South Dakota Divorce and Dissolution Resources

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A South Dakota divorce is filed in the Circuit Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.

South Dakota's core family statutes live in the South Dakota Codified Laws Title 25 - Domestic Relations. In South Dakota, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.

Official South Dakota divorce resources

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South Dakota family law forms (official index) (South Dakota judicial branch): The official statewide collection of South Dakota family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://ujs.sd.gov/Forms

South Dakota court self-help resources (South Dakota courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own South Dakota family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://ujs.sd.gov/Self_Help

South Dakota Odyssey File & Serve (Tyler Technologies): South Dakota's e-filing system is only open to attorneys and other approved users. If you are representing yourself, file on paper with the clerk of courts in your county. https://efilesd.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landing

South Dakota official filing information (South Dakota judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in South Dakota and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://ujs.sd.gov/

South Dakota financial affidavit and disclosure forms (ujs.sd.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most South Dakota family cases ask both sides to complete. https://ujs.sd.gov/Forms/

South Dakota mediation and dispute resolution (South Dakota judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a South Dakota family case without a trial. https://ujs.sd.gov/Mediation

Verified official South Dakota divorce documents

These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.

Summons / Complaint for Divorce (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://ujs.sd.gov/media/v1fputov/ujs-311-instructions-and-form-for-summons-with-minor-children_02_2026.pdf

Complaint for Divorce, Without Minor Children (UJS-310), form UJS-310 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://ujs.sd.gov/media/2bmigltc/ujs-310-divorce-complaint-without-children_05_2026.pdf

Complaint for Divorce, With Minor Children (UJS-312), form UJS-312 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://ujs.sd.gov/media/a4njszqd/ujs-312-divorce-complaint-with-chidlren_02_2026.pdf

Stipulation and Settlement Agreement, Without Minor Children (UJS-324), form UJS-324 (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://ujs.sd.gov/media/d54lyhxp/ujs-324-stip-and-settlement-agreement-without-children_05_2026.pdf

Stipulation and Settlement Agreement, With Minor Children (UJS-325), form UJS-325 (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://ujs.sd.gov/media/laqpj2r3/ujs-325-stipulation-and-settlement-agreement-with-children_05_2026.pdf

Official link data for South Dakota was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file for divorce in South Dakota?

In the Circuit Court that serves the county where you live. In South Dakota, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk.

How much does it cost to file a family case in South Dakota?

Divorce filing fee: ~$95. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

Do I need a lawyer to file a South Dakota divorce?

No. South Dakota publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.