What are Williams County Public Records?
The North Dakota Open Records Statute defines Williams County public records as information prepared or maintained by the county's government agencies. These records are available to requestors regardless of physical form and may be written documents, computer files, photographs, text, and audio or video recordings. However, not all government records are considered public records. In some cases, records are sealed by court order or exempted from public view by law. Examples of exempted records include the following:
- Trade secrets and financial, commercial, or proprietary information
- Examinations or test questions, scoring keys, and other materials used to administer academic, licensing, or certification tests, if the records will be used for future tests
- A public employee’s personal record, except when specifically permitted by law
- Medical records and records involving the diagnosis or treatment of a public employee, or in possession of a public entity
- Records and other information that would expose the identity, or endanger the life or physical well-being of undercover law enforcement officers
In addition to government agencies, county public records can also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users can search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this record availability and results may vary.
Williams County Crime Statistics
The Williams County Sheriff’s Office compiles annual crime statistics and forwards the data to the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation. According to the Crime in North Dakota 2020 Report, Williams County Sheriff’s Office reported 463 offenses with a clearance rate of 42.1%. These offenses include 6 aggravated assaults, 79 simple assaults, 20 burglaries, 2 robberies, 34 vehicle thefts, 1 kidnapping, and 72 cases of larceny. There were no reported cases of murder, rape, or arson.
Compared with 2020, the 2019 report revealed increases in robbery, simple assaults, and vehicle theft by 200%, 29.5%, and 17.2%, respectively. Conversely, aggravated assault, rape, arson, burglary, kidnapping, and larceny all reduced by 40%, 100%, 100%, 44.4%, 50%, and 13.3%, respectively. The total number of offenses only slightly increased by 0.4%.
Are Williams County Criminal Records Public?
Williams County criminal records are public records obtainable from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). However, the BCI will notify the subject of the record if the requestor does not provide an Authorization Form signed by the subject. The BCI offers name-based and fingerprint-based checks.
Persons interested in these requests should submit payment along with completed copies of the criminal history information request form, or a written request with the following:
- The subject’s full name, including any maiden names or aliases
- The subject’s date of birth
- The subject’s current address
To obtain a fingerprint-based check, the requestor must provide all the above and a complete set of the subject’s fingerprints. Individuals may obtain fingerprint services at:
Williams County Law Enforcement Center
223 E Broadway, 3rd Floor, Suite 301
Williston, ND 58801
Fingerprint services cost $20.00, only payable in cash. All requests for Williams criminal records cost $15.00 per name apart from the cost of fingerprinting. Payment requires checks or money orders made out to the North Dakota Attorney General.
The BCI processes most requests within 7 to 10 business days. For expedited responses, requestors should use pre-paid self-addressed overnight/priority mail envelopes and only use certified cashier's checks or money orders for payment. All parties should submit criminal record requests to:
Criminal Records Section
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 1054
Bismarck, ND 58502-1054
Phone: (701) 328-5500
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Parties may request Williams County arrest records and police reports from the Williams County Sheriff’s Office. Record seekers may obtain these documents by providing record details to the Sheriff’s Office at:
Williams County Law Enforcement Center,
223 E Broadway, 3rd Floor, Suite 301
Williston, ND 58801
(701) 577-7700
Residents can also use the Sheriff’s Office Contact form to request Williams County arrest records and police reports. All parties should note that the office may charge copy fees and may request advance payment.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Williams County
Sex offender information for Williams County can be obtained from the North Dakota Sex Offender Registry operated by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Sex offender information is available online to anyone via the sex offender registry website at no charge.
The online registry has a search page that allows users to view a full list of all offenders, or search the registry by city or county.
How to Find Williams County Inmate Records
The Williams County Correctional Center provides inmate records via the Inmate Roster on its website. The roster lists all current inmates and also provides a search tool to locate individuals by full name, custody date, or arrest date. Public information includes full names, photographs, ethnicity, sex, arresting agency, arrest date, current sentence, and bond details. Record seekers may also directly reach out to the center at:
Williams County Correctional Center
223 E Broadway
Williston, ND 58801
Phone: (701) 577-4585
Fax: (701) 577-4588
Williams County Court Records
Williams County operates a court system that features a District Court and Municipal Courts. The District Court is the county’s court of general jurisdiction, while the Municipal Courts mostly handle municipal ordinance violations. Interested requestors can obtain William County court records from the Clerk of District Court.
Locations of Courts in Williams County
Williams County District Court
205 E Broadway
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58802
Phone: (701) 774-4374 (Civil)
Fax: (701) 774-4379 (Civil)
Phone: (701) 774-4377 (Criminal)
Fax: (701) 774-4379 (Criminal)
Epping Municipal Court
P.O. Box 44
Epping, ND 58843
Phone: (701) 774-4657
Grenora Municipal Court
P.O. Box 296
Grenora, ND 58845
Phone: (701) 694-3391
Ray Municipal Court
20 Winther Street
P.O. Box 67
Ray, ND 58849
Phone: (701) 568-2204
Springbrook Municipal Court
111 Springbrook Street
Springbrook, ND 58843
Phone: (701) 774-3982
Tioga Municipal Court
16 1st Street NE
P.O. Box 218
Tioga, ND 58852
Phone: (701) 641-2699
Fax: (701) 664-2264
Wildrose Municipal Court
P.O. Box 664
Wildrose, ND 58795
Phone: (701) 539-2122
Williston Municipal Court
City Hall, 22 E Broadway,
P.O. Box 1306
Williston, ND 58802
Phone: (701) 577-8100 ext. 3
Fax: (701) 577-8880
Are Williams County Court Records Public?
