N.D. Cent. Code § 41-03-20: (3-201) Negotiation

1."Negotiation" means a transfer of possession, whether voluntary or involuntary, of an instrument to a person who thereby becomes its holder, if possession is obtained from a person other than the issuer of the instrument.

2.Except for negotiation by a remitter, if an instrument is payable to an identified person, negotiation requires transfer of possession of the instrument and its endorsement by the holder. If an instrument is payable to bearer, it may be negotiated by transfer of possession alone.