Searching Union County: what to expect
Union County publishes some records directly — 3 local sources below — and leans on state systems for the rest. Court lookups run through South Dakota's statewide system, which charges for full access; the free-versus-paid breakdown is on the South Dakota court records page. The county's own strong points: unioncountysd.org covers the sheriff's side — jail roster and inmate lookups, and union.countyclerk.us handles deeds and recorded documents. For vital records there's no county-level source online — the statewide routes on the South Dakota vital records page cover that piece.
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by SearchSystems Editorial Team — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Union County record-source URLs verified against the official local and South Dakota state publishers on the review date. 6 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Union County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Union County, South Dakota — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
17,402
Population
Census estimate
6,967
Households
Census estimate
$82,036
Median income
Annual household
$254,900
Median home value
Census ACS
Elk Point
County seat
In South Dakota
Criminal records
2 sources
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
2 sources
Property records
2 sources
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
2 sources
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
2 sources
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Union County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Union County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Home | South Dakota Unified Judicial System Union County, South Dakota | Auditor |
| Criminal records | Union County, South Dakota | Sheriff's Office Union County Warrants |
| Wants & warrants | South Dakota Unified Judicial System - SD.gov Public Access to Court Records | South Dakota Unified Judici… |
| Property records | Union County, South Dakota | Director of Equalization O - Union County, South Dakota |
| Vital records | Union County, South Dakota | Register of Deeds |
| Voter records | Elections & Voting: South Dakota Secretary of State Register to Vote Update Voter Registration Cancel ... |
| Professional licenses | South Dakota Real Estate License Verification |
| Recorded documents | RecordsRequest - Union County, South Dakota Register of Deeds | Union County |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Union County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Union County Records
2026
Union County court records portal verified
State court system links for Union County verified against the South Dakota judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Union County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Union County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Union County property records online
Union County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside South Dakota, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step Union County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Union County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Union County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the South Dakota statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the South Dakota state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Union County Records
MYTH"Union County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Union County are held by the South Dakota state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Union County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have Union County data."
FACTOnly the official South Dakota state repository has verified, current Union County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Union County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Union County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- ujs.sd.gov — Court records — official source
- unioncountysd.gov — Criminal records — official source
- ujspars.sd.gov — Wants & warrants — official source
- sdsos.gov — Voter records — official source
- dakotaathome.sd.gov — Recorded documents — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Union County & South Dakota Records
For records not specific to Union County, use South Dakota's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 South Dakota statewide record systems:
- South Dakota Court Records →
- South Dakota Criminal Records →
- South Dakota Property Records →
- South Dakota Vital Records →
- South Dakota Voter Records →
- South Dakota Wants & Warrants →
- South Dakota Licenses →
- South Dakota Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
South Dakota statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
Looking for a person, not a database? Start with the South Dakota guides:
About Union County, South Dakota
Union County is located in South Dakota. The county seat is Elk Point.
- Population: 17,402
- Households: 6,967
- Median household income: $82,036
- Median home value: $254,900
- Below poverty line: 8.2%
- Land area: 460.8 sq mi
- Population density: 37.8 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 4
- NCES schools indexed: 13
Union County, South Dakota | Auditor
Official Free
Official website of Union County, South Dakota. Find Commission Minutes, County Ordinances, and contact information.
PACER Information | District of South Dakota | United States District Court
Criminal & Court Records
.gov
Federal court cases touching Union County — bankruptcy, federal civil, and federal criminal — sit in PACER rather than the county system. It is an official government source.
Union County, South Dakota | Sheriff's Office
Official Free
Law enforcement records from Union County, South Dakota. Reports post on the office's schedule, typically daily or weekly. Useful for confirming an incident entered the public record before requesting the full report.
Union County Warrants
Official Free
Official Union County, South Dakota government source (unioncountysd.gov).
Computerized Criminal History (CCH)
Official Free
These criminal history records are 100% fingerprint-based and are available 24 hours daily to criminal justice entities via telecommunication .
