North Dakota · Moving & Records Transfer

Moving to North Dakota with kids?

North Dakota school enrollment requires proof of immunization under NDCC 23-07-17.1. Whether you're landing in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, or at Minot Air Force Base, here's how to transfer records, get into North Dakota's NDIIS registry, and get the kids enrolled without losing a week to paperwork chasing.

Last verified: September 4, 2026

Step 1

Request records before you leave

Under HIPAA, you have the right to request a complete copy of your child's medical records from any provider. Do this before the move — it's much easier to follow up with a familiar office than to coordinate across state lines from a new area code.

What to request from each current provider:
  • Complete immunization record with dated doses (ask for a registry printout from your current state's IIS)
  • Most recent well-child visit summary with growth and developmental notes
  • Any specialist records, diagnoses, and referrals
  • Current medications list with dosages and prescribing provider
  • Any existing IEP, 504 plan, or special education documentation
  • Dental and vision records if applicable

North Dakota-specific heads-up: North Dakota requires Hepatitis A (2 doses) for kindergarten entry — a vaccine that many other states don't require for school enrollment. If your child is approaching kindergarten age and hasn't had Hep A, ask your current pediatrician to start or complete the series before the move. It takes six months between doses, so starting early matters.

Source: North Dakota Century Code NDCC 23-07-17.1; ND HHS Immunization Program, accessed September 4, 2026

Step 2

Get records into NDIIS — North Dakota's registry

NDIIS (North Dakota Immunization Information System) is North Dakota's statewide immunization registry, managed by ND HHS. Schools and providers across the state can access it. Out-of-state records are not automatically in NDIIS — you need to bring them to a North Dakota provider or county public health unit to get them entered.

How to get into NDIIS after a move:

Source: ND HHS — Immunization Program and NDIIS, accessed September 4, 2026

Step 3

School enrollment in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot

Fargo Public Schools — North Dakota's largest school district, serving the state's biggest city on the Minnesota border. Online enrollment available; immunization certificate (NDIIS printout or provider-signed record) required before the first day. Families moving from Minnesota should note that MN and ND share a border but not an immunization registry — your MN records need to be re-entered into NDIIS. fargo.k12.nd.us

Bismarck Public Schools — The state capital's district. In-person and online enrollment options; NDIIS-verified record accepted. Bismarck-Mandan families can access Burleigh County Public Health for NDIIS lookups and catch-up vaccines. bismarckschools.org

Grand Forks Public Schools — Home of the University of North Dakota. Enrollment at school offices; immunization certificate required at registration. UND families and international arrivals can use Grand Forks Public Health for record verification. gfschools.org

Minot Public Schools — Serves the "Magic City" and families from Minot Air Force Base (MAFB). Military families PCSing to Minot should gather complete immunization records before arriving. MAFB medical providers have NDIIS access, but records from other state registries need to be verified at the first North Dakota appointment. minot.k12.nd.us

What every North Dakota school needs at enrollment:
  • Immunization certificate (NDIIS printout or provider-signed)
  • Birth certificate or proof of age
  • Proof of current North Dakota address
  • Prior school's cumulative records (requested by the new school, but bring a copy)
  • IEP or 504 plan documentation if applicable
Step 4

Finding a new pediatrician in North Dakota

In Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot there are multiple pediatric and family medicine practices. In smaller North Dakota communities, family medicine physicians handle pediatric care — sometimes with telehealth support from larger regional centers like Sanford Health or CHI St. Alexius.

When establishing care with a new North Dakota provider, bring:

The new provider will review records, update NDIIS with any out-of-state doses, and issue a North Dakota-compliant immunization certificate for school enrollment. Schedule this appointment in the first week — it's the step with the longest lead time in a new city.

The Simpler Way

One email address that moves with you

Every person gets one health story, and one private Family Stork email address every clinic already knows how to use. When you're moving to North Dakota, that means your former pediatrician sends the visit summary, your old specialist sends the referral notes, and your new Fargo or Bismarck pediatrician starts sending records from the first appointment — all to the same address, filing automatically on the same timeline.

Tired of managing health records for yourself and everyone you love? Family Stork organizes them for you automatically — no portal logins, no uploads, nothing for any clinic to learn.

Now that you're in North Dakota: Check the North Dakota school health form checklist for every form, deadline, and physician-signature requirement your new school will ask for. Need daycare or camp forms too? See North Dakota daycare and camp health forms.

One health story. One email address every clinic already knows how to use.

Your North Dakota move is the perfect moment to start a complete family health timeline. $99/year, or about $10/month.

Start your family's record — free

More resources:

Juggling logins across multiple hospital portals? See how Family Stork compares to MyChart — one email address vs. a different portal for every clinic.

Keep your family's entire health story in one place: family health timeline software — from first heartbeat and beyond.

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