South Dakota Birth Records

South Dakota began the systematic recording of births statewide with the establishment of its Vital Records System in July 1905. Records before 1905 exist as delayed registration maintained by counties where the birth was recorded.

South Dakota birth records are the official, government-maintained certificates of live birth recorded in the state. South Dakota issues two primary types of birth certificates, serving diverse purposes:

• Authorized Copies: The authorized copy of a birth record is a legal document printed on security paper with a raised seal and the signature of the issuing officer. The authorized copy of a birth record is valid for all official purposes. South Dakota issues only the "long-form" birth certificate. There is no official short-form abstract.
• The Long-Form Birth Certificate: The long-form birth certificate is a comprehensive copy of the original birth record. It is detailed and holds all legal details of the registrant's birth, including full names, birth dates, birth location, gender, time of birth, parents' full names and birthplaces, and the signature of the attending medical personnel. The document also contains the certificate number, filing date, and registrar's signature and seal, making it valid for all official use.
• Informational Copies: Informational copies of birth records are the non-certified version of a birth record. It contains all the information on the certified birth record. However, informational copies are usually printed on plain paper and marked "For Informational Purposes Only". Informational copies are not valid for official use. They are best suited for personal use and genealogy research.

How To Order a South Dakota Birth Certificate?

You may order a certified copy of the South Dakota birth certificate issued from July 1905 to the present from the South Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records. Eligible requesters may order the document by mail, in person, or online. Online requests for certified birth certificates are through a third-party vendor approved by the State Department of Health. The service provider charges additional fees for processing and shipping the document.

To order certified copies of South Dakota's birth certificate by mail or in person, complete the birth record section of the South Dakota Vital Record Request form. Include the full names, birth location, and parents' information. A complete application form requires a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of eligibility to order the birth record, a self-addressed, stamped envelope if ordering the document by mail, and the fees.

It costs $15 to order a certified copy of a birth certificate in South Dakota. Record seekers may mail or drop the record request in person at:

Certified copies of birth certificates issued from 1905 to date are also accessible at the specific County Register of Deeds office where the birth occurred. Pre-1905 birth certificates are accessible at the South Dakota State Archives and some county Register of Deeds offices.

Are Birth Records Public in South Dakota?

South Dakota birth certificates are confidential vital records closed to the general public for viewing or inspection. Per state law, only persons with a direct and tangible interest may obtain copies of certified birth records. However, birth records become open to the public once the record reaches the state-approved threshold.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in South Dakota?

South Dakota permits the following individuals to obtain certified copies of a birth certificate:

• The individual named on the birth record
• The parents listed on the birth certificate
• Legal guardians
• Immediate family members, including spouses, children, siblings, or guardians
• Legal representatives, including attorneys and executors
• Adoptees aged 18 and older may obtain their original birth certificate
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A South Dakota Birth Certificate?

Mail orders for certified copies of Dakota birth certificates are typically fulfilled within 2-5 weeks. Expedited processing attracts a $11.50 fee. The documents are processed within 7-10 business days. Online requests for birth certificates are processed within 1-2 weeks. Expedited processing for online requests includes a $6.50 service fee and a $11.50 rush fee, with a delivery timeline of 1-3 business days. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day.

Where Can I Find South Dakota Birth Records Free?

While South Dakota restricts access to certified birth records to only eligible individuals like the registrant, immediate family, or legal representatives, unauthorized individuals may still access informational copies through specific sources without a fee.

While the National Vital Records Archives does not host birth records, its "Where to Write" directory lists state contacts, where users may request informational copies of birth records in South Dakota.

The South Dakota Department of Health hosts a public database of birth records for individuals born over 100 years ago. The platform covers births registered after 1905, with delayed registration for earlier births. In addition, users may access over 400,000 digitized birth records from as early as the 1800s.

FamilySearch.org offers free access to South Dakota birth indexes, delayed registrations, and some digitized certificates. Users may access birth records, including registrant names, birth dates, and county of birth from 1856 to 1917.

Ancestry.com is a genealogy platform that hosts extensive South Dakota birth records. Users may access pre-1905 to mid-1900s birth indexes, including registrants' names, birth dates, and county of birth. Some birth records for the period include family tree submissions with birth details and scanned records from churches, newspapers, and family Bibles.

PublicRecords.us compiles public information from multiple county and state repositories to provide a comprehensive database of South Dakota's birth records. The platform offers free access to basic birth information, including registrants' names, birthplaces, and birth dates. Detailed access requires a paid subscription.

When Would I Need My South Dakota Birth Records?

Birth certificates establish an individual's legal identity, date and place of birth, parentage, and citizenship. Birth certificates form the basis for most other identity documents; therefore, it is required for numerous life events, including:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Applying for or replacing Social Security cards
• Obtaining a state-issued ID or driver's license
• Enrolling in private or public schools, colleges, or universities
• Establishing familial relationships for estate claims
• Applying for a marriage license
• Enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Tracing family lineage
• Establishing parental rights in adoption cases
• Changing your legal name
• Accessing government assistance

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in South Dakota?

You may obtain replacement birth certificates in South Dakota if your original birth record becomes illegible, torn, missing, or stolen. The process to replace your birth certificate mirrors obtaining certified copies of the document.

Eligible requesters may request the replacement birth record by mail, in person, or online. To order the document, download and complete the birth section of the South Dakota Vital Record Request form. Include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope if ordering the document by mail, and the fees. If persons other than the registrants are ordering the replacement birth record, include proof of eligibility to obtain the birth certificate. Replacement birth certificates cost $15 in South Dakota.

When Can the Public Access South Dakota Birth Certificates?

According to South Dakota Codified Law, birth certificates are confidential vital records closed to the public for the first 100 years after the birthdate. During the confidentiality period, only authorized persons may access certified copies of the birth certificate. After the 100-year period expires, birth certificates become accessible to the general public.

How To Correct an Error on a South Dakota Birth Certificate?

South Dakotans may correct the following errors on their birth certificate:

• Misspelled names
• Clerical errors in birth dates, place of birth, and parental information
• Transposed digits in Social Security numbers and birth dates
• Gender marker changes
• Legal name changes

You may amend your birth certificate as follows:

• Corrections Within One Year of Birth: Complete and notarize the Birth Record Amendment Under 1 Year form. List the erroneous items on the original birth certificate and specify the corresponding correct information. The State Vital Records office does not require documentary evidence to correct birth certificates issued within one year. However, submit the original birth certificate with the error to the State Vital Records office. There is no fee to amend birth certificates issued within one year of birth.
• Amendments After One Year: To amend birth certificates after one year of birth, complete and notarize the Birth Records Amendment Request form. Specify the incorrect information and state the accurate data. Include documentary supporting evidence of the correct information, such as baptismal certificates, census records, medical records, school records, or marriage records. Documentary evidence must be the original or a certified copy dated at least one year before the amendment application date or dated at least seven years before the date of application. It costs $8 to amend a birth certificate issued over one year from the birth date. There is an additional $15 fee to obtain a certified copy of the amended birth certificate.

Does South Dakota Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

No. South Dakota does not issue non-binary birth certificates. South Dakota House Bill 260 mandates that birth certificates reflect the biological sex assigned at birth and may be amended to reflect only the traditional gender markers of "Male" or "Female", reinforcing binary-only gender markers. To this end, residents cannot obtain birth certificates with the non-binary gender marker "X".