South Dakota Unified Judicial System - SD.gov
Official Free
Court case information for Union County — dockets, hearing dates, and case lookups. It is an official government source.
Public Access to Court Records | South Dakota Unified Judicial System | SD UJS
Official Free
Easily find statewide criminal and civil court case information through UJS Public Access Record System. Submit your request today!
Sioux Falls Police Department Officer Involved Shooting Summary
Official Free
A South Dakota statewide system that covers Union County along with every other jurisdiction in the state. If a link breaks, the office homepage at atg.sd.gov carries the new path.
Union County Warrant Search
Official Free
This source lists wanted and warrant information for Union County. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
Elections & Voting: South Dakota Secretary of State
Official Free
Voter and election business for Union County is managed here. If a link breaks, the office homepage at sdsos.gov carries the new path.
Register to Vote Update Voter Registration Cancel ...
Official Free
Select a box and SCROLL DOWN · How to register: Print the Voter Registration Form, fill-out the form, sign it and then submit it to your County Auditor .
South Dakota Secretary of State, Monae L. Johnson
Official Free
If a person completes a registration the county auditor must register that person's party affiliation as no party affiliation. **OTHER – This category is for voters who write any other political party on their voter registration form that is not currently a recognized political party in South Dakota
RecordsRequest - Union County, South Dakota
Official Free
Union County, South Dakota · You must be logged in to post a comment
Register of Deeds | Union County
Official Free
Deeds, mortgages, and other documents regarding land in Union county are filed at the office. DBA's (fictitious business names) and liens are filed at the office. Marriage licenses and vital records occurring in South Dakota can be purchased.
Recordings - Union County Clerk
Official Free
Registration is simple and secure, requiring only your name and email. Once registered, DOCALERT will send you an alert whenever a mortgage or deed bearing your name is recorded, so you can stay informed and act swiftly in the case of any unauthorized filings.
Union County
Official Free
Official Union County, South Dakota government source (unioncountysd.gov).
Union County, South Dakota | County Ordinances
Official Free
UCC #2021-006 An Ordinance to amend the 2008 revised zoning regulations for Union County, South Dakota, to rezone certain property from Agricultural (AG) to Commercial (C).
Union County, South Dakota | Treasurer
Official Free
You may acquire the permit at the Union County Treasurer’s office, or you may purchase it online directly from the state. The county does not issue them by mail. To apply online, click the link below. You will need to e-sign the application and upload the required documents. Please allow 2 weeks for processing online. [South Dakota Department of Revenue] Non-Resident Off-Road Vehicle Permit App Form 1030 (seamlessdocs.com)
Union County, South Dakota | Director of Equalization
Official Free
You can search our property data by Address, Parcel ID, or Section/Township/Range.
O - Union County, South Dakota
Official Free
Property assessment records for Union County, South Dakota. Values follow the reassessment cycle, so a recent sale may not show immediately. Building sketches and photos ride along with many property cards.
Union County, South Dakota | Register of Deeds
Official Free
The land-records trail for Union County runs through here: recorded deeds, liens, and related filings. If a link breaks, start from unioncountysd.org directly.
South Dakota Real Estate License Verification
Official Free
Search the online verification system using one of the options below to see a roster of currently licensed real estate brokers, broker associates, salespersons, auctioneers, property managers, residential rental agents, home inspectors and timeshare agents in South Dakota.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Union County?
Union County court cases are searchable through the Home | South Dakota Unified Judicial System portal: https://ujs.sd.gov/. South Dakota also operates a state-level case lookup through the SD UJS system. For federal matters, see PACER.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by South Dakota law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
Can I find out if someone is divorced in South Dakota?
Yes. Search the court case index for the person's name in the county where they lived. Most South Dakota counties offer free online case-search portals. The state vital records office also issues divorce verifications for a fee.
How do I find someone in ICE custody?
Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (locator.ice.gov). You can search by A-number (alien registration number) or by biographical information (name, country of birth, date of birth). The system covers adult detainees currently in ICE custody.