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Attorney General Marty Jackley

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BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS

 

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Identification Section (DCI ID) is responsible for processing fingerprint-based background checks.

State of SD Background Check Only: DCI ID offers personal background checks to any individual who is requesting a copy of their SD criminal history record.

State and FBI Background Checks: DCI ID also conducts State and Federal background checks for employment and certification/licensing for certain South Dakota agencies that have been approved through state legislation and with the FBI then given a ORI.

For Employment or Certification/Licensing: please contact your agency prior to requesting a background check to verify your agencies additional requirements for employment or certification/licensing.

For Guardianship applicants: please contact your clerk of courts for further instruction on the background check process.

For Pistol Permits: please contact your local sheriff's office.

To have a background completed, you can submit your request one of two ways:
By mail or by submitting a background check request form and have your fingerprints electronically submitted.

Mailing Fingerprint Cards through USPS: For requirements and instructions on how to pay with check or money order and submit fingerprints through US mail, click here.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMITTING THE BACKGROUND CHECK REQUEST FORM

AND SUBMITTING FINGERPRINTS ELECTRONICALLY:

 

  • You will not be able to process the online request and mail in a hard copy card.
  • YOU MUST SUBMIT FINGERPRINTS THROUGH A LIVESCAN MACHINE LOCATED IN SOUTH DAKOTA. 
  • AN APPOINTMENT IS MOST LIKELY NECESSARY AT THE LIVESCAN LOCATION. Please contact your local Livescan facility to inquire about submitting fingerprints electronically before proceeding to the background check request form website. Failure to complete and submit electronic fingerprints within the 10 days, may result in the deletion of information and the request/payment will need to be resubmitted.

Create an account and verify your account or log into an already existing account.

Fill out the BACKGROUND CHECK REQUEST FORM (see the link below). The required information gathered on the website is the same information that will be entered into the Livescan machine upon fingerprinting.

Agree to the terms and conditions and acknowledge the authorization and release of information form, as well as the Privacy Statement and Privacy Act.

Complete payment. You can pay by credit card or bank account. The fees for background checks are $43.25 for Request for Agency/State and FBI, $26.75 for Personal/State ONLY. DCI does not offer refunds.

Print off receipt and take to Livescan machine location. You will not be fingerprinted unless this receipt is presented. Contact local livescan agencies for information on fingerprinting services provided. Other fingerprinting fees may apply.

 

CLICK BELOW FOR THE

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUEST FORM

 

If you wish to have information expunged from your criminal history or wish to seek a pardon, please contact your private attorney. The statutes explaining the expungement process can be found at https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes. Information about executive clemency, including pardons, can be found at https://doc.sd.gov/pardon/default.aspx.

If you are requesting a federal background check on behalf of yourself, you will need to contact the FBI directly for more information. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks