Resident permit · NM → ND
Is a New Mexico Resident Permit Valid in North Dakota?
You're covered either way. North Dakota honors New Mexico resident permits, and its permitless-carry law also lets eligible visitors carry without any permit at all.
Why
- North Dakota's official reciprocity list includes New Mexico.
- North Dakota allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
AG: 'North Dakota will honor a valid concealed carry license/permit (resident and non-resident) issued by a state that has agreed to recognize a North Dakota license' (NDCC 62.1-04-03.1) — the honored list above is the AG's list of states recognizing the ND Class 1 license. Separately, any adult 18+ with a valid US state/territory ID who may lawfully possess can carry permitless regardless of permits.
The permit (New Mexico)
- Permit
- New Mexico Concealed Handgun License
- Issued by
- New Mexico Department of Public Safety (Concealed Carry Unit)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
The destination (North Dakota)
- Recognition policy
- Honors a named list of 39 states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (18+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in North Dakota
Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter North Dakota, these rules replace the ones you know from New Mexico.
- Not proactive by statute: license carriers must produce the license for inspection upon an officer's request, and permitless carriers must disclose the firearm if the officer inquires and show state ID on request (NDCC 62.1-04-04; $20 noncriminal fee). The AG's Constitutional Carry page nonetheless instructs permitless carriers to inform law enforcement on any in-person contact — safest practice is to inform.
- North Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- North Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- A loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal for ND licensees, out-of-state reciprocity carriers, and permitless-eligible individuals carrying a valid state/territory ID (NDCC 62.1-02-10(3),(8)).
Off-limits places in North Dakota
North Dakota bans carry in 4 kinds of places. The first on the list:
- Bar areas set aside for alcohol sale/consumption, and bingo gaming sites (NDCC 62.1-02-04)
- Schools and school-sponsored events on school property
New Mexico vs North Dakota: what changes at the state line
Crossing from New Mexico into North Dakota changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); out-of-state permits honored (20 states → 39 states).
| Rule | New Mexico | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless carry | No | Yes (18+) |
| Duty to inform police | No | No |
| Magazine limit | None | None |
| Out-of-state permits honored | 20 states | 39 states |
| Open carry | Yes, no permit | Yes, no permit |
Going the other way, a North Dakota resident permit in New Mexico: recognized — carry with your permit.
Driving on from North Dakota
How a New Mexico resident permit fares in the states bordering North Dakota:
- Minnesota — Recognized — carry with your permit
- Montana — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
- South Dakota — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
Frequently asked questions
- Does North Dakota honor a New Mexico non-resident permit?
- New Mexico does not issue non-resident carry permits (residents only (domiciled 90+ days), except members of the US armed forces permanently stationed in NM and their dependents (NMSA 29-19-4(A)(2)). New residents holding a license from a reciprocity state must transfer to a NM license within 90 days), so the question does not arise.
- Can a North Dakota resident permit holder carry in New Mexico?
- Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on New Mexico's law, not North Dakota's.
- Where does North Dakota publish its official reciprocity list?
- North Dakota publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- ND Attorney General — Reciprocity with Other States (honors resident and non-resident licenses; Class 1/Class 2 lists) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Constitutional Concealed Carry (18+, any state/territory ID, inform-on-contact guidance) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Eligibility for a Concealed Weapon License (ages 18/21, residency and non-resident criteria) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-04 — Concealed Weapons (62.1-04-02, -03, -03.1, -04) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-02 — Possession of Weapons (liquor establishments, public gatherings, vehicle carry) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Online Application, New and Renewal — accessed 2026-09-27
- ND Attorney General — What Must Be Included With the Application — accessed 2026-09-27
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-03 — Handguns (62.1-03-01 carrying handgun) — accessed 2026-09-27
- NM Department of Public Safety — Concealed Carry Licenses (reciprocity table by state, prohibited places, vehicle carry FAQ) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NM DPS — Concealed Handgun Carry Act booklet with NMSA 29-19 and 10.8.2 NMAC (updated, effective 12/9/2025) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NM DPS — Concealed Carry Handgun Application (packet with fees) — accessed 2026-09-27