South Dakota Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in South Dakota

Pursuant to South Dakota state law, warrants are considered public records and are accessible to members of the general public. This transparency measure is maintained in accordance with South Dakota's commitment to open government principles and public safety considerations. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains these records as part of its statutory obligation to provide access to judicial documents.

Under South Dakota Codified Law § 23A-35, which governs search warrants and related judicial processes, warrant information becomes part of the public record once properly filed with the court. This public accessibility serves multiple functions within the state's judicial framework, including:

Maintaining transparency in judicial proceedings
Enabling citizens to verify the legal status of individuals
Supporting law enforcement efforts to locate individuals with outstanding warrants
Providing necessary information to bail bondsmen and legal representatives

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), operating under the South Dakota Attorney General's Office, maintains a centralized database of warrant information that interfaces with both state and national criminal justice information systems. Public access to these records is provided through various channels, including county sheriff's offices, courthouse terminals, and select online resources.

What Is Contained in Warrant Records in South Dakota

Warrant records maintained by South Dakota judicial and law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information as prescribed by South Dakota Codified Law § 23A. Standard warrant documentation includes the following elements:

Subject Identification: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and last known address of the individual named in the warrant
Case Information: Court docket number, issuing jurisdiction, and date of issuance
Warrant Classification: Designation as arrest warrant, bench warrant, or search warrant
Alleged Offenses: Detailed description of the criminal charges or violations, including applicable statute references
Judicial Authorization: Name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate
Bond Information: Specified bail amount and conditions for release, if applicable
Service Status: Current status indicating whether the warrant remains active or has been executed

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains these records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements. Pursuant to state regulations, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of warrant records, particularly in cases involving minors or ongoing investigations.

How to Check For Warrants in South Dakota For Free

Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in South Dakota may utilize several no-cost resources provided by state and local agencies. The following methods are available for conducting free warrant searches:

South Dakota Unified Judicial System
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3474
South Dakota Unified Judicial System
Public Access Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT

The Unified Judicial System provides public access terminals at courthouses throughout the state where individuals may search for warrant information at no charge. The Public Access Record System (PARS) allows searches by name and case number.

County Sheriff's Offices maintain publicly accessible lists of active warrants within their jurisdictions. For example:

Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office
320 W 4th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-367-4300
Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT

Pennington County Sheriff's Office
300 Kansas City Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-394-6113
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM MT

Individuals may visit these offices in person to inquire about warrant status or view publicly posted warrant lists. Many sheriff's offices also maintain online databases of active warrants that can be accessed through their official websites.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in South Dakota in 2025

As of 2025, South Dakota has implemented enhanced systems for warrant verification. Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant may utilize the following official channels:

South Dakota Judicial Electronic Portal
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System has expanded its online services to include secure warrant verification. Individuals may access this system through the official portal at ujs.sd.gov using personal identifiers. This system provides real-time warrant status information.
In-Person Verification at Clerk of Courts Offices
Individuals may visit any Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours to request a warrant check. Photo identification is required for this service.

Second Judicial Circuit Court Clerk
425 N Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-367-5920
Public Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Direct Inquiry to Law Enforcement
Individuals may contact their local sheriff's office or police department to inquire about warrant status. Many agencies have established dedicated warrant verification lines to accommodate these requests.

Division of Criminal Investigation
1302 E Highway 14, Suite 5
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3331
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT

Pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law § 23A-2, which governs complaint, warrant, and summons procedures, individuals have the right to be informed of warrants issued against them. However, law enforcement agencies are not obligated to provide advance notice before executing an active warrant.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in South Dakota

The verification of outstanding warrants in South Dakota may be conducted through several authorized channels. State residents and interested parties may utilize the following resources to determine the existence of unserved warrants:

County Sheriff's Warrant Divisions
Each county sheriff's office maintains a warrant division responsible for tracking and serving outstanding warrants within their jurisdiction. These offices provide public access to warrant information:

Brookings County Sheriff's Office
315 7th Avenue
Brookings, SD 57006
605-696-8300
Brookings County Sheriff's Office
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Circuit Court Records
The Clerk of Courts offices throughout South Dakota's seven judicial circuits maintain records of all warrants issued within their jurisdiction. These offices provide public access terminals for searching court records:

Seventh Judicial Circuit Court
315 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 220
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-394-2571
Public Access Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM MT
South Dakota Statewide Warrant Repository
The South Dakota Attorney General's Office, through the Division of Criminal Investigation, maintains a comprehensive database of outstanding warrants. Limited public access to this information is available through authorized channels in accordance with South Dakota Codified Law § 23A-3, which governs arrest procedures.

Individuals conducting warrant searches should be prepared to provide full legal names and, when possible, additional identifying information such as date of birth to ensure accurate results. Pursuant to state regulations, certain warrant information may be restricted if related to ongoing investigations or sealed by court order.

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants issued within South Dakota fall under the jurisdiction of federal law enforcement agencies and the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota. These warrants are distinct from state warrants and require specific search procedures:

United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
The federal court maintains records of federal warrants issued within its jurisdiction. Public access terminals are available at the following locations:

United States District Court - Southern Division
400 S. Phillips Avenue, Room 128
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-330-4450
Public Access Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT

United States District Court - Western Division
515 9th Street, Room 302
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-342-0800
Public Access Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM MT
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
Federal agencies with jurisdiction in South Dakota maintain information regarding federal warrants:

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Sioux Falls Office
2501 S Kiwanis Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
605-334-6881
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM CT

United States Marshals Service - District of South Dakota
400 S. Phillips Avenue, Room 428
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-330-4356
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)
Federal court records, including certain warrant information, may be accessed through the PACER system. Registration is required, and fees may apply for document retrieval.

Federal warrant searches require specific identifying information and may be subject to restrictions based on national security considerations or ongoing investigations. The Sioux Falls Area Joint Fugitive Task Force, operated in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service, coordinates the apprehension of individuals with federal warrants in the eastern South Dakota region.