North Dakota Statewide Criminal Background Check
Search North Dakota District Court criminal records in all 53 counties with one order.
Results typically return within 24 hours, so you can make hiring decisions faster.
What Our North Dakota Statewide Criminal Search Covers
North Dakota runs one unified district court system across all 53 counties.
In fact, the district courts hold exclusive jurisdiction over criminal cases in the state.
Therefore, a statewide court search reaches felony and misdemeanor filings from every county seat.
Our researchers search the state’s district court index by full name and date of birth.
Next, they confirm each possible match against the court file before it reaches your report.
The North Dakota Court System organizes its 55 district judges into eight judicial districts.
East Central
Serves Cass County and the Fargo metro area.
Northeast Central
Grand Forks County anchors this district.
North Central
Covers Ward County, Minot, and nearby counties.
South Central
Bismarck, Mandan, and Burleigh County sit here.
Northwest
Reaches Williams County, Williston, and the Bakken region.
Southwest
Stark County and Dickinson fall in this district.
Northeast
Covers Devils Lake and the northeastern counties.
Southeast
Covers Jamestown, Valley City, and Wahpeton.
Records a North Dakota Court Search Returns
Each record shows the case number, charges, statutes, offense level, and filing date.
Moreover, it lists the plea, final disposition, disposition date, and full sentencing terms.
Deferred sentences, probation conditions, fines, and fees appear exactly as the court entered them.
However, juvenile files and court-restricted cases never appear in public court results.
BCS Statewide Search vs. the BCI Record Check
North Dakota also sells a name-based record check through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
That option works, yet it moves slowly and follows different rules.
For example, the Attorney General’s BCI page quotes 7 to 10 business days by mail.
| Feature | BCS Statewide Court Search | BCI Name-Based Check |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20 per name | $15 state fee |
| Turnaround | 24 hours estimated | 7–10 business days |
| How you order | Online, from your secure account | Mailed request form |
| Source | District court case files | State criminal history repository |
| Non-convictions | Reported within FCRA limits | Omitted once older than three years |
| Notice to applicant | FCRA disclosure you control | BCI mails a notice unless a signed authorization is attached |
| Hit verification | Researcher confirms each match | Name match only |
Also note the BCI’s own warning about name searches.
It states that a name-based search will miss arrests filed under a different name.
Consequently, we pair every order with identifier matching and flag common names for review.
Inside Every North Dakota Criminal Records Search
Every search comes with the same core features at one flat price.
Statewide Court Coverage
We search district court records in all 53 counties at once.
24-Hour Estimated Turnaround
Most searches return within one day of your order.
Researcher-Verified Hits
A trained researcher confirms each possible record before release.
Full Dispositions
Reports show the plea, final outcome, dates, and complete sentence.
FCRA-Compliant Reporting
We apply federal reporting limits before any record reaches you.
Identifier Matching
We compare name, middle name, and date of birth on every hit.
North Dakota Criminal Background Check Sample Report
Below, you can see how a completed North Dakota record looks in your account.
All names, numbers, and addresses are fictitious, so no real person appears here.
Search Details
Case Summary
Party Information
Charge Information
| # | Charge | Citation | Statute | Level | Offense Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poss of CS-Methamphetamine | 2408317762 | 19-03.1-23(7)(a) | Misdemeanor A | 03/16/2024 |
| 2 | Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia-Use-SI, SII, SIII | 2408317763 | 19-03.4-03(2) | Misdemeanor A | 03/16/2024 |
Final Disposition by Count
| Count | Original Plea (05/29/2024) | Amended Plea (07/30/2025) | Final Disposition (07/30/2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Poss of CS-Methamphetamine | Guilty | Not Guilty | Deferred Dismissal |
| 2. Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia-Use-SI, SII, SIII | Guilty | Not Guilty | Deferred Dismissal |
Events & Orders of the Court
Plea
- 1. Poss of CS-Methamphetamine — Guilty
- 2. Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia-Use-SI, SII, SIII — Guilty
Disposition
- 1. Poss of CS-Methamphetamine — Pled Guilty
- 2. Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia-Use-SI, SII, SIII — Pled Guilty
Order Deferring Imposition of Sentence — Count 1
- Unsupervised Probation, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
- Pay From Bond Posted – Ward (see Condition Note B), 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Set up Payment Schedule, The Defendant shall pay fines and fees in full today. 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Chemical Dependency Evaluation – Ward (see Condition Note A), 05/29/2024 – 07/28/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Violate No Criminal Laws, The Defendant will not commit another offense during the probationary period. 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Deferred Imposition of Sentence, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
Order Deferring Imposition of Sentence — Count 2
- Deferred Imposition of Sentence, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
- Unsupervised Probation, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
- Violate No Criminal Laws, The Defendant will not commit another offense during the probationary period. 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Chemical Dependency Evaluation – Ward (see Condition Note A), 05/29/2024 – 07/28/2024, Satisfied 08/20/2024
Amended Dismissed — Count 1
- Unsupervised Probation, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
- Pay From Bond Posted – Ward (see Condition Note B), 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Set up Payment Schedule, The Defendant shall pay fines and fees in full today. 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Chemical Dependency Evaluation – Ward (see Condition Note A), 05/29/2024 – 07/28/2024, Active 05/29/2024
- Deferred Imposition of Sentence, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
- Violate No Criminal Laws, The Defendant will not commit another offense during the probationary period. 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
Amended Dismissed — Count 2
- Deferred Imposition of Sentence, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
- Chemical Dependency Evaluation – Ward (see Condition Note A), 05/29/2024 – 07/28/2024, Satisfied 08/20/2024
- Unsupervised Probation, 05/29/2024 – 05/24/2025, Active 05/29/2024
- Violate No Criminal Laws, The Defendant will not commit another offense during the probationary period. 05/29/2024, Active 05/29/2024
Amended Disposition
- 1. Poss of CS-Methamphetamine — Deferred Dismissal
- 2. Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia-Use-SI, SII, SIII — Deferred Dismissal
Amended Plea
- 1. Poss of CS-Methamphetamine — Not Guilty
- 2. Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia-Use-SI, SII, SIII — Not Guilty
Condition Notes (Full Court Text)
Note A — Chemical Dependency Evaluation – Ward
The Defendant must report to a licensed addiction evaluator to undergo a chemical dependency evaluation and file proof with the Court by end date. The Defendant is required to follow all recommendations made by the evaluator; provided, however, that any recommended treatment shall not, without the Defendant’s consent continue for longer than the probationary period. If the Defendant disagrees with the treatment recommendations, he/she may, within 10 days after receiving the recommendations, request a hearing before the court to assess the appropriateness of alternative treatment programs. The Defendant may be represented by counsel at such hearing.
