Order official South Dakota Birth Certificates and Vital Records online

A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the birth of a person. It serves as proof of identity, citizenship, and age, and is often required for essential life events and activities such as enrolling in school, obtaining a driver’s license, applying for a passport, or claiming government benefits. This guide will walk you through the steps to obtain a South Dakota birth certificate, including who can request it, what documents are needed, the application process, the associated costs, and the expected processing time.

Who Can Request a Birth Certificate?

In South Dakota, only specific individuals are authorized to request a birth certificate. These include:

• • The person named on the certificate;
• • Immediate family members (parents, siblings, spouse, or children);
• • Legal representatives or authorized agents with appropriate documentation.

Proper identification and proof of relationship or authorization will be required when submitting your request.

What Documents Are Required?

To request a South Dakota birth certificate, you must provide several documents:

• • A completed Birth Record Application Form;
• • Proof of identity (e.g., government-issued photo ID);
• • Proof of eligibility to request the certificate (e.g., relationship to the person named on the certificate);
• • Payment for the processing fee (discussed further below).

Ensure all documents are correctly filled out and gather all necessary proofs to avoid delays in processing your application.

How to Obtain a South Dakota Birth Certificate

There are several ways to obtain a South Dakota birth certificate:

By Mail

To apply by mail:

• • Download and complete the Birth Record Application Form;
• • Include copies of your identification and proof of eligibility;
• • Enclose a check or money order for the processing fee;
• • Mail the application to: South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, 207 E Missouri Ave, Suite 1-A, Pierre, SD 57501.

In Person

To apply in person:

• • Visit the South Dakota Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records or any county Register of Deeds office;
• • Present your identification and other required documents;
• • Pay the processing fee at the office.

Online

To apply online:

• • Visit the VitalChek website, a secure and convenient service for ordering vital records;
• • Follow the instructions to provide necessary information and upload documents;
• • Pay the processing fee using a credit or debit card.

Ensure your application is complete and accurate for quick processing.

How Much Does a Birth Certificate Cost?

The cost to obtain a South Dakota birth certificate is $15 per copy. If you need expedited service, additional fees may apply when ordering online via the VitalChek website. Extra copies can also be requested at the same cost per copy.

Processing Time

The processing time for a birth certificate request varies:

• • Mail requests typically take 7-10 business days once received;
• • In-person requests are usually processed the same day;
• • Online orders through VitalChek may offer expedited processing options, though standard processing usually takes 5-7 business days.

The above times are estimates and can vary depending on workload and other factors.

By following these guidelines carefully and ensuring all required documents are accurate and complete, you can smoothly obtain your South Dakota birth certificate. If you have further questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the South Dakota Department of Health directly. Your persistence and attention to detail will help you secure this essential document efficiently.

If the event was recorded locally or if you need immediate access to detailed records, it is preferable to contact your county vital records office directly. Find the contact details of your local county vital records office here.