Brookings County Court Records Search
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Brookings County, South Dakota, is home to South Dakota State University and serves as one of the state’s more populous counties, with its county seat in the city of Brookings. The courts operating within Brookings County produce an extensive body of records covering criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, probate proceedings, and protection orders. These records — which include pleadings, motions, docket entries, judgments, and court orders — underpin the transparency of the local judicial system and are central resources for legal research, background screening, and personal inquiries.
Those searching for court records in South Dakota have several official paths available, including visits to the courthouse, written requests to the Clerk of Court, online portals maintained by the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, and public access terminals located inside the courthouse. SouthDakotaCourts.us offers a starting point for understanding South Dakota’s court structure and identifying publicly accessible case information at the county level.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Brookings County?
The Brookings County Clerk of Court is the primary custodian of all court filings — criminal, civil, family, and probate — generated in Brookings County. The office is located inside the Brookings County Courthouse and operates during regular business hours.
Brookings County Clerk of Court
Address: 314 6th Avenue, Suite 6, Brookings, SD 57006-2085
Phone: (605) 688-4200 | Fax: (605) 688-4952
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Online Search Tools
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (SD UJS) provides three separate online platforms for accessing different categories of court records:
- Public Access Record System (PARS) — Searches criminal case docket entries and protection orders (domestic, stalking, and foreign) using a person’s last name and date of birth. Records are available from 1989 to present. Each search costs $20.00, charged at submission regardless of whether results are returned. Guest (pay-as-you-go) searches are available without an account.
- Civil Judgment Query System — Retrieves civil money judgment records by name and date. Civil cases from 2003 forward and active civil money judgments covering the past 20 years are indexed. Per-search fees apply; annual subscriptions are available for higher-volume users.
- South Dakota eCourts Portal — Provides summary-level information for both civil and criminal cases, including party names, attorneys of record, documents filed, hearing schedules, and case outcomes. Full documents cannot be downloaded or purchased through eCourts; viewing requires a visit to courthouse terminals.
Public Access Terminals
Free-to-use kiosk terminals inside the Brookings County Courthouse allow any member of the public to view open court records electronically. Printed copies from courthouse terminals cost $0.20 per page.
In-Person Requests
Staff at the Clerk of Court office can assist with case searches and provide copies of requested documents. Bring identifying case details — such as party names, case number, or approximate filing date — to facilitate the search.
Mail Requests
Written requests may be directed to the Clerk of Court at 314 6th Avenue, Suite 6, Brookings, SD 57006-2085. Include case details, the documents requested, a return mailing address, and payment for applicable fees.
Are Court Records Public in Brookings County?
South Dakota’s Sunshine Law, codified at SDCL § 1-27-1 through § 1-27-48, establishes the public’s right to inspect and copy records of government bodies, including courts. The law is broadly construed in favor of disclosure, meaning court records in Brookings County are open to any person upon request unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
SDCL § 1-27-1.5 identifies the primary categories of records that may be withheld:
- Sealed or court-ordered confidential records — Any record a judge has ordered closed is unavailable to the public regardless of the underlying case type.
- Juvenile court records — Cases involving minors in delinquency, dependency, or neglect proceedings are confidential under state law and not accessible to the general public.
- Personally identifiable information posing a safety risk — Information whose disclosure could endanger an individual’s physical safety may be withheld or redacted.
- Court officials’ personal notes and drafts — Internal memoranda, draft orders, and personal notes of judges and court staff are not subject to disclosure.
- Attorney work product — Documents protected under the attorney-client privilege or constituting attorney work product are exempt.
Accessible records may be inspected during business hours and copied for a fee. Certified copies of filed documents cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Uncertified copies are available at $1.00 per page.
Brookings County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Brookings County are handled by the Third Judicial Circuit Court, which has general trial court jurisdiction over all felony charges. The Magistrate Court, also housed at the same courthouse address, handles misdemeanor criminal offenses and conducts preliminary proceedings.
