Divorce records in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, can be accessed through several channels. GrandForksCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information. You can also search records through the district court that issued the decree, the Grand Forks County Recorder's office, and the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services vital records division. Online tools, in-person requests, and mail-in options are all available depending on the type of record you need.
Grand Forks Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Grand Forks County are maintained by two primary offices: the Northeast Central District Court Clerk's Office and the Grand Forks County Recorder. The district court retains the full case file — including the divorce decree, settlement agreements, custody orders, property division orders, and all related filings. The county recorder maintains copies of divorce records for certification purposes. The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services directs requesters to the county where the divorce was decreed for certified copies.
Grand Forks County District Court — Clerk's Office
You can search civil case records online — including divorce cases — through the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry portal. Select "Grand Forks County" under the Northeast Central District to narrow results. This database is updated through the end of the previous business day, though it does not include restricted case information.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Grand Forks
In North Dakota, divorce cases are heard by the district court. Grand Forks County falls within the Northeast Central Judicial District. All divorce petitions, responses, and related motions are filed with and processed through the district court clerk's office at the Grand Forks County Courthouse.
After a judge signs the divorce decree, the original remains with the court clerk as part of the permanent case file. The county recorder also maintains divorce records that can be certified for official use.
Which office you contact depends on what you need:
- Full case file (decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, motions, hearing records) — contact the District Court Clerk's Office.
- Certified copy of the divorce record — contact the Grand Forks County Recorder. Per the North Dakota HHS vital records division, certified copies of divorce records can only be obtained from the clerk or recorder in the county where the divorce was decreed.
- Online case lookup — use the North Dakota District Court public access portal for basic case information such as filing dates, case status, and party names.
Grand Forks County Recorder
For historical divorce records and genealogical research, the North Dakota State Archives may also hold older vital records data in cooperation with the state health department.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Grand Forks
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online case search (ND Courts Records Inquiry) | Free | Immediate |
| Standard copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 | Same day to several business days |
| Certified copy of court document | $10.00 | Several business days |
| Certified copy of divorce record (County Recorder) | $7.00 | Several business days |