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 Unified Judicial System (UJS) Public Access Records Search (PARS), which provides statewide criminal and civil case information online. The South Dakota Department of Corrections maintains an offender locator for felony offenders sentenced to DOC custody. County sheriff offices across South Dakota’s 66 counties maintain local arrest records, jail rosters, and warrant information.
South Dakota Statewide Criminal Search Resources
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South Dakota DCI — Division of Criminal InvestigationOfficial DCI homepage under the Attorney General. Oversees criminal investigations, forensic laboratory, sex offender registry, drug enforcement, and the Identification Section.
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Computerized Criminal History (CCH)The state CCH system contains data on subjects arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in South Dakota. Maintained by the DCI Identification Section.
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Criminal Background Check RequirementsDCI Identification Section processes fingerprint-based background checks for employment, licensing, and volunteer purposes. Includes instructions for submitting requests.
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Background Checks FAQFrequently asked questions about obtaining a criminal background check in South Dakota, including how to get one on yourself for employment.
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Background Checks by MailInstructions for submitting fingerprint-based criminal background checks through the US mail to the DCI Identification Section.
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South Dakota Attorney GeneralThe AG office oversees the DCI, consumer protection, criminal prosecution, and appellate divisions. Portal to all law enforcement identification services.
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UJS Court Records Search (PARS)Statewide criminal and civil court case information through the Unified Judicial System Public Access Records Search. Free online case lookup.
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South Dakota Unified Judicial SystemOfficial portal for the South Dakota court system. Access court records, case information, court dates, eFiling, and judicial directories.
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South Dakota Sex Offender RegistryPublic access internet site listing all registered sex offenders in South Dakota. Search by name, city, zip code, or neighborhood.
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SD DOC Offender LocatorPublic database of felony offenders sentenced to the South Dakota Department of Corrections. Search by name or DOC number.
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South Dakota SAVIN — Offender SearchStatewide Automated Victim Information and Notification system. Search offenders by name or case number and register for custody status notifications.
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SD Crime Statistics (NIBRS)Offense and arrest summary reports by agency. Statewide crime data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System.
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GotWarrants.org — Active Warrants SearchSearch local active warrants in the Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County area. Warrant information updated daily. Includes most wanted list.
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SD Accident Records SystemSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety accident records system. Purchase vehicle crash reports and download crash data.
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Fingerprint Card Order FormOrder SD state fingerprint cards from the Division of Criminal Investigation for background check submissions.
South Dakota County Sheriff Reports & Criminal Records
Minnehaha County — Fugitive Task ForceSioux Falls Area Joint Fugitive Task Force pursues persons with active state and federal warrants, focusing on violent crimes.
Clay County Sheriff — Active WarrantsList of active warrants held by the Clay County Sheriff. List changes frequently — contact sheriff to verify status.
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South Dakota Department of CorrectionsOfficial site of the SD Department of Corrections. Information on adult and juvenile corrections, parole, community services, and offender resources.
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SD Office of Highway SafetyMaintain crash reports and provide crash data for public purchase. Links to the SD Crash Analysis Tool.
Did You Know? South Dakota’s Criminal History System Is Managed by the Division of Criminal Investigation — Not a Separate Bureau
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.
Court records are accessible through the UJS Public Access Records Search (PARS), which provides statewide criminal and civil case information. The DCI criminal history and the UJS court records are separate systems — a PARS search is not a substitute for a DCI background check, and vice versa.
About South Dakota Criminal Records: Criminal history record information is maintained by the state central repository. Court records may provide additional case-level detail. For official background checks, contact the state criminal history agency listed above. Sex offender registries are updated by local law enforcement and maintained at the state level.