North Dakota Family Court Forms and Filing Resources

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North Dakota publishes its own official family law forms, filing instructions, and self-help materials, but they are spread across several government sites. This page organizes the official North Dakota sources in one place so you can go straight to the right court page for forms, e-filing, rules, and locations.

North Dakota's core family statutes live in the North Dakota Century Code Title 14 - Domestic Relations. If you choose to e-file, you must keep using the system once you start. The clerk at your county courthouse can confirm what to file.

How the North Dakota court system handles family cases

Family cases in North Dakota are heard in the District Court. North Dakota's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases.

North Dakota's 53 counties are grouped into judicial districts.

North Dakota's highest court is the North Dakota Supreme Court. North Dakota has no standing middle appeals court - appeals go to the Supreme Court.

Besides the judge, a Magistrate / Commissioner may handle parts of a family case. Besides the judge, a magistrate, commissioner, or referee may hear temporary orders, child support, and uncontested matters - usually subject to a judge's review.

Official North Dakota resources

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North Dakota state courts website (North Dakota judicial branch): The official home of the North Dakota court system, with statewide news, rules, and links to every court. https://www.ndcourts.gov

North Dakota family law forms (North Dakota judicial branch): The official statewide collection of family law forms published for North Dakota cases. Start here when you need the current version of a form. https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/forms

North Dakota self-help resources (North Dakota courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own North Dakota family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help

North Dakota Odyssey File & Serve (Tyler Technologies): North Dakota's statewide Odyssey File & Serve portal is live and you can register yourself. E-filing is required for lawyers but optional for people without a lawyer, so you may also file on paper in person or by mail. https://northdakota.tylertech.cloud/

ND court locations by county (North Dakota judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your county, with locations and contact details. https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations

North Dakota rules of procedure (North Dakota judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in North Dakota. https://www.ndcourts.gov/rules

North Dakota mediation and dispute resolution (North Dakota judicial branch): Official information on mediation and alternative dispute resolution options for North Dakota family cases. https://www.ndcourts.gov/mediation

North Dakota financial affidavit and disclosure forms (ndcourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most North Dakota family cases ask for. https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/forms

North Dakota child support guideline resources (ndcourts.gov): Official North Dakota child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://www.nd.gov/dhs/services/childsupport/guidelines/

North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry (North Dakota courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as free and the system is organized statewide. https://www.ndcourts.gov/public-access

Frequently used official North Dakota forms

These links open official North Dakota government form documents directly. Courts revise forms, so if a direct link stops working, use the statewide forms collection above to find the current version.

Petition for Divorce (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Divorce/Simple%20Divorce%20with%20Children/Form-2-Complaint.pdf

Divorce Without Children: Instructions and Forms Packet (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Divorce/Simple%20Divorce/Stip%20DNC%20All%20Instructions%20for%20Packet%20%20Forms.pdf

Custody & Visitation Settlement Agreement (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Establishing%20Custody%20and%20Visitation/Form-3-Settlement-Agreement.pdf

Custody & Visitation Confidential Information Form (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Establishing%20Custody%20and%20Visitation/Form-4-Confidential-Info-Form.pdf

Petition for Waiver of Filing Fees: Instructions and Forms (Fee Waiver), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Other%20Forms/Fee%20Waiver/All%20Petition%20for%20Fee%20Waiver%20Instructions%20%20Forms.pdf

Name Change for a Minor Child: Forms and Instructions (Name Change), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Name%20Change/Name-Change-Minor-All-Forms-and-Instructions.pdf

Filing fees: Divorce filing fee: ~$80.

E-filing link data for North Dakota was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find official North Dakota family court forms?

The official statewide source is the North Dakota judicial branch forms collection linked on this page. Always download forms from the official site so you have the current version, and check whether your county adds local forms or cover sheets.

Can I e-file my own family case in North Dakota?

North Dakota's statewide Odyssey File & Serve portal is live and you can register yourself. E-filing is required for lawyers but optional for people without a lawyer, so you may also file on paper in person or by mail. If you choose to e-file, you must keep using the system once you start. The clerk at your county courthouse can confirm what to file.

How much does it cost to file a family case in North Dakota?

Divorce filing fee: ~$80. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

Which court hears family cases in North Dakota?

Family cases in North Dakota are heard in the District Court. North Dakota's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases.