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Learn how to obtain a South Dakota birth certificate from the South Dakota Department of Health Vital Records Office (SD DOH). Standard processing time is approximately 2 to 5 weeks, with expedited orders available for 5 to 7 business days. The state fee for each copy is $15.00. Authorized individuals such as the person on record, family members, and legal representatives can request certified copies.
You can now order South Dakota birth certificate through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order birth certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the South Dakota Department of Health - Vital Records Office (SD DOH) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your birth certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the SD DOH by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Before proceeding, verify the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times to ensure your application is successful.
Requesting a South Dakota birth certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
The South Dakota DOH has specific requirements depending on your method of application submission and your relationship to the individual whose record you are requesting. All applicants must provide proof of identity such as a state-issued driver’s license or U.S. passport as a required document. Refer to the table below for the necessary information and documents to ensure your application is successful.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
State ID | Social Security Card |
If you do not possess a primary identification, two secondary forms of documentation are acceptable as a substitute for identity verification. These may include a bank statement, pay stub, social security card, utility bill, or vehicle registration. You can notarize your application instead of submitting ID copies, but you must have an ID when signing in front of a notary public. Alternatively, authorized third parties can request the birth certificate on your behalf. Confirm your secondary ID includes your current address and other vital information.
Cost & fees
The South Dakota DOH charges $15.00 per certified copy of a birth record. The total costs and fees associated with replacing a South Dakota birth certificate vary based on the method of application submission (in person, by mail, or online). When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus the state fee and an optional Rush Shipping fee of $11.50. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering birth certificate.
State Fee |
|---|
$15.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
Not offered for mail-in orders. |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $15.00 |
Processing time
Standard processing time is approximately 2 to 5 weeks, while expedited orders take 5 to 7 business days. The total time to receive a birth certificate in South Dakota will depend on the application method **(**in person, by mail, or online) and the current wait times defined by the South Dakota DOH. Rush processing and delivery may be available through SD DOH’s website. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
|---|
2-5 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not offered for mail-in orders. |
Authorization
Only the individual listed on the birth certificate and authorized individuals can submit a request or replacement, provided that they provide proof of their identity and relationship. South Dakota birth records are confidential and have restricted access for 100 years after birth. Review the list of authorized people who are eligible to request certified copies.
A notarized application is generally not required for South Dakota birth certificate replacements. However, it may be necessary under the following circumstances:
In other cases, notarization may be necessary for corrections or amendments to a birth certificate. For further details, please refer to the SD-DOH Vital Records Office website.
For general information on ordering a birth certificate from any U.S. state, see our birth certificate ordering guide.
Tracking
When you place your order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the South Dakota Department of Health – Vital Records Office (SD DOH) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor the progress of your application to the health department.
When manually mailing your birth certificate request to the SD DOH, including a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application is optional. Purchasing mail tracking is recommended to guarantee timely handling and secure delivery of your certificate. Once your certificate is mailed from the SD DOH to your address, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificate.
Need more than a birth certificate? VitalRecordsOnline helps you order every South Dakota vital record through one streamlined application. Whether you're gathering documents for a passport, name change, estate settlement, or family history project, we handle the paperwork, verify everything is complete before submission, and track your order from start to delivery.
South Dakota Marriage Certificate — Required for name changes, spousal benefits, visa applications, divorce filings, and proof of marital status.
South Dakota Death Certificate — Needed for estate settlement, life insurance claims, pension transfers, Social Security notifications, and closing accounts of a deceased loved one.
South Dakota Divorce Certificate — Proves the legal dissolution of a marriage. Required for remarriage in some states, name restoration, and certain immigration or legal matters.
For use abroad, ask about our apostille service — we authenticate South Dakota vital records for international use in Hague Convention countries.
frequently asked questions
If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, your birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State rather than the state of South Dakota. You must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240) from the U.S. Department of State. The CRBA is equivalent to a South Dakota birth certificate as evidence of U.S. citizenship and can be used for legal purposes such as passport applications and social services.
If you need original copies of the birth record, contact the hospital in the country where the birth occurred.
Certified copies of your South Dakota birth certificate are proof of your legal name, birth details, and parentage. They are essential for verifying identity and citizenship and are widely recognized by government agencies and private organizations. These copies are required for various purposes, including legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
Birth certificates are often useful or required for:
Applying for a driver's license
Applying for a new passport
Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card
Applying for Social Security benefits
Claiming pension or insurance benefits
Genealogy research
Claiming family inheritance
Applying for a new job
Enrolling in school
Enlisting in military
Obtaining a marriage license
You may also need to order a South Dakota death certificate through our secure online service.
Official birth certificates issued by the South Dakota DOH are designed with unique features to ensure authenticity. The appearance of the birth certificates varies depending on the year of issue while adhering to state guidelines stipulating standard features such as the state seal, the individual's name, the registrar's signature, and the use of secure paper.
It's important to distinguish between official (long-form) birth certificates for legal purposes and informational (short-form) copies for personal or commemorative reasons.
• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.
• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.
• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.
• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.
In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:
• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.
• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.
If you lose your birth certificate:
The process for correcting or amending a South Dakota birth certificate varies depending on the required changes. Addendums are issued as supplements to correct or modify a birth certificate while the original record remains unaltered.
Typically, amendments to South Dakota birth certificates will require:
To obtain an apostille for a South Dakota birth certificate, you can order directly through the South Dakota Secretary of State or submit a request online through VRO's Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are issued by the South Dakota Secretary of State and are generally required to file a birth certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
To manually obtain an apostille for a South Dakota birth certificate, complete the following steps:
Mailing Address:
A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original South Dakota birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.
A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.
When you order a South Dakota birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.
Not sure which you need? Order your South Dakota birth certificate and get the right version.
Processing times for a South Dakota birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the South Dakota vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.
When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified South Dakota birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.
If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.
Don't wait — start your South Dakota birth certificate order today for faster processing.
Sioux Falls residents can order a South Dakota birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline, by visiting the South Dakota Department of Health in Pierre, or by submitting a mail request.
In-person requests at the state vital records office are typically processed the same day during business hours. Online orders through VRO are reviewed within 24 hours and most customers receive their certified copy in 2 to 3 weeks.
You may also need to order a South Dakota death certificate through our secure online service.
Same-day South Dakota birth certificates are available for in-person requests at the South Dakota Department of Health in Pierre. Walk-in visitors can typically receive their certified copy within a few hours during regular business hours.
For those who cannot visit in person, ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline is the next fastest option. We review your application within 24 hours and most orders arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, with expedited shipping available at checkout.
Looking for a different document? Order a South Dakota marriage certificate through our secure online service.
Rapid City residents can obtain a South Dakota birth certificate by ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline, or by submitting a request to the South Dakota Department of Health.
Online ordering through VRO is the most convenient option, letting you complete the process from home with delivery by mail. Expedited processing is available for urgent needs.
Need another vital record? Get your South Dakota divorce certificate through our secure online service.