Ordering South Dakota Vital Records
NEW:
July 1 certificate of birth available for births resulting in stillbirth
Contents: | Ordering Birth, Death & Marriage Records | Ordering Divorce Records | Ordering Multiple Records | Identification | Amendment of Vital Records | Fees | Eligibility for Informational Copies | Eligibility for Certified Copies | Birth Records for Newborns | Social Security Cards | Links | Email Vital Records |
South Dakota vital records filed after 1905 are available. Many birth records for events occurring before 1905 were filed later and are in the system.
Ordering Birth, Death and Marriage Records
- If you are ordering a record for genealogy purposes, please place your order directly 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 found.
- In person at any Register of Deeds or at the State Office, 207 E. Missouri, Suite1-A, Pierre, SD 57501. The state office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 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.
- By mail to any Register of Deeds or to the State Office. 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.
- By phone using a credit card by calling (605) 773-4961. There is an additional expedite fee.
- Online using a credit card at VitalChek.com. There is an additional expedite fee.(return to contents)
Divorce Records
- If you are ordering a record for genealogy purposes, please place your order directly 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 found.
- In person at the State Office, 207 E. Missouri, Suite1-A, Pierre, SD 57501. The state office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will be required to complete and sign a divorce record application, submit the appropriate fee and provide proof of identity.
- 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.
- By phone using a credit card by calling (605) 773-4961. There is an additional expedite fee.
- Online using a credit card at VitalChek.com. There is an additional expedite fee. (return to contents)
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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Amendment of Vital Records
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 |
$10.00
|
| 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 Federal Express shipment is requested, customer will pay the additional shipping costs. |
$11.50
|
| Preparation and filing of a delayed birth, death or marriage certificate (fee does not include a certified or informational copy). |
$15.00
|
| Amending a birth, death or marriage record after 1 year 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 a birth, death or marriage amendment) |
$8.00
|
| Preparation of new birth certificate with paternity (fee does not include a certified or informational copy). |
$5.00
|
| Preparation of a new birth certificate following adoption (fee does not include a certified or informational copy) |
$10.00
|
| 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.
- Informational Copies
Anyone who submits an application and the applicable fee can obtain an informational copy of a vital record. 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. When possible all informational copies are issued from the computer unless a photocopy of the original is specifically requested. ARSD 44:09:06 (return to contents)
- Certified Copies
Eligible individuals who submit an application and the applicable fee can obtain a certified copy of a vital record. When possible, the record will be computer generated and issued on security paper with a raised seal and the signature of the issuing agent. Applicants can request a photo copy of the original when the computer generated copy does not contain the needed information. 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)
Birth Records for Newborns
If the record is for a newborn, allow 14 working days from date of birth of the hospital to submit the record. (return to contents)
Social Security Cards
To get a Social Security card, contact the nearest Social Security Administration office. If you requested a card when you provided information for your baby's birth certificate, the card will be mailed to you 6-8 weeks after the date of the birth. (return to contents)
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