South Dakota Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in South Dakota.
Maximum Claim
$12,000
Filing Fee
$50
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in South Dakota
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $12,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
South Dakota Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee | $50 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in South Dakota
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
6
years — written contract
6
years — oral contract
6
years — property damage
3
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in South Dakota?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in South Dakota
Small claims cases in South Dakota are handled by the Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court). South Dakota has 66 county Magistrate Courts (7 judicial circuits).
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the obligation was incurred
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in South Dakota
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service by sheriff, process server, or certified mail
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
South Dakota Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in South Dakota small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 10 days to circuit court
Is e-filing available?
No, e-filing is not currently available for small claims in South Dakota. You must file in person or by mail.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some South Dakota courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official South Dakota Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in South Dakota
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Aurora County
Plankinton area
(605) 942-7165
Beadle County
Huron area
(605) 353-7165
Bennett County
Martin area
(605) 685-6969
Bon Homme County
Tyndall area
(605) 589-4215
Brookings County
Brookings area
(605) 688-4200
Brown County
Aberdeen area
(605) 626-2451
Brule County
Chamberlain area
(605) 734-4580
Buffalo County
Gann Valley area
(605) 734-4580
Butte County
Belle Fourche area
(605) 892-2516
Campbell County
Mound City area
(605) 955-3536
Charles Mix County
Lake Andes area
(605) 487-7511
Clark County
Clark area
(605) 532-5851
Clay County
Vermillion area
(605) 677-6756
Codington County
Watertown area
(605) 882-5095
Corson County
McIntosh area
(605) 273-4201
Custer County
Custer area
(605) 673-4816
Davison County
Mitchell area
(605) 995-8105
Day County
Webster area
(605) 345-3771
Deuel County
Clear Lake area
(605) 874-2120
Dewey County
Timber Lake area
(605) 865-3566
Douglas County
Armour area
(605) 724-2585
Edmunds County
Ipswich area
(605) 426-6671
Fall River County
Hot Springs area
(605) 745-5131
Faulk County
Faulkton area
(605) 598-6223
Grant County
Milbank area
(605) 432-5482
Gregory County
Burke area
(605) 775-2665
Haakon County
Philip area
(605) 859-2627
Hamlin County
Hayti area
(605) 783-3751
Hand County
Miller area
(605) 853-3337
Hanson County
Alexandria area
(605) 239-4446
Harding County
Buffalo area
(605) 375-3351
Hughes County
Pierre area
(605) 773-3713
Hutchinson County
Olivet area
(605) 387-4215
Hyde County
Highmore area
(605) 852-2512
Jackson County
Kadoka area
(605) 837-2122
Jerauld County
Wessington Springs area
(605) 539-1202
Jones County
Murdo area
(605) 669-2361
Kingsbury County
De Smet area
(605) 854-3811
Lake County
Madison area
(605) 256-5645
Lawrence County
Deadwood area
(605) 578-2040
Lincoln County
Canton area
(605) 987-5891
Lyman County
Kennebec area
(605) 869-2277
Marshall County
Britton area
(605) 448-5213
McCook County
Salem area
(605) 425-2781
McPherson County
Leola area
(605) 439-3361
Meade County
Sturgis area
(605) 347-4411
Mellette County
White River area
(605) 259-3230
Miner County
Howard area
(605) 772-4612
Minnehaha County
Sioux Falls area
(605) 367-5900
Moody County
Flandreau area
(605) 997-3181
Oglala Lakota County
Pine Ridge area
(605) 745-5131
Pennington County
Rapid City area
(605) 394-2688
Perkins County
Bison area
(605) 244-5626
Potter County
Gettysburg area
(605) 765-9472
Roberts County
Sisseton area
(605) 698-3395
Sanborn County
Woonsocket area
(605) 796-4515
Spink County
Redfield area
(605) 472-4535
Stanley County
Fort Pierre area
(605) 223-7735
Sully County
Onida area
(605) 258-2535
Todd County
Mission area
(605) 842-2266
Tripp County
Winner area
(605) 842-2266
Turner County
Parker area
(605) 297-3115
Union County
Elk Point area
(605) 356-2132
Walworth County
Selby area
(605) 649-7311
Yankton County
Yankton area
(605) 668-3080
Ziebach County
Dupree area
(605) 365-5159
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in South Dakota?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide