Certified Copies in North Dakota: Where and What It Costs
Certified copies
Ordering Certified Copies in North Dakota
Where to order a certified vital record or corporate record issued in North Dakota, what it costs, what the office requires, and what happens to it afterwards.
- Birth certificate
- $15.00
- Death certificate
- $15.00 first copy, $10.00 additional
- Marriage
- Varies by county; the state stopped issuing certified marriage copies on 1 January 2008
- Divorce
- Varies; county courthouse
Vital records
Issued by: North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
Post to: ND Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 301, Bismarck, ND 58505-0200
Verify current fees: (701) 328-2360
| Record | Certified copy |
|---|---|
| Birth | $15.00 |
| Death | $15.00 first copy, $10.00 additional |
| Marriage | Varies by county; the state stopped issuing certified marriage copies on 1 January 2008 |
| Divorce | Varies; county courthouse |
What North Dakota requires
- Generally processed within three to five working days.
- A photocopy of government issued ID must be submitted.
Corporate records
A certificate of good standing and certified copies of formation documents for a North Dakota entity come from North Dakota Secretary of State, Authentications Division, normally online and often the same day.
North Dakota Secretary of State, Authentications Division
- Order from the state where the entity was formed, not where it trades.
- A certificate of good standing is a statement of current status. A certified copy of the articles is a different product; if a foreign authority asks for the formation documents, you need the latter.
- Ask for a certified or exemplified copy. A plain download from the state website carries no seal and cannot be authenticated.
What happens next
Once you hold the certified copy, authentication in North Dakota goes through North Dakota Secretary of State, Authentications Division, at $10.00 per apostille.
Questions people actually ask
Where do I order a North Dakota birth certificate?
From North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Post to ND Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 301, Bismarck, ND 58505-0200. A certified copy is $15.00.
Does the North Dakota Secretary of State issue birth certificates?
No. Vital records come from the health department; the Secretary of State handles corporate records and, in most states, the apostille. They are separate offices with separate fees.
Can I get a certified marriage certificate from the state of North Dakota?
Not in the ordinary way. Varies by county; the state stopped issuing certified marriage copies on 1 January 2008 Plan on dealing with the county rather than the state office.
What will North Dakota reject?
Generally processed within three to five working days.
Can I have it apostilled straight away?
Yes, and that is the right order. Order the certified copy first, then send it for authentication. Do not sign, stamp or laminate it in between, and do not open a sealed envelope.
This guide is published by a private document processing service. It is not legal advice and we are not a government agency. Requirements change without notice, so confirm anything critical with the mission before you post documents.