Brookings County Circuit Court (Criminal Division)
Address: 314 6th Avenue, Suite 6, Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: (605) 688-4200 | Fax: (605) 688-4952
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Third Judicial Circuit is served by six Circuit Court Judges and two Magistrate Judges. Administrative direction for the circuit is provided by a Presiding Judge.
Searching Criminal Records
The SD UJS Public Access Record System (PARS) is the primary online tool for criminal case docket searches. Searches require a last name and date of birth and return docket entries for criminal cases from 1989 to the present. The $20.00 fee applies per search. For cases filed before 1989, records must be requested directly from the Clerk of Court.
The SD UJS also maintains a Court Record Search page that explains all available options for accessing criminal and civil records statewide, including bulk records request procedures for institutional users.
Arrest Records and Custody Information
Arrest records generated before a case enters the court system are maintained by law enforcement agencies, not the Clerk of Court. The primary contact for arrest records and jail information in Brookings County is the Sheriff’s Office.
Brookings County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 315 7th Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: (605) 696-8300 | Fax: (605) 696-8330
Law Enforcement: 24/7 | Front Desk: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services throughout Brookings County, including the communities of Aurora, Elkton, Volga, and White under a service contract arrangement. Municipal arrest records from the City of Brookings are maintained by the Brookings Police Department, reachable at (605) 692-2113.
Criminal History Restrictions
Sealed criminal records are excluded from PARS and courthouse terminals. Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection. Juvenile criminal adjudications are also withheld under South Dakota law.
Brookings County Civil Court Records
Civil cases — including contract disputes, property actions, small claims, tort claims, and appeals — are filed in the Brookings County Circuit Court or Magistrate Court depending on the monetary amount in controversy. The Clerk of Court maintains all civil filings.
Filing Fees (per SDCL § 16-2-29)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil cases filed for jury or court trial | $25.00 |
| Foreclosure actions | $25.00 |
| Default actions to quiet title | $25.00 |
| Garnishment proceedings (default) | $25.00 |
| Transcript of judgment | $5.00 |
| Filing and docketing a transcript of judgment | $5.00 |
| Safekeeping or filing of a will | $2.00 |
Searching Civil Records Online
The Civil Judgment Query System is the dedicated online tool for retrieving civil money judgment records. Pay-as-you-go users search by name and date; annual subscription accounts are available for attorneys and regular users. The eCourts portal provides supplemental summary information for civil cases but does not permit document downloads.
Property Records
Real estate documents recorded in Brookings County — including deeds, mortgages, easements, plats, liens, and assignments — are maintained by the Brookings County Register of Deeds Office.
Brookings County Register of Deeds
Address: 520 3rd Street, Suite 120, Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: (605) 696-8240 | Fax: (605) 696-8245
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Email: bchapman@brookingscountysd.gov
Property Recording Fees (per SDCL § 7-9-15 and related statutes)
| Document Type | Recording Fee | Copy Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, easements, contracts, miscellaneous | $30.00 (first 50 pages) | $1.00/page |
| Deed transfer fee | $0.50 per $500 of value | — |
| Plat | $60.00 | $1.00/page |
| Master deed or master lease | $75.00 (first 50 pages) | $1.00/page |
| Corner records | $10.00 | $1.00/page |
| Federal tax lien/release | $20.00 | $1.00/page |
| Mechanic’s lien satisfaction | No fee | $1.00/page |
| Military discharge (DD-214) | No fee | No fee |
| Fictitious business name filing or amendment | $10.00 | $1.00/page |
| UCC financing statement (1–2 pages) | $25.00 + $30.00 if against real estate | $1.00/page |
| Certified copies (recorded documents) | $5.00 (first page) + $1.00 per additional page | — |
| Uncertified copies | $1.00/page | — |
Documents exceeding 50 pages incur an additional $2.00 per page beyond the 50-page threshold. All documents must comply with format standards set in SDCL § 43-28-23.
