Additional Information

Land Record Manager

As the land record officer, the Recorder’s office keeps a record of each patent, deed, mortgage, bill of sale and any document related to these transactions, insuring a permanent record of property ownership and accurate account of financial responsibilities. This provides the information necessary for both the secured and debtor parties.

Customers

The Recorder’s office works with a wide and varied customer base.  These customers use the filed and recorded information to document legal instruments, create and/or extend abstracts, conduct land appraisals, locate property lines, draw plats, search ancestry, historical data, heirships, mineral leases, courtroom evidence or exhibits, and many other interests.

County Officials, are not permitted by law to prepare legal papers for others, and the public is requested not to ask county officials to do these things, but if such service is needed see a licensed attorney.

Duties

NDCC 11-18-01, Recorders’ Duties
Recorder’s – Real Estate Records

1. Keep a full and true record, in proper books and other storage media provided for that purpose, of each patent, deed, mortgage, bill of sale, security agreement, judgment, decree, lien, certificate of sale, and other instrument required to be filed or admitted to record, if the person offering the instrument for filing or recording pays to the Recorder’s the fees provided be law for the filing or recording.
2. Endorse upon each instrument filed with the Recorder’s for record or otherwise the date and the hour and minute of the day of the filing or recording.
3. When the instrument is recorded or filed, endorse on the instrument the document number, the date, and the hour and minute of the date when it was recorded or filed with the Recorder’s.

Other Duties

1. Safekeeping of all maps, plats and auditor lots
2. Responsible for off site storage
3. Will deposits
4. File burial permits
5. Responsible for storage of election ballots
6. File Corner Recordations

North Dakota Century Code (Main)

NDCC 11-10 General Provisions

NDCC 11-18 Recorders

NDCC 47-19 Record Title
NDCC 14-03 Marriage Contract

*Supreme Court Ruling Obergefell v. Hodges (Same-Sex Marriage)

NDCC 47-29 Recording Master Mortgage

NDCC 35-03 Mortgage of Real Property

NDCC 30.1-11 Custody & Deposit of Wills

NDCC 30.1-32.1 Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act

NDCC 47-20.1 Survey & Corner Recordation Act

NDCC 57-28 Right of County When Lands Not Redeemed

NDCC 16.1 Elections

• The Recorder's Office cannot determine ownership. However, the last deed of record can be provided. It is helpful to have a legal description of the property being inquired about. Subscription to the NDRIN website may also be helpful.

How do I transfer property?

• In most cases, a deed or other document will need to be drawn up to transfer property. It is best to contact a real estate attorney or a title company to do so. The Recorder's office does not have forms available and cannot assist with the legalities of such documents. North Dakota is a race to record state.

How do I obtain a copy of my deed?

• Request a copy of the deed either in person, by phone, mail or email. It is helpful to have the legal description of the property. Copy fees are $1 per page. A certified copy is $5 for the first page, $2 for each additional page. To mail or email a document is an additional $3 fee. Payment is required up front.

How do I get a copy of my divorce decree?

• Contact the Clerk of District Courts in the Courthouse at 701-227-3184 or the county court in which the divorce occurred.

How do I get a copy of my birth certificate?

• North Dakota birth records are only available from the North Dakota Division of Vital Records in Bismarck. Copies may be requested online, through the mail, or in person. Contact Vital Records in the state of birth, if outside of North Dakota.