State Vital Records in South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Health - Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in South Dakota. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
South Dakota Department of Health - Vital Records
State Vital Records in South Dakota: key facts
- Administering office
- South Dakota Department of Health - Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 605-773-4961; email vitalrecords@state.sd.us.
- Office location
- 221 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Certificate fee
- $15 for the first certified copy; $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $5.
- Who may order
- Registrant; Spouse, children, parents, guardian, next of kin (grandparents and siblings); Authorized representative (attorney, physician, funeral director) or designated agent; Others on a demonstration that the record is needed for the determination or protection of a personal or property right (SDCL 34-25-52).
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- No time-based public release — eligibility rules apply regardless of how long ago the death occurred.
- Records available from
- 1905.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in South Dakota — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek with additional expedite fees
- By phone: Call 605-773-4961 with credit card
- By mail: Mail completed application (signed in front of notary OR with clear photo ID copy) with fee
- In person: Visit State Office in Pierre or any SD Register of Deeds
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Completed application
- Notarized signature OR clear copy of photo ID
- Proof of relationship may be required
Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call 605-773-4961 with credit card. by mail: Mail completed application (signed in front of notary OR with clear photo ID copy) with fee. in person: Visit State Office in Pierre or any SD Register of Deeds. The office is at 221 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Completed application; Notarized signature OR clear copy of photo ID; Proof of relationship may be required. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in South Dakota primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
South Dakota Department of Health - Vital Records