South Dakota Public Records: How to Find Public Records in South Dakota

South Dakota (SD) has limitless sources of public records, and it gets difficult figuring out where to look for each type. This article resolves this challenge by answering popular inquiries about locating and retrieving South Dakota public records. 

What are South Dakota Public Records?

It is often the first question a records seeker asks to know where their required information falls. Public records in SD are data kept by and made accessible to the general public by state organizations. 

You can peruse or use these documents and data except on a few occasions when the records you seek contain confidential details. 

The South Dakota Open Records Act, aka The Sunshine Law, governs access to public records in the state. 

It was passed in 1976 to guarantee that the general public could access information about how their government functions. Most government records, including criminal and court records, are public records under this law.

What's the purpose of finding public records in South Dakota?

Public records in SD provide valuable information about people, private businesses, and government organizations that live or operate within the state. 

They ensure transparency and accountability from government workers and allow record seekers like you to retrieve helpful information about various topics or persons.

Does the law permit non-residents to access public records in South Dakota?

Yes, the South Dakota Open Records Law permits residents and non-residents to access public records maintained by state and local government agencies. 

Any person, regardless of residency, may request public records. The law provides a general right of access to public records, subject to certain limited exceptions. 

Requests can be submitted by mail, online via the custodian's website, or in person. Irrespective of an individual's residence status, agencies must respond within a reasonable time. 

Specific fees may be charged for copies of records, but the law sets limits on the amount that can be charged.

Types of public records you may find in South Dakota

Read on to learn how to find the most common public records in SD.

Criminal Records in South Dakota

The criminal information of an individual compiled through the local and state departments of South Dakota is contained within the state's criminal records. 

Such information encompasses details regarding arrests, dates of arrests, convictions, post-conviction status, and incarceration. 

Moreover, the criminal records also comprise essential information such as the physical description and identifiers of the subject, fingerprints and mugshot, charges, known aliases of the subject, age, and race. You can request criminal and protection order searches through the Public Access Record Search.

How to retrieve South Dakota criminal records

Several methods are available for individuals to access criminal records in South Dakota.

One way is to utilize online resources like the South Dakota Legal Self-Help website. After clicking on the 'Criminal Law' tab, users can access the 'Record Search' option and then choose 'Criminal and Protection Order Searches' to obtain free records, including divorce records, marriage records, and other public information. 

Alternatively, individuals can visit the South Dakota Attorney General's website, click 'Law Enforcement,' then select 'Identification' and 'Computerized Criminal History' to search for criminal reports.

Offline methods are also available. Individuals can obtain a release form from the subject of the records and download a request form from the record custodian. 

Submit both forms to the Department of Criminal Investigation through the police department involved in the case. A fee of $10 is typically required for this service.

Court Records in South Dakota

In South Dakota, the Unified Judicial System consists of several levels of courts that handle various types of cases. The Court Records Rule outlines the necessary procedures to access court records in South Dakota. The public generally has access to court records unless they are exempt from public viewings. 

Examples of exempt records include those related to abortion, abuse court records, and adoption files. To access court records in South Dakota, individuals have several options available to them, including:

1. In-person: Visit the court where the case was heard or the South Dakota Supreme Court Building located at 500 East Capitol Avenue, SD 57501, to obtain details of court records.
2. By mail: Submit a request for court records to the Court Administrator along with a $20 payment.
3. Requesting records from the court clerk.
4. Remote search: Upload the necessary request form on the South Dakota Unified System site to initiate a remote search for court records.

South Dakota Property Records

The maintenance of property records in South Dakota falls under the responsibility of the county register of deeds. 

To access these records, individuals may visit the Register of Deeds office in person or request them by mail if they know the county where the property is located. 

Some counties also provide access to property records online, but most times, their services aren't free. 

As for unclaimed property, the State Treasurer's Office provides public access because it is responsible for holding abandoned or unclaimed property on behalf of the rightful owner.

South Dakota Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records in South Dakota contain financial information related to an individual's debt to creditors and can be accessed through the District of South Dakota Bankruptcy Court. 

To obtain bankruptcy records or check if someone has filed for bankruptcy within the state, there are several methods available:

In-person: The US Bankruptcy Court offers public access terminals in all courthouses where individuals can search for information using the case number, name, docket number, and other relevant information. The South Dakota bankruptcy court is located at the following address:

US Post Office and Federal Courthouse,
225 South Pierre Street, Room 203,
Pierre, SD 57501-2463
Online: The PACER system is an online method to access bankruptcy records in South Dakota, costing $0.10 per page.
 

Conclusion

If you're having trouble finding records using state resources, use third-party search sites like truepeoplesearch.io to find comprehensive data. 

They provide free access to accurate and up-to-date information about individuals in South Dakota. 
Truepeoplesearch.io is even more astonishing when you consider the fact that you only need the search subject's name to gain relevant information.