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McKenzie County, ND Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | McKenzie County details |
|---|---|
| Court | The district court in McKenzie County, at the McKenzie County Courthouse in Watford City (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06) |
| Courthouse address | McKenzie County Courthouse, 201 5th St NW, Watford City, ND 58854 |
| Mailing address | No separate mailing address is published. Use the street address. |
| Phone | (701) 842-8230, clerk of district court in McKenzie County (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46) |
| Fax | (701) 444-3916, contact detail only |
| No email is published for McKenzie County. Use phone or mail. | |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Filing fee | $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate or another Title 30.1 testamentary case (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03) |
| Forms | McKenzie County does not publish a county-specific probate form or cover sheet. Use the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. |
| E-filing | Represented parties file through Odyssey. A self-represented filer is exempt from the electronic filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier, and may use Odyssey if desired. Original wills may be filed on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). |
| Case search | North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry at publicsearch.ndcourts.gov. Select McKenzie County and the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. Data is current through the end of the previous business day. |
| Remote appearance | Reliable electronic means may be requested by written motion, subject to court approval (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52). |
| Website | https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/mckenzie-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Watford City, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, beneficiaries and likely creditors. Probate paperwork depends on what property actually needs court authority, who is first in line to serve, and whether the case can proceed informally under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then helps organize what you found into the probate packet and attorney handoff if one is needed.
Which court handles jurisdiction
North Dakota has no separate court for decedents' estates and no separate probate forum of any kind: estate settlement is a case class of the state's single district court, which sits in all 53 counties, and the papers are filed with the clerk of district court at the McKenzie County Courthouse (N.D. Const. art. VI, §§ 1, 8; N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06; N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). The separate county-level forum that once heard these cases was abolished on January 1, 1995, and its files became district court files (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-00.1).
Probate for McKenzie County is filed with the clerk of district court at the county courthouse in Watford City. McKenzie County is one of the 3 counties in the Northwest Judicial District, with Divide and Williams, which is how judges and district administration are organised. The case itself is filed at this county's own courthouse (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6; N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-13).
The courthouse in Watford City serves McKenzie County communities including Watford City, Alexander, Arnegard and rural areas of the county. An informal application must state the county and state of the decedent's domicile at the time of death (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the correct starting document. Use an application for informal probate or informal appointment under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14. Use a petition if the matter must proceed through formal probate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
- Gather the statewide forms and any required originals. McKenzie County does not publish county-specific probate forms, so filers use the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. If there is an original will, it goes to the McKenzie County Courthouse on paper because original wills and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed as paper documents (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
- File with the clerk of district court in McKenzie County at 201 5th St NW, Watford City, ND 58854. The clerk of district court takes the filing, collects the fee and keeps the record (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). Represented parties use Odyssey, while a self-represented filer may file on paper in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier, or may use Odyssey (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
- Pay the filing fee. The fee is $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate or another Title 30.1 testamentary case (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). If you need to ask to waive the fee, use the fee waiver materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver.
- Let the court act on an informal filing. In an informal proceeding, the court reviews the application, makes the required findings, issues the written statement of informal probate and issues letters testamentary or letters of administration within ten working days after all requirements for informal proceedings have been met (N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-14-02, 30.1-14-03, 30.1-14-07).
- Handle notice choices after appointment. A personal representative may publish notice to creditors, which affects the claims period, and should evaluate known and reasonably ascertainable creditors under N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-19-01 and 30.1-19-03.
- If the case needs a hearing, wait for court scheduling instructions. Informal probate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14 is the route designed to proceed without a court appearance or without a court hearing when the proper forms and procedures are used. Formal matters under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15 involve court scheduling.
- Ask separately for remote participation if a hearing is set. A party may request reliable electronic means by written motion served at least seven days before the proceeding, with any response served at least four days before the proceeding, unless the court shortens time for good cause (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52).
- Use the letters to administer the estate. Letters testamentary or letters of administration are the authority documents issued by the court for the personal representative (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07). The personal representative then inventories and values estate property under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-06, handles claims under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-19, distributes property and files closing documents under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-21 when the estate is ready to close.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in McKenzie County
McKenzie County does not publish a county-specific probate form or local cover sheet. A McKenzie County filer uses the statewide materials published through the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help.
The informal set is tied to North Dakota's Uniform Probate Code, N.D.C.C. tit. 30.1. The court must provide the necessary forms to an applicant who requests aid in using the informal probate or appointment procedure, and assistance of an attorney is not required for that informal procedure (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.1).
The Center warns that its forms are not official court forms and courts are not required to accept them. It also states that it does not provide forms for proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15, and that not every informal situation has a prepared form.
Local nuance
McKenzie County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a McKenzie County filing |
|---|---|
| Courthouse access | The clerk's area for court business is on the second floor of the courthouse. Public parking is available in front, and a rear public entrance is on the same level as the court. |
| Northwest Judicial District | McKenzie County is in the Northwest Judicial District with Divide and Williams (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6). Watford City is listed as a chamber city for district judges in that district. |
| Fax listed as contact detail | The court publishes fax number (701) 444-3916. Use it as a contact detail only, and ask the clerk before sending anything by fax. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely McKenzie County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by separating what passes outside the estate from what needs court authority. If probate is needed, file the application with the clerk of district court in Watford City, and send any original will to the courthouse on paper under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5. The $160 filing fee is effective July 1, 2025 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and title issues so the spouse can see what belongs in the estate settlement plan before filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-23 | A self-represented filer is exempt from the electronic filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier, or may use Odyssey if desired (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). The original will still needs to reach the courthouse in Watford City on paper if there is one. | Sunset helps gather asset information, organize institution contacts and decide whether a court filing is needed before a trip to Watford City. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires an appointed personal representative with letters testamentary or letters of administration from the court (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07). File in Watford City, then request certified copies if needed. Certified copies are $20 each, and additional copies of the same document are $10, effective July 1, 2025 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). | Sunset helps build the asset list, prepare the probate packet and connect the family with a local attorney if a sale or title issue needs legal work. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How to use it |
|---|---|
| North Dakota Legal Self Help Center | Use ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help for the Judiciary's informal probate guide, probate forms, affidavit page and fee waiver materials. The Center says that if you have a question relating to a case that is already filed, contact the clerk of court for the county. |
| McKenzie County clerk of district court | Call (701) 842-8230 for filing logistics at the courthouse in Watford City. The clerk of district court keeps the papers and records for the district court (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). |
| North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry | Use publicsearch.ndcourts.gov for case search. Choose McKenzie County and the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. Data is current through the end of the previous business day. |
| Attorney Search | Use the North Dakota court system's Attorney Search at ndcourts.gov/lawyers to look up lawyers. |
| Legal Services of North Dakota | Legal Services of North Dakota is a statewide civil legal aid organization at lsnd.org. Intake numbers are 1-800-634-5263 for people under age 60 and 1-866-621-9886 for people age 60 and over. Call to ask about eligibility and services. |
When to hire an attorney
An attorney makes sense when the will is disputed, heirs disagree, a home must be sold, the estate has difficult claims under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-19, or the matter needs formal probate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15 instead of an informal application. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, debts and other assets that shape the estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized filing packet for the McKenzie County courthouse, including the items a self-represented filer or attorney needs to review.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted attorney for North Dakota probate questions, real estate issues or disputes.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset gives families a central place to organize estate settlement tasks, documents and next steps without charging the family.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in McKenzie County?
File with the clerk of district court at the McKenzie County Courthouse, 201 5th St NW, Watford City, ND 58854. The district court handles the case under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06, and the clerk of district court takes the filing and keeps the record under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46.
What are the clerk's hours in Watford City?
The published courthouse hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. No separate lunch closure is published for McKenzie County.
Do I have to e-file in McKenzie County if I am self-represented?
No. Under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5, represented parties file electronically through Odyssey, but a self-represented filer is exempt from the electronic filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier. A self-represented filer may use Odyssey if desired.
Can I mail the original will to the McKenzie County Courthouse?
Yes. Original wills, codicils and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed as paper documents under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5. Use the courthouse address in Watford City and call the clerk if you need current delivery instructions.
How much does it cost to file probate in McKenzie County?
The filing fee is $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate or another Title 30.1 testamentary case (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). Fee waiver materials are available at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver.
Are there McKenzie County probate forms?
McKenzie County does not publish county-specific probate forms. Use the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. The Center says its forms are not official court forms and courts are not required to accept them.
Can I look up a McKenzie County probate case online?
Use the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry at publicsearch.ndcourts.gov. Select McKenzie County and the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. Data is current through the end of the previous business day.
Will I have to travel to another city for a hearing?
The supreme court's stated intent is that residents receive judicial services in their own county without the need to travel to chamber cities, and judges travel within the judicial district under the schedule and direction of the presiding judge (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6). That is not a promise about a specific hearing. Watford City is itself listed as a chamber city in the Northwest Judicial District.
Can I appear by video in a McKenzie County probate hearing?
Ask by written motion for reliable electronic means under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52. The motion must state why that method is appropriate, say whether the other parties agree or object, and be served at least seven days before the proceeding. Any response is served at least four days before the proceeding, unless the court shortens time for good cause.
How long until letters are issued in an informal McKenzie County case?
In an informal appointment, the court must make its order of appointment and issue letters testamentary or letters of administration within ten working days after all requirements for informal proceedings have been met (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07).
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.