records in North Dakota. Some County Treasurer offices in North Dakota provide an online searchable database, where searches can be carried out by parcel number or address. Meanwhile, requests must be made in person, by phone, or via a written request for counties that are not online.
For instance, Stutsman residents can find tax records of properties online or in person at the County Treasurer's Office. A Stutsman county tax records search can be done online by parcel number, owner's name (first and last name), property address, and subdivision. Alternatively, tax records for property requests can be made in person at the Stutsman County Treasurer's office. The office is located at:
Stutsman County Treasurer's office
511 2nd Ave SE Suite 101
Jamestown, ND, 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9036
Fax: (701) 251-6310
Email: treasurer@stutsmancounty.gov
What to Do When You Can't Find Property Records in North Dakota
It is possible for an individual to not find a property record at the County Clerk or Recorder's office in North Dakota or via the official state database. This could occur if the property were not recorded with the County Clerk and recorder's office. In this case, such an individual can locate the unregistered property by:
- Checking if the property has a current mortgage, then writing to the lender for the deeds pack.
- Checking if the property owner has the title deeds. Some property owners place their deeds with their wills, but if the property owner is deceased, the record seeker can contact local law firms that may retain the original will and title deeds. Also, the individual can contact local accountants as some people leave their deeds and will with their financial accountants.
- Checking old documents to know if a previous mortgage was repaid. A lender might keep the deeds if the mortgage was recently paid.
- Asking the property owner (if still alive) about the documents they were given when they purchased the property.
- Contacting the law firm, which acted at the time of the purchase, and inquiring about the property.
If all these efforts prove unfruitful, an individual can search for property records via public search resources and may be privileged to locate requested records via third-party websites.
