South Dakota may be one of the least populous states in the nation, but its commitment to government transparency is anything but small. The South Dakota Open Records Law, codified under SDCL § 1-27, guarantees that residents, journalists, employers, researchers, and curious citizens alike have the right to inspect and copy public government documents. Whether you are conducting a background check on a neighbor, researching property ownership in Sioux Falls, or verifying the criminal history of a potential employee in Rapid City, South Dakota’s public records system provides a legal and accessible pathway to critical information.

This comprehensive 2026 guide walks you through every major category of public record available in South Dakota — from criminal and court records to vital documents and property data. We explain exactly which agencies maintain each type of record, how to submit requests, what fees to expect, and which online tools can help you search faster. Whether you’re a first-time requester or a seasoned researcher, this guide gives you everything you need to navigate South Dakota’s public records landscape with confidence.

What Is Considered a Public Record in South Dakota?

Under SDCL § 1-27-1, a “public record” in South Dakota is broadly defined as any record, document, tape, or other information compiled, received, or retained by any state or local government body in connection with the transaction of official business. This means that records created or maintained by state agencies, county governments, municipalities, school boards, and other political subdivisions are presumptively open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

South Dakota’s open records law operates under a presumption of openness: if an exemption is not clearly stated in law, the record must be made available. Agencies that deny a records request bear the burden of identifying the specific statutory exemption that justifies the denial.

Common Types of Public Records in South Dakota

• Criminal history records and sex offender registry entries
• Court filings, civil judgments, and case histories
• Arrest logs and booking records
• Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (with restrictions)
• Property deeds, tax assessments, and mortgage records
• Business license and corporation filings
• Voter registration records (limited access)
• Government employee salaries and personnel records (limited)
• Meeting minutes and agendas of public bodies
• State agency correspondence and reports

What Is NOT Public in South Dakota?

South Dakota law provides a number of exemptions under SDCL § 1-27-1.5. Records that are typically exempt from public disclosure include: juvenile criminal records, certain medical and mental health information, ongoing criminal investigation files, personnel records containing personal identifying information, sealed court records, and Social Security numbers. Additionally, attorney-client privileged communications held by government agencies are generally not subject to disclosure.

How to File a Public Records Request

To request public records in South Dakota, you should submit a written request to the custodian of records at the relevant agency. While the law does not require you to provide a reason for your request, being specific about the records you need will help speed up the process. Under SDCL § 1-27-1.1, agencies are generally required to provide records in the format requested if feasible. Fees for copies are set by each agency but may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. If a request is denied, requesters may seek judicial review in circuit court.

South Dakota Criminal Records

Criminal records in South Dakota are maintained by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), which operates under the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. The DCI maintains the state’s central repository of criminal history information, including records of arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, and other dispositions submitted by law enforcement agencies and courts across all 66 counties.

South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)

The DCI is the primary state agency for criminal background checks in South Dakota. It processes both name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history requests. Fingerprint-based checks are more comprehensive and are required for certain licensed professions, childcare workers, and other sensitive positions.

• Agency: South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
• Website: atg.sd.gov/dci
• Phone: (605) 773-3331
• Address: 1302 E. Highway 14, Suite 5, Pierre, SD 57501

Requesting a Criminal Background Check

South Dakota residents and authorized organizations can request a criminal history record check through the DCI. Name-based searches are available to the general public for a fee of approximately $15 per request. Fingerprint-based checks, which are more thorough, are typically required for employment in regulated fields and cost more due to processing requirements. Requests can be submitted by mail using the Request for Criminal History Record Check form available on the DCI’s website.

South Dakota Sex Offender Registry

The South Dakota Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the DCI and is publicly searchable online. Registered sex offenders are required to update their information regularly, and the registry is available free of charge at sor.sd.gov. Users can search by name, ZIP code, county, or map view. Tier classifications under South Dakota’s tiered registry system indicate the assessed risk level of each registrant.

Expungement of Criminal Records in South Dakota

South Dakota allows for the expungement of certain criminal records, particularly for first-time offenders and individuals who were arrested but not convicted. Under SDCL § 23A-3-34, courts may order records to be sealed or destroyed in qualifying cases. However, not all offenses are eligible, and the process requires filing a petition in the circuit court where the original case was heard. Felony convictions are generally not expungeable in South Dakota.

South Dakota Court Records

South Dakota’s court system is unified under the South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS), which includes the Supreme Court, circuit courts (trial courts of general jurisdiction organized into seven circuits), and magistrate courts. Court records — including civil case filings, criminal case dispositions, family law matters, and probate proceedings — are generally considered public records under both SDCL § 1-27 and court-specific rules, unless sealed by a judge.

South Dakota Unified Judicial System Public Access

The UJS provides online access to court records through its eCourts portal at ujsportal.sdcourts.sd.gov. Through this portal, users can search for civil case information, small claims cases, and certain criminal case data. The portal allows searches by party name, case number, and attorney name. Note that not all case types or documents are available online — older records and sealed files may require an in-person visit to the clerk of courts office in the relevant county.

Types of Court Records Available

• Civil Court Records: Lawsuits, civil judgments, contract disputes, personal injury cases
• Criminal Court Records: Felony and misdemeanor charge filings, verdicts, sentencing records
• Family Court Records: Divorce decrees, child custody orders, adoption records (some sealed)
• Probate Records: Estate inventories, wills filed with the court, guardianship orders
• Small Claims Records: Minor civil disputes up to $12,000
• Supreme Court Opinions: Publicly available at ujs.sd.gov

Requesting Court Records in Person

For records not available online, you may visit the clerk of courts at the relevant county courthouse. South Dakota has 66 counties, each with its own clerk of courts office. Fees for copies are generally modest — typically $0.20–$1.00 per page — and certified copies carry an additional fee. Court staff can assist with searches, though complex research requests may require additional time.

Federal Court Records in South Dakota

Federal district court records for South Dakota are maintained by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota. These records are available through the federal PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges a nominal per-page fee for document retrieval.

South Dakota Arrest Records

Arrest records in South Dakota document instances where law enforcement has taken an individual into custody. These records are typically generated at the county or municipal level by the arresting law enforcement agency — such as the county sheriff’s office, Sioux Falls Police Department, Rapid City Police Department, or South Dakota Highway Patrol — and are subsequently forwarded to the DCI for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database.

Accessing Arrest Records

Arrest records that have resulted in a charge being filed are generally accessible through the UJS court portal or by contacting the clerk of courts in the relevant county. Arrest logs and booking records maintained by county jails and police departments are generally public records under SDCL § 1-27, though records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld.

County Sheriff Offices and Jail Rosters

Many South Dakota county sheriff offices publish online inmate rosters or daily arrest logs. For example:

• Minnehaha County Sheriff (Sioux Falls area): minnehahacounty.org
• Pennington County Sheriff (Rapid City area): pennco.org/sheriff
• Brown County Sheriff (Aberdeen area): brown.sd.us

Arrest Records vs. Conviction Records

It is important to understand that an arrest record does not indicate a conviction. An arrest means law enforcement had probable cause to detain an individual; it does not mean the person was charged, prosecuted, or found guilty. Under South Dakota law, individuals who were arrested but not convicted may petition to have certain arrest records expunged under SDCL § 23A-3-34. When using arrest records for any purpose, always verify the ultimate disposition of the case.

South Dakota Vital Records

Vital records in South Dakota — including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are maintained