North Dakota Statewide Rule

North Dakota Charitable Solicitation Registration Statute

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across North Dakota (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: NDCC Chapter 50-22
Registrar: Secretary of State
Registration: Required before soliciting
Fundraiser registration: Always required
Civil penalty: Up to $5,000

Last verified: August 21, 2026Source: North Dakota Legislative Branch

Summary

North Dakota requires charitable organizations and paid professional fundraisers to register with the Secretary of State under NDCC Chapter 50-22 before soliciting contributions in the state. Registration applies to all non-exempt charities regardless of amount and is separate from any local peddler permit.

51-04-02. Application for license. Any transient merchant desiring to engage in, do, or transact business by auction or otherwise, in any county in this state, shall file an application for a license for that purpose with the attorney general as provided in section 51-04-07, which must be in writing and include the following:

Source: North Dakota Legislative BranchView official code

Full Breakdown

NDCC Chapter 50-22 requires a charitable organization to file a registration statement with the Secretary of State before soliciting contributions by any means, along with a $25 fee and a financial statement; an annual report and $10 fee are due by September 1. Paid professional fundraisers must also register. The statute defines solicitation broadly to include door-to-door, telephone, mail, and online appeals. Exemptions are categorical - religious societies, schools and higher-education institutions, political committees, and volunteer-only fundraising for a government entity or civic project. Cities may still require peddler or transient-merchant permits.

Violations & Penalties

Soliciting without required registration is a class A misdemeanor; soliciting after a registration is revoked is a class C felony. The Attorney General may seek civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation and injunctive relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which organizations are exempt from registering in North Dakota?

Exemptions are categorical, not based on size: religious societies, schools and colleges, political committees, and groups using only volunteers to raise money for a government entity or civic project. Other charities must register before soliciting, regardless of the amount raised.

Does state registration replace a city peddler permit?

No. State charitable registration and city peddler or transient-merchant permits are separate. Door-to-door solicitors typically need both, plus must comply with any local no-knock or no-solicitation list.

Sources

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.