About Walworth County
Walworth County is located in north-central South Dakota, bordering North Dakota to the north. Established in 1873 and organized in 1883, Walworth County was named after Walworth County, Wisconsin, the former home of many early settlers. Walworth County Seat is Selby, situated on the western shore of Lake Oahe, a massive reservoir on the Missouri River created by the Oahe Dam. Walworth County includes approximately 709 square miles of land and 99 square miles of water. According to recent census estimates, Walworth County has a population of approximately 5,000 residents.
- Walworth County Courthouse in Selby houses key offices including the Register of Deeds, County Auditor (who is the Clerk), Director of Equalization, and Register of Deeds.
Major communities include Selby, Mobridge (partially), Java, Akaska, Glenham, and Lowry. Walworth County is characterized by rolling prairie scene, agricultural lands, and significant water resources along Lake Oahe, making it a destination for fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation. The courthouse is located at 115 First Avenue in Selby, SD 57472.
Walworth County's economy has historically relied on agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and wheat farming, with growing contributions from recreation and tourism related to Lake Oahe. Walworth County's proximity to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation influences its cultural and economic scene. Walworth County remains a rural, close-knit community with strong agricultural traditions and a growing outdoor recreation sector that attracts visitors year-round for walleye fishing, pheasant hunting, and water sports.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Walworth County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across the unincorporated areas of Walworth County. The office not only patrols these regions but also manages Walworth County Jail. It processes arrests, maintains criminal records, and ensures public safety through various community programs. The Sheriff's Office is known for its active involvement in community outreach and crime prevention initiatives, which are tailored to address the specific needs of Walworth County residents.
Police Departments
In addition to Walworth County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Walworth County is supported by municipal police departments, including the Mobridge Police Department. These agencies work within their respective jurisdictions, with the Sheriff's Office covering rural areas and the municipal departments focusing on city limits. Coordination between these agencies is crucial for handling major crimes and making sure of full coverage across Walworth County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Walworth County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency serving unincorporated areas of Walworth County and providing county-wide services including civil process, warrant service, and jail operations. The Sheriff's Office is located at Walworth County Courthouse, 115 First Avenue, Selby, SD 57472. The Sheriff can be contacted through the office’s website. Walworth County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders.
- Inmates can be searched through direct contact with the Sheriff's Office during business hours, as Walworth County does not maintain a dedicated online inmate roster.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office, though fees for copying may apply under SDCL § 1-27-35.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through direct request to the Sheriff's Office, though they may not be immediately posted online.
- Processing of arrest record requests generally occurs during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Municipal law enforcement in Walworth County is provided by the Selby Police Department for Walworth County Seat, while other communities may contract with the Sheriff's Office or rely on South Dakota Highway Patrol. Arrest records and booking information in Walworth County are public records under South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1, which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy public records. For incidents occurring within incorporated municipalities, citizens should contact the respective city police department.
The Sheriff's Office works cooperatively with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation on major cases and maintains mutual aid agreements with neighboring counties.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Walworth County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Walworth County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the South Dakota Bureau of Investigation provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal records through the appropriate law enforcement agency or use state resources for more full checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Walworth County are maintained by Walworth County Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the guidelines set forth by South Dakota's open records laws, specifically the South Dakota Sunshine Law. An arrest record in Walworth County typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting officer's information.
Jail & Inmate Records
Walworth County Jail, located in Selby, is the primary detention facility for Walworth County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Walworth County, providing an inmate lookup service for family and legal representatives to access information about detainees. The facility has specific visitation rules, which require scheduling in advance, and adheres to the bond and bail procedures outlined by South Dakota law. To find someone recently arrested, individuals can contact the jail directly or use the online resources provided by the Sheriff's Office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Walworth County are taken and retained by Walworth County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by formal request. South Dakota does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, so these images remain available unless expunged by court order. Third-party websites may also host these images, but the official source remains the Sheriff's Office.
