Court records of Minnehaha County, South Dakota, are available through several channels. MinnehahaCourt.us allows searching for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online tools of the Unified Judicial System of South Dakota, directly at the Clerk of Court's office in Sioux Falls, and through public terminals installed in the courthouse.
Minnehaha Court System & Jurisdictions
Minnehaha County is part of the Second Judicial Circuit of South Dakota along with Lincoln County. All cases are heard by the Circuit Court — in South Dakota, this is a court of general jurisdiction, combining functions that in other states are distributed among several levels.
The Circuit Court in Minnehaha handles the following categories of cases:
- Criminal cases — felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations.
- Civil cases — claims of any amount, including contract disputes and tort claims.
- Small Claims — claims up to $12,000, simplified procedure without mandatory attorney representation.
- Family law — divorces, custody, alimony, protective orders.
- Probate — estate administration, appointment of guardians and conservators.
- Juvenile cases — offenses, dependency, and neglect cases.
There is no separate magistrate court in South Dakota. Magistrate judges operate within the Circuit Court and typically handle small claims, minor criminal cases, and preliminary hearings.
If you are unsure which category your case falls into, contact the court office — the clerk will help determine the appropriate registry.
Minnehaha Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of a court hearing, use the online tool UJS Find Court Date. This service allows you to view the schedule of hearings for criminal, civil, and family cases.
How to find your hearing:
- Go to the UJS Find Court Date page.
- Select Minnehaha County from the list.
- Enter the party's last name or case number.
- The system will display the scheduled hearing dates, courtroom, and judge's name.
The Public Access Calendar also allows you to view the hearing schedule for a specific date — today, tomorrow, or any day of the week. Some types of cases (e.g., juvenile cases or closed family cases) do not appear on the public calendar.
Additional information about court operations, contacts, and services can be found on the Minnehaha County page on the Unified Judicial System's website.
How to Get a Copy of a Minnehaha Court Document
Copies of court documents are maintained by the Clerk of Court of Minnehaha County. They can be obtained in three ways.
In person:
Visit the office, provide the case number or party names. The clerk will locate the document and make a copy on the spot.
By mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of document needed to the address above. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court.
Online: Through the Public Access Records Search (PARS) system, you can obtain a brief extract from a criminal case. For full copies of documents or certified copies, you usually need to contact the office directly.
Difference between types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — a simple duplicate of the document. Suitable for review.
- Certified copy — has the seal and signature of the clerk, confirms authenticity. Required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures.
Divorce certificates are issued only by the South Dakota Department of Health, while a decree of divorce can be requested from the court clerk of the county where the case was heard.
Minnehaha Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in South Dakota are set by state law (SDCL § 16-2-29 and related statutes). Below are the approximate rates in effect at the Minnehaha County Clerk of Court's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Court record search | $20.00 per name |
| Uncertified copy of a document | $0.25 per page |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document (in addition to the copy cost) |
| Online extract via PARS (criminal cases) | Free (limited information) |
| Criminal history request by mail | $20.00 per name |
Acceptable payment methods:
- In person — cash, check, money order.
- By mail — check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court.
- Online payments for fines and court fees are available through the Second Judicial Circuit portal.
Note: Fees are subject to change. Before sending a request by mail, we recommend confirming current fees by calling the court office. Some records — particularly juvenile cases, closed adoptions, and sealed cases — are not subject to public disclosure regardless of payment.