Davison County Court Records Search
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Davison County sits in central South Dakota along the James River, with the city of Mitchell serving as its county seat and the hub for all court activity. The county's Circuit Court handles the full spectrum of legal proceedings — from felony criminal cases and civil disputes to family matters and probate estates. Court records created through these proceedings are official public documents that individuals can access in multiple ways, subject to specific confidentiality rules under South Dakota law.
Locating Davison County court case information starts with the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, which maintains online access to case summaries, docket entries, and document records. SouthDakotaCourts.us can also help you navigate to court resources across the state. Beyond online tools, records can be examined in person at the courthouse using public access terminals, requested by mail, or obtained directly from the Clerk of Court's counter during business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Davison County?
Davison County is part of South Dakota's First Judicial Circuit, and all Circuit Court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Mitchell. Three main methods are available for searching case information.
Online Search Options
Two separate systems serve different record search needs:
- eCourts Portal — This is the main case management system for both civil and criminal records. Registered users can search by party name or case number. Creating a free account requires an email address and passphrase. Viewing case summary information is free. Purchasing individual documents costs $0.10 per page, with a maximum charge of $3.00 per document.
- Public Access Records Search (PARS) — PARS is specifically designed for criminal case summaries, domestic protection orders, stalking orders, and foreign protection orders. It covers cases from 1989 to present and costs $20.00 per search, charged at submission regardless of whether records are found. You can pay per search as a guest or set up a drawdown account for high-volume searches by contacting UJS PARS Support. For cases filed prior to 1989, contact the Clerk of Court directly.
In-Person Access
Visitors to the courthouse can use free public access terminals to view and print case information. Staff at the records counter are available to assist with searches during regular business hours.
Davison County Circuit Court — Clerk of Court
| Address | 200 East 4th Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301-0927 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (605) 995-8105 |
| Fax | (605) 995-8112 |
| davisoncoclerk@ujs.state.sd.us | |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
By Mail
Mail-in requests require a completed form and the applicable fee:
- Case parties, their legal representatives, or qualifying agencies may submit a No-Fee Records Request Form at no cost.
- All other requesters must complete the Statewide Record Search Request Form (Civil and Criminal) and include a $20.00 fee payable to the Clerk of Court.
- Criminal record requests must include the subject's full name and date of birth.
- Send completed forms and payment to the Clerk of Court at the address above.
Are Court Records Public in Davison County?
South Dakota treats court records as presumptively open to the public. Access is primarily governed by the South Dakota Public Records Act (SDCL 1-27-1) and the Unified Judicial System Court Records Rule, SDCL Chapter 15-15A. Under these provisions, any member of the public may inspect or obtain copies of court records during business hours by submitting a request to the Clerk of Court.
However, SDCL 15-15A-7 carves out specific categories of information shielded from public disclosure. Records in these categories are accessible only to the parties of record and their authorized legal representatives. Restricted categories include:
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Mental illness court proceedings and records
- Adoption and abortion records
- Abuse and neglect case files
- Guardianship and conservatorship records
- Wills filed but not yet admitted to probate
- Affidavits filed in support of search warrants
- Attorney work product and grand jury proceedings
- The location of a domestic abuse victim
- Discovery materials not admitted into evidence
- Civil case filing statements
- Pardons and trade secrets
Under SDCL 15-15A-13, any party to a case may file a motion asking the court to restrict public access to specific information in a court record. The court evaluates such requests against the public interest in open proceedings. When records contain a mix of public and restricted information, courts may redact the confidential portions before releasing the document.
Davison County Criminal Court Records
Under SDCL 16-6-12, the Davison County Circuit Court holds exclusive original jurisdiction over all felony matters and shares concurrent jurisdiction with courts of limited jurisdiction over misdemeanor and ordinance violations. Felony charges — including serious assaults, drug trafficking, robbery, and homicide — are prosecuted exclusively at the circuit court level, while misdemeanor cases may be handled by either the circuit court or magistrate court.
Searching Criminal Records
- PARS is the primary tool for criminal record lookups, covering cases from 1989 forward for a $20.00 fee per search. It returns a summary of public case information and is useful for background checks on individuals or businesses.
- eCourts allows registered users to search criminal case dockets, review filed documents, and purchase copies at $0.10 per page (maximum $3.00 per document).
- For pre-1989 criminal cases, contact the Clerk of Court directly at (605) 995-8105.
Arrest Records and Inmate Information
Arrest information is maintained by the Davison County Sheriff's Office. The detention facility is located separately from the courthouse:
| Address | 1015 S. Miller Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301 |
|---|---|
| Phone: (Jail) | (605) 995-8652 |
| Phone: (Sheriff) | (605) 995-8630 |
| Fax | (605) 995-8643 |
Current inmate information and jail roster details can be checked through the Davison County Sheriff's Office. Keep in mind that arrest records are distinct from court conviction records — they reflect charges filed at the time of arrest and do not confirm guilt or final case disposition.