Courts & Case Records
Walworth County is served by the South Dakota Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters within Walworth County. Walworth County Courthouse is located at 115 First Avenue, Selby, SD 57472, and the Clerk of Courts office can be contacted through the office’s website. Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding small claims limits, divorces, adoptions, guardianships, and appeals from magistrate court.
- Magistrate Court in Walworth County handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims (up to $12,000), preliminary hearings in felony cases, and certain civil matters.
- The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides online case lookup through the Odyssey Public Access portal at ujsportal.sd.gov, where users can search civil and criminal cases by party name, case number, or attorney.
- There is no fee to search online, though certified copies of court documents require a fee of $20 per document plus additional per-page charges as established by SDCL § 16-2-29.
- In-person requests for court records can be made at the Clerk of Courts office during regular business hours.
- For certain records requests, particularly voluminous requests, the court may charge actual copying costs under South Dakota public records law.
Property & Public Records
Walworth County Register of Deeds office, located at Walworth County Courthouse, 115 First Avenue, Selby, SD 57472, maintains land and property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, assignments, powers of attorney, military discharges (DD-214s), and plat maps. The Register of Deeds can be contacted through the office’s website. Under South Dakota law (SDCL § 7-9-1 et seq.), the Register of Deeds is required to record and preserve documents affecting real property in Walworth County.
- The office provides document searches and certified copies; certified copies cost $15 for the first page and $2 for each additional page under SDCL § 7-9-7.
- Recording fees for new documents are $30 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
- Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping for Walworth County may be available through regional planning organizations, though full online parcel viewers may not be fully implemented.
- For title searches and detailed property histories, citizens should contact the Register of Deeds directly or engage a title company.
Most property records are public and available for inspection during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Walworth County property tax records are maintained by the County Auditor and Director of Equalization offices at the same courthouse address. Property tax information, including assessed values, legal descriptions, and payment status, can be researched by contacting the Auditor's office for The South Dakota Department of Revenue provides a statewide property tax database at sdpropertytaxsearch.sd.gov where citizens can look up basic property information by owner name, parcel number, or address, though detailed records require direct contact with county offices.
Vital Records
Vital records for Walworth County, South Dakota, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees, are maintained at both Walworth County and state levels. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Walworth County can be requested from Walworth County Auditor (who serves as Walworth County clerk function) at 115 First Avenue, Selby, SD 57472, phone. However, the primary state repository is the South Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records Office, 600 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, phone, website https://doh.sd.gov/records/vital records/.
- Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Death certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies.
- Marriage licenses must be obtained from the County Auditor in Walworth County where the marriage will take place; the fee in South Dakota is typically $40, and there is no waiting period.
- Processing time for vital records requests is typically 1-3 weeks for mail requests, though in-person requests at Walworth County level may be processed same-day if records are immediately available.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com, though additional service fees apply.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Walworth County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of record. For local business registrations and fictitious name (DBA) filings, Walworth County Auditor's office at the courthouse, 115 First Avenue, Selby, SD 57472, handles county-level business filings. However, most formal business entity registrations, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, are filed with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
- This database includes entity status, registration date, principal address, and registered agent information.
- The towns of Selby and other municipalities maintain their own building permit processes.
- County liquor licenses and gambling licenses are processed through the County Auditor, with public hearings required for certain license types under South Dakota law.
The Secretary of State maintains a full online business entity search at https://sosenterprise.sd.gov/BusinessServices/Business/FilingSearch.aspx where users can search by business name, registered agent, or filing number at no charge. South Dakota does not impose a corporate income tax or personal income tax, making it an attractive state for business formation. Sales tax permits and related tax registrations are handled by the South Dakota Department of Revenue at https://dor.sd.gov/.
