Minnehaha County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Minnehaha County?
Public records in Minnehaha County are defined according to South Dakota Codified Law § 1-27-1.1, which states that all records and documents of or belonging to the state, any county, municipality, political subdivision, or tax-supported district are open to inspection by any person during normal business hours. These records document the activities and operations of government entities serving the residents of Minnehaha County.
The Minnehaha County government maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the South Dakota Unified Judicial System
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Register of Deeds office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses available through the Register of Deeds Vital Records division
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment history maintained by the County Treasurer
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the County Auditor
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Official proceedings of the County Commission and various boards and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and annual budgets
- Law Enforcement Records: Sheriff's office call logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, building permits, and zoning decisions maintained by the Planning and Zoning Department
Each record type is maintained by specific county departments with designated custodians responsible for record management and public access in accordance with state law.
Is Minnehaha County an Open Records County?
Minnehaha County operates as an open records county in compliance with South Dakota's public records laws. The county adheres to the South Dakota Public Records Act § 1-27, which establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
The statute explicitly states: "Each government entity or elected or appointed government official shall, during normal business hours, make available to the public for inspection and copying in the manner set forth in this chapter all public records held by that entity or official." This provision forms the foundation of public records access in Minnehaha County.
The county follows the state's sunshine laws regarding open meetings as well, ensuring transparency in government operations. Under SDCL § 1-25-1, official meetings of public bodies must be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions.
Minnehaha County has implemented policies to facilitate public access to records while protecting confidential information as required by law. The county maintains an official website where many public records can be accessed electronically, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and open government principles.
How to Find Public Records in Minnehaha County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Minnehaha County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
-
Online Access: The county provides digital access to many records through the Minnehaha County official website. Residents may search for property records, tax information, and other public documents without visiting county offices.
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during normal business hours to request records in person:
- For property records: Visit the Register of Deeds office
- For court records: Visit the Clerk of Courts office
- For tax records: Visit the County Treasurer's office
-
Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
-
Court Records: Access court records through the South Dakota Unified Judicial System's Public Access Records Search (PARS) or by visiting the Minnehaha County Courthouse.
-
Vital Records: Request birth certificates, death certificates, or marriage licenses through the Register of Deeds Vital Records division either in person, by mail, or online.
-
Property Records: Search property records, deeds, and mortgages through the Register of Deeds office either in person or through their online portal.
-
Law Enforcement Records: Submit requests for incident reports or other law enforcement records to the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions.
County officials typically respond to records requests within a reasonable timeframe as required by SDCL § 1-27-37, which mandates that public records be provided without unnecessary delay.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Minnehaha County?
Minnehaha County charges standardized fees for public records in accordance with South Dakota Codified Law § 1-27-35, which authorizes reasonable fees for actual costs of reproduction and transmission of records. Current fees for public records in Minnehaha County include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
- Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
- Vital Records:
- Birth Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Death Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Marriage Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Property Records:
- Deed Recording: $30.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page
- Document Copies: $1.00 per page
- Court Records:
- Case Document Copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified Court Documents: $5.00 certification fee plus copy costs
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person requests only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
- Electronic payments for online services
The county may waive fees when the request is determined to be in the public interest or when the requestor demonstrates financial hardship. Additionally, pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-1, no fee is charged for records inspection when copies are not requested.
Does Minnehaha County Have Free Public Records?
Minnehaha County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with South Dakota law. Under SDCL § 1-27-1, all members of the public have the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours. This provision ensures that individuals may review documents without incurring costs, provided they do not request copies.
Free public records resources in Minnehaha County include:
-
Online Property Information: Basic property ownership and assessment information is available at no cost through the Minnehaha County website
-
County Commission Meeting Minutes and Agendas: These documents are freely accessible on the county website
-
Election Results and Voter Information: Basic election data is provided at no cost through the County Auditor's office
-
Public Notices: Official announcements and legal notices are published online without charge
-
Court Case Indexes: The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides free access to basic case information through their Public Access Records Search (PARS) system
-
Sheriff's Office Call Log: Basic information about law enforcement activities is available online at no cost
Residents may visit county offices during regular business hours to inspect records without charge, though fees apply for copies, certified documents, and specialized searches requiring significant staff time. Computer terminals are available at several county offices for public use in accessing digital records at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in Minnehaha County?
Under South Dakota's public records laws, specifically SDCL § 1-27-1, any person may request access to public records maintained by Minnehaha County. The statute does not restrict access based on citizenship, residency, or purpose of the request for most public records.
Key eligibility considerations include:
-
Residency Requirements: Non-residents of Minnehaha County or South Dakota have the same rights to access public records as residents
-
Identification: While basic identification may be required for certain records to verify eligibility or for security purposes, requestors generally do not need to provide extensive personal information
-
Purpose Statement: For most records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request or how they intend to use the information
-
Special Considerations: Certain records have additional requirements:
- Vital Records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Requestors must demonstrate a direct interest or meet relationship requirements as specified in SDCL § 34-25-52
- Adoption Records: Access is restricted to parties directly involved or by court order
- Medical Records: Access is limited to the individual or their authorized representative
-
Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request public records, some specialized data compilations may have different fee structures or usage restrictions
-
Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, or other agents may request records on behalf of clients or principals
County officials may not deny access to public records based on the requestor's identity or intended use of the information, except where specifically authorized by law for protected record categories.
What Records Are Confidential in Minnehaha County?
Minnehaha County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with SDCL § 1-27-1.5, which establishes specific exemptions from public disclosure. These protected records include:
-
Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Personal medical information protected under HIPAA
- Personnel records (except for salaries and routine directory information)
- Student records protected under FERPA
-
Law Enforcement and Security Records:
- Active criminal investigation materials
- Confidential informant identities
- Law enforcement techniques and procedures
- Security systems and infrastructure details
- Emergency response plans
-
Legal and Administrative Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Attorney work product
- Preliminary drafts and notes
- Records subject to executive privilege
- Sealed court records
-
Specialized Protected Records:
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Adoption records
- Child abuse and neglect records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
When a record contains both public and confidential information, county officials will redact the protected information and provide access to the remainder of the record as required by SDCL § 1-27-1.10.
The county applies a balancing test in certain cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from release. This approach is consistent with South Dakota Supreme Court interpretations of the state's public records laws.
Minnehaha County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Minnehaha County Register of Deeds
415 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-4223
Minnehaha County Register of Deeds
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
- Issuance of vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Maintenance of property records and land ownership documents
- Military discharge recording
- Notary public registrations
- Passport application processing (by appointment only)
Vital Records Division:
415 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-4225
Vital Records Division
Document Recording Requirements:
- Original documents must be submitted for recording
- Documents must be legible and meet state formatting requirements
- Proper fees must accompany all documents
- Documents requiring notarization must be properly notarized
The Register of Deeds office serves as the official repository for property records and vital statistics in Minnehaha County, maintaining these records in accordance with South Dakota state law.
Lookup Public Records in Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County Official Website