U.S. Bankruptcy Court – District of North Dakota: A 2026 Guide

Bankruptcy cases in North Dakota are handled by a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of North Dakota. All Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases are filed through the clerk’s office in Fargo, with hearings and 341 meetings scheduled according to the court’s procedures and trustee assignments.

This page provides the essential information you need for courthouse information, understanding filing procedures, and accessing official court resources.

By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).

District of North Dakota Bankruptcy Court- Primary Courthouse (Fargo)

U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of North Dakota
Quentin N. Burdick U.S. Courthouse
655 1st Avenue
North Fargo, ND 58102

• Phone: (701) 297‑7100
• Website: https://www.ndb.uscourts.gov

Judge Shon Hastings

North Dakota has one bankruptcy judge: Honorable Shon Hastings.

Quentin N. Burdick United States Courthouse
655 1st Avenue North
Fargo, ND 58102

Chambers: 701-297-7140

Judge Hastings presides over all bankruptcy matters statewide, including Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 cases.

Why North Dakota Has a Single Bankruptcy District

North Dakota operates as a single bankruptcy district because the state consistently reports one of the lowest bankruptcy filing volumes in the country. With only a few hundred cases filed each year, the workload does not require multiple districts, courthouses, or bankruptcy judges.

In 2025, North Dakota recorded:

• 550 Chapter 7 filings.
• 63 Chapter 13 filings.

In 2024, filings were similarly low:

• 482 Chapter 7 filings.
• 58 Chapter 13 filings.

This modest caseload allows all bankruptcy matters to be efficiently handled at a single courthouse in Fargo, with a single bankruptcy judge presiding over every case statewide.

Filing Fees in the District of North Dakota

Bankruptcy filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference, and the District of North Dakota follows the standard amounts for all Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.

• Chapter 7 filing fee: $338.
• Chapter 13 filing fee: $313.

These fees must be paid to the clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court at the time of filing unless the debtor qualifies for a fee waiver or an installment payment plan.

Fee Waivers and Payment Plans

Debtors who cannot afford the Chapter 7 filing fee may request a fee waiver if their income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and they cannot pay in installments. Debtors who do not qualify for a waiver may request to pay the fee in installments over time.

You can learn more about these options, including eligibility, required forms, and how the court evaluates requests in my detailed guides, which include the Chapter 7 Fee Waiver and Filing Fee Installment Plan.

Chapter 13 filers do not qualify for fee waivers, but the filing fee may be paid through the Chapter 13 plan, subject to court approval.

How to Keep Track of Your Bankruptcy Case

Once your bankruptcy petition is filed, you can monitor every development in your case through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER is the federal judiciary’s online system for accessing bankruptcy dockets, orders, trustee filings, hearing notices, and all other case activity.

Using PACER allows you to:

• View your complete case docket;
• Check deadlines and hearing dates;
• See trustee filings and court orders;
• Track motions, objections, and plan confirmations;
• Download documents filed in your case.

Most documents cost $0.10 per page, and many basic docket views are free. PACER is the most reliable way to stay informed about your bankruptcy case from start to finish.

For a step‑by‑step guide on creating an account, navigating the docket, and avoiding unnecessary fees, see my detailed article: How to Use PACER to Track Your Bankruptcy Case.

Counties Covered

The District of North Dakota covers all counties in the state, including:

Adams, Barnes, Benson, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh, Cass, Cavalier, Dickey, Divide, Dunn, Eddy, Emmons, Foster, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Grant, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Nelson, Oliver, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Ransom, Renville, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Ward, Wells, Williams.

Educational Resources

• For Institutions: Colleges and universities may request examination copies of my textbook directly from Routledge Publishing.
• For Students & Practitioners: Single print and digital copies are available via Amazon Books.
• Video Lectures: Stream comprehensive legal breakdowns and video explanations on the Bankruptcy.blog YouTube Channel.

Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources

Explore additional consumer guides and state-specific directories to navigate your legal options:

• A step-by-step master guide to completing and understanding the bankruptcy petition.
• Bankruptcy Court Directory: Full listings for the federal bankruptcy court system and trustee contact information.
• State Bankruptcy Exemptions: Review your state‑specific exemptions or compare them with the federal exemptions.
• 341 Meeting Procedures: Prepare for your court date with updated rules, expectations, and practical guidance.

Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.

U.S. District of North Dakota References

• 11 U.S. Code §341 – Meetings of creditors and equity security holders.
• Local Rules and Orders.
• Official Form 103A. Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments.
• Official Form 103B. Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived.