Open Adoption Records

“SDCL 34-25-16.4 allows adoptees who have reached the age of 18 to open their own original certificate of birth together with the adoption information that was used to create a new certificate of birth.

Adult adoptees who have reached the age of 18 may use the Application of Adoption Information to request their original birth certificate prior to adoption. The application must be signed in front of a notary public or a copy of valid government-issued photo ID must be submitted with the request. The fee to request original birth records is $15 per each requested copy.

Application of Adoption Information

If you are not the adoptee and/or have not reached the age of 18 but wish to open adoption records, please contact Vital Records at (605)773-4961 for further guidance”

34-25-16.4. When a new certificate of birth is established pursuant to §§ 34-25-15 to 34-25-16.2, inclusive, the original certificate of birth together with the adoption information or other evidence upon which a new certificate is made must be sealed, filed, and may not be opened except by the secretary of health for purposes of properly administering the vital registration system, by the child or adoptee upon reaching age 18, or upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction”