N.D.C.C. §§ 47-32-01 through 47-32-05 § 47-32-05
Sealing of records - Nonpayment of rent - Damage to property - Victim of domestic violence.
Operative Text
47-32-05. Sealing of records - Nonpayment of rent - Damage to property - Victim of
domestic violence.
1. A person subject to a court order for eviction for nonpayment of rent or damage to the
leased premises, who has resolved all nonpayment of rent and damage claims, may
move to have all court records relating to the eviction proceedings sealed seven years
after the order for eviction has been satisfied, provided the person has not been
evicted from another property during the seven years following the eviction.
2. An individual who was subjected to domestic violence as defined under section
14-07.1-01 at the time of the victim's tenancy and was evicted from that tenancy
because of a domestic violence incident may move to have all court records relating to
the eviction proceedings sealed upon the conviction of the assailant for domestic
violence or the issuance of a disorderly conduct restraining order, sexual assault
restraining order, or domestic violence protection order against the assailant.North Dakota Century Code § 47-32-05 establishes two separate pathways for sealing eviction court records. Under the first pathway, a person evicted for nonpayment of rent or property damage may seek to have those records sealed seven years after satisfying the eviction order, as long as all related financial and damage claims have been resolved and the person has not been evicted again during that seven-year period. Under the second pathway, a domestic violence victim who was evicted as a result of a domestic violence incident may seek to have eviction records sealed once the assailant has been convicted of domestic violence or a qualifying protective or restraining order has been issued against the assailant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.D.C.C. § 47-32-05, a former tenant's eviction record may become sealed under certain conditions, which can affect a landlord's ability to access that record in future tenant screening. Operators who rely on court records as part of their screening process should be aware that sealed records from nonpayment or damage-related evictions, or those involving domestic violence victims, may no longer be publicly accessible once the statutory conditions are met. Staying informed about which records may be subject to sealing helps property managers maintain screening practices that account for the limits of publicly available court data.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.D.C.C. § 47-32-05 gives tenants with certain eviction records a legal mechanism to have those records sealed from public view, which can reduce the impact of an eviction on future housing applications. Tenants evicted for nonpayment or property damage who have resolved all related claims and avoided further evictions for seven years may be eligible to file a motion to seal, while domestic violence survivors may be eligible to seek sealing upon the issuance of a qualifying protective order or the assailant's conviction. Tenants interested in pursuing record sealing under this provision may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with North Dakota housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation