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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationSouth Dakota

Death certificates in South Dakota

What a certified copy of the death certificate costs in South Dakota and how one is ordered, in the official words. No figure on this page is ours; each is the office’s or the statute’s, with the date it was checked.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

The free first-week checklist

Pages taken from the planner, by email: who to phone first, and a blank records sheet.

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

The fact of death record: who files it, and how soon

The funeral director, or person acting as such, who first assumes custody of a dead body shall file a fact of death record. The funeral director shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available.

A fact of death record for each death which occurs in this state shall be filed with the department within five days after such death.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SDCL 34-25-25

The medical certificate: who completes it, and how soon

The licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, if any, last in attendance on any person whose death occurs in this state, shall complete, sign, and file a medical certificate with the department within five days of the date of death

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SDCL 34-25-18

The search fee, what each additional record adds, and the online vendor, expedite and card fees

A $15 search fee is applicable for all certificates requested. Online orders and those over the phone include additional expedite fees.

Vital Chek Fee $6.50 Expedite Fee (Regular Mail) $5.00

Any additional records on the same order will add an extra $15 to your total.

Credit/Debit Card ($2.50 surcharge)

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records

The department’s fee table for a certified or informational copy

Certified or informational copy of birth, death, marriage, or divorce record, verification or notification of record searched $15.00

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records fee table

Who may get a certified copy, and who may get an informational copy

The department or authorized local registrars shall, upon receipt of an application, issue a certified copy of a vital record to the registrant or the registrant's spouse, children, parents, guardian, next of kin, or authorized representative.

The department or authorized local registrars shall upon receipt of an application, issue informational copies to any applicant of any vital record.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SDCL 34-25-52

Where to order in person, the one authorized vendor, and the signed application

Order in person at the State Office, 221 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, or any South Dakota Register of Deeds.

VitalChek is the only third-party vendor authorized by the South Dakota Department of Health to accept orders for South Dakota vital records.

You must submit a completed application - signed in front of a notary OR with a clear copy of a photo ID, along with the appropriate fee.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

A $15 search fee is applicable for all certificates requested. Online orders and those over the phone include additional expedite fees.

Vital Chek Fee $6.50 Expedite Fee (Regular Mail) $5.00

Any additional records on the same order will add an extra $15 to your total.

Credit/Debit Card ($2.50 surcharge)

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records

Certified or informational copy of birth, death, marriage, or divorce record, verification or notification of record searched $15.00

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records fee table

The department or authorized local registrars shall, upon receipt of an application, issue a certified copy of a vital record to the registrant or the registrant's spouse, children, parents, guardian, next of kin, or authorized representative.

The department or authorized local registrars shall upon receipt of an application, issue informational copies to any applicant of any vital record.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SDCL 34-25-52

Proof of relationship may be required at the time of request.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records

The department or authorized local registrars shall, upon receipt of an application, issue a certified copy of a vital record to the registrant or the registrant's spouse, children, parents, guardian, next of kin, or authorized representative.

The department or authorized local registrars shall upon receipt of an application, issue informational copies to any applicant of any vital record.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SDCL 34-25-52

Order in person at the State Office, 221 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, or any South Dakota Register of Deeds.

VitalChek is the only third-party vendor authorized by the South Dakota Department of Health to accept orders for South Dakota vital records.

You must submit a completed application - signed in front of a notary OR with a clear copy of a photo ID, along with the appropriate fee.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records

Order in person at the State Office, 221 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, or any South Dakota Register of Deeds.

VitalChek is the only third-party vendor authorized by the South Dakota Department of Health to accept orders for South Dakota vital records.

You must submit a completed application - signed in front of a notary OR with a clear copy of a photo ID, along with the appropriate fee.

A $15 search fee is applicable for all certificates requested. Online orders and those over the phone include additional expedite fees.

Vital Chek Fee $6.50 Expedite Fee (Regular Mail) $5.00

Any additional records on the same order will add an extra $15 to your total.

Credit/Debit Card ($2.50 surcharge)

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SD DOH Vital Records

The funeral director, or person acting as such, who first assumes custody of a dead body shall file a fact of death record. The funeral director shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available.

A fact of death record for each death which occurs in this state shall be filed with the department within five days after such death.

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SDCL 34-25-25

The licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, if any, last in attendance on any person whose death occurs in this state, shall complete, sign, and file a medical certificate with the department within five days of the date of death

South Dakota · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · SDCL 34-25-18

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

A couple. A parent. An adult child and a parent, doing it together. One sitting starts it; keep it current, and tell someone where it is.

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