Billings County

Recorder/ex-officio Clerk of Court

PO Box 138

Medora, ND 58645

Phone (Recorder):  701-623-4491

Phone (Clerk of Court):  701-623-4492

     The County Recorder’s Office was formally organized by the Constitutional Convention in 1889.  The Recorder’s Association was established in 1929.  The office duties and procedures are governed under Section 11-18 of the North Dakota Century Code.

     As the backbone of the county land records, it is the basis for the auditors assessment rolls and the tax collection process of the treasurer.  The recorded documents also are used by other county officials, abstractors, realtors, attorneys, oil&gas/coal industries, bankers and the general public.  These records are currently stored electronically in Cass County at a central repository.  They are also stored on film and transferred to the Salt Mines in Hutchinson, KS which is a temperature and humidity controlled environment.

Services available:

•      Real Estate Recordings
•      UCC filings (Uniform Commercial Code)
•      Public Searches

     The Clerk of Court’s office is combined with the Recorder’s office.  This office began in 1952 as the ND County Judges Association.  Later a separate organization was formed for clerk of district, county and municipal courts and the Supreme Court.  Another name for the clerk of court might be “Custodian of Court Files” because much of the clerk’s time is spent working with legal records, maintaining accurate, updated and accessible records to bring efficient delivery of judicial services.

Services available:

•      DD214’S(military discharges) and Wills for safekeeping and confidentiality
•      Passport Agent & photos
•      Public record searches
•      Marriage License issuance and ceremonies
•      Child Support Enforcement
•      Record Certifications
•      Court Calendar Clerk
•      Maintaining official court files
•      Receiving and disbursing of fines, fees and restitution