South Dakota (SD) Vital Records: Offices and How to Obtain Copies - Page 2

South Dakota State Information

South Dakota was named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes. It is situated in the North Central region of the U.S. and is part of the Great Plains.

The state was admitted into the union on November 2, 1889, along with North Dakota. It is believed that President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the official papers before he signed them, preventing anyone from knowing which became a state first.

The population of South Dakota in 2020 was 886,667, making it the 6th least populated state in the country. The most inhabited counties are Minnehaha County, Pennington County, Lincoln County, Brown County, and Brookings County.

South Dakota’s capital city is Pierre, while the most populous city is Sioux Falls—with 196,528 residents.

The State Department of Health in Pierre maintains vital records for South Dakota. The office has birth, death, marriage, and divorce records starting from July 1905.

South Dakota Vital Records FAQS

The processing time for a valid copy of a South Dakota birth certificate will normally last 2-6 weeks.
However, this amount of time may be extended if you commit errors.
By including all the documentation required, such as your photo identification, you can prevent delays to your application.
Our online Vital Records office database will also make the process simpler by helping you find the nearest location to process your request with ease.
In South Dakota, it is necessary to pay a processing fee to obtain a copy of your birth certificate or a copy of the record of an immediate family member.
For each copy that you order, 15 dollars must be made payable to the South Dakota Department of Health via personal check or money order.
If you do not pay the exact amount, it will result in delays or the cancellation of your birth certificate request.
To ensure your vital record application is processed on schedule, you must include a valid photocopy of your identification.
In South Dakota, you may send a photocopy of just one of the following forms of photo ID:
- Driver’s license
- State ID card
- U.S. passport or foreign passport
- School ID
If you are unable to submit these forms of ID, you may present any 2 of the following identification documents:
- Pay stub
- Bank statement
- Vehicle registration
- Tax return (ideally from the present or previous tax year)
- Utility bill
- Signed social security card

South Dakota (SD) Vital Records

58 Vital Records Offices found in South Dakota

South Dakota State Information

South Dakota Vital Records FAQS

How long does a birth certificate application take to process in South Dakota?

What is the fee for a birth certificate copy in South Dakota?

What documents are required to apply for a birth certificate in South Dakota?