NOTE: The Defendant must execute a RELEASE OF INFORMATION FORM which will permit the evaluator to provide the court with the following information: (a) confirmation the Defendant has completed the court ordered evaluation; (b) a REPORT OF EVALUATION setting forth the results of each evaluation and the recommendations of the evaluator; (c) confirmation the Defendant has completed any recommended treatment. IT IS THE DEFENDANT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE EVALUATOR(S) PROVIDE(S) THIS INFORMATION TO THE COURT IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Note B — Pay From Bond Posted – Ward
Any cash bond posted will be forfeited to fines, fees and restitution, in this file, and any other Ward County file which fines, fees and restitution is owed. Any remaining cash bond will be refunded to the bond remitter.
Sample report for illustration only. The subject, case number, citations, judge, and address are fictitious.
North Dakota Rules That Shape Every Criminal Record Check
North Dakota law affects what a record shows and how you may use it.
For the full employer guide, read our North Dakota background screening laws page.
Deferred Imposition of Sentence
Judges often defer sentence under N.D.C.C. 12.1-32-02(4).
After successful probation, the court may dismiss the case under 12.1-32-07.1.
As a result, many North Dakota cases end as “Deferred Dismissal,” like our sample.
Record Sealing
Under N.D.C.C. chapter 12-60.1, people may petition to seal old convictions.
Misdemeanors qualify after three years, while felonies qualify after five years.
Once sealed, the case disappears from public court searches.
Closed Non-Conviction Cases
Since August 1, 2025, courts close dismissed and acquitted cases within 61 days.
Consequently, fewer non-conviction records remain visible in newer public files.
Public-Sector Ban-the-Box
N.D.C.C. 12.1-33-02.2 bars public employers from early criminal history questions.
They must wait until they select the applicant for an interview.
Private employers, however, face no statewide ban-the-box law.
Federal FCRA Limits Still Apply
The Fair Credit Reporting Act lets us report convictions regardless of age.
Still, arrests and other non-convictions drop off after seven years for most positions.
That seven-year limit lifts when the job pays $75,000 or more per year.
Meanwhile, employers must give a standalone disclosure and get written authorization first.
How to Order a North Dakota Criminal Background Check
Ordering takes only a few minutes once your account is active.
Open Your Account
Create your business account online in a few minutes.
Get Consent
Give your applicant the FCRA disclosure and collect a signed authorization.
Enter the Applicant
Add full legal name, prior names, and date of birth.
Review Results
Then view the finished report online, typically within 24 hours.
Add Searches for Broader Coverage
A statewide court search covers North Dakota only.
So, if your applicant lived elsewhere, add other states or a nationwide criminal database search.
Similarly, you can pair this search with motor vehicle records for driving roles.
North Dakota Statewide Criminal Background Check FAQs
What does a North Dakota statewide criminal background check include?
Our search covers North Dakota District Court criminal records in all 53 counties.
Each record lists charges, statutes, offense level, filing date, plea, disposition, and sentence.
How much does a North Dakota statewide criminal search cost?
BCS Background Screening LLC charges $20 per name.
Also, that price includes researcher verification of every possible match.
How long does a North Dakota criminal background check take?
The estimated turnaround is 24 hours.
However, common names or files needing clerk review can take longer, and we tell you if so.
How is this different from a North Dakota BCI record check?
The BCI check costs $15, arrives by mail, and takes 7 to 10 business days.
In contrast, our court search runs online and typically returns within 24 hours.
Plus, the BCI omits non-conviction charges older than three years.
How far back does a North Dakota criminal search go?
Court indexes hold convictions indefinitely, and the FCRA lets us report them regardless of age.
Non-convictions, though, stop appearing after seven years unless the job pays $75,000 or more.
Does a deferred imposition of sentence show up on a North Dakota background check?
It can, while the court file stays public.
After dismissal, the report shows “Deferred Dismissal” rather than a conviction.
Once a court seals or closes the file, it no longer appears in public results.
Can North Dakota employers ask about criminal history?
Private employers may ask, since North Dakota has no private-sector ban-the-box law.
Public employers, by contrast, must wait until they select an applicant for an interview.
Our North Dakota screening laws guide explains each rule.
What do I need to order a North Dakota statewide search?
First, you need an active business account and a permissible purpose.
Next, collect a signed FCRA authorization plus the applicant’s full name and date of birth.
Run Your North Dakota Statewide Criminal Background Check Today
Open an account in minutes and order your first North Dakota search at $20 per name.
For extra security, every user account offers optional Multiple Authentication Factor (MAF).