Pennington County, SD Public Records
Pennington County has an estimated population of 115,979 (2024) across 2,777 square miles of land. In South Dakota, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds. Court cases are handled by the South Dakota Unified Judicial System; use the official links below to find the courthouse and clerk for Pennington County.
📍 Pennington County at a Glance
| Population (2024 est.) | 115,979 Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Land area | 2,777 sq mi Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Largest community | Rapid CityPopulation 79,894 (2024 est.) |
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🏛️ Courthouse & Records Offices in Pennington County, SD
These are the main offices to visit in person in Pennington County: the Circuit Court clerk for court case files. Details come from official state and court directories; hours and services can change, so call or check the official website before you go. Anything the official source does not list is marked “Not stated”.
⚖️ Pennington County Clerk of Court
| Address | 315 St Joseph St #5, Rapid City, SD 57709-0230 |
| Directions | Get directions ↗ |
| Phone | Small Claims/Accounting: (605) 394-2688; Civil Department: (605) 394-2575; Criminal Department: (605) 394-2570 |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 4:55 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Records available | South Dakota Circuit Court and magistrate court case records for the county (civil, criminal, divorce, probate, small claims) |
| Official website | Not stated |
| Sources | ujs.sd.gov/…/pennington-county ↗ |
| Last verified | October 17, 2026 |
⚖️ Criminal Records in Pennington County, SD
Criminal case records for Pennington County are kept by the court that heard each case. In South Dakota, all criminal cases are heard by the Circuit Court; magistrate courts within the Circuit Court handle misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. Many court records are public and can be viewed or copied at the clerk's office of the court that heard the case. Source: ujs.sd.gov ↗
⚖️ Where to get criminal records for Pennington County
| State court system | South Dakota Unified Judicial System |
🔍 Background Check in Pennington County, SD
A people search for Pennington County pulls together public records such as court cases, property records and address history. It is for personal use only: under the FCRA it may not be used to screen tenants, employees, or for credit or insurance decisions. The official record sources for Pennington County are listed below.
🔍 Where to get background check for Pennington County
| Sex offender registry | South Dakota Sex Offender Registry Source: sor.sd.gov ↗ |
| State court system | South Dakota Unified Judicial System |
📋 Arrest Records in Pennington County, SD
Arrest and booking records for Pennington County are created by the arresting agency — usually the local police department, the county sheriff's office or the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Once someone is charged, the case becomes a court record at the court that handles criminal cases for the area.
📋 Where to get arrest records for Pennington County
| State court system | South Dakota Unified Judicial System |
🏛️ Court Records in Pennington County, SD
Court records for Pennington County include civil suits, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, criminal cases, family matters and probate (estates). Below are the courts that serve Pennington County, with addresses from the official South Dakota Unified Judicial System directory.
🏛️ Where to get court records for Pennington County
| State court system | South Dakota Unified Judicial System |
🏠 Property Records in Pennington County, SD
In South Dakota, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds. Property tax assessments are kept by the county Director of Equalization.
🏠 Where to get property records for Pennington County
| Land records | In South Dakota, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds. |
📜 Vital Records in Pennington County, SD
Certified birth and death certificates for South Dakota are issued by the state vital records office; in some places a county or local office can also issue copies. Statewide records can also be ordered from the South Dakota Department of Health – Vital Records.
📜 Where to get vital records for Pennington County
| State vital records office | South Dakota Department of Health – Vital Records Source: doh.sd.gov ↗ |
🔒 Sex Offender Registry in Pennington County, SD
The official sex offender registry for Pennington County is maintained by the state. Search it directly — it is free and updated by law enforcement. Registry information may not be used to threaten, intimidate or harass anyone.
🔒 Where to get sex offender registry for Pennington County
| Official registry | South Dakota Sex Offender Registry Source: sor.sd.gov ↗ |
📄 Divorce Records in Pennington County, SD
Divorce cases in South Dakota are heard by the Circuit Court in each county. The full divorce case file, including the final decree, is kept by the clerk of that court. Some state vital records offices also issue divorce certificates or verifications; check with the South Dakota Department of Health – Vital Records.
📄 Where to get divorce records for Pennington County
| Divorce court | Divorce cases in South Dakota are heard by the Circuit Court in each county. |
| State vital records office | South Dakota Department of Health – Vital Records Source: doh.sd.gov ↗ |
| State court system | South Dakota Unified Judicial System |
Largest Communities in Pennington County
Rapid City (79,894), Box Elder (8,828), Hill City (937), Wall (672), New Underwood (610), Keystone (261), Wasta (63), Quinn (61) 2024 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau.