South Dakota Court Records

Major South Dakota courts that have kept records of genealogical value were established in 1889, when South Dakota became a state.

Justices of the peace have county wide jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal cases.

Municipal courts have citywide jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal cases.

District county courts have county wide jurisdiction over records of misdemeanors, minor civil cases, probates, guardianship, and juvenile matters.

Circuit courts have county wide jurisdiction over felonies, divorces, equity matters, misdemeanors, and some appeals.

The Supreme Court is the statewide appellate court.

The Family History Library does not have copies of court records for South Dakota. They are available at the clerk's office in the various county courthouses.

Family History Library Resources
See United States Court Records for more detailed information on court records. Refer to United States Probate Records and United States Naturalization and Citizenship for information about those specific court records.

Court records can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a Locality Search under:

SOUTH DAKOTA - COURT RECORDS

SOUTH DAKOTA - LAW AND LEGISLATION

SOUTH DAKOTA, [COUNTY] - COURT RECORDS