How to become a supervised visitation provider in North Dakota

North Dakota has published rules or programs that shape who supervises visits and how. This guide covers what North Dakota law says, the standards that apply, your reporting duties, and where families and referrals come from.

What North Dakota law says about supervised visitation

Where a parent committed serious or repeated domestic violence, the court may allow only supervised parenting time unless clear and convincing evidence shows otherwise. (N.D.C.C. § 14-09-29)

Read your court order closely in every case. It can name who may supervise, set conditions, and say who pays.

Standards and requirements for providers in North Dakota

These published sources set or describe requirements for supervised visitation in North Dakota:

Supervised Parenting Time and Exchange Centers directory (ND Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition) A statewide nonprofit directory of centers. Not a state agency.
When a parent has committed serious domestic violence, North Dakota law presumes parenting time will be supervised.

Reporting child abuse in North Dakota

Listed professionals must report. Anyone else may report. (N.D.C.C. ch. 50-25.1)

Know how to make a report in North Dakota before your first visit, and explain your reporting duty to both parents at intake. Stopping a visit to keep a child safe always comes first.

Recording visits in North Dakota

North Dakota generally lets a person record a conversation they take part in (one party consent). (N.D.C.C. § 12.1-15-02)

Many providers don't record visits at all. If you do, get written consent from both parents at intake, and follow the court order.

Where families and referrals come from in North Dakota

Most families look for a provider right after a judge orders supervised visits. Family law attorneys, mediators, court self help centers and state funded programs are the people they ask first.

Every state receives a federal Access and Visitation grant for services like supervised visitation, neutral exchanges and parenting plans. Where North Dakota's program contracts with local providers, it can be a source of referrals or funded work.

North Dakota Access and Visitation Program (Department of Health and Human Services, Child Support) Funds neutral exchange and supervised visitation.
ND Courts Legal Self Help: Custody and Parenting Time Forms and guidance for contested and uncontested parenting cases.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in North Dakota

Read the North Dakota standards listed above and meet any training or screening they require.
Complete training in child safety, domestic violence awareness, neutral observation, report writing and ending a visit safely. The Supervised Visitation Network publishes practice standards many providers follow.
Get a background screening and liability insurance. Families, attorneys and some courts expect both even where North Dakota law doesn't require them.
Set your rates, service area, visit locations and cancellation policy, and write a services agreement and intake form. Have a North Dakota attorney review them.
Introduce yourself to local family law attorneys, mediators and the court's self help center, and ask how to join any provider list.
List your services where families search, so they can see your rates and book you online.

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Sources

General information only, not legal advice. Laws change, and this information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Confirm it with a licensed attorney in your state before you rely on it.