Ward County, North Dakota

Tax Lien68,427 residents

County research last verified 2026-07. Office holders, platforms, and deposit rules change — re-confirm anything time-sensitive.

Sale typestate default

Tax Lien

Redemption periodstate default

3 years from first delinquency before county takes title; county then auctions the deed

Investor returnstate default

N/A once auctioned (county takes title first, no certificate sold to public)

Governing statutestate default

North Dakota Century Code Ch. 57-28

Notes

North Dakota tax-deed county. Ward County (Minot / Minot AFB) offers tax-forfeited properties through the Auditor/Treasurer under N.D.C.C. ch. 57-28 — typically a posted-minimum-price list rather than a single live competitive auction. Properties sold this way are expressly noted as not having clear title; price bears no relation to market value. Payment by cash, certified funds, or credit card per county practice. Confirm current list and process at co.ward.nd.us Foreclosures page (701-857-6420). Oil-patch cycle, AFB employment, and floodplain history (Souris River) drive parcel quality variance.

Auction logistics

Format

County direct sale list (minimum price / tax-forfeited inventory)

Frequency

Rolling/ongoing as the forfeited list updates; no single fixed annual auction date confirmed

Platform

Ward County Auditor/Treasurer — tax-forfeited property list ↗

Deposit rules

Purchase at not less than the posted minimum price; payment methods and any deposit set by the Auditor/Treasurer (cash, certified funds, or credit card historically accepted). Confirm current payment packet before funding. AS IS; clear title not provided.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

County-held tax deed then public sale generally cuts off most private liens; federal liens can survive. County warns purchasers will not receive clear title without further work. Full title search mandatory.

Quiet title

Often recommended depending on insurer and chain-of-title history after Ward County tax-forfeited purchases.