Nelson County Criminal Records

Criminal · Arrest · Court · Sex offender

Use the official court, custody, police-record, and statewide paths for Nelson County, North Dakota; jurisdiction limits are explained.

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Searches are compiled from court, county, and statewide public-record sources.

Nelson County public records: common questions

Where to search Nelson County records

Nelson County, North Dakota court, custody, police, and statewide records are kept in separate systems. Start court research with North Dakota Court System Nelson County court location and clerk information.

Court casesNorth Dakota Court System Nelson County court location and clerk information
Current custodyConfirm the current jail or detention source with the local agency.
Statewide recordsUse the North Dakota state-level source described below when available.
Federal recordsFederal court and custody records are outside county systems and require a separate federal search.

Verified local details

These details were drawn from the official sources linked in this guide. Reconfirm addresses, contacts, schedules, fees, and other time-sensitive details with the responsible agency.

The county seat is Lakota.
The sheriff directory lists Kurt D. Schwind as sheriff and 701-247-2474 as the office phone.
The North Dakota Court System provides a county-specific district-court location and clerk contact.
The North Dakota Court System's annual report identifies Nelson County as using a combined recorder and clerk-of-court structure.

Nelson County official record-source actions
Record type	Agency or source	Scope	Action	Last checked
Court cases	North Dakota Court System Nelson County court location and clerk information	County or local	Open source	August 24, 2026
Official records	North Dakota POST official sheriff directory	County or local	Open source	August 24, 2026
Official records	Official Nelson County government portal	County or local	Open source	August 24, 2026

How this guide is maintained: This matrix only republishes government and agency destinations supported by the researched guide or its reviewed county source registry. Page updated August 24, 2026. Agency sites and coverage can change, so confirm current rules with the source. Read our county source-review and correction policy.

This Nelson County records guide is organized around the way the information is actually maintained. Begin with the Q&A for the record you need, then use the source map below to confirm a case, custody status, incident report, or statewide search. Nelson County is centered on Lakota and has 2,963 residents (2025 estimate). Offices and online systems change, so confirm details with the agency before relying on a record.

Quick facts

County seat or principal locality: Lakota
County-equivalent identity: 38-063
Population: 2,963 residents (2025 estimate)
Local detail: The county seat is Lakota.
Local detail: The sheriff directory lists Kurt D. Schwind as sheriff and 701-247-2474 as the office phone.
Local detail: The North Dakota Court System provides a county-specific district-court location and clerk contact.
Local detail: The North Dakota Court System's annual report identifies Nelson County as using a combined recorder and clerk-of-court structure.

What is specific about this local guide

Local detail: The county seat is Lakota.
Local detail: The sheriff directory lists Kurt D. Schwind as sheriff and 701-247-2474 as the office phone.
Local detail: The North Dakota Court System provides a county-specific district-court location and clerk contact.

How do I verify a Nelson County court date?

The approved official source set for Nelson County does not document a case-specific court search or document-request procedure. Open North Dakota Court System Nelson County court location and clerk information for the court's current case-search and document-access instructions.

Where can I request Nelson County court records?

The North Dakota Court System provides a county-specific district-court location and clerk contact. Open North Dakota Court System Nelson County court location and clerk information for the court's current case-search and document-access instructions.

How do I contact the Nelson County Sheriff?

The approved official source set for Nelson County does not document record-type-specific police request instructions. Use North Dakota POST official sheriff directory to request the report from the agency that created or maintains it.

Where can I ask about custody or booking?

The reviewed official sources for Nelson County do not identify complete visitation, release, booking, and medical-record procedures. Ask the county detention agency for its current rules before visiting, sending records, or arranging release.

Which agency handles an incident in Lakota?

Current approved sources for Nelson County do not substantiate a complete current map of every local agency boundary. Use North Dakota POST official sheriff directory to confirm the responsible law-enforcement agency before requesting a record.

How do recorder and clerk-of-court functions interact?

The North Dakota Court System's annual report identifies Nelson County as using a combined recorder and clerk-of-court structure. Open North Dakota Court System Nelson County court location and clerk information for the court's current case-search and document-access instructions.

Police, sheriff, and incident records

For police or incident records, use North Dakota POST official sheriff directory. The annual court report describes county clerk structure but is not a live personnel directory.

Criminal cases in Nelson County

Start with North Dakota Court System Nelson County court location and clerk information for the official Nelson County court path. County: Nelson County government administers county services outside incorporated municipal limits. Court: North Dakota District Court serves Nelson County through the state judicial system.

Jail and custody information for Nelson County

The current county jail or detention path still requires local confirmation. No current public Nelson County jail roster was confirmed in the accessible official sources.

Municipal and local court records

Municipal and local court coverage is separate from the county trial-court path. Custody: The sheriff is the local law-enforcement contact; current custody must be confirmed directly. Municipal: Lakota and other municipalities handle local matters within incorporated boundaries.

Statewide sources for North Dakota records

Statewide North Dakota sources are separate from Nelson County local records. Do not treat a statewide search as a complete county docket, jail roster, or police-record database.

Cities covered by local record systems

Lakota is the principal locality identified for this guide; incorporated municipalities may use separate courts and police agencies.

Official Nelson County and North Dakota record sources

For an official starting point, use Official Nelson County government portal. Confirm current access rules, fees, contacts, and jurisdiction with the responsible agency.

Disclosure: criminal.com may earn a commission when you use the people-search tool on this page, which is powered by a third-party background-check service. Results are for personal knowledge only and may not be used for employment, housing, credit, tenant screening, or any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. An arrest or booking record is not proof of guilt. This page is general information, not legal advice; for advice about a specific situation, consult an attorney.

Prefer an official source? For an official starting point, use Official Nelson County government portal. Confirm current access rules, fees, contacts, and jurisdiction with the responsible agency.

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