Recording Documents

  1. Fee Schedule_Updated
  1. Additional Recording Fees

General Recording Requirements

  • Every document must be an original or certified copy, no larger than 8 ½" X 14" size
  • The printed, written, or typed words must be considered legible
  • A font that is equal to or larger than a 10-pitch Calibri font must be used unless the form was issued by a government agency
  • Documents must have a 1-inch margin at either the top, bottom, or side of each page
  • A 3" margin across the top of the first page for recording information (see Recording Fees page)
  • No shading, color, or aerial photo attachments will be accepted
  • Per Attorney General opinion 2017-L-03, County Recorders will not record any documents that have exhibits or attachments containing a map, survey, or drawing, unless it includes the signature and seal of a registered professional land surveyor
  • All dates must be filled in
  • Adequate county legal description that is not abbreviated
  • All signatures must be original handwritten
  • All original documents must be notarized unless it is an instrument entitled to record without acknowledgment provided for in North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) 47-19-02

  • MORTGAGES

    • Address of the mortgagee(s)
    • Address of the assignee(s) on an assignment of mortgage

  • Subdivision Plats and Auditor Lot Plats

    • The requirement for a Subdivision plat is 22" X 34". An Auditor plat needs to be no larger than 11" X 17"
    • No shading or aerial photos will be accepted

  • Surveys

    • Must be no larger than 11" X 17"
    • Must have the Surveyor's signature/initials over the Surveyor's seal and a full notary acknowledgment

  • Corner Monument Record (Now Available on NDRIN)

    • Must be no larger than 8 ½" X 14"
    • Must have the Surveyor's signature/initials over the Surveyor's seal
    • Paper should be a good bond stock weighing not less than 16 pounds

  • UCC/CNS

    • Uniform Commercial Code / Central Notice System (UCC/CNS) - The Secretary of State website. Fixture filings will be recorded with the Recorder's office with an adequate legal description, debtor name and secured party for the same fees as listed above. National forms will be accepted. It is your responsibility to file the UCC portion with the Secretary of State's website.

Additional Requirements

Deeds

  • Address of the grantee
  • Name and address of drafter of a legal description executed in the State of ND on or after January 1, 2000, that contains a metes and bounds legal description (NDCC 47-19-03.1); in the form of "This legal description was prepared by (name) (address)." Or "The legal description was obtained from a previously recorded instrument."
  • All property taxes must be paid in full before a deed can be transferred. (not required on a Mineral Deed, Personal Representatives Deed, or a Transfer on Death Deed)
  • Full Consideration Statements must be signed and dated


Full consideration statements (not required on a Mineral Deed or a Transfer on Death Deed)

  • (Examples only, Do not record)
    EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023 Only 1 of 2 statements for consideration will be accepted on a deed. Listed below are the 2 kinds of statements required by North Dakota Century Code 11-18-02.2. Pick the appropriate statement and type it on your deed.


1. I certify that the full consideration paid for the property described in this deed is $________________. Signed: ________________________________ Date: ____________ Grantee or Agent


2. I certify that the requirement for a report or statement of full consideration paid does not apply because this deed is for one of the transactions exempted by subdivision _____ of ND.C.C. 11-18-02.2(6) Signed ________________________________ Date: ____________ Grantee or Agent.

If you choose number two you will have to pick one of the following and put the letter in the blank. 

A. Property owned or used by public utilities. 

B. Property classified as personal property. .

C. A sale when the grantor and the grantee are of the same family or corporate affiliate if known. 

D. A sale that resulted in a settlement of an estate. 

E All forced sales, mortgage foreclosures, and tax sales. 

F. All sales to or from religious, charitable, or nonprofit organizations. 

G. All sales when there is an indicated change of use by the new owners. 

H. All transfer of ownership of property for which is given a quitclaim deed.

 I. Sales of property not assessable by law. 

J. Agricultural lands of less than eighty acres (32.37 hectares).


PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST BEFORE SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS FOR RECORDING: 


_____    Documents are original or a certified copy

 

______ Documents are individually stapled or paperclipped

 

______ Documents are individually numbered in the correct order of recording

 

______ Legal Descriptions are included for each document that requires one

 

______ Signatures are Notarized

 

______ Notary Stamp is placed


Additional info for Deeds: 

 

______ Full Consideration Statement is complete, signed, and dated

 

______ Drafter’s Statement regarding metes and bounds legal description is added

 

______ Taxes are Paid