Open records requests in North Dakota

How the North Dakota Open Records Statute works

North Dakota's open records law (N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18 et seq.) provides that all public records of a public entity are open and accessible to any person during normal business hours. The law covers all state agencies, counties, cities, townships, and school districts. North Dakota's Attorney General plays an active role in interpreting and enforcing the statute, and is empowered to issue binding interpretive decisions on open records disputes, one of the stronger administrative enforcement mechanisms at the state level.

The law does not establish a hard statutory response deadline, relying on a "reasonable time" standard moderated by the AG's oversight role and judicial review. Fees may be charged for reproduction at a reasonable rate. Courts may award attorney's fees to successful requesters. Common exemptions include medical records, personnel files, attorney-client privileged materials, and certain law enforcement investigative files. North Dakota's AG opinion process provides a relatively accessible, lower-cost path to resolving access disputes.