Vital Records
Ordering South Dakota Vital Records
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When ordering records for genealogy purposes, please place your order through the mail. The mail order process is designed to allow flexibility with possible different spellings or dates and will ensure a more accurate search with a greater chance of the record being located.
Ordering Birth, Death and Marriage Records
- Order in person at any Register of Deeds. You will be required to complete and sign an application for the appropriate vital records (birth, death, marriage) submit the appropriate fee and provide proof of identity.
Marriages before 1950 and deaths before 1960 are available for same day issuance only at the County of occurrence.
- Order by mail to any Register of Deeds or to the State Office, 207 E. Missouri, Suite1-A, Pierre, SD 57501. Mail requests require a completed application for the appropriate vital records (birth, death, marriage), signed in front of a notary OR a clear copy of a photo ID, along with the appropriate fee.
- Order by phone using a credit card by calling 605-773-4961. There is an additional expedite fee.
- Order online. The State of South Dakota does not accept credit cards for online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached either through its website, www.vitalchek.com, or by phone at 1-800-255-2414. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®. (return to contents)
Divorce Records
- Order by mail to the State Office. Mail requests require a completed divorce record application, signed in front of a notary OR a clear copy of a photo ID, along with the appropriate fee.
- Order by phone using a credit card by calling 605-773-4961. There is an additional expedite fee.
- Order online. The State of South Dakota does not accept credit cards for online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached either through its website, www.vitalchek.com, or by phone at 1-800-255-2414. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®. (return to contents)
Certificate of Birth Resulting in a Stillbirth
- A Certificate of Birth Resulting in a Stillbirth (CBRS) can be issued for any fetal death records on file in the Vital Records Office. Fetal deaths were filed in the Department of Health beginning in 1948. Only the parents listed on the record are able to request a CBRS.
- A CBRS can be ordered by mail. Mail requests require a completed Certificate of Birth Resulting in a Stillbirth Application, signed in front of a notary OR a clear copy of a photo ID, along with the appropriate fee of $10.
Ordering Multiple Records
Identification
ID IS REQUIRED OF A PERSON COMPLETING THE APPLICATION.
You must provide a government-issued photo ID (State, Tribal or Federal).
The ID may be issued by the U.S. 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
If you do not have a government issued photo ID, you must provide a photocopy of two of the following:
- Social Security card
- Utility bill with current address
- Bank statement with current address
- Pay stub (must include your name, Social Security number plus name and address of business)
- Car registration or title with current address
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Fee Schedule
Per ARSD 44:09:06:02, vital records are released only as certified or informational copies. See applicable fees below. Fees are payable to the South Dakota Department of Health. (return to contents)
| Certified or informational copy of birth, death, marriage or divorce record, verification or notification of record searched |
$15.00
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| Certificate of birth resulting in a stillbirth |
$10.00 |
| Expedite fee (only applies to phone and internet requests) includes shipping via regular mail, handling and electronic authentication. If UPS shipment is requested, customer will pay the additional shipping costs. |
$11.50
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| Preparation and filing of a delayed birth, death or marriage certificate (fee does not include a certified or informational copy). |
$15.00
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| Amending a birth, death or marriage record 1 year or more after the event (fee does not include a certified or informational copy). Certified or informational copies already purchased can be exchanged at no cost. (Requires an amendment form) |
$8.00
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| Preparation of new birth certificate with paternity (fee does not include a certified or informational copy). |
$5.00
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| Preparation of a new birth certificate following adoption (fee does not include a certified or informational copy) |
$15.00
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| Fee waivers for Military – Head Start, school enrollment, baseball) |
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Eligibility
By state law, vital records filed in the state of South Dakota are not open for public inspection. The State Vital Records Office in the Department of Health can issue either an informational or a certified copy of a vital record. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements to obtain certified copies.
- Certified Copies
Eligible individuals who submit an application and the applicable fee can obtain a certified copy of a vital record. This record will be computer generated and issued on security paper with a raised seal and the signature of the issuing agent. Individuals eligible for a certified copy include the following:
- Registrant - Individual listed on the record
- Spouse, Child
- Parent, Guardian
- Next of Kin - grandparents and siblings
- Authorized Agent - attorney, physician, funeral director
- Designated Agent - someone given authority by an individual who has authority to obtain the vital record to act on their behalf. Must complete the designated agent section of the application.
- Personal or Property Right - a right to the record not included in the categories above. Individual will be asked to provide information about the right. (return to contents)
- Informational Copies
Informational copies are issued on plain paper and contain the statement "For informational Purposes only. Not for legal proof of identification." Informational copies do not contain a raised seal or the signature of the issuing agent. Informational copies are issued from the computer. ARSD 44:09:06
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- Photostatic Copies (Certified and Informational)
This record is a photocopy of the original. These records are intended if the computer generated copy does not contain the information needed. Generally, these copies are used for genealogy purposes.
Certified photostatic copies will contain the raised seal and signature of issuing agent and can be used for legal purposes. Informational photostatic copies will not contain a raised seal or signature of issuing agent.
We can not guarantee the quality of the record and always print the best possible image. (return to contents)
