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Legal Self Help Center

Welcome to the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center

The North Dakota Legal Self Help Center provides resources to people who represent themselves in civil matters in North Dakota State Courts. The information on this website and from Center staff isn't intended for legal advice but only a general guide to civil court process. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each situation and can only be provided by a lawyer to their client.

The information contained on this website isn't guaranteed to be up to date and the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center isn't responsible for any consequences that may result from the information on the website or from Center staff. The information can't replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in the state

  • The North Dakota Legal Self Help Center isn’t your lawyer and can’t be your lawyer.
  • There is no lawyer/client privilege or confidentiality of any information shared with North Dakota Legal Self Help Center staff.
  • North Dakota Legal Self Help Center staff are neutral and impartial and may provide services to all parties in the case.
  • North Dakota Legal Self Help Center staff aren't responsible for the outcome of a case.

If you're unsure about whether you should use the information on the website, contact a licensed lawyer.

We encourage you to read all the information and instructions on this website. The answer you're looking for may be easier than you think.

General Information

Criminal Defense Attorney Application (Indigent Defense Services)

When a defendant can’t afford an attorney in a North Dakota state district court felony or misdemeanor case, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents provides an attorney after the District Court determines the defendant is indigent.

The defendant must fill out an application form with the party's financial information, and give it to the clerk of court where their criminal case is filed. If you have questions about the application for a criminal defense attorney, contact the clerk of court.

The North Dakota Legal Self Help Center can’t provide any assistance in criminal matters or answer any questions about this application.

Request Notice by Email When Documents are Filed in a Public Case

Click on the link below to request notice when documents are filed in a public case. Notice is sent to your email address. The emailed notice includes the name and index number of the document, and the date the document was filed. Contact the Judicial Branch IT Help Desk at helpdesk@ndcourts.gov if you have questions about how to make the request for notice of filing.

If you want to view or get a copy of a document, contact the Clerk of Court of the county where the document is filed. Make sure you have the name and index number of the document, and the date the document was filed.

More information about access to North Dakota court system documents is available through the Data Access webpage.

Legal Forms and Guides

Need help filling out a form? Contact a lawyer and ask if the lawyer provides limited legal representation. Lawyers licensed to practice law in North Dakota are allowed to represent you in a part of your case, like filling out a form or forms, or creating a legal document for you. You represent yourself in the rest of your case on your own. You only pay for the part of the case the lawyer handles for you. You and the lawyer must agree in writing to limited legal representation.

North Dakota Legal Self Help Center forms aren’t official court forms and courts aren’t required to accept them. There’s no guarantee that all judges and courts will accept forms available through the Center. Use at your own risk.

Forms aren't available for every legal issue or circumstance.  If you don't find the form on this website, the form isn't available through the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center.

You may need to create your own legal documents. The General-Use forms in the District Court Civil Action section below may be used as a starting point for creating your own legal documents.


Legal Research

Small Claims Court

District Court Civil

Juvenile Court

Guardianships and Conservatorships

Landlords and Tenants

Name Changes

Family Law

Miscellaneous

Wills and Probate

Protection and Restraining Orders

Appeals

Criminal Matters (no assistance available)

If you do not understand any of this information, of if you have trouble filling out any of the forms located here, please see an attorney for help.

The information provided on and obtained from this site does not constitute the official record of the Court. This information is provided as a service to the general public. Any user of this information is hereby advised that it is being provided "as is". The information provided may be subject to errors or omissions. Visitors to this site agree that the Court is not liable for errors or omissions of any of the information provided.

If you have a question relating to a case that is already filed please contact the clerk of court for the county.