Warrants are public records in North Dakota pursuant to the state's open records laws, specifically North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, which establishes that all government records are open to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The North Dakota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access judicial records, including warrants, as part of the state's commitment to governmental transparency and accountability.
Active warrants in North Dakota become public record once they are issued by a judge and entered into the state's judicial system. This public accessibility serves multiple purposes, including enhancing community safety, facilitating legal processes, and maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations. Members of the public may access warrant information through various official channels established by state and local authorities.
The North Dakota Court System maintains a comprehensive database of court records, including warrant information, that is accessible to the public through the District Court Case Search system. This system operates under the authority of the North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 41, which governs public access to court records.
Warrant records in North Dakota contain specific information as required by North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41, which governs search and seizure procedures. Standard information included in North Dakota warrant records comprises:
Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 29-29-04, search warrants must particularly describe the person, place, or things to be seized. This statutory requirement ensures that warrants contain sufficient detail to properly identify the subject and scope of the warrant while protecting constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Members of the public may check for warrants in North Dakota at no cost through several official channels. The North Dakota Court System provides free public access to court records, including warrant information, through its online public access portal. This service is maintained pursuant to North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 41, which governs public access to court records.
Additional free resources for warrant verification include:
County Sheriff's Offices: Most county sheriff departments maintain public terminals for searching warrant information. For example, the Ward County Sheriff's Office provides access to most wanted listings and warrant information.
Local Police Departments: Municipal police departments often maintain public access terminals for warrant searches. The Bismarck Police Department provides warrant information and can be contacted at:
Bismarck Police Department
700 South 9th Street
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 223-1212
Bismarck Police Department
North Dakota Supreme Court
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0530
(701) 328-2221
North Dakota Court System
To determine if a warrant exists in your name in North Dakota in 2025, several official methods are available pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, which guarantees public access to government records. The most direct method is utilizing the North Dakota Courts Public Search system, which is maintained by the North Dakota Judicial Branch and provides real-time access to court records, including active warrants.
Individuals seeking warrant information may also:
For specific warrant inquiries, individuals may contact:
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
4205 State Street
Bismarck, ND 58503
(701) 328-5500
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, warrants remain active until executed or recalled by the issuing court. Individuals with active warrants are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to address the warrant.
The verification of outstanding warrants in North Dakota is governed by North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.7, which balances public access to records with privacy protections. Individuals seeking to check for outstanding warrants may utilize the North Dakota Court System's public access portal, which provides comprehensive information on criminal cases, including warrant status.
For in-person inquiries, individuals may visit:
Barnes County Sheriff's Office
575 10th Street NW
Valley City, ND 58072
(701) 845-8530
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Barnes County Warrant Listing
Many North Dakota counties maintain online warrant databases that are regularly updated. For example, the West Fargo Police Department provides information on how to check for active warrants through the state's public access site.
When checking for outstanding warrants, individuals should be prepared to provide:
Federal warrants are issued by United States District Courts and are not typically accessible through state-level resources. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1691, federal warrants are executed under the authority of the United States government rather than state authorities. To search for federal warrants in North Dakota, individuals must contact federal agencies or courts directly.
The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota maintains records of federal warrants issued within its jurisdiction. Inquiries regarding federal warrants may be directed to:
United States District Court - District of North Dakota
655 1st Avenue North, Suite 130
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 297-7000
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
United States Marshals Service - District of North Dakota
655 1st Avenue North, Suite 320
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 297-7325
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Federal warrant searches may require additional verification procedures as outlined in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, which governs arrest warrant procedures in federal cases. Unlike state warrants, federal warrant information may have restricted public access depending on the nature of the case and stage of proceedings.