South Dakota Statewide Criminal Background Check
Search South Dakota felony, misdemeanor, and protection order records statewide with one order.
BCS Background Screening LLC searches the South Dakota Unified Judicial System index and returns FCRA-ready results in 24 hours.
What a South Dakota Statewide Criminal Search Covers
South Dakota runs a unified court system, so every county court feeds one statewide index.
As a result, one search reaches all 66 counties across the state’s seven judicial circuits.
Our researchers then review every possible match before the report reaches you.
Felony Cases
We report felony charges, final dispositions, and full sentencing details from South Dakota circuit courts.
Misdemeanor Cases
Misdemeanor filings appear with file dates, disposition dates, and every sentence term the court ordered.
Protection Orders
Each search also checks domestic, stalking, and foreign protection orders on the same statewide index.
All 66 Counties
One order covers Minnehaha, Pennington, Lincoln, Brown, and every other South Dakota county.
7-Year Reporting Scope
We report seven years of felony and misdemeanor history, which keeps results aligned with the FCRA.
Researcher Review
Our team confirms name and date of birth on every hit, so false matches never reach your file.
South Dakota Statewide Criminal Search Price
You pay $20 per name for our search plus the $20 South Dakota state fee.
In other words, the total comes to $40 per name, with no hidden add-ons.
The state charges its fee on every search, even when no records turn up.
For that reason, we bill the state fee at cost and never mark it up.
Most searches complete within 24 hours of your order.
South Dakota Statewide Search
- BCS search fee: $20.00
- South Dakota state fee: $20.00
- Turnaround: 24 hours
- Scope: 7-year felony and misdemeanor
Why Order From BCS Background Screening LLC
Fast, Predictable Results
Most South Dakota searches finish within 24 hours.
Plus, you track every order live from your account.
FCRA-First Workflow
Disclosure, authorization, and adverse action tools come built in.
That way, each hire follows the same compliant steps.
Accredited and Trusted
We belong to the PBSA and hold a BBB A+ rating.
Moreover, our client portal runs on SOC 2 Type II audited infrastructure.
Court Records vs. a DCI Fingerprint Check
South Dakota gives employers two state-level routes to criminal history.
The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) runs fingerprint-only checks.
Applicants must visit a South Dakota LiveScan site or mail in fingerprint cards.
By contrast, our court search needs only a name and date of birth.
Also, you get an FCRA-compliant report instead of a raw state printout.
| Feature | BCS Real-Time Search | SD DCI Fingerprint Check | DIY Court Portal Search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per name | $20 + $20 state fee | $30 state / $50 state + FBI | $20 per search |
| Fingerprints needed | No | Yes | No |
| Turnaround | 24 hours | Not published | Varies by user |
| Protection orders | Included | Not included | Included |
| Researcher match review | Yes | Fingerprint match | No |
| FCRA consent and adverse action tools | Built in | Not included | Not included |
Fee sources: South Dakota Attorney General DCI and the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, checked September 2026.
What Your Report Shows for Each South Dakota Case
A clear search returns quickly, but a possible match gets a full review.
First, our researcher compares the name and date of birth on the court docket.
Next, we pull the case details and confirm the final outcome.
Only then does the record post to your applicant’s report.
Because South Dakota dockets update during business hours, we also flag cases still pending a disposition.
South Dakota Criminal Record Rules Employers Should Know
State law removes or seals several record types, so they never appear on a compliant report.
For the full employer guide, read our South Dakota background screening laws page.
Automatic Removal After Five Years
SDCL 23A-3-34 removes Class 2 misdemeanors, petty offenses, and ordinance violations from the public record.
The removal happens five years after the person meets all court conditions.
Suspended Imposition of Sentence
Under SDCL 23A-27-17, the court seals the record once a first offender completes probation.
Consequently, a sealed SIS case drops out of public court results.
Arrest Record Expungement
SDCL 23A-3-27 lets courts expunge arrests that end in dismissal, acquittal, or no charges.
Expunged arrests never appear on our South Dakota reports.
No Private Ban-the-Box Law
South Dakota has no fair chance law for private employers.
Even so, the federal FCRA still controls consent, reporting limits, and adverse action.
