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Sioux Falls, South Dakota Public Records

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Search official government public records, criminal records, court records, and background check resources for Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1
What is the process for someone who is arrested in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, you will be transported to the Minnehaha County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Minnehaha County Court. Under South Dakota law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://doc.sd.gov/adult/lookup/ where you can look up current detainees.
2
What are the school district and education performance data for , South Dakota?
The Sioux Falls School District is the largest school district in South Dakota, serving over 24,000 students in grades K-12. The district has a graduation rate of 90.2%, which is higher than the state average of 87.3%. The district also has an average ACT score of 21.3, which is slightly higher than the state average of 20.7. The district also has a student-teacher ratio of 15.7, which is lower than the state average of 16.1.
3
What are the school district and education performance data for Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota?
The Sioux Falls School District is the largest school district in South Dakota, serving over 24,000 students in grades K-12. The district has a graduation rate of 90.2%, which is higher than the state average of 87.3%. The district also has an average ACT score of 21.3, which is higher than the state average of 20.7. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 16.3, which is lower than the state average of 16.7.
4
What are the crime statistics for , South Dakota?
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the total number of reported crimes in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2019 was 8,945. Of those, there were 1,845 violent crimes and 7,100 property crimes. The violent crime rate was 545.7 per 100,000 people, and the property crime rate was 4,521.3 per 100,000 people.
5
What are the crime statistics for Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota?
According to the South Dakota Attorney General's Office, the crime rate in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota for 2019 was 2,845.7 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 3,722.7 per 100,000 people.
6
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the South Dakota Library?
The Sioux Falls Public Library in Minnehaha County, South Dakota provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and South Dakota government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the South Dakota Open Records Law, which governs access to government documents in South Dakota. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Sioux Falls South Dakota Archives and Genealogy at https://history.sd.gov/archives/genealogy.aspx. Contact the Sioux Falls Public Library reference desk at (605) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
7
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota Library?
The Sioux Falls Public Library in Minnehaha County, South Dakota provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and South Dakota government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the South Dakota Open Records Law, which governs access to government documents in South Dakota. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Sioux Falls South Dakota Archives and Genealogy at https://history.sd.gov/archives/genealogy.aspx. Contact the Sioux Falls Public Library reference desk at (605) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
8
Where is the , South Dakota Public Library located?
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota Library is located at 200 North Dakota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.
9
Where is the Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota Public Library located?
The Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota Library is located at 200 North Dakota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.
10
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in , South Dakota?
Fingerprinting services in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota are available through the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office. Services are provided for employment background checks, licensing applications, immigration purposes, and personal record requests. You will typically need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where applicable, a completed fingerprint card from the requesting agency. Appointments can often be scheduled by calling (605) or by visiting the department's website. Fingerprints are submitted to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the FBI for identity verification and criminal history review. Statewide criminal history checks can also be requested through the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
11
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota?
Fingerprinting services for Sioux Falls, South Dakota residents are provided at the Sioux Falls Police Department, which serves Minnehaha County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Sioux Falls Police Department at (605) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation at https://dci.sd.gov/Identification/CriminalHistory.aspx.
12
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from , South Dakota, and what information is provided in the records?
To obtain vital records for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, you must contact the South Dakota Department of Health. You can do this by mail, fax, or in person.

By Mail:

South Dakota Department of Health

Vital Records

605 S. Pierre Street

Pierre, SD 57501

By Fax:

605-773-4961

In Person:

You can visit the South Dakota Department of Health in person at the address above.

Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. All of these records include the name of the person, date of the event, and the location of the event (city, and state).
13
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, and what information is provided in the records?
To obtain vital records for Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, you must contact the Minnehaha County Register of Deeds office.

The vital records available from the Minnehaha County Register of Deeds office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. All of these records include the name of the person, the date of the event, and the place of the event. Birth certificates also include the names of the parents, and death certificates include the cause of death.
14
About background check
A background check in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in South Dakota. Criminal background checks are processed through the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for South Dakota residents. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation provides official criminal history checks at https://dci.sd.gov/Identification/CriminalHistory.aspx. Under the South Dakota Open Records Law, individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.