South Dakota Criminal Records at a Glance
South Dakota criminal records are maintained by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) under the state Attorney General. The DCI Identification Section processes fingerprint-based criminal background checks statewide. The Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system contains arrest data for misdemeanors and felonies in South Dakota. Court records are accessible through the
1South Dakota Statewide Criminal Search Resources
- South Dakota DCI, Division of Criminal Investigationdci.sd.govOfficial DCI homepage under the Attorney General. Oversees criminal investigations, forensic laboratory, sex offender registry, drug enforcement, and the Identification Section.
- Computerized Criminal History (CCH)atg.sd.govThe state CCH system contains data on subjects arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in South Dakota. Maintained by the DCI Identification Section.
- Criminal Background Check Requirementsatg.sd.govDCI Identification Section processes fingerprint-based background checks for employment, licensing, and volunteer purposes. Includes instructions for submitting requests.
- Background Checks FAQatg.sd.govFrequently asked questions about obtaining a criminal background check in South Dakota, including how to get one on yourself for employment.
- Background Checks by Mailatg.sd.govInstructions for submitting fingerprint-based criminal background checks through the US mail to the DCI Identification Section.
- South Dakota Attorney Generalatg.sd.govThe AG office oversees the DCI, consumer protection, criminal prosecution, and appellate divisions. Portal to all law enforcement identification services.
- UJS Court Records Search (PARS)ujs.sd.govStatewide criminal and civil court case information through the Unified Judicial System Public Access Records Search. Free online case lookup.
- South Dakota Unified Judicial Systemujs.sd.govOfficial portal for the South Dakota court system. Access court records, case information, court dates, eFiling, and judicial directories.
- South Dakota Sex Offender Registrysor.sd.govPublic access internet site listing all registered sex offenders in South Dakota. Search by name, city, zip code, or neighborhood.
- SD DOC Offender Locatorwww.doc.sd.govPublic database of felony offenders sentenced to the South Dakota Department of Corrections. Search by name or DOC number.
- South Dakota SAVIN, Offender Searchsavin.sd.govStatewide Automated Victim Information and Notification system. Search offenders by name or case number and register for custody status notifications.
- SD Crime Statistics (NIBRS)sdcrime.nibrs.comOffense and arrest summary reports by agency. Statewide crime data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System.
- GotWarrants.org, Active Warrants Searchwww.gotwarrants.orgSearch local active warrants in the Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County area. Warrant information updated daily. Includes most wanted list.
- SD Accident Records Systemwww.sd.govSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety accident records system. Purchase vehicle crash reports and download crash data.
- Fingerprint Card Order Formatg.sd.govOrder SD state fingerprint cards from the Division of Criminal Investigation for background check submissions.
2South Dakota County Sheriff Reports & Criminal Records
South Dakota’s Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system is maintained by the DCI Identification Section under the Attorney General. The state does not have a separate Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the DCI handles both criminal investigations and criminal history records under one division.
- Minnehaha County Sheriff, Jail Inmate Searchweb.minnehahacounty.govSearch current inmates booked into Minnehaha County jail facilities. Includes booking information and charges.
- Minnehaha County, Who's Behind Barsweb.minnehahacounty.govBrowse all current inmates in Minnehaha County jail. Public booking information and charges.
- Minnehaha County, Fugitive Task Forcewww.minnehahacounty.govSioux Falls Area Joint Fugitive Task Force pursues persons with active state and federal warrants, focusing on violent crimes.
- Pennington County Sheriff, Records Requestwww.penningtonsheriff.orgPennington County Sheriff Records Department. Open to the public for report copies. Photo identification required.
- Lincoln County Sherifflincolncountysd.orgLincoln County Sheriff's Office. Access call logs, sheriff's sales, and local law enforcement information.
- Lincoln County, Call Logslincolncountysd.orgWeekly calls for service logs from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
- Clay County Sheriff, Active Warrantswww.claysheriff.orgList of active warrants held by the Clay County Sheriff. List changes frequently, contact sheriff to verify status.
- South Dakota Department of Correctionswww.doc.sd.govOfficial site of the SD Department of Corrections. Information on adult and juvenile corrections, parole, community services, and offender resources.
- SD Office of Highway Safetywww.safesd.govMaintain crash reports and provide crash data for public purchase. Links to the SD Crash Analysis Tool.
3Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement South Dakota's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when South Dakota state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The Department of Justice's single national search across every state, territory, and tribal registry. Authoritative for offender status but does not include every historical conviction.
https://www.nsopw.gov/ (nsopw.gov)
How to request your own FBI rap sheet (CJIS Identity History Summary) under Title 28 CFR § 16.30, 16.34. $18 fee, fingerprint submission required.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks (fbi.gov)
The FBI's aggregate crime statistics program. Useful for context on offense frequency but not a record of individual persons.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/ (ucr.fbi.gov)
South Dakota Criminal Records, FAQ
Is there a single nationwide criminal record search?
No public one. The FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) is nationwide but is only accessible to law enforcement agencies and approved employers under Public Law 92-544. Individuals can order their own rap sheet through the CJIS Identity History Summary service.
What is the difference between state and FBI record checks?
A state check searches one state's conviction database. The FBI III check searches every state that participates in III. Both are fingerprint-based.
Can arrests without conviction appear on a background check?
Yes, on some. State BCI responses vary, a few states return arrests without disposition for up to seven years, others redact non-conviction arrests. The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681c) caps non-conviction arrests on consumer reports at 7 years.
How long does an expungement take?
It is a court process governed by state statute, typically 60 - 180 days from petition to order, plus another 60 - 90 days for agency updates.