Professional licenses (medical, legal, cosmetology, etc.) are regulated by respective state licensing boards, not at Walworth County level. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits in unincorporated Walworth County are issued by the County Planning and Zoning Office or County Auditor; citizens should contact the courthouse for specific requirements. The Selby Area Chamber of Commerce promotes local business development and can be a resource for entrepreneurs; contact information is available through the City of Selby.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Walworth County, South Dakota, are administered by Walworth County Auditor, who serves as Walworth County's chief election official. The Auditor's office is located at 115 First Avenue, Selby, SD 57472, and can be contacted through the office’s website. election related inquiries. Voter registration in South Dakota can be completed online at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote.aspx through the South Dakota Secretary of State's website, by mail using a voter registration form, or in person at the County Auditor's office.
- Under South Dakota's public records laws (SDCL § 1-27-1), citizens can request election related records including voter histories, ballot counts by precinct, and polling place records.
The voter registration deadline in South Dakota is 15 days before an election; however, South Dakota also offers same-day voter registration at the polls on Election Day with proper identification and proof of residency. Voters can find their polling place by contacting the County Auditor or using the polling place lookup tool at https://vip.sdsos.gov/viplogin.aspx on the Secretary of State's website. South Dakota requires voters to present photo identification at the polls, including a driver's license, state-issued ID, tribal ID, or other acceptable forms under SDCL § 12-18-6.1.
Election records that are public in South Dakota include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes under SDCL § 12-4-46), candidate filings, campaign finance reports, precinct-level election results, and official canvass reports. The South Dakota Secretary of State publishes statewide election results at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/election-results/default.aspx, with county-specific breakdowns. In the 2024 general election, Walworth County, like most rural South Dakota counties, typically experiences voter turnout in the range of 70-75%, reflecting high civic engagement common in the state.
The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House and Senate midterm elections, South Dakota gubernatorial and state legislative races, and county-level offices. Absentee voting is available to all registered South Dakota voters without requiring an excuse; applications for absentee ballots can be requested from the County Auditor or online through the Secretary of State website, with the deadline typically the day before the election for in-person absentee voting and earlier deadlines for mail ballots.
Absentee ballots must be received by the County Auditor by Election Day to be counted. Campaign finance filings for county candidates are available through the County Auditor, while state and federal candidate filings are available through the Secretary of State and Federal Election Commission respectively. Walworth County conducts elections with paper ballots and tabulating machines, with results reported to the Secretary of State on election night and official canvassing completed within days.
Economy & Demographics
Walworth County's economy is predominantly agricultural, with cattle ranching, wheat production, corn, soybeans, and hay forming the backbone of economic activity. Walworth County's location along Lake Oahe provides substantial economic contributions from recreation and tourism, including fishing guides, marinas, resorts, and hunting lodges that attract thousands of visitors annually, particularly during walleye and pheasant seasons. According to recent estimates, Walworth County's median household income is approximately $55,000, slightly below the South Dakota state median.
- Walworth County benefits economically from its proximity to Mobridge, a larger regional hub located partially in Walworth County, which provides additional retail, healthcare, and service sector employment.
Walworth County's population has remained relatively stable, with modest declines reflecting broader rural depopulation trends across the Great Plains. Major employers include agricultural operations, school districts (Selby Area School District), county government, healthcare facilities, and retail establishments serving the local population and seasonal tourists. Lake Oahe recreation contributes millions of dollars annually to the local economy through lodging, equipment sales, guide services, and related hospitality businesses.
Wind energy development has emerged as a growing economic sector in north-central South Dakota, with potential for turbine installations and associated tax revenues. The unemployment rate in Walworth County typically mirrors South Dakota's low statewide rate, generally ranging from 2% to 4%. Agricultural commodity prices, federal farm policy, and weather patterns significantly impact Walworth County's economic health.
Walworth County has limited manufacturing or technology sectors, remaining predominantly rural and agriculture-focused. Economic development efforts focus on maintaining population, supporting existing agriculture and tourism businesses, and improving infrastructure such as broadband internet access to retain young families.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (State Portal) | Property: Limited: Online | Arrest/Jail: Limited: By Request | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online (State Portal) | Overall Score: 6.5/10, Walworth County provides public access to records primarily through state-level portals and direct office contact, with limited county-specific online databases.