Get your certified South Dakota Birth Certificate

How to Get a South Dakota Birth Certificate Without ID

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.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in South Dakota?

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.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

A notarized application is generally not required for South Dakota birth certificate replacements. However, it may be necessary under the following circumstances:

• When a third party is not listed as an authorized person, such as a genealogist or POA, requests a certified copy.
• When applying without a copy of a valid, government-issued ID or two secondary forms of identification (this is only applicable for online or mail orders).

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.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a South Dakota Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  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.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My South Dakota Birth Certificate?

  

  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

  
  

• What Does a South Dakota Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen South Dakota Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the SD DOH.
     a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the SD DOH or a Register of Deeds office during hours of operation.
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the SD DOH at:
     SD-DOH - Vital Records Office
     221 West Capitol Ave Pierre, SD 57501
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The SD DOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a South Dakota 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:

  1. A completed amendment application: South Dakota Birth Record Amendment Request form (over a year after the event). Birth Record Amendment Under 1-Year-Old form (if the event occurred within a year).
  2. Supporting documentation: Document types required include one original, certified, or authenticated document to indicate the correct item listing for amendment. All documents will be returned to you.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): Amendment fees are $8.00.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a South Dakota Birth Certificate

  

  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:

  1. Obtain a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate: Ensure you have a certified copy of the birth certificate from the South Dakota Department of Health - Vital Records Office.
  2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Complete the apostille request form provided by the South Dakota Secretary of State.
  3. Prepare Required Documents: Gather the certified copy of the birth certificate and the completed apostille request form.
  4. Submit Payment: Include the required fee of $25.00 per document for the apostille service. Checks and money orders can be made payable to the SD Secretary of State. Credit cards and cash are accepted, although not advised by mail.
  5. Mail or Deliver the Request: Send your documents and payment to the South Dakota Secretary of State's office at the following address:

  Mailing Address: