South Dakota Filing and E-Filing

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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.

The free Guide and File tool on the UJS website helps you fill out divorce and protection order forms, but you still turn them in to the clerk yourself.

In South Dakota, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk.

Official South Dakota filing resources

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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/

SD court finder (South Dakota judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://ujs.sd.gov/court-finder/

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 rules of procedure (South Dakota judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in South Dakota. https://ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/Rules.aspx

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 Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.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

Can I file my own family papers online in South Dakota?

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 free Guide and File tool on the UJS website helps you fill out divorce and protection order forms, but you still turn them in to the clerk yourself.

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.

Which court hears family cases in South Dakota?

Family cases in South Dakota are heard in the Circuit Court. South Dakota's Circuit Court hears all divorce and custody cases. South Dakota's 66 counties are grouped into 7 judicial circuits.