Williams County court records are public records. Anyone can submit requests for court records to the Clerk of the District Court. However, Williams court records may be closed to public access if they contain information on minors or juveniles, or details that could endanger the safety of any individuals.
How to Obtain Williams County Civil Court Case Records
Williams County civil court records are obtainable by contacting the Williams County Clerk of District Court. Parties can obtain these records by visiting the Clerk’s Office or sending written requests by mail. Required information may include names of parties to the case, case numbers, and court dates. The District Court also has public terminals for electronic access to court records.
The Clerk’s Office allows requestors to inspect records for free. However, parties may incur request fees for access to physical copies. Requestors should use the following address for in-person or expedited mail requests (FedEx and UPS):
Williams County Courthouse
1st Floor
205 E Broadway
Williston, ND 58801
For regular mail submissions, interested persons should direct requests to:
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58802-2047
Civil, probate, and family court records are also available online via the North Dakota Court Records Inquiry database. Individuals may search the database by case type, party name, or case number.
How to Obtain Williams County Criminal Court Records
Interested persons may obtain Williams County criminal court case records from the Williams County Clerk of District Court. Each request should provide the Clerk’s Office with names, dates, case numbers, and other known information. Applicants submitting requests in person or via UPS or FedEx should direct requests to:
Williams County Courthouse
1st Floor
205 E Broadway
Williston, ND 58801
All other mail requestors should use the following address:
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58802-2047
Williams County criminal court records are also available through self-help terminals at the District Court, or via the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry database.
What are Williams County Vital Records?
Williams County vital records are official documents that document life events. These records include marriage, birth, divorce, and death records. Depending on the desired record, Williams vital records are obtainable from the Clerk of the District Court, the County Auditor, and the North Dakota Division of Vital Records. However, all requestors should note state law does not allow public access to certain vital records.
Divorce Records
Interested persons can obtain Williams County divorce records from the Clerk of the District Court. Details necessary to locate desired records include:
- Full names of parties to the divorce
- Case number
- Court dates
Requestors should note that the Clerk’s Office may charge varying fees before producing copies of Williams County divorce decrees. Record seekers should submit requests using the following details:
Regular Mails
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58802-2047
In-person, FedEx or UPS requests
Williams County Courthouse
1st Floor
205 E Broadway
Williston, ND 58801
Marriage Records
The Williams County Auditor’s Office issues certified copies of Williams County marriage records. Applicants can obtain these records by completing the Certified Copy of Marriage Request Form and submitting online. Each record costs $10.00 per copy, payable by checks made out to the Williams County Auditor’s Office. Requestors may also make online payments with e-checks or credit cards. E-check and credit card payments incur additional processing fees of $1.50 and $3.00, respectively. Parties paying by check should mail completed checks to:
Williams County Auditor’s Office
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58801-2047
Requestors may call the Auditor’s Office at (701) 577-4500 for more information.
Birth Records
Applicants should submit requests for Williams County birth records to the North Dakota Health Department, Division of Vital Records. However, only the following persons may obtain these records within 75 years of the birth date:
- The registrant on the record if over 16 years old
- The registrant’s parents
- Anyone with a court order granting access
- A legal custodian or representative of the registrant (legal documentation required)
- Anyone with a notarized authorization form signed by the registrant or parents granting permission
Certified copies of Williams County birth certificates are obtainable from the Division of Vital Records by mail or online via the division’s Secure Web Application. Each request costs $15.00, payable by money orders or checks made out to the North Dakota Health Department. Requestors should send completed birth record request application forms, fees, and valid identification to:
ND Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 301
Bismarck, ND 58505-0200
Death Records
The North Dakota Health Department issues copies of Williams County death certificates through its Division of Vital Records. Available death records include the following:
- Certified complete death record: This type is only issued to the decedent’s immediate family member, funeral director, and any individual authorized by a court order. The certified complete death record includes a social security number and the cause of death.
- Certified death record: These records are available to all persons eligible for a certified complete death record, and a licensed attorney that requires the record for a bona fide legal determination. This record contains a social security number but does not show the cause of death.
- Certified informational copy: Members of the general public can obtain certified informational copies. These records do not contain social security numbers or cause of death information.
The first copy of a Williams County death record costs $15.00, while additional copies of the same record cost $10.00 if ordered at the same time. Payment requires money orders or checks made out to the North Dakota Health Department. Requests for the death record can be made online using the Secure Web Application. Mail requestors should submit completed copies of the death record request form, valid identification, and payment to:
ND Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 301
Bismarck, ND 58505-0200
