What are Birth Records in South Dakota?
A birth record in South Dakota is the official documentation of the occurrence of birth within the state of South Dakota. An individual's South Dakota birth record is proof of citizenship of South Dakota and of the United States. A birth record is considered a vital record containing birth-related information that serves the purpose of identity and is a basic requirement to access social assistance, legal protection, and economic opportunities.
A birth record is essential to enroll in school, gain employment, obtain a social security number, and apply for governmental benefits. It is proof of relationship to parents, which is vital for child support services and inheritance claims.
South Dakota's vital records system began recording births in the state in 1905. Persons born before 1905 were allowed to file their records after 1905. Although some birth records were filed from the 1800s and early 1900, those records were largely incomplete.
A South Dakota birth record contains:
- Date of birth
- Time of birth
- Place of birth
- Child's full name
- Mother's name
- Father's name
- Child's gender
- Type of birth
- Mother's marital status
- Birth registration number
How to Find and Request Birth Records Online in South Dakota?
South Dakota birth records under 100 years old are classified as confidential and are only available to eligible persons. However, the state provides access for the public to look up older records of births. Through the State of South Dakota Birth Record Search Page, anyone can look up information from birth records with birth dates of over 100 years of age as specified by Section 34-25-8 of the South Dakota Codified Law. As of February 2021, the web portal contains over 362,000 birth records.
The birth records web portal allows users to conduct a search of the records in the database by providing information on any of the following:
- Birthdate
- First name
- Last name
- Sex
- Mother's maiden name
- Mother's first name
- Father’s first name
- Father's last name
- County
- State file number (numbers required, not letters)
Although not all the listed items are required to conduct a search, search results will be more precise depending on the quantity of information provided. For instance, providing a last name of Michael in the last name field will return a result containing all individuals with the last name Michael. However, to conduct a search for a particular individual with the last name of Michael, complete as many fields as possible on the search portal. The birth date field may be completely left blank if the information is not known.
The South Dakota Department of Health partners with an independent company to provide an online birth record ordering service for requesters. Note that this service is only available for persons interested in obtaining birth records less than 100 years. The company accepts all major credit cards including American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa for online orders.
Considered open to citizens of the United States, public records are available through both traditional, government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. In order to gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:
- The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
- The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.
While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities, and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.
How to Get Birth Records in South Dakota?
Per ARSD 44:09:06:02, South Dakota birth records are issued only as certified or information copies. Requesters can obtain birth records in person or by mail. However, regardless of the means, appropriate fees and proper identification must be presented. The identification presented is required to be a government-issued photo ID (State, Tribal, or Federal). The ID may be issued by the United States or other country of residence. Acceptable identification includes:
- Photocopy of driver’s license
- Photocopy of state ID card
- Photocopy of tribal ID
- Photocopy of passport or Visa
- Photocopy of military ID
OR any two of the following
- Photocopy of Social Security card
- Photocopy of a utility bill with current address
- Photocopy of bank statement with current address
- Photocopy of pay stub (must include your name, Social Photocopy of security number plus name, and address of business)
- Photocopy of car registration or title with current address
South Dakota issues three types of birth records: Certified copy, Informational Copy, and Photostatic Copy. The certified copy of the birth record is computer-generated, issued on security paper with a raised seal, and has the signature of the issuing agent. Informational copies are issued on plain paper and contain the statement "For Informational Purposes Only. Not for Legal Proof of Identification". These copies do not contain a raised seal or signature of the issuing agent. A photostatic copy is a photocopy of the original record. A photostatic copy may be requested if the computer-generated copy does not contain the information needed. Generally, this copy is intended for genealogy purposes. Certified photostatic copies contain raised seal and signature of the issuing agent and can be used for legal purposes. The process for applying for all three forms of birth records are the same.
Note that if the person named on the record designates and authorizes a representative to obtain a birth record, the authorization section of the application form must also be completed and submitted with the proper fee for each copy requested.
South Dakota offers birth record fee waivers for specific persons such as:
- Applicants requesting a birth record for use in a claim against the government (Military Waiver)
- Applicants requesting a birth record for participation in an organized sports program sponsored by a patriotic organization such as American Legion Baseball (Baseball Waiver)
- Applicants requesting a birth record for school enrollment purposes where the applicant is eligible to receive temporary assistance for needy families under Chapter 28-7, food stamps under Chapter 28-12, or county poor relief under Chapter 28-13 of the South Dakota Administrative Rules. (School Enrollment Waiver)
- Applicants requesting a birth record upon presentation of a copy of a valid Head Start enrollment form (Head Start Waiver)
The above-listed persons can obtain a certified copy of their birth record for free upon providing proper identification.
How to Get South Dakota Birth Records in Person?