Deed copies are available at $1.00 per page directly from the Register of Deeds office, which issues a warning that private companies sending letters offering to provide deed copies for $83.00 or similar fees are not affiliated with Brookings County.
Brookings County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, legal separation, adoption, guardianship of minors, and domestic violence protection orders are all handled within the Brookings County Circuit Court. The Clerk of Court at 314 6th Avenue, Suite 6, maintains all family law case files.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are part of the public Circuit Court record and are generally accessible under South Dakota’s Sunshine Law. However, only parties with a direct tangible legal interest may obtain certified copies. To search or request a divorce record, contact the Clerk of Court with the full names of both parties and the approximate year of filing. The filing fee for a civil divorce action under SDCL § 16-2-29 is $50.00 at filing. Petitions to modify final child custody, support, visitation, or spousal support orders after a final decree carry a separate $50.00 fee per modification petition.
Marriage Licenses and Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Brookings County Register of Deeds Office at a cost of $40.00. Beginning July 1, 2021, each applicant must provide qualifying photo identification and declare the surname they will use after marriage. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $15.00 each.
To request a marriage record, complete the South Dakota Vital Records Request Form and submit it with a government-issued photo ID and the $15.00 fee in person or by mail to the Register of Deeds office at 520 3rd Street, Suite 120, Brookings, SD 57006.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Brookings County residents are issued by the Register of Deeds office and, for statewide records, through the South Dakota Department of Health.
- Certified copy fee: $15.00 per record (cash or check; online/phone orders include an additional $11.50 expedited service charge)
- Informational copies: Also available at $15.00 per copy
Under South Dakota law, certified birth records are restricted to the registrant, direct relatives, and legal guardians. Certified death records carry similar access restrictions. The South Dakota Vital Records Request Form is used for all vital record requests. Birth records for events in South Dakota dating from after July 1905 are available through the state.
State Vital Records Office
South Dakota Department of Health
Address: 221 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-4961 | Fax: (605) 773-2680
Online orders: SD Department of Health Vital Records
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic protection orders, stalking protection orders, and foreign protection orders filed in Brookings County are indexed in the PARS system and searchable for a $20.00 fee. No filing fee is required for protection order petitions under SDCL § 25-10-3 and § 25-10-6.
Brookings County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Brookings County rests with the Third Judicial Circuit Court. The Clerk of Court at 314 6th Avenue, Suite 6, Brookings, maintains all probate filings, including wills, estate administrations, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters.
Filing Fees (per SDCL § 16-2-29 and the SD UJS Schedule of Court Costs)
| Proceeding Type | Filing Fee | Additional Costs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate of an estate | $75.00 | $40.00 + $7.00 | $122.00 |
| Termination/closing | $25.00 | $40.00 + $7.00 | $72.00 |
| Special administration | $25.00 | Varies | Varies |
| Guardianship or conservatorship | $25.00 | Varies | Varies |
| Safekeeping or filing of a will | $2.00 | — | $2.00 |
Publication costs for providing notice to creditors and interested parties in estate proceedings typically range from $150.00 to $300.00 depending on the publication rate and the number of required insertions.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate filings are part of the public court record unless sealed by court order. Anyone may access these records at the courthouse using the public access terminals, at $0.20 per printed page. For a specific document — such as a will, letters testamentary, inventory, or final accounting — contact the Clerk of Court directly or submit a written request by mail.
To initiate a search, provide the decedent’s full name and the approximate year the estate was opened. For cases not yet indexed in online systems, particularly older probate filings, a direct inquiry to the Clerk of Court is the most reliable approach. Court forms for probate and related proceedings are available through the SD UJS Form & File Search tool, which allows searching by category, circuit, or case type. The SD UJS cases and records page provides an overview of all available search methods and resources applicable to Brookings County probate matters.