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Getting Public Records

SDCL § 1-27-37 — open to inspection in business hours, and an answer to a written request within ten business days

Every person interested may examine public records and obtain copies during the hours an office is open, unless a statute expressly provides otherwise.

  • SDCL § 1-27-1
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Ten business days. If an informal request is denied, a written request goes to the public record officer, who responds no later than ten business days after receiving it: with the record, a denial, or an estimate of the time needed.

  • SDCL § 1-27-37

Many records are closed by other statutes. A particular request is a question for a licensed South Dakota attorney.

  • SDCL § 1-27-37
Sources for this section (2)
  1. SDCL § 1-27-1 — Public records open to inspection and copying
  2. SDCL § 1-27-37 — Written request for disclosure of records

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Dakota attorney.

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