Payday Loans in North Dakota
Page last reviewed: October 28, 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy by Peter Kizza
Yes, payday loans are legal in North Dakota from lenders licensed by the Department of Financial Institutions. You can get up to $500 in cash, and the fee can't exceed 20% of what you receive: $100 on $500.
| Borrow | Up to $500 in cash; no more than $600 owed to all payday lenders |
| Fee cap | 20% of the cash you get, plus the database fee at cost |
| Example | $300 for 14 days: a $60 fee, about 521% APR |
| You need | ID, proof of income and an open checking account |
| Changed your mind | Cancel free by close of business the next business day |
LendUp isn't a lender. We pass your request to lenders in our network; offers aren't guaranteed, and we may earn compensation if a loan is funded.
The 20% Fee on $100 to $500 in North Dakota
| Cash to you | Max fee | You repay |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $20 | 1 × $120 |
| $200 | $40 | 1 × $240 |
| $300 | $60 | 1 × $360 |
| $400 | $80 | 1 × $480 |
| $500 | $100 | 1 × $600 |
Worked out from North Dakota law, not offers from lenders in our network; a lender can charge less.
- The only other charge is the fee for registering the loan in DFI's database, at the lender's cost.
- A returned check or debit can bring only the collection charge set by state law; no other default fee is allowed.
- Online lenders must make you acknowledge the fees, with a click-through or similar step, before the loan is completed.
One Renewal, 60 Days and North Dakota's $600 Database Check
- A loan can be renewed once. The renewal fee can't exceed 20% of the amount renewed and is paid in cash, money order or cashier's check.
- The whole loan, renewal included, can't run longer than 60 days, and a renewal period can't be shorter than 15 days.
- The lender must check DFI's database before lending: you can't owe more than $600, fees included, to all payday lenders together.
- After you pay off a loan, no licensed lender can make you a new one for three business days.
- A lender can't pay off or refinance your loan with a new payday loan of its own.
When You Can't Pay: North Dakota's Workout Agreement
- A plan in writing. If hardship stops you paying at the due date or after a renewal, the lender may agree to a written workout.
- Even payments. Weekly, biweekly or monthly installments, spread over no more than 12 months.
- No added cost. The workout can't add interest or fees. It stays on DFI's database as an open loan.
- Voluntary. Both you and the lender have to agree, so ask before the due date.
You can't face a criminal penalty over a payday check unless your account was closed on the day of the loan, and the lender can't threaten one. It can still use civil remedies to collect.
What North Dakota's Payday Database Recorded in 2020-21
The same 12 months saw 14,837 renewals, and 32 companies held payday licenses on June 30, 2021, according to DFI's 2019-2021 biennial report, the latest DFI figures we could retrieve.
Requesting a North Dakota Payday Loan Within the $600 Rule
- Add up what you already owe payday lenders: with fees, it can't pass $600. Have your ID, proof of income and checking account details ready.
- Submit one request through LendUp. Lenders in our network review it, and any offer shows the APR, payments and total cost before you sign.
- Read the rescission notice above the signature line: you can cancel at no cost by close of business the next business day.
Matching a North Dakota Payday License in NMLS
- Search NMLS Consumer Access by the lender's legal name or NMLS number.
- Look for a North Dakota Deferred Presentment Service Provider license. Each location needs its own.
- Licensees must show you their license number and how to look it up, so compare it with the record.
A lender needs a North Dakota license whenever the customer is in North Dakota, online or in a store. Licensing questions: DFI at 701-328-9933.
Common Questions
Can I get a payday loan online in North Dakota?
You can request one online through LendUp. Any lender serving a customer located in North Dakota needs a DFI license, and an online lender must have you acknowledge its fees before the loan is completed.
Where can I borrow $100 till payday in North Dakota?
From a licensed payday lender, a $100 loan costs a fee of no more than $20. Need longer than a few weeks? A money broker installment loan is capped at 36% a year; see North Dakota loan options.
Where can I get a payday loan with bad credit in North Dakota?
You can apply with any licensed lender, but each sets its own standards and approval isn't guaranteed. The same $500 and 20% fee limits apply to every licensee.
How many payday loans can I have in North Dakota?
As many as fit under $600 in total, fees included, across all payday lenders. Lenders check DFI's database before each new loan.
Can I cancel a payday loan in North Dakota?
Yes. You can rescind at no cost by close of business on the business day after you receive the money.
What happens if I can't repay my North Dakota payday loan?
You can renew once, for a fee of up to 20% of the amount renewed, within the 60-day limit. Or ask for a workout agreement: equal installments over up to 12 months with no added interest or fees, if the lender agrees.
Official Sources
General information, not legal advice. Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 28, 2026.