Criminal history records maintained by the state can be accessed through PARS. Note that sealed records are excluded from PARS results regardless of the case date.
Davison County Civil Court Records
The Davison County Circuit Court handles all civil litigation above the small claims threshold, including personal injury actions, contract disputes, property matters, and appeals from lower tribunals. The Clerk of Court maintains the official docket for all civil filings.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information can be retrieved through the eCourts portal using a party name or case number. Certified copies of civil documents cost $0.10 per page through eCourts, with a $3.00 maximum per document. For mail-in requests, use the Statewide Civil Records Request Form along with the required $20.00 fee. Court forms for civil filings are available through the UJS Form & File Search.
Small Claims Court
Small claims proceedings in Davison County fall under the Circuit Court's limited jurisdiction docket. South Dakota's small claims jurisdictional limit is $12,000 under SDCL 15-39-45. Small claims cases provide a streamlined process for resolving lower-value disputes without the complexity of full civil litigation.
As of July 13, 2025, updated filing fee rates took effect statewide. Current small claims fee schedules are posted on the South Dakota UJS Small Claims page. Filings are submitted to the Clerk of Court at the courthouse.
Key facts about small claims in Davison County:
- Claims must not exceed $12,000
- Filed with the Davison County Circuit Court Clerk
- Attorneys are permitted to appear
- Appeals from small claims decisions go to the circuit court on questions of law only — there is no trial de novo
Property Records
Civil property documents, including deeds, liens, and easements, are maintained by the Davison County Register of Deeds rather than the Clerk of Court. Plain copies of property documents cost $1.00 per page, while certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
| Davison County Register of Deeds | |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 East 4th Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301 |
| Phone | (605) 995-8616 |
| Fax | (605) 995-8648 |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Property tax records can be accessed through the Davison County Treasurer's Office using a taxpayer name, parcel number, or property address.
Davison County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Davison County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic protection orders — are heard at the Circuit Court level. The Clerk of Court at 200 East 4th Avenue is the official custodian of family court files.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and dissolution case files are civil records filed with the Circuit Court. You can access them through the eCourts portal using a party name or case number. Mail-in requests for divorce records use the Statewide Civil Records Request Form with a $20.00 fee. In-person requesters may use the public access terminals at the courthouse or speak directly with court staff. Divorce records dating back to 1880 are also catalogued in the Clerk of Court's historical indexes.
Vital Records Related to Family Matters
Birth, death, and marriage records are maintained separately by the Davison County Register of Deeds Vital Records Section, which operates as a local office of the South Dakota Department of Health.
Marriage records in Davison County date back to 1887. Records from 1950 to present are available from any Register of Deeds statewide. Records from 1887–1905 can only be obtained through Davison County specifically.
Birth records are available from 1905 forward through any county Register of Deeds in South Dakota. Birth records are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth; after that, they become publicly available. Certified copies are restricted to registrants, spouses, parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, siblings, and authorized agents.
Death records from December 31, 1959 forward are available through any Register of Deeds statewide. Earlier records may also be ordered from any local office.
Vital Records Fees and Request Methods
| Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| In person or mail | $15.00 per search |
| Phone: (credit card, U.S. Mail delivery) | $26.50 |
| Phone: (credit card, UPS Next Day Air) | $44.00 |
All requests require a completed application form and valid photo identification. Applications for birth records and death/marriage records are available on the Davison County website.
Domestic Protection Orders
Protection orders, including domestic abuse, stalking, and foreign protection orders, are searchable through PARS. The location of a domestic abuse victim, however, is classified as a restricted record under SDCL 15-15A-7 and is never disclosed in public record searches.
Davison County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Davison County are handled by the Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents' estates, the probate of wills, conservatorships, and guardianship matters. Historical probate and court records in Davison County date back to 1880 and include wills, fee books, claim registers, and inheritance records.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case files are court records accessible through the same channels used for other civil cases:
- Online via eCourts — Registered users can search probate cases by party name or case number. Document access costs $0.10 per page (maximum $3.00 per document).
- By mail — Submit the Statewide Civil Records Request Form with a $20.00 fee to the Clerk of Court.
- In person — Use the public access terminals at the courthouse or request assistance from the Clerk's staff during office hours.
Important Restrictions
Certain probate-related records are excluded from public access under SDCL 15-15A-7:
- Wills not yet admitted to probate are confidential
- Guardianship and conservatorship files are restricted to parties and their legal representatives
Once a will has been admitted to probate and the estate proceeding is formally open, the resulting case file becomes a public record accessible through the Clerk of Court.
Filing Probate Matters
Probate petitions and estate filings are submitted to the Davison County Circuit Court Clerk at 200 East 4th Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301. Court forms related to probate proceedings are available through the UJS Form & File Search. For procedural guidance on probate filings, the South Dakota UJS Cases & Records page provides additional information on accessing and navigating the court system.