To obtain a South Dakota birth record in person, visit any of the Register of Deeds in South Dakota counties or the State Office at:
207 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 1-A
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-4961
Fax: (605) 773-2680
Note that a requester to complete and sign an application, pay the appropriate fee and provide proof of identity before the requested birth record can be issued. The Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on official state holidays. However, due to restrictions placed to limit infection rates of COVID-19, walk-in requests have been suspended at the State Vital Records Office until further notice.
How to Get South Dakota Birth Records by Mail?
To obtain a South Dakota birth record by mail, send completed application by mail to any Register of Deeds or the State Office at:
Vital Records
207 E Missouri Avenue, Suite 1A
Pierre, SD 57501
A completed application must include a clear copy of a photo ID; otherwise, the application must be signed in front of a notary. Also, include the appropriate fee. Mail orders submitted to the State Vital Records Office for expedited processing are required to be submitted in a prepaid priority envelope.
Where Can I Find Birth Records in South Dakota?
The State Vital Records Office in the Department of Health maintains and issues certified and informational copies of births recorded in South Dakota. Requesters can also obtain birth records from the various County Register of Deeds Offices in the state.
Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in South Dakota?
Per South Dakota law, birth records in the state are not open for public inspection. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria to obtain certified copies of South Dakota birth records.
Certified copies of South Dakota birth records can be obtained by:
- The person named on the record
- The spouse of the person named on the record
- The child of the person named on the record
- The parent and guardian of the person named on the record
- The next of kin of the person named on the record (grandparents and siblings)
- An authorized agent of the person named on the record such as attorney, physician, funeral director (These persons may have to provide documentation as proof of relationship)
- Anyone who has a personal or property right interest in the record, and can provide documentation to support the right
Individuals eligible for a certified copy using the military fee waiver include the following:
- A Serviceman or Veteran
- The spouse, widow, widower, children, or other dependents of a serviceman or veteran
- The South Dakota Department of Military and Veterans Affairs or a similar agency in any other state
- County Veterans Service Officers
- A representative of the American Red Cross or a nationally chartered veteran's organization holding power of attorney for the applicant
How Much Does a Birth Certificate Cost in South Dakota?
There is a $15 search fee for each birth record requested in South Dakota. This fee is inclusive of a certified or informational copy of the requested record. A certificate of birth resulting in a stillbirth costs $10. Note that fees are non-refundable even if no records are found. In such instances, a “Notification of Records Searched” will be issued by the State Vital Records Office to requesters whose records could not be located.
In-person orders can be paid with cash, check, money order, credit card, or debit card. Credit and debit card payments attract a $2.50 surcharge per transaction. Mail orders can be paid for with checks and money orders. Note that the check or money order must be made payable to "Vital Records" or the county register of deeds if the request is being mailed to a county recorder in the county of birth.
For online others, other than the statutory $15 fee for a certified birth record copy, South Dakota's third-party vendor charges $6.50 per order and a $5 expedite fee for regular mail returns. Optional UPS next day shipping fee costs $26.50. Hence, the total cost for an online order with a regular mail return option is $26.50 while the total cost for an order with a UPS next day shipping option is $44. Note that one expedite fee is charged per order. Any additional records on the same order will add an extra $15 to the order total. All major credit cards are accepted for online orders, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. The credit card must be in the name of the requester for security purposes.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Birth Certificate in South Dakota?
In-person requesters typically obtain requested birth records on the same day. Mail requests are fulfilled in 2-5 weeks. However, it may take longer depending on the volume of requests. Online requesters obtain requested records in 2-4 business days.
For new births, the birthing facility submits a child's birth record information to the State Vital Records Office usually within 7 business days after the date of birth. A certified copy of the birth record will be available about 14 days after the date of birth.
How to Expunge Your Birth Records in South Dakota?
Expungement refers to the process by which a record is destroyed or permanently sealed. South Dakota has no provisions for expunging vital records including birth records.
How to Seal Your Birth Records in South Dakota?
Upon the adoption of a child born in South Dakota, the court where adoption proceedings were finalized orders the sealing of the pre-adoption birth certificate. To replace the sealed record, the Department of Health issues a new birth certificate with the names of the adopting parents as the legal parents of the adopted child.
How to Unseal Your Birth Records in South Dakota?
Per SDCL 25-6-15, South Dakota only allows adult adoptees and adoptive parents to obtain pre-adoption or original birth certificates upon obtaining a court from the court. To unseal a birth record, the requester must petition the court where the adoption was finalized to obtain a court order. Under South Dakota law, the Department of Social Services' Division of Child Protection Services and the Department of Health's Vital Records Office must sign off on the petition.
The steps to unseal a birth record are:
- Contact the Division of Child Protection Services' Adoption Unit to assist with the petition
- Upon receiving the petition, take it to the judge of the court where the adoption was finalized
- Upon receiving the certified court order from the judge, send it to the agency which confirmed the placement for the adoption.
