Pennington County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Pennington County?
Public records in Pennington County are defined as information created, received, maintained, or stored by a public agency in accordance with South Dakota Codified Law § 1-27-1.1, which establishes that "all records and documents of and belonging to this state, any county, municipality, political subdivision, or tax-supported district in this state, or any agency, branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council, subunit, or committee of any of the foregoing, shall be open to inspection by any person during normal business hours."
Pennington County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Pennington County Courthouse
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Pennington County Register of Deeds and Equalization Department
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (note that access may be restricted to certain parties)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Pennington County Commission meetings and other county boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and audits
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain privacy restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning decisions
Each record type is maintained by a specific county department. The Pennington County Register of Deeds maintains property records, while the Clerk of Courts handles court documents. The Pennington County Auditor maintains financial records, and the Equalization Department oversees property assessment information. The Pennington County website serves as the primary portal for accessing many of these records online.
Is Pennington County an Open Records County?
Pennington County adheres to South Dakota's open records laws as established in the South Dakota Public Records Act § 1-27, which mandates that government records shall be open to public inspection. The law specifically states that "any person has the right to examine public records and obtain a copy of public records" during normal business hours.
Under SDCL § 1-27-1.2, public records include "all records and documents, regardless of physical form, of or belonging to this state, any county, municipality, political subdivision, or tax-supported district in this state, or any agency, branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council, subunit, or committee of any of the foregoing."
Pennington County has implemented policies to comply with these state requirements. The county maintains a public information portal where citizens can access many records directly or submit requests for information not available online.
The county also complies with South Dakota's open meetings laws (SDCL § 1-25), ensuring that government business is conducted transparently. County Commission meetings are open to the public, with agendas published in advance and minutes made available following meetings.
Pennington County's commitment to transparency is reflected in its comprehensive online presence, where many records can be accessed without the need for formal requests. However, certain records may be exempt from disclosure as specified in state law.
How to Find Public Records in Pennington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Pennington County may utilize several methods to access information. The county provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the Pennington County website. The county maintains searchable databases for:
- Property records and tax information through the Property Search portal
- Court records via the South Dakota Unified Judicial System Public Access Records Search (PARS)
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial reports
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In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during normal business hours to inspect records:
- For property records: Visit the Register of Deeds Office
- For court documents: Visit the Clerk of Courts
- For tax information: Visit the Treasurer's Office
- For assessment data: Visit the Equalization Department
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Written Requests: For records not readily available online, individuals may submit a formal written request to the appropriate department. The South Dakota Public Records Request Portal provides a standardized form for submitting requests.
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Email Requests: Many departments accept records requests via email. The request should include:
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format (electronic or paper)
- Contact information for response
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Telephone Inquiries: For guidance on locating specific records, citizens may contact the relevant department by phone to receive direction on the appropriate request method.
Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-37, agencies must respond to records requests within 10 business days, either by providing the records, denying the request with written explanation, or requesting additional time if necessary.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pennington County?
Pennington County assesses fees for public records in accordance with SDCL § 1-27-35, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for actual costs of reproduction and transmission of records. Current standard fees include:
- Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
- Large Format Documents (maps, plats, etc.): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
- Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for scanned documents; no charge for records already in electronic format if delivered electronically
- Research Fees: $20.00 per hour after the first hour for requests requiring extensive research or redaction (first hour is typically free)
- Media Costs: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media if required
Specific departments may have specialized fee structures:
- Register of Deeds: Recording fees are $30.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page
- Vital Records: Birth certificates ($15.00), death certificates ($15.00), marriage certificates ($15.00)
- Court Records: Varies by document type and certification requirements
Payment methods accepted by most county offices include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Check or money order
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
The county may require payment in advance before processing requests involving substantial reproduction costs. Fee waivers may be available if the request is determined to be in the public interest and the information will be used for non-commercial purposes, as permitted under SDCL § 1-27-36.
Does Pennington County Have Free Public Records?
Pennington County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors. In accordance with state law, the inspection of public records during normal business hours is free of charge. Citizens may visit county offices to view records without incurring fees, provided they do not request copies.
Free public records resources in Pennington County include:
- Online Property Information: The Pennington County Property Search portal allows users to access basic property assessment information at no cost
- County Commission Records: Meeting agendas, minutes, and resolutions are available on the Pennington County website without charge
- Court Case Indexes: Basic case information is accessible through the South Dakota Unified Judicial System website at no cost (though detailed documents may require fees)
- Voter Registration Verification: Voters can confirm their registration status online without charge
- Budget Documents: Annual county budgets and financial reports are posted on the county website for public review
- Public Notices: Legal notices and announcements are published online at no cost to viewers
Additionally, pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-1, public agencies must allow free inspection of records during normal business hours. The Pennington County Administration Building houses multiple departments where records may be inspected without charge, though appointments may be recommended for extensive research needs.
Who Can Request Public Records in Pennington County?
Under South Dakota Codified Law § 1-27-1, "any person has the right to examine public records and obtain a copy of public records" in Pennington County. This broad eligibility extends to:
- South Dakota residents
- Non-residents and out-of-state requestors
- Business entities and organizations
- Media representatives
- Attorneys and legal professionals
- Government agencies
Requestors are not generally required to:
- Provide identification for most records (though ID may be required for certain sensitive records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Explain how the information will be used
- Demonstrate a "need to know" or special interest in the records
However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:
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Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates have restricted access. Pursuant to SDCL § 34-25-58, these records are available only to individuals with a direct and tangible interest, such as the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders.
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Adoption Records: Access is highly restricted under state law.
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Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential under SDCL § 26-7A-27, with limited exceptions.
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Medical Records: Protected under federal HIPAA regulations and state privacy laws.
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests concerning other individuals' records, additional documentation may be necessary to establish legal authority or legitimate interest where required by law.
What Records Are Confidential in Pennington County?
Pennington County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with SDCL § 1-27-1.5, which establishes specific exemptions from public disclosure. Records that are exempt from public access include:
- Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifiable information
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Juvenile Records: Court proceedings, law enforcement records, and social services files involving minors, as protected under SDCL § 26-7A-27
- Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by judicial order, including certain expunged criminal records
- Ongoing Investigations: Law enforcement investigative files for pending cases, as exempted under SDCL § 1-27-1.5(5)
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product between county attorneys and officials
- Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information, though certain employment information remains public
- Child Welfare Records: Child protection and abuse investigation files maintained by social services
- Adoption Records: Documents related to adoption proceedings, which are sealed by law
- Security Information: Details about critical infrastructure, security systems, and emergency response plans
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to county agencies
- Deliberative Process Materials: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations before final agency action
Additionally, SDCL § 1-27-1.6 establishes a balancing test whereby records may be withheld if "the public interest in disclosure is outweighed by other interests." This provision allows county officials to evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis when privacy concerns or other protected interests are at stake.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by SDCL § 1-27-1.10.
Pennington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Pennington County Register of Deeds
315 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 110
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-2185
Pennington County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Maintenance of property ownership records
- Issuance of marriage licenses
- Filing of military discharge papers (DD-214)
- Notary public registrations
- Certified copies of recorded documents
Pennington County Clerk of Courts
315 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 220
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-2571
South Dakota Unified Judicial System
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
Pennington County Treasurer
315 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 100
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-2163
Pennington County Treasurer
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Pennington County Equalization Department
130 Kansas City Street, Suite 230
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-2175
Pennington County Equalization
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Pennington County
South Dakota Court Records Access
Pennington County Official Website
Pennington County Property Search