What are Lincoln County Public Records?
In compliance with the South Dakota Sunshine Laws, Lincoln County public records are any data generated, stored, cataloged, and updated by any public body or agency. Lincoln County public records may exist as paper documents, audiotapes, statistical tables and graphs, photographs, and documents in electronic formats, such as SMS and emails. Per the Sunshine Law, not all Lincoln County public records are open to the public. The law exempts the following documents from public disclosure:
- Identifying information that violates an individual’s privacy.
- Security reports, systems, measures, and procedures.
- Medical records and medical research information.
- Information on an ongoing investigation, such as the personal details of crime victims.
- Proprietary information
- School reports.
- Hospital inspection and licensing data.
- Juvenile court records
- Trade secrets or commercial and financial information.
- Loan and savings association reports.
- Adoption records.
- Drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities’ records.
- Lodging and campground registration records.
- Court services records
Lincoln County Crime Statistics
The Office of the South Dakota Attorney General, via the Division of Criminal Investigations, generates and publishes annual crime reports for all state counties and cities. According to the figures published for 2019, Lincoln County recorded a total of 340 index crimes, including 32 violent crimes and 308 property crimes.
The listed violent crimes include murder, seven rapes, two robberies, and 22 aggravated assaults, while violent crimes include 142 burglaries, 20 arsons, 20 motor vehicle thefts, and 127 larceny-thefts. Compared with the 2017 Crime Report, index crimes in Lincoln County increased by 33 percent. Violent crimes increased by 33 percent, while property crimes increased by 20 percent.
Are Lincoln County Criminal Records Public?
Lincoln County criminal records are classified as public records. According to the Sunshine Law, interested persons can obtain criminal records and information on any of the state residents. However, juvenile criminal records are exempt from public disclosure.
At the county level, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of processing requests for criminal records and background checks throughout the county. The Sheriff’s department provides a detailed crime record showing the arrest information, criminal charges, and the individuals’ sentences.
To request a Lincoln criminal record, members of the public must send a written request to the Sheriff’s Office via email or fax to request criminal records. Interested individuals can also call the number listed for inquiries. Visit the Sheriff’s office at this address for in-person requests:
Lincoln County Sheriff
128 North Main Street
Suite 200
Canton, SD 57013-1708
Phone: (605) 764-5651
FAX: (605) 764-2767
Email: sheriff@lincolncountysd.org
As an alternative option, the South Dakota Legal Self-Help provides access to criminal records in Lincoln County via an online searchable portal. Requesters may register, log-in, or search as a guest to use the online searchable portal. Criminal records cost $20, and it is payable via credit or debit card.
How to Obtain Lincoln County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Lincoln County police reports and arrest records are available at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Lincoln County arrest records are files providing details about arrests of suspected offenders in the county. They may include details such as the accused’s fingerprints, picture, criminal charge, social security number, race, height, and weight. Arrest records only show that a person has been arrested, not if they are guilty of a crime. Interested persons can obtain these records by visiting the Sheriff’s office at:
Lincoln County Sheriff
128 North Main Street
Suite 200
Canton, SD 57013-1708
Phone: (605) 764-5651
FAX: (605) 764-2767
Email: sheriff@lincolncountysd.org
Similarly, the Lincoln County Clerk of Courts also maintains arrest records and police reports. Visit the Lincoln County Clerk of Courts at the address below to get copies of Lincoln County police reports and arrest records.
104 North Main Street
Canton, SD 57013-1732
Phone: (605) 987-5891
Email: ujsweb2nd@ujs.state.sd.us
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Lincoln County
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation maintains an online sex offender database that contains information on all sex offenders in the state. Data on sex offenders is accessed by searching the website. Interested individuals can either carry out a map search or neighborhood search. In addition to this, individuals can also use the suspected sex offender’s name to search. The sex offender registry also provides information on absconded sex offenders.
Where And How To Find Lincoln County Inmate Information
The South Dakota Department of Corrections maintains an online repository that contains the details of all inmates incarcerated within different correctional facilities across the state. However, this inmate record database does not include the names of offenders sentenced to county jails. Requesters can obtain Lincoln County inmate records using the inmate's first and last name and DOC#. Alternatively, requesters can obtain Lincoln County inmate information by contacting the South Dakota Department of Corrections or visiting the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office at:
Lincoln County Sheriff
128, North Main Street
Suite 200
Canton, SD 57013-1708
Phone: (605) 764-5651
FAX: (605) 764-2767
Email: sheriff@lincolncountysd.org
How do I Visit an Inmate in Lincoln County Jail?
Lincoln County shares beds with other county jails like the Minnehaha County Jail and other South Dakota jails. To visit inmates at Lincoln County Jail, intending visitors should contact the Sheriff’s office to schedule a visit to the jail where the inmate is detained.
Lincoln County Sheriff
128, North Main Street
Suite 200
Canton, SD 57013-1708
Phone: (605) 764-5651
FAX: (605) 764-2767
Email: sheriff@lincolncountysd.org
Court Records
Part of the South Dakota Second Judicial District, Lincoln County court system comprises a Magistrate Court and a Circuit Court. The Courts handle different court cases, such as criminal, civil, traffic, and small claims. All court records are under the Lincoln County Clerk of Courts. Lincoln County courts’ locations and contact details are listed below:
Lincoln County Circuit Court
104 North Main Street
Canton, SD 57013
Phone: (605) 987-5891
Fax: (605) 987-9088
Lincoln County Magistrate Court
104 North Main Street
Canton, SD 57013
Phone: (605) 987-5891
Fax: (605) 987-9088
Are Lincoln County Court Records Public?
According to the South Dakota Sunshine Law, not all Lincoln County court records are public records. Interested public members can only obtain non-confidential court records. Confidential court records, such as child adoption and juvenile court records, are sealed and exempted from public disclosure.
How to Obtain Lincoln County Civil Court Case Records
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains an online database of all civil court case records in Lincoln County. Civil court case records from 2003 to the present are available to requesters via the online platform. Therefore, to access Lincoln County civil court records on the online platform, register an account or search as a guest. Civil court records cost $20 per copy, and payment is only through credit/debit card. Conversely, requesters may obtain Lincoln County civil court records by filling out and submitting the Record Search Request Form to the email address: ujsparssupport@ujs.state.sd.us.
How to Obtain Lincoln County Criminal Court Case Records
Lincoln County criminal court case records are available on the South Dakota Unified Judicial System online database. Criminal court records from 1989 to the present are available on the platform. To obtain criminal court records, requesters may choose to register an account or search as a guest on the search platform. Alternatively, requesters may request Lincoln County civil court records by filling out and submitting the Record Search Request Form to the email address: ujsparssupport@ujs.state.sd.us. Criminal court records attract a $20 fee per search request.
What are Lincoln County Vital Records?
Lincoln County Vital records are documentation of life events within the county. These include, but are not limited to, birth, marriage, divorce, and death records. Both local and state government bodies maintain vital records in Lincoln County. At the county level, the Lincoln County Register of Deeds keeps records of birth, death, and marriage events. On the other hand, the Lincoln County Clerk of Courts maintains all divorce records. The South Dakota Health Department creates and issues birth, death, marriage, and divorce records at the state level. Therefore, interested persons can obtain copies of vital records from these government bodies.
Where And How To Get Lincoln County Divorce Records
Lincoln County divorce records are obtained from the South Dakota Department of Health and the Lincoln County Clerk of Court’s office. Get access to Lincoln County divorce records by visiting or mailing the South Dakota vital records office at this address:
Vital Records Division
State Department of Health
207, East Missouri Avenue
Suite 1-A
Pierre, SD 57501
Interested individuals can also call the Lincoln County Clerk of Court’s office for inquiries using this number (605) 987-5891.
Where and How to Get Lincoln County Marriage Records
The Lincoln County Register of Deeds keeps and manages all marriage certificates issued in the county. Requesters can only retrieve copies of marriage licenses from the Register of Deeds office of the county where the marriage license was issued. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, visit the Lincoln County Register of Deeds’ Office in-person with a valid government-issued photo ID. Applicants must fill out a vital records application form. The office of the Register of Deeds stays open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Lincoln County Register of Deeds
104 North Main Street
Suite 130
Canton, SD 57013-1703
Phone: (605) 764-5661
Fax: (605) 764-6623
Email: rod@lincolncountysd.org
Interested individuals can also send an email application to the Register of Deeds office. The email should contain a signed notary document or a valid photo ID.
Where and How to Get Lincoln County Birth Records
Lincoln County birth records are the supervision of both the Lincoln County Register of Deeds and the South Dakota Department of Health, which acts as custodian agencies. Birth records in South Dakota are accessed in any Register of Deeds office in the state. Certified copies of birth records cost $15 per copy. Birth records are obtained by sending a mail application to the Register of Deeds office. Send a clear copy of a government-issued photo ID or a notarized application form along with the required payment in the mail.
In-person requests are also made with a valid government-issued photo ID. Interested individuals can visit the Lincoln County Register of Deeds office from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on weekdays to fill out an official vital record request form for birth records. Use this address and contact information to contact the Lincoln County Register of Deeds office:
Lincoln County Register of Deeds
104, North Main Street
Suite 130
Canton, SD 57013-1703
Phone: (605) 764-5661
Fax: (605) 764-6623
Email: rod@lincolncountysd.org
Where and How To Get Lincoln County Death Records
Lincoln County death records fall under the purview of the Lincoln County Register of Deeds. Access Lincoln County death records by visiting any Register of Deeds office in South Dakota. Visit the Register of Deeds office in person at this address between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays to request death records:
Lincoln County Register of Deeds
104 North Main Street
Suite 130
Canton, SD 57013-1703
Phone: (605) 764-5661
Fax: (605) 764-6623
Email: rod@lincolncountysd.org
Applicants can also send a mail request with a clear copy of a valid government ID or a document signed in front of a notary.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
