South Dakota court records are filed with the Clerk of Courts. The Circuit Court (unified, 7 circuits) handles trial-level cases. South Dakota offers a statewide court search through SD UJS, which covers most case types across all counties courts.
What this page covers: South Dakota state court case records — criminal, civil, family, and probate filings. What it does not cover: Federal court cases (those are on PACER) or sealed/juvenile records.
Where to start: Use SD UJS for online case search. If you need documents beyond docket information, contact the Clerk of Courts in the specific county where the case was filed.
Common mistake: SD UJS covers state courts only. Federal cases filed in South Dakota (bankruptcy, federal criminal, federal civil) require PACER — a separate federal system.
Court Records Databases
5 official South Dakota court records sources.
Court Records
South Dakota Counties
66 South Dakota counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in South Dakota?▼
South Dakota's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search South Dakota court cases?▼
South Dakota's court system is headed by the South Dakota Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Circuit Court (7 circuits), Magistrate Court. Many South Dakota courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search South Dakota business entities?▼
The South Dakota Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in South Dakota?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a South Dakota birth or death certificate?▼
South Dakota vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the South Dakota Department of Health (Vital Records) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are South Dakota property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a South Dakota sex offender?▼
The South Dakota sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.