Cass County Court Records
What Is Cass County Court Records
Court records in Cass County, North Dakota, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of hearings and trials, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and warrant information. Each document type serves a distinct function within the judicial process and collectively forms the official record of a case from initiation through final disposition.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, for example, are held by the Cass County Recorder's Office, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the North Dakota Department of Health. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are maintained by the clerk of the applicable court.
In Cass County, records are maintained across several court levels and divisions:
- District Court — the principal trial court of general jurisdiction, handling civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters
- Municipal Courts — operating within incorporated cities such as Fargo and West Fargo, handling ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor matters
- Small Claims Court — a division of the District Court handling civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts
- Juvenile Court — a specialized division addressing matters involving minors
- Probate Court — a division of the District Court overseeing estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships
Pursuant to § 27-05-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, the District Court is established as the court of general jurisdiction in each county, and its clerk is responsible for maintaining all official case records. Records span civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law proceedings, traffic matters, and probate cases. Members of the public seeking to access the Cass County court system may do so through the clerk's office or authorized online portals.
Are Court Records Public In Cass County
Court records in Cass County are presumptively open to the public under North Dakota law. The North Dakota Open Records Law, codified at § 44-04-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, establishes that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. This presumption of openness extends to judicial records maintained by the District Court and other courts of record operating within the county.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments and court orders in all case types
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
- Probate filings and estate inventories
It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota are governed by federal law and are accessible through the federal PACER system, not through state or county portals. The records described throughout this page pertain exclusively to state court proceedings in Cass County.
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under North Dakota law. These include juvenile court records, sealed case files, records subject to protective orders, mental health commitment records, and certain victim information. The North Dakota Supreme Court has adopted administrative rules governing record access, and the District Court Case Search and Payment Processing portal reflects those access policies in its publicly available case information.
How To Find Court Records in Cass County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Cass County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the preferred method of access.
In-Person Access at the Clerk of District Court
The Clerk of District Court for Cass County maintains physical case files and provides public access terminals at the courthouse. Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours without prior appointment for most case types.
Government Agency:
Cass County District Court Clerk 211 9th Street South, Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 451-6900 Cass County – North Dakota Court System
Public counter hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Steps for in-person access:
- Visit the clerk's office during posted business hours
- Provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information to staff
- Request to inspect the file or obtain certified copies
- Pay applicable copy fees, which are set by court rule
Written or Mail Requests
Requests submitted by mail should be directed to the Clerk of District Court at P.O. Box 2806, Fargo, ND 58108. Written requests should include the full name of the parties involved, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known.
Online Access
The North Dakota Courts system provides online access to case information through the ND Court Records inquiry portal, which allows users to search by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney information without visiting the courthouse.
How To Look Up Court Records in Cass County Online?
The North Dakota Court system currently maintains centralized online portals that provide public access to District Court case information statewide, including records from Cass County.
North Dakota Courts Public Access Portal
The primary online resource is the District Court Case Search and Payment Processing system, which covers criminal, traffic, and civil case types filed in District Courts across North Dakota.
Steps to search online:
- Navigate to the North Dakota Courts public access portal
- Select "Cass County" from the district or county dropdown menu
- Choose the case type: Criminal, Civil, or Traffic
- Enter search criteria such as defendant or party name, case number, citation number, or attorney name
- Review the case summary, docket entries, and available documents
- Select individual entries to view detailed case information
ND Court Records Inquiry System
The ND Court Records portal provides an additional interface for searching North Dakota judicial district records. Users may click on the applicable judicial district on the interactive map and search within Cass County's records.
Both portals are maintained by the North Dakota Supreme Court and reflect current case information updated on a regular basis. Not all case documents are available in digital format; older records or sealed filings may require an in-person request at the clerk's office.
How To Search Cass County Court Records for Free?
State law currently guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Under § 44-04-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, members of the public are entitled to inspect public records without being required to pay a fee solely for the act of inspection. Fees may be assessed only for copies or certified documents.
The following resources are available at no cost:
- ND Court Records portal — The North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry system is free to use for searching case information, viewing docket entries, and reviewing case summaries
- In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the Cass County Clerk of District Court's office at no charge during regular business hours
- Public access terminals — The courthouse provides on-site terminals for free electronic record searches
Fees apply when requesting printed copies or certified copies of documents. Copy fees are established by the North Dakota Supreme Court and are subject to periodic revision.
What's Included in a Cass County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment or decree
- Post-judgment filings such as appeals or enforcement actions
Criminal Case Records
- Charging documents (indictment, information, or complaint)
- Arrest warrant and affidavit
- Bail and bond records
- Plea agreements
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (subject to access restrictions)
- Sentencing orders
- Probation or supervision conditions
Family Law Records
- Divorce petitions and decrees
- Child custody and parenting plan orders
- Child support orders and modification filings
- Domestic violence protection orders
Probate Records
- Petition for probate of will
- Inventory of estate assets
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Final accounting and order of distribution
Traffic Records
- Citation information
- Hearing notices
- Disposition and fine records
Small Claims Records
- Claim forms
- Judgment entries
- Satisfaction of judgment filings
How Long Does Cass County Keep Court Records?
