Getting a Copy of Your South Dakota Criminal Record
Which South Dakota agency keeps criminal history records, how to request your own record, and the fee.
Short answer: The South Dakota Attorney General's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) provides a personal, state-only criminal history check for $30 (no refunds). South Dakota Attorney General, Background Checks
| Getting a copy of your criminal record | The South Dakota Attorney General's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) provides a personal, state-only criminal history check for $30 (no refunds). To request online, create an account, complete the Background Check Request Form, pay by card or bank account, print the receipt, and take it to a Livescan fingerprint machine in South Dakota within 10 days (other fingerprinting fees may apply). You can instead mail fingerprint cards with a check or money order. For a federal check on yourself, contact the FBI directly. |
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| What relief the state offers | In South Dakota, "expungement" means sealing all records about a person's arrest and case. The records are not physically destroyed. Expungement by motion covers arrests that did not lead to conviction. Records are also sealed when a person completes a suspended imposition of sentence (a sentence with no judgment of guilt entered) or a diversion program. Low-level cases are automatically removed from the public record after five years. A governor's pardon, granted through the Board of Pardons and Paroles process, seals conviction records. |
Where to get help in South Dakota
More South Dakota expungement & criminal records
- Expunging or Sealing a Felony in South Dakota
- Clearing a DUI From Your Record in South Dakota
- How to File for Expungement in South Dakota
- Sealing or Expunging Juvenile Records in South Dakota
- All South Dakota expungement & criminal records rules
FAQ
How do I check my own criminal record in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Attorney General's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) provides a personal, state-only criminal history check for $30 (no refunds). To request online, create an account, complete the Background Check Request Form, pay by card or bank account, print the receipt, and take it to a Livescan fingerprint machine in South Dakota within 10 days (other fingerprinting fees may apply). You can instead mail fingerprint cards with a check or money order. For a federal check on yourself, contact the FBI directly.
Can you get a criminal record expunged in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, "expungement" means sealing all records about a person's arrest and case. The records are not physically destroyed. Expungement by motion covers arrests that did not lead to conviction. Records are also sealed when a person completes a suspended imposition of sentence (a sentence with no judgment of guilt entered) or a diversion program. Low-level cases are automatically removed from the public record after five years. A governor's pardon, granted through the Board of Pardons and Paroles process, seals conviction records.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.