Are South Dakota Vital Records Open to the Public?
Per South Dakota Vital Records Law, only specific individuals may obtain certified copies of vital records in South Dakota. These include the persons named on the document, immediate family members, and legal representatives recognized by law. Vital records are typically restricted from public inspection until 100 years have elapsed since the life event. Then, interested persons may obtain the record from the designated record custodian.
What Information Shows Up in South Dakota Vital Records?
South Dakota vital records are government-maintained records that document major life events. These records ensure the preservation of accurate demographic and public health data and facilitate verifying personal information for various purposes. In South Dakota, vital records are managed by the state Department of Health, Office of Vital Records; in addition, the South Dakota Codified Laws §34-25-1 through §34-25-52 define the requirements for registering, maintaining, and accessing vital records in the state.
What Information Do I Need to Search for South Dakota Vital Records Online?
To perform an online request for South Dakota vital records, requesters must provide adequate information about the record. Generally, these include the registrant’s name and the date, time, and location of the life event.
How Do I Obtain South Dakota Vital Records?
To obtain vital records in South Dakota, a requester must know the necessary details to facilitate the record search, as completing an application form is standard. Then, the requester must possess a valid, government-issued photo ID as well as a check or money order to pay for the associated fees.
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a reliable jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
A certified copy of a South Dakota vital record is a document issued by the Department of Health (DoH) upon request by an eligible individual. It is printed on security paper and contains a raised government seal and the record custodian’s signature. Thus, holders of these documents may use the vital record for official and legal purposes. On the other hand, an informational copy is issued on plain paper and contains the statement “for informational purposes only”. Informational copies of vital records do not contain a government seal or signature and are typically issued from a computer.
Are South Dakota Marriage Records Public Information?
South Dakota marriage records are only available to a specific set of people, including the persons named on the record, their immediate family, and agents authorized to receive the documents. Therefore, public marriage records are available for marriages that are over 75 years old.
How Do I Obtain South Dakota Marriage Records?
Eligible requesters can obtain marriage records in South Dakota from the Vital Records Office of the Department of Health, which maintains records dating back to 1905. Individuals who wish to get copies of South Dakota marriage records must request the Vital Records Office. Submissions can be made online, by mail, or in person.
Vital Records
State Department of Health
207 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 1-A
Pierre, SD 57501
Mail requests require a completed vital records request form and complete payment of the fee (check or money order payable to the Department of Health). In addition, mail-in applicants must include an acceptable copy of a government-issued photo ID or have the application form notarized. Applicants must complete a vital records request form for the application, including payment for the complete fee. Additionally, the requestor must provide acceptable proof of identity.
South Dakota marriage records are also available from the specific county’s Register of Deeds. Records for marriages before 1950 are only available for same-day issuance at the county of occurrence.
How to Get a South Dakota Marriage Certificate
Interested persons may acquire a South Dakota marriage certificate through the South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, or relevant county offices. Persons eligible to access these certificates include the couple, immediate family, legal representatives, or authorized agents with proper identification.
Are South Dakota Divorce Records Public Information?
Certified divorce records in South Dakota are unavailable for public view. Instead, only pre-authorized requesters may obtain these records, and these persons must submit proof of eligibility with a valid government-issued photo ID.
How Do I Obtain South Dakota Divorce Records?
The State Office of Vital Records maintains divorce records for South Dakota and dates back to 1905. A request can be submitted to the Vital Records Office requesting a copy of a certified divorce record. An applicant can submit the request online, in person, or by mail, and a certified copy of records costs $15 each.
Mail requests should be accompanied by a completed vital records request form and a check/money order for the complete fee (payable to the Department of Health). The applicant must also send a clear copy of a valid, government-issued photo ID or have the application notarized. The applicant should mail the complete application to:
Vital Records
State Department of Health
207 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 1-A
Pierre, SD 57501
In-person requests will require that the applicant complete an application form and provide a government-issued photo ID (or other acceptable forms of identification) as proof of identity. In-person requests can be made at the Vital Records Office. Eligible persons can also obtain South Dakota divorce records from the Clerk of the Court in the county where the divorce occurred. The Vital Records Office only issues certified copies of divorce certificates. For the divorce decree, contact the Clerk of the Court.
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in South Dakota
In South Dakota, certified divorce certificates are issued by the Clerk of Courts in the county where the divorce was finalized. The parties involved or their legal representatives can obtain them.
Are South Dakota Birth Records Public Information?
Certified birth records in South Dakota are generally only available to specific individuals who must show proof of identity before receiving the records. However, information about South Dakota birth records for birth dates over 100 years can be found on the Department of Health website.
How Do I Obtain South Dakota Birth Records?
South Dakota Birth Records are available to eligible persons on request from the Vital Records Office. The state office retains records from as far back as 1905. However, records for earlier years are incomplete. Eligible persons who wish to order birth certificate replacements may query the Vital Records office online, by mail, or in person. Copies of South Dakota Birth Records cost $15 each.
To submit a mail request, complete the vital records request form and submit it with a check/money order for the complete fee (payable to the Department of Health). Include a copy of a government-issued photo ID (or have the application notarized) with the application and mail it to:
Vital Records
State Department of Health
207 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 1-A
Pierre, SD 57501
For in-person requests, applicants must complete an application form and provide acceptable proof of identity along with the state fee. In-person requesters can visit the office.
Are Birth Certificates Public in South Dakota?
No. South Dakota birth certificates are not public records. South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) 34-25 outlines the state's disclosure provisions.
Are South Dakota Death Records Open to the Public?
Certified copies of South Dakota death records are typically available to individuals who can demonstrate a tangible interest in the death record, as the document contains sensitive information. Deaths that occurred over 100 years ago are considered public death records.
How Do I Obtain South Dakota Death Records?
South Dakota death records are available at the State Office of Vital Records, which retains records from 1905. If a record for an earlier date is required, the requestor should contact the county where the record was filed. To initiate a South Dakota death certificate search, submit a request to the Vital Records Office. Submissions can be carried out online, in person, or by mail. Copies of South Dakota Death Records cost $15.
Mail requests should consist of a completed vital records request form, a check or money order (payable to the Department of Health) for the complete fee, and a copy of a government-issued photo ID (or have the application notarized). The applicant should mail the request to the
Vital Records
State Department of Health
207 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 1-A
Pierre, SD 57501
The applicant should take an acceptable form of identification, the complete fee, and complete an application. All of this must be available before processing begins on the request.
Eligible persons can also obtain South Dakota Death Records from the Register of Deeds for the county where the death certificate was filed. Deaths before 1960 are only available for same-day issuance at the county of occurrence.
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in South Dakota?
Requesters who wish to obtain sealed vital records in South Dakota must submit a petition to a court of competent jurisdiction. The petitioner must provide proof of legitimate interest in the sealed vital record, e.g., when unsealing the vital record will protect a personal or property interest.
What are Vital Statistics in South Dakota?
Vital statistics in South Dakota involve key life events and health indicators. This data is essential for monitoring public health patterns, influencing policy-making, and ensuring that resources are directed toward improving the health of state residents. The South Dakota Department of Health's Office of Vital Records manages and collates this data from births, deaths, stillbirth, marriages, and divorces in the state.
