How to Find Owners of Properties
in North Dakota

The most common way to conduct a property owner search in North Dakota is to look through public records at any designated government office. However, physically searching through these records from one office to another can be exhausting, especially if you don't know how to run this type of search.

Here are some of the ways you can conduct a swift North Dakota house owner lookup:

Check the County Recorder's Office

The County Recorder's office in North Dakota preserves the state's public records and grants access to them when necessary. Real estate records are a major of these public records, and anyone can carry out a search either online or in person.

The state has an online database containing the real estate records of counties that are members of the North Dakota Recorders Information Network (NDRIN). But, if you search and can't find the information you seek there, you can visit the county office in person to carry out a physical search through its historical index using the following information:

• Name
• Location
• Grantor/grantee's name
• Property instrument number

Here are some county recorders websites in major counties in North Dakota:

• Cass County
• Grand Forks County
• Sheridan County
• Barnes County
• Dunn County

Use the North Dakota Recorders Information Database

As mentioned earlier, the NDRIN is the state's website for land records. It is a members-only search tool that grants access to electronic land records gathered from subscribed counties within the state.

Here's how to gain access to the NDRIN database:

• Start on the home page and click on the member login link. This will bring you to the disclaimer page, which you will check off and move to the login page.
• On the login page, enter your username and password, or if you are not a registered member, use the link under the login button.
• A successful login will lead you to the main search area, where you can view all county records or search for a specific county.
• You can also narrow down your search by using any of the available search options, viz., instrument number, book and page, recording date, and grantor/grantee name.
• After entering the relevant search criteria, click search to view the results.

The website also features a detailed demo video with a step-by-step guide for conducting a property owner search in North Dakota via this platform.

Contact the City or Town Assessor's Office

The local assessor's office is another way to find a property owner by address in North Dakota. This office assesses the fair value of all lands and buildings within its area of coverage for tax purposes. The law also mandates they keep public records of all taxable properties in their jurisdiction in electronic and paper form.

Thus, an interested person can visit any county office to find the owner of a property for free. Here are some of the assessor's offices in major counties in North Dakota:

• Adams County
• Barnes County
• Burke County
• Foster County
• Griggs County
• McLean County
• McKenzie County
• Stark County
• Steele County
• Wells County

The North Dakota Assessors network also lists a directory containing links to the assessor's offices in all counties and cities within the state, arranged in alphabetical order.

Search Through Tax Records

Property tax records form part of the documents compulsorily maintained at the county assessor's office. These tax records show information on current owners, property assessment value, and tax history. With these details, you can easily narrow down your North Dakota house owner lookup.

To request a property tax record in Cass County, for instance, use the following steps:

• Visit the property tax search portal.
• Then, enter the address, statement number, or parcel number, and click search.
• Click on the highlighted parcel number from the result page, which will lead you to a pop-up page.
• On this pop-up page, you will find the owner's details, property address, and all other relevant information about the property.

Use a Title Company/Agency

A title company or agency is a third party that helps research a property's title and chain of ownership to find any issues that may later be a problem, e.g., court cases, liens, debts, etc. These companies typically have access to a comprehensive database of property records in every state, which is how they can easily find this information.

In North Dakota, this service costs an average of $350, depending on the specific company and the kind of search required. However, you can speak with people living in the neighborhood, local real estate agents, and lawyers to get more information on the property and possibly find the owner for free.

One person or several can own property under the different property ownership types recognized in North Dakota. Each property ownership type has its benefits, risks, and legal implications. So, it is advisable to fully understand them before deciding which you prefer.

For example, the type of ownership you subscribe to can affect your access to finances, taxes, and even probate. The most common are sole ownership, joint tenancy, and tenancy in common, and here is how they work:

Across the United States, property ownership is not limited to individuals. A property owner search in North Dakota may sometimes lead to a trust, partnership, or Limited Liability Company (LLC). The law recognizes these corporate entities as legal persons, allowing them to own property and do other things regular persons can do.

However, determining the owner of these entities can be tricky because they are often structured to be private, e.g., a trust. You can trace these entities by cross-referencing public records like deeds, mortgages, or tax records.

You may also search third-party databases like local business directories or other business research tools for more information. But, the best way to find the information you need is through real estate attorneys or title companies who will tap into their extensive network.

Here are some ways to find the owner of a trust or corporation that owns properties in North Dakota:

Finding the Owner of a Trust in North Dakota

The best way to find the owner of a trust in North Dakota is to locate the county court where the trust was created. But to start this search, you need the trust's name, property name, and other relevant details.

If the trust is linked to a business, you can try searching with the Secretary of State's office, and if it is a charitable trust, the Attorney General's office may have some information on it.

Finding the Owner of an LLC in North Dakota

If a North Dakota house owner lookup leads you to an LLC, the easiest way to find the person behind the LLC is through a Business Entity search on the North Dakota Secretary of State's website. Simply provide the business name or system ID to start the search. For an advanced search, you can select filters to narrow the results to businesses that start with or contain a particular prefix or limit the search to active companies only.

Finding the Owner of a Corporation in North Dakota

You may find the owner of a corporation in North Dakota from the same Secretary of State website as above:

• Visit the business entity search portal.
• Enter the corporation's full legal name.
• Review the resulting search results, which include the corporation's registered agents and officers.

A property deed is the legal evidence of the transfer of title between a seller and a buyer. Parties enter this type of agreement to get some protection under the law if there is a breach of the agreement. Here are some of the common types of property deeds in North Dakota:

Other property deed types you may also find in North Dakota are:

• Grant Deeds
• Deed of Trust
• Bargain and Sales Deed
• Mortgage Deed

A property transfer is an expensive and risky transaction because of the money involved. Thus, it is advisable to understand the legal and administrative processes involved. If not for anything, at least to ensure that you will bear no liability if there are any future issues.

Below is a breakdown of the basic steps involved in a property transfer transaction in North Dakota:

• Determine the type of Property Transfer: This will help narrow down the best property deed that should apply to the transaction. For instance, while a quitclaim deed may be sufficient for receiving an inheritance, it is a bad idea for the sale of property.
• Title Search: The best way to do due diligence before committing money to a property is to verify the title through a title search to confirm that it is not a scam. It also helps the buyer confirm that the seller did not leave debts attached to the property and that the seller has the right to sell. A title search in North Dakota costs an average of $150, depending on many factors.
• Preparation of the Deed: Once the preliminary details are confirmed, the next step is to get an attorney to prepare a deed stating the terms of the transaction and standing as evidence of the transfer of title.
• Paying Transfer Taxes: North Dakota is one of the six states that do not require property transfer taxes after a successful sale.
• Recording the Deed: North Dakota real estate laws require new property owners to record their titles at the local county recorder's office. This enters the new owner's information into the system as part of the property's history. The specific fees vary from county to county but are, on average, between $25 and $70, depending on the number of pages in the document.
• Receipt of Recorded Deed: Upon payment of the required recording fees, the county recorder will typically issue the property owner a copy of the recorded deed as evidence of the transaction.
• Updating Records: After following all the necessary steps after a property transfer, it is advisable to inform the local tax assessors and other relevant departments of the change in ownership. This way, mail and notices can reach the right person.
• Title Insurance Policy Issuance: This one-time payment protects sellers and buyers from any unforeseen issues related to the title. It typically costs around 0.5% to 1% of the property's value, and while not an absolute necessity, it is better to have this insurance and not need it than to need it and not have it.