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.
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Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- ujs.sd.gov — South Dakota Unified Judicial System — Main judicial-branch portal for South Dakota
- South Dakota case access — Public case-search portal
- South Dakota court statistics — Official caseload statistics
- South Dakota annual report — Most recent annual report (PDF)
- uscourts.gov — PACER — Federal court records (separate system)
- uscourts.gov — Judicial Business 2025 — Federal caseload context
Related Court Records Resources
- 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 →
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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
How do I search South Dakota court cases online?▼
South Dakota's trial courts publish case lookups through the South Dakota Unified Judicial System. Start at ujs.sd.gov — most case dockets, filings, and hearing calendars are searchable by name, case number, or filing date. County-level clerks publish additional searches; see the cards below for direct county court links.
Is there a free statewide court case search in South Dakota?▼
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System operates South Dakota's official statewide judicial portal at ujs.sd.gov. Basic case lookups are typically free of charge; certified copies and bulk-data exports may incur a per-document or per-search fee. Federal cases for South Dakota residents are searched separately through PACER.
What's the difference between trial and appellate courts in South Dakota?▼
Trial courts in South Dakota handle the original filing of civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Appellate courts review questions of law from trial-court decisions. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System publishes the full court structure, judge rosters, and jurisdiction maps at ujs.sd.gov.
How far back do South Dakota court records go online?▼
Online coverage varies by court and case type. Most South Dakota county courts have digitized records from approximately the late 1990s or early 2000s forward; older case files may require an in-person clerk visit or a written record request. Check the South Dakota Unified Judicial System portal at ujs.sd.gov for each court's coverage window.
Are sealed or expunged South Dakota cases visible in the online search?▼
No. South Dakota courts redact or remove sealed, expunged, juvenile, and certain confidential records from public-facing searches as required by state statute and court rule. If a record was previously visible and has since been sealed, it will no longer appear in the South Dakota Unified Judicial System portal. For verification you can contact the county clerk where the case was filed.