Brookings County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Brookings County?

Public records in Brookings County are defined under South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1 as any document, paper, letter, book, map, photograph, sound or video recording, magnetic tape, electronic data, or other information regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, used, or retained by a government body in the exercise of its functions. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these records from the appropriate county or state office.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained and accessible in Brookings County:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Brookings County Clerk of Courts and are searchable through the South Dakota Unified Judicial System
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Brookings County Register of Deeds and the Director of Equalization
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued through the South Dakota Department of Health, with county-level marriage and divorce records also held by the Clerk of Courts
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Brookings County Auditor and the South Dakota Secretary of State
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Brookings County Treasurer and Director of Equalization
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Brookings County Auditor
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commission meeting minutes, agendas, and board records are maintained by the Brookings County Auditor
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are available through the Brookings County Auditor's office
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Brookings County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the Brookings County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Brookings County an Open Records County?

Brookings County fully complies with South Dakota's open records framework, which establishes a broad public right of access to government documents. Under South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1.1, all government records are presumed open and accessible to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This provision places the burden of justification on the government agency seeking to withhold records, not on the member of the public requesting them.

Key provisions of South Dakota's open records law include:

Any person may request access to public records without being required to state a reason for the request
Government bodies must respond to records requests in a timely manner and may not unreasonably delay access
Agencies are required to provide records in the format requested, where practicable, including electronic formats

Brookings County operates in accordance with South Dakota's Government Accountability and Open Records statutes and does not maintain separate county-specific ordinances that restrict access beyond what state law permits. The county's compliance with sunshine laws extends to open meeting requirements under South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-25-1, which mandates that all meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public.

How to Find Public Records in Brookings County in 2026

Members of the public may access Brookings County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

In-Person Requests Members of the public may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records or submit a written request. The Brookings County Courthouse, located at 314 6th Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006, houses the majority of county record-keeping offices.

Online Access

Civil and criminal court case information is available through the South Dakota court records search portal, which provides access to cases filed from 1989 onward
Cases filed prior to 1989 must be requested directly from the Clerk of Courts office
Driving records and crash reports may be requested through the South Dakota Department of Public Safety
Vital records, including birth and death certificates, may be ordered through the South Dakota Department of Health vital records office

Written or Mail Requests Requestors may submit written requests by mail to the relevant county office. Requests should include a clear description of the records sought, the preferred format for delivery, and contact information for the requestor.

Steps to Submit a Request:

Identify the office that maintains the records being sought
Prepare a written request describing the records with sufficient specificity
Submit the request in person, by mail, or by email where accepted
Pay any applicable fees upon notification from the office
Receive records in the format specified, subject to applicable exemptions

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Brookings County?

Current fees for public records in Brookings County are governed by state statute and individual office fee schedules. Under South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1.1, agencies may charge fees that reflect the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying records, but fees may not be used as a barrier to access.

Standard fees currently applicable in Brookings County include:

Photocopies: Typically $0.10 to $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, depending on the office
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; vital records certified copies are set by the South Dakota Department of Health at $15.00 per certificate
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies reflect the actual cost of reproduction and transmission
Register of Deeds documents: Recording fees and copy fees are set pursuant to state statute and are posted at the Register of Deeds office
Court records: Copy fees for court documents are established by the South Dakota Unified Judicial System

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly for indigent requestors or for records sought in connection with legal proceedings, at the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Brookings County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under South Dakota law, which provides that no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records in person at the custodial office. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect original records at the relevant county office at no charge during regular business hours
Online court records: The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides free online access to court case information for cases filed from 1989 onward
County Auditor records: Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are available for free inspection at the Brookings County Auditor's office
Property assessment data: Basic property assessment information is accessible through the Brookings County Director of Equalization at no charge
Social services public information: General program and policy information is available through the South Dakota Department of Social Services at no cost

Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested, not for the act of inspection itself.

Who Can Request Public Records in Brookings County?

Any person may request public records in Brookings County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. South Dakota's open records statute does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor.

Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be residents of Brookings County or the State of South Dakota
Identification: Most offices do not require requestors to provide identification for general public records requests; however, certain sensitive record types may require proof of identity or legal standing
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the reason for their request under current South Dakota law
Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same rights of access as residents under § 1-27-1.1
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide identification and, in some cases, a signed authorization form
Requesting records about others: Access to certain records about third parties, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, or protected personal information, is subject to statutory restrictions regardless of who is making the request

Certain record categories, including law enforcement investigative files and child welfare records, impose additional eligibility requirements that apply uniformly to all requestors.

What Records Are Confidential in Brookings County?

Not all government records in Brookings County are subject to public disclosure. South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1.5 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following records are currently classified as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under South Dakota law and are not available for public inspection
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure where release would compromise the investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted from publicly released documents
Medical records: Health and medical information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the South Dakota Department of Social Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are generally exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for information such as job titles and compensation of public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt from public access

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles embedded in South Dakota's open records framework.

Brookings County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Brookings County Register of Deeds serves as the principal office for property-related public records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments. The Brookings County Auditor maintains election, financial, and administrative records. Both offices are located within the Brookings County Courthouse complex.

Brookings County Register of Deeds 314 6th Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006 (605) 696-8250 Brookings County Register of Deeds Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Brookings County Auditor 314 6th Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006 (605) 696-8230 Brookings County Auditor Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Brookings County Clerk of Courts 314 6th Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006 (605) 696-8260 Brookings County Clerk of Courts Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Brookings County Sheriff's Office 310 6th Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006 (605) 696-8300 Brookings County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

South Dakota Department of Health — Vital Records 600 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 773-4961 South Dakota Department of Health

South Dakota Department of Public Safety 118 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 773-3178 SD Department of Public Safety