Nelson County, ND Public Records
Nelson County has an estimated population of 3,007 (2024) across 982 square miles of land. In North Dakota, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the County Recorder. Court cases are handled by the North Dakota Court System; use the official links below to find the courthouse and clerk for Nelson County.
📍 Nelson County at a Glance
| Population (2024 est.) | 3,007 Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Land area | 982 sq mi Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Largest community | LakotaPopulation 687 (2024 est.) |
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🏛️ Courthouse & Records Offices in Nelson County, ND
These are the main offices to visit in person in Nelson County: the District Court clerk for court case files. Details come from official state and court directories; hours and services can change, so call or check the official website before you go. Anything the official source does not list is marked “Not stated”.
⚖️ Nelson County Clerk of District Court
| Address | 210 B Ave W, Suite 203, Lakota, ND 58344 |
| Directions | Get directions ↗ |
| Phone | (701) 247-2462 |
| Hours | 8:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Records available | North Dakota District Court case records for the county (civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, small claims) |
| Good to know | In this county the Recorder also serves as Clerk of District Court. |
| Official website | ndcourts.gov |
| Sources | ndcourts.gov/…/nelson-county ↗ |
| Last verified | October 17, 2026 |
⚖️ Criminal Records in Nelson County, ND
Criminal case records for Nelson County are kept by the court that heard each case. In North Dakota, all state criminal cases, felonies and misdemeanors alike, are heard by the District Court; city municipal courts hear city ordinance and traffic cases. Many court records are public and can be viewed or copied at the clerk's office of the court that heard the case. Source: ndcourts.gov ↗
⚖️ Where to get criminal records for Nelson County
| State court system | North Dakota Court System |
🔍 Background Check in Nelson County, ND
A people search for Nelson County pulls together public records such as court cases, property records and address history. It is for personal use only: under the FCRA it may not be used to screen tenants, employees, or for credit or insurance decisions. The official record sources for Nelson County are listed below.
🔍 Where to get background check for Nelson County
| Sex offender registry | North Dakota Sex Offender Registry (Attorney General) Source: sexoffender.nd.gov ↗ |
| State court system | North Dakota Court System |
📋 Arrest Records in Nelson County, ND
Arrest and booking records for Nelson County are created by the arresting agency — usually the local police department, the county sheriff's office or the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Once someone is charged, the case becomes a court record at the court that handles criminal cases for the area.
📋 Where to get arrest records for Nelson County
| State court system | North Dakota Court System |
🏛️ Court Records in Nelson County, ND
Court records for Nelson County include civil suits, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, criminal cases, family matters and probate (estates). Below are the courts that serve Nelson County, with addresses from the official North Dakota Court System directory.
🏛️ Where to get court records for Nelson County
| State court system | North Dakota Court System |
🏠 Property Records in Nelson County, ND
In North Dakota, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the County Recorder. Property tax assessments are kept by the city, township or county assessor (county director of tax equalization).
🏠 Where to get property records for Nelson County
| Land records | In North Dakota, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the County Recorder. |
📜 Vital Records in Nelson County, ND
Certified birth and death certificates for North Dakota are issued by the state vital records office; in some places a county or local office can also issue copies. Statewide records can also be ordered from the North Dakota Health and Human Services – Vital Records.
📜 Where to get vital records for Nelson County
| State vital records office | North Dakota Health and Human Services – Vital Records Source: hhs.nd.gov ↗ |
🔒 Sex Offender Registry in Nelson County, ND
The official sex offender registry for Nelson County is maintained by the state. Search it directly — it is free and updated by law enforcement. Registry information may not be used to threaten, intimidate or harass anyone.
🔒 Where to get sex offender registry for Nelson County
| Official registry | North Dakota Sex Offender Registry (Attorney General) Source: sexoffender.nd.gov ↗ |
📄 Divorce Records in Nelson County, ND
Divorce cases in North Dakota are heard by the District Court in each county. The full divorce case file, including the final decree, is kept by the clerk of that court. Some state vital records offices also issue divorce certificates or verifications; check with the North Dakota Health and Human Services – Vital Records.
📄 Where to get divorce records for Nelson County
| Divorce court | Divorce cases in North Dakota are heard by the District Court in each county. |
| State vital records office | North Dakota Health and Human Services – Vital Records Source: hhs.nd.gov ↗ |
| State court system | North Dakota Court System |
Largest Communities in Nelson County
Lakota (687), McVille (387), Michigan City (260), Aneta (235), Petersburg (159), Tolna (133), Pekin (75) 2024 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau.