What are Minnehaha County Public Records
According to the South Dakota Sunshine Law, Minnehaha County public records include all documents and records that belong to agencies, branches, departments, boards, and all other governmental entities in the county. The law states that these agencies must provide requesters with copies of public records regardless of physical form. While the Sunshine Law provides public access, state law also requires government agencies to prevent access to several records. Some examples include:
- Juvenile delinquency court records
- Mental health records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies
- DNA samples and related records filed with the South Dakota State Forensic Laboratory
- Adoption records
- Certain business records, including commercial information, financial information, and trade secrets
- Juvenile delinquency case records created by court services offices
- Child and family records maintained by child welfare agencies
- Reports on communicable diseases
- Records containing criminal identification, investigative, intelligence, and statistical information
- Animal cruelty reports
- Information on medical research obtained for medical study by the state medical association or the department of health
- Tax return records, including applicant, taxpayer, and licensee information
Minnehaha County Crime Statistics
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office publishes annual reports of all reported crime activity in the state through its Division of Criminal Investigation. In 2020 the published crime report showed a total of 2,098 reported crimes. Some specified offenses include 2 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter incidents, 5 cases of kidnapping or abduction, 7 rape incidents, 5 robberies, 43 aggravated assaults, and 230 simple assaults. The report also listed 1 arson incident, 181 burglaries, 57 motor vehicle thefts, 10 stolen property offenses, and 31 weapon law violations. In 2019, the Division of Criminal Investigation reported a total of 2,217 offenses, 5% lower than 2020's figure.
Are Minnehaha County Criminal Records Public?
Minnehaha County criminal records are partially open to the public. South Dakota law restricts access to official requests submitted by the criminal justice community for uses such as arrests, investigations, plea bargains, charges, probation, convictions, and other related matters. The law also allows access to criminal records for licensing or employment purposes.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office processes requests for Minnehaha criminal records through a Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system provided by its Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). These requests are fingerprint-based and require the subject of the record to complete a fingerprint card and an Authorization and Release form. The fingerprint card must contain the applicant’s name, gender, date of birth, and social security number.
Each request costs $26.75, payable by a check or money order submitted with the signed authorization form and fingerprint card. Parties must note that fingerprinting services are available at local law enforcement agencies (Police Departments and Sheriff’s Office) and may cost additional fees.
Requestors will receive desired Minnehaha criminal records upon submitting the required information and fees. If no results match the searched information, the DCI will provide a letter stating that no criminal history exists. Requestors should note that the DCI's information does not include sealed records, juvenile offenses, minor traffic violations, federal charges, and out-of-state information.
How to Obtain Minnehaha County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Residents seeking police reports and arrest records may contact the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. Interested parties may submit mail requests or visit the office to obtain copies in person. All requests should provide the Sheriff’s record custodian with detailed descriptions of desired records. These should include the names of involved persons, a description of the incident, charge information, dates, and locations. Parties may be charged varying fees for physical copies of Minnehaha County arrest records. All requests for Minnehaha arrest records and police reports should be submitted to the following address:
Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office
320 W. 4th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4300
Fax: (605) 367-7319
Hours: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Minnehaha County
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office provides public access to details of all registered sex offenders in the state through its Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Persons looking for Minnehaha County sex offender records may find them on the South Dakota Sex Offender Registry using the text or neighborhood search options. Residents may use the text search by providing the offender’s last name, first name, alias, city, and zip code. The neighborhood search provides search boxes for address, city, and search mile radius. The DCI’s registry contains each offender’s full name, aliases, physical description, custody status, crime and conviction details, and the person’s address.
How to Find Minnehaha County Inmate Records
The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office maintains a Who’s Behind Bars page that provides information on incarcerated persons. Anyone looking for Minnehaha County inmate records may search the database by providing the inmate's last name or browsing the Sheriff's full inmate listing. Featured information includes each offender’s inmate number, full name, intake date and time, facility, bond amount, and charge description. The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office updates the database every 15 minutes.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Minnehaha County Jail?
All prospective visitors to the Minnehaha County Jail must register online. The facility provides for video visits and allows interested persons to choose between on-site and off-site video visitations. All visits should be scheduled 24 hours before the preferred day but no more than four days in advance. While on-site visits are free, remote visits cost the visitor 35 cents per minute. Remote visits are allowed every day, while on-site visitation days exclude Mondays and Fridays. Allowed times for all visits are as follows:
- 7:30 am to 10:15 am
- 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
On-site visits require government-issued identification, such as a driver's license, valid passport, state or county-issued ID, or birth certificate if ID does not carry a date of birth, and a military ID card with date of birth and photo. Persons younger than 18 years old may only visit an inmate if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Each visit may last up to 30 minutes unless the Jail Supervisor approves an extension. However, no visitation may exceed 60 minutes. The Minnehaha County Jail only restricts the number of visitors allowed to visit an inmate based on the jail's schedule, space, and personnel availability.
All visitors must behave and dress appropriately. Obscene gestures, improper language, disorderliness, and disrespect to inmates, staff, and other visitors may cost the visitor their visitation privileges. Furthermore, staff may deny entry to visitors in revealing or inappropriate clothing.
Family and friends may visit multiple times a day, but can not visit the same inmate more than once a day. Prospective visitors should note that inmates on disciplinary status are only allowed professional visitors, such as attorneys or clergy.
Court Records
The Minnehaha County trial court system comprises a Circuit Court and a Magistrate Court. The Circuit Court hears certain misdemeanor offenses, domestic relations cases, juvenile and probate matters, and all felonies. The Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor trials, preliminary hearings for criminal matters, and a limited number of criminal and civil cases.
Locations of Courts in Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County Circuit Court
425 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-5900
Fax: (605) 367-5916
Minnehaha County Magistrate Court
425 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-5900
Fax: (605) 367-5916
Are Minnehaha County Court Records Public?
Minnehaha County court records are public. Members of the general public can inspect court records or obtain copies from the Circuit and Magistrate Courts after paying search or copy fees where applicable. However, courts may prevent public access to records that contain confidential information. In addition, the public cannot obtain sealed records.
Can You Look up a Minnehaha County Court Case Online?
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains an online court records database accessible via its Public Record Search (PARS) portal. Users may search for Minnehaha court records by providing a party’s last name and date of birth. Optional search information includes an alias and a case type specification. Users must also provide their email addresses. Each search costs $20 payable credit cards from Mastercard, Visa, or Discover. Parties should note that the search fee is applicable for each search regardless of the outcome.
How to Obtain Minnehaha County Civil Court Case Records
Anyone can obtain a Minnehaha County civil court record from the county's Clerk of Courts. Requesters should submit written requests containing a description of the desired record. Each request should include relevant names, dates, offense information, dispute details, and the court’s final disposition. Search and copy fees may apply. All requests should be submitted to the:
Minnehaha County Court Clerk
425 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-5900
Fax: (605) 367-5916
How to Obtain Minnehaha County Criminal Court Case Records
Persons seeking Minnehaha County criminal court records may submit requests to the Clerk of Courts office. All requests should contain exhaustive details of the desired records and also include the requester’s name and contact information. The Clerk’s Office may charge for conducting record searches and issuing copies. All requests for Minnehaha County criminal court records should be forwarded to the:
Minnehaha County Court Clerk
425 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-5900
Fax: (605) 367-5916
What are Minnehaha County Vital Records?
Minnehaha County vital records contain details of marriages, divorces, births, and deaths in the county. Interested persons may inspect or obtain records at the different agencies that create or maintain the records. Depending on the record, residents may submit requests to the Clerk of Courts or the Register of Deeds. In compliance with South Dakota Law, Minnehaha vital records are not open to public disclosure.
Where and How to Obtain Minnehaha County Divorce Records
The Minnehaha County Clerk of Courts maintains records of county divorces and issues copies to requestors. Persons requesting Minnehaha County divorce decrees may submit requests to the Clerk of Courts office by mail or in person. All requests should contain enough information to help staff find the record. The requestor must provide the divorced spouses’ names, date of divorce, and location of divorce. Record seekers may also provide other case specifics included in the court’s final judgment. Requests for Minnehaha divorce decrees should be submitted to the:
Minnehaha County Clerk of Courts
425 N. Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104-2470
Phone: (605) 367-5900
Fax: (605) 367-5916
Office Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Minnehaha County divorce certificates are requestable from the South Dakota Office of Vital Records. The office maintains certified and informational copies and entertains mail and in-person requests. While all persons may obtain informational copies, only the following may request certified copies:
- The subject of the record
- The subject’s current spouse, parent, legal guardian with documentation
- The subject’s child, grandchild over 18, grandparents, and siblings
- Anyone with proof of a personal or property right to the record
- A requestor authorized by an eligible party to obtain the record
Each request requires a completed application form. Persons requesting certified copies must submit proof of identity and also have the form notarized if requesting by mail. All Minnehaha divorce certificates cost $15. Payments are acceptable via checks, money orders, cash, debit cards, and credit cards. However, mail requestors are restricted to check and money order payments. Applicants should submit requests to:
Vital Records
South Dakota Department of Health
207 E Missouri Ave
Suite 1A
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-4961
Fax: (605) 773-2680
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Where and How to Find Minnehaha County Marriage Records
The Minnehaha County Register of Deeds maintains records of marriages since 1950. The Register of deeds issues certified and informational copies for $15. Certified copies of Minnehaha County marriage records are only available to certain persons, including the following:
- One of the married parties
- A current spouse, parent, legal guardian, grandparent, sibling, or grandchild over 18
- An authorized agent representing any of the above persons
- A requestor with proof of property or personal right in the record
An interested party must complete the application form with the full names of both parties, event date, and event location. All persons requesting certified copies of Minnehaha County marriage certificates must provide proof of identification or have the form notarized. Mail requestors may pay via checks or money orders, while in-person requestors may use cash, debit cards, and credit cards, as well as checks and money orders.
Record seekers should note that fees are nonrefundable. The Register of Deeds will issue a “No Record Letter” and retain the payment as a search fee if no records match the submitted details. Requestors should submit complete orders and payment as follows:
Minnehaha County Register of Deeds
415 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4223
Where and How to Find Minnehaha County Birth Records
Minnehaha County birth records are available at the Register of Deeds office. Interested requestors can obtain certified and informational copies for $15. Informational copies of Minnehaha County birth certificates are available to members of the general public. However, this type of record is not a valid document for legal purposes. For access to certified copies, the requestor must be one of the following:
- The person named on the record
- The person’s parent, guardian, or grandparent
- The person’s child, sibling, or grandchild over 18
- The person’s current spouse
- A designated agent requesting on an eligible person’s behalf
- A person that can prove a personal or property right
Requestors may provide details of the record in person or submit completed copies of the application form by mail. Persons requesting certified copies by mail must have the form notarized or submit a copy of a government-issued ID. All mail requests are payable by checks or money orders. In-person requestors may use money orders, checks, cash, debit cards, or credit cards. Card payments may incur additional processing fees. Requestors should also note that all fees are nonrefundable. All mail and in-person requests should go to the:
Minnehaha County Register of Deeds
415 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4223
Where and How to Find Minnehaha County Death Records
Members of the general public can request informational copies of Minnehaha County death records from the Register of Deeds office. Although the office also issues certified copies, eligibility is restricted to persons related to the decedent as follows:
- Sibling, child, or grandchild over 18
- Current spouse
- Parent, grandparent, or legal guardian
- Anyone with proof of personal or property right
- Funeral director, physician, or attorney
The Register of Deeds office entertains mail and in-person requests for Minnehaha County death certificates. Mail requestors must submit completed copies of the vital records application form with the decedent’s full name, gender, date of death, city of death, and state file number. Also, mail orders require payments via money orders or checks. Record seekers should enclose government-issued ID or notarized forms if requesting certified copies.
Requestors may also visit the Register of Deeds office to obtain records. In-person requestors may pay with cash, debit cards, credit cards, checks, or money orders. Residents may submit applications to the:
Minnehaha County Register of Deeds
415 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4223
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Minnehaha County?
Property records in Minnehaha County are presumed public under the South Dakota Sunshine Law. All interested persons may exercise their right to access these records by sending requests to the county's record custodians or visiting them in person.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County property records are available at the Director of Equalization Office. The primary function of the office is the discovery, listing, assessment, and valuation of all real properties in the county. It also links all real properties to their respective owners and creates related records with information on the owners, property values, and property classifications.
Interested persons may request and obtain copies of generated records by fax, phone, email, and in person. All requests should be submitted using the following contact details:
Minnehaha County Director of Equalization Office
Administration Building
Third Floor
415 N. Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4228
Fax: (605) 367-7870
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Individuals can also request property records from the Minnehaha County Register of Deeds Office. Recorded documents such as mortgages, deeds, easements, restrictions, covenants, and satisfactions, are obtainable by members of the general public at $1 per page. Persons who need certified copies are charged an extra $5. To obtain recorded documents, interested persons may submit in-person and mail requests to the:
Minnehaha County Register of Deeds
415 N. Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4223
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
How to Look Up Minnehaha County Property Records
Minnehaha County maintains a Property Information System for online access to property records. Access to the platform requires an initial set-up fee of $25. Requestors may also visit the Minnehaha County Information Technology Office to set up the account with help from staff. However, this assistance costs an extra $25. Interested persons may fund their accounts online or by check. All check payments require an additional handling fee of $10. The Information Technology Office is located at:
500 N. Minnesota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4320
Online property records are also obtainable from the Treasurer's property tax payment site. Anyone can search by the owner's name, property's parcel number, or street address. Users are advised to only use one option for best results. Information available online includes the property type and address, owner's name and address, assessed value, legal description, and payment information.
The Director of Equalization Office also has an online property search page. Users may enter the property's street address, legal description, or parcel number to find records.
Location of Minnehaha County Property Assessors
Minnehaha County Director of Equalization Office
Administration Building
Third Floor
415 N. Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4228
Fax: (605) 367-7870
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