South Dakota Statewide Criminal Search Sample Report
Below, you can see exactly how a clear South Dakota result appears in your account.
Every identifier in this sample belongs to a fictitious person.
No Records Found
No Records Found
Sample for illustration only. We invented Dalton Merrick and every identifier shown here.
Fictitious sample. Any resemblance to a real person or case is coincidental.
How to Order a South Dakota Criminal Background Check
Ordering takes just a few minutes once your account is active.
- 1
Open Your Account
Sign up online in minutes.
- 2
Collect FCRA Consent
First, give the applicant a standalone FCRA disclosure.
Then collect a signed authorization before you order.
- 3
Enter Name and DOB
The state index matches on exact name and date of birth.
So, enter the full legal name and any maiden or former names.
- 4
Review in 24 Hours
Our researchers verify each match against the court record.
Afterward, the finished report posts to your secure account.
Build a Complete South Dakota Screening Package
A statewide search shows South Dakota court history, yet applicants often have lived elsewhere.
Therefore, many employers add these searches to fill the gaps.
SSN Trace and Address History
Find past names and addresses, so you know which states and counties to search.
County Criminal Court Search
Search courts in any other county where the applicant lived or worked.
Federal Criminal Search
Federal crimes, such as fraud and interstate drug cases, sit outside state court indexes.
Nationwide Criminal Database
Use this locator to spot records in other states, then verify each hit at the source.
Motor Vehicle Records
Check license status and violations for anyone who drives on the job.
All Search Packages
Compare every search, package, and add-on we offer in one place.
Access to SSN Trace functionality is restricted at initial registration. This feature cannot be accessed at initial signup until your organization’s business use case is verified.
Who Orders South Dakota Statewide Criminal Searches
Employers across South Dakota rely on this search when a hire touches safety, money, or vulnerable people.
Meanwhile, out-of-state firms use it for remote workers who live in South Dakota.
- Healthcare and Senior Care. Clinics, nursing homes, and home care agencies screen staff who work with patients and residents.
- Transportation and Logistics. Carriers pair this search with driving records before drivers take the wheel.
- Staffing Agencies. Staffing firms place workers fast, so a 24-hour statewide result keeps orders moving.
- Banks and Financial Services. Lenders and money service businesses check candidates who handle cash and customer data.
- Property Management. Landlords review rental applicants across South Dakota under the same FCRA rules.
- Schools and Nonprofits. Youth programs and volunteer groups screen people who work around children.
South Dakota Statewide Criminal Background Check FAQs
What does a South Dakota statewide criminal background check search?
It searches the South Dakota Unified Judicial System index for criminal cases and protection orders.
That index covers every county court across all seven judicial circuits.
How much does a South Dakota statewide criminal search cost?
The price is $20 per name plus a $20 South Dakota state fee, or $40 in total.
The state charges its fee even when a search finds no records.
How long does a South Dakota criminal background check take?
Most searches complete within 24 hours.
However, a possible match may need extra researcher review before we release it.
How far back does a South Dakota criminal search go?
The state court index holds criminal cases from 1989 to the present.
Our standard report covers seven years of felony and misdemeanor records.
Do I need the applicant’s fingerprints?
No, our court search runs on name and date of birth.
By comparison, the South Dakota DCI check requires fingerprints and a signed waiver.
Will sealed or expunged South Dakota records appear?
No, sealed and expunged cases stay out of the public index.
Likewise, SDCL 23A-3-34 removes many minor offenses after five years.
Does South Dakota have a ban-the-box law?
South Dakota has no ban-the-box law for private employers.
Still, you must follow FCRA consent and adverse action rules on every hire.
What information do I need to order a South Dakota search?
You need the applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, and signed FCRA authorization.
Additionally, a Social Security number helps us confirm identity on possible matches.
Start Your South Dakota Statewide Criminal Search Today
Open a business account and order your first South Dakota search in minutes.
Every user account also offers optional Multiple Authentication Factor (MAF) for added login security.
BCS Background Screening LLC is a consumer reporting agency, not a law firm, and this page is not legal advice. The sample report uses a fictitious subject and case.