US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 38053

McKenzie County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for McKenzie County, North Dakota. Serving a population of 14.252 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Watford • Land Area: 2760,133 sq mi • State: North Dakota (ND)
Call: (701) 301-5843 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

McKenzie County Courthouse / Recording Office, Watford, ND 58634

Seat of government for McKenzie County in Watford, ND.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(701) 301-5843

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 38053 • Coordinates: 47.7425° N, -103.4032° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit McKenzie County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

McKenzie County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by N.D.C.C. § 11-18-05
First Page Base Fee
$20.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$5.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
None (North Dakota has no deed transfer tax)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in North Dakota:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in McKenzie County

License Fee $65.00
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the McKenzie County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by County Finance / Recorder Office.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $15.00
Death Cert $15.00
Marriage Cert $10.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Division of Vital Records and the local McKenzie County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in McKenzie County

Filing Fee: $25.00
1. Filing Authority

In McKenzie County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the North Dakota Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in North Dakota.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name filed with the Secretary of State.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in McKenzie County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the McKenzie County North Dakota Secretary of State. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in North Dakota.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
North Dakota Compliant
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State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official North Dakota Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with North Dakota county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get North Dakota Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in North Dakota

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring North Dakota recording offices:

Williams County Seat: Williston
~42.6 mi →
Dunn County Seat: Manning
~45.6 mi →
Billings County Seat: Medora
~50.8 mi →
Mountrail County Seat: Stanley
~57.9 mi →
Golden Valley County Seat: Beach
~59.2 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: McKenzie County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the McKenzie County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official McKenzie County office is located at McKenzie County Courthouse / Recording Office, Watford, ND 58634. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (701) 301-5843.
How much does it cost to record a deed in McKenzie County?
Under North Dakota statute (N.D.C.C. § 11-18-05), recording a real property deed or mortgage in McKenzie County costs $20.00 for the first page, plus $5.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: None (North Dakota has no deed transfer tax).
How do I obtain a marriage license in McKenzie County, ND?
Both applicants must appear in person before the McKenzie County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $65.00. North Dakota requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in McKenzie County?
In McKenzie County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the North Dakota Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $25.00. Trade name filed with the Secretary of State.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in McKenzie County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $15.00 and death certificates starting at $15.00) can be requested through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Division of Vital Records or directly at the McKenzie County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.