Cass County District Court records are retained in accordance with the records retention schedules established by the North Dakota Supreme Court and the State Records Management Program. Retention periods vary by case type and document category.
Current retention periods include:
- Felony criminal case files — Retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — Retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Civil case files — Retained for a minimum of 10 years following final disposition
- Probate case files — Retained permanently
- Juvenile case files — Retained until the subject reaches age 21, or longer in certain circumstances
- Traffic case files — Retained for a minimum of 3 to 5 years depending on offense severity
- Small claims files — Retained for a minimum of 5 years following disposition
The North Dakota State Records Management Program, operating under the authority of the State Historical Society, establishes mandatory retention schedules applicable to all state and county government entities. Courts are required to comply with these schedules and may not destroy records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period without authorization.
Types of Courts In Cass County
Cass County is served by a structured hierarchy of courts operating under the authority of the North Dakota Supreme Court.
Cass County District Court The District Court is the court of general jurisdiction for Cass County and handles the full range of civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters. It is part of the East Central Judicial District (District 4).
Cass County District Court 211 9th Street South, Fargo, ND 58103 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2806, Fargo, ND 58108 (701) 451-6900 Cass County – North Dakota Court System
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Fargo Municipal Court The Fargo Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and certain traffic infractions occurring within the city limits of Fargo.
Fargo Municipal Court 225 4th Street North, Fargo, ND 58102 (701) 241-1480 City of Fargo
West Fargo Municipal Court West Fargo maintains a separate municipal court for ordinance and traffic matters arising within its jurisdiction.
West Fargo Municipal Court 800 4th Avenue East, West Fargo, ND 58078 (701) 433-5300 City of West Fargo
Court Hierarchy in North Dakota
The judicial hierarchy applicable to Cass County proceedings is as follows:
- Municipal/City Courts — limited jurisdiction over local ordinance and traffic matters
- District Court — general trial court jurisdiction; court of record for all major case types
- North Dakota Court of Appeals — intermediate appellate review (by assignment)
- North Dakota Supreme Court — court of last resort; final appellate authority statewide
What Types of Cases Do Cass County Courts Hear?
Each court within Cass County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases.
District Court
- Felony and Class A misdemeanor criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes exceeding the small claims monetary threshold
- Family law matters including divorce, custody, and support
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of protection cases
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
- Mental health commitment hearings
- Small claims disputes (as a division of the District Court)
- Traffic infractions and misdemeanor traffic offenses
Municipal Courts (Fargo and West Fargo)
- City ordinance violations
- Petty misdemeanor traffic offenses occurring within city limits
- Parking violations
- Local regulatory infractions
North Dakota Supreme Court (Appellate)
- Appeals from District Court decisions in all case types
- Disciplinary proceedings involving attorneys and judges
- Original jurisdiction in certain extraordinary matters
How To Find a Court Docket In Cass County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access Cass County court dockets through the following methods.
Online Docket Search
The ND Court Records inquiry system provides docket information for District Court cases statewide. Users may search by:
- Party or defendant name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Attorney name or bar number
- Date filed
The criminal case records search feature of the North Dakota Courts public access system provides detailed guidance on locating docket entries for criminal matters, including available search fields and filtering options.
In-Person Docket Access
Members of the public may request docket sheets directly from the Cass County Clerk of District Court during regular business hours. Staff can provide printed docket sheets upon request, subject to applicable copy fees.
Steps to Search a Docket Online:
- Access the ND Court Records portal
- Select the East Central Judicial District or Cass County
- Enter the party name or case number in the search fields
- Review the list of returned cases and select the relevant matter
- View the docket entries listed in chronological order, including filing dates, document types, and hearing information
Which Courts in Cass County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, whose acts and judicial decisions are enrolled for perpetual memory and testimony, and whose records carry a presumption of accuracy. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a permanent verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally have limited jurisdiction.
Under North Dakota law, pursuant to § 27-01-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, the District Court is designated as the sole court of record at the trial level in each county. Municipal courts operating within Cass County — including the Fargo Municipal Court and the West Fargo Municipal Court — are currently classified as courts not of record. This means that:
- Proceedings in municipal court are not transcribed verbatim as a matter of course
- Appeals from municipal court decisions are heard de novo (anew) in the District Court, rather than on the record
- Municipal court records, while maintained for administrative purposes, do not carry the same evidentiary weight as District Court records
Individuals who receive adverse decisions in a Cass County municipal court retain the right to appeal to the District Court, where the matter will be heard as a new proceeding. This distinction is significant for parties seeking to preserve legal rights on appeal.