Wells County Recorder

The Wells County Recorder handles passport acceptance from inside the Wells County Courthouse on Railway Street North in Fessenden, the county seat. Like most rural North Dakota counties, Wells County channels its passport work through the recorder's office rather than a post office, so this courthouse counter is the practical starting point for anyone in the area applying for a first passport book or card.

Staff here review your completed DS-11, witness your signature, verify your identity documents, and seal everything into the official envelope that travels to the State Department for processing. Because the office covers recording duties alongside passports, calling ahead to confirm a good time to come in saves a wasted trip out to Fessenden. You can compare this office with other choices across the county on our Fessenden passport office guide.

Fessenden sits at the crossroads of central North Dakota, roughly midway between Harvey and Carrington, which makes the courthouse a convenient stop for residents across the surrounding townships who would otherwise have to drive much farther for the same service.

Bring an unsigned DS-11, a certified birth certificate or prior passport, a government photo ID plus a photocopy, and payment for the two separate fees (the State Department fee and the county acceptance fee). The recorder's office keeps courthouse hours, so aim for a mid-morning or early-afternoon visit and phone first. For residents weighing where to apply, our North Dakota passport overview explains how county recorders across the state fit together.