How to search South Dakota court records
South Dakota runs a single statewide case-lookup system, so one search — with the name spelled correctly — reaches courts across the entire state. Public access runs through a paid subscription vendor. Expect a per-search or per-month fee before you can see case details.
statewide fee criminal data
Open the official South Dakota portal →
What's actually there
Record searches through the UJS portal carry a fee; basic case look-up is limited.
Other official lookups for South Dakota
Federal cases filed in South Dakota
State portals don't cover federal court. If the case you're looking for might be a federal criminal prosecution, civil suit, or bankruptcy, use CourtRecordsFree's live federal search — it queries CourtListener/RECAP directly and isn't limited to any one state.
Search tips
- Try both "Last, First" and "First Last" — courts index names inconsistently.
- Middle initials and suffixes (Jr., III) often matter for common names.
- A date of birth or case number is the only reliable way to confirm you found the right person.
- An arrest or charge shown in a docket is not a conviction — read the disposition.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to search South Dakota court records online?
No — South Dakota routes public case search through a paid vendor. Budget for a per-search or subscription fee to view full case details.
Does this include criminal records?
Yes. South Dakota's portal includes criminal case records alongside civil cases, subject to the sealing and expungement rules described below.
Does one search cover the whole state?
South Dakota runs one statewide system, so a single search covers the whole state.
Links move. If the South Dakota portal link above is dead, tell us on the corrections page.