How to Find South Dakota Death Records: Difference between revisions

 

 

|}<br> '''Native American Death Records on Microfilm'''  

If you know the approximate date and county where the death took place, use the[http://familysearch.org/catalog-search FamilySearch Catalog] to see what is available.  

| colspan="3" align="center" | &nbsp; '''Records that give death information:'''

==== Statewide registration of deaths began in South Dakota in 1905. The State and County offices have death records that were filed after 1905. It is standard for each county to have a copy of death records for deaths that occurred in their county while the Department of Health has the original records of all events that occurred in the State after 1905. See [[How to Find South Dakota Death Records#Restrictions_for_Obtaining_Death_Records|Restrictions for Obtaining South Dakota Death Records]] '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information''' ====

Accessing the Department of Health's ''state'' death index can be done through Ancestry.com. To view ''county'' death indexes you need to be a member of the South Dakota Genealogical Society. Only members of the society are allowed to get county death indexes because of state law. County indexes can be especially helpful if you are looking for someone with a common name. You can join with a minimal fee starting at $5.00 USD. To become a member visit their [http://sdgensociety.org/membership/membershipcards.html website] or contact Anna Duncan at duncana@iw.net.

*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8659&cj=1&netid=cj&o_xid=0000584978&o_lid=0000584978&o_sch=Affiliate+External South Dakota, Death Index, 1879-1955] ($ Ancestry.com), [http://search.ancestryinstitutions.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8659&cj=1&netid=cj&o_xid=0000584978&o_lid=0000584978&o_sch=Affiliate+External Free at family history centers]. (Institutional access link)

*[[South Dakota Cemeteries|South Dakota Cemetery Records]]

 

'''Can't find your ancestor in the online index? [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]'''

 

 

You can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the South Dakota Department of Health. Death certificates can include invaluable information such as the names of parents for an individual, where someone was buried, and cause of death.

For genealogy purposes it is asked that the order be placed through the mail. You will need to send in a completed and ''signed'' application, a copy of photo ID, and a check or money order of $15.00 USD.

* Request a PHOTOSTATIC copy, which is a photocopy of the original record.

* Copies can be requested either CERTIFIED or INFORMATIONAL. If you are not using the certificate for legal or DAR purposes, you will want to request an INFORMATIONAL PHOTOSTATIC.

Those who can order a CERTIFIED copy is very limited

* '''Next of Kin''' - grandparents and siblings

* '''Designated Agent''' - someone given authority by an individual who has authority to obtain the vital record to act on their behalf. Must complete the designated agent section of the application.

* '''Personal or Property Right''' - a right to the record not included in the     categories above. Individual will be asked to provide information about the right.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]].