How to search South Dakota records
- Search by business name or business ID.
- Check the "Annual Report Due" date; South Dakota reports are due at the start of the anniversary month.
- Open filings to download formation documents.
Open the official South Dakota search
South Dakota SOS, corporation and LLC search
South Dakota Secretary of State Business Search
The South Dakota Secretary of State business search is run by the South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services through its Business Information Search (SOS Enterprise). Related queries such as "SD Secretary of State business search" reach the same free database. Search by name first, then reopen the record by its business ID so you are reading one exact entity. The step-by-step instructions above walk through the screens.
South Dakota Entity Search
An entity search of the South Dakota business registry returns every registered type at once: domestic and foreign LLCs, corporations, partnerships and nonprofits. Read the status first, then the formation date and the registered agent. Because South Dakota expects an annual report yearly, a lapsed filing usually shows up as a status change before the entity is dissolved.
South Dakota Corporation Search
A corporation search uses the same index as LLCs, so filter by entity type if the name is common. Searches typed as "SD corporation search" land here too. The record shows whether it is a for-profit corporation or a nonprofit, and the entity types guide explains how each one appears. Corporations are formed by filing articles of incorporation, so the formation date on the record is the date those articles took effect.
South Dakota LLC Search
Run the South Dakota LLC search with the exact name, then note the business ID. Forming a South Dakota LLC costs $150 and the annual report is $50. Whether members appear depends on the filings; our LLC lookup guide covers what the state shows, and the business owner lookup covers what it does not. A state record never shows an EIN; use the EIN lookup for that.
South Dakota Business Name Search
A South Dakota business name search shows names already on file, not names the state will accept. South Dakota lets you hold a name for 120 days for $25. The name claim guide lists the checks to run before you file, including trademarks and DBA names.
Trust law and no income tax
South Dakota has no corporate or personal income tax and strong trust laws, which draws holding companies and trust structures from around the country. Many South Dakota entities exist mainly to own assets, so a sparse record is normal.
South Dakota filing facts
| Record number | Business ID |
|---|---|
| LLC formation fee | $150. Articles of Organization. |
| Recurring filing | Annual report, $50, yearly |
| Due | First day of the anniversary month |
| Name reservation | $25 for 120 days |
| Agency phone | 605-773-4845 |
What a South Dakota LLC costs in its first three years
First recurring filing assumed in year 2; state charges only.
| Year | Formation | Recurring filing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $150 | $0 | $150 |
| Year 2 | $0 | $50 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $0 | $50 | $50 |
| Three-year state total | $250 | ||
Reports due at the start of the month
South Dakota annual reports are due on the first day of the anniversary month, not the end, and cost $50 online. Entities that miss them are administratively dissolved after notice. Trade names are filed with the Secretary of State; see DBA. Bulk data costs $1,500 to set up, as listed in data downloads by state.
Holding companies and trusts
Many South Dakota entities exist to hold assets for trusts. If you see one in a deal, ask for the operating agreement and confirm who has authority to sign. The public record will usually show only the agent and filings.
How South Dakota compares with its neighbors
| State | LLC filing | Yearly upkeep | Report cycle | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $150 | $50 | Yearly | $25 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | Yearly | $10 |
| Nebraska | $100 | $5 | Every 2 years | $30 |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 | Yearly | $55 |
Before you rely on a South Dakota result
- Entities that miss the annual report are administratively dissolved after notice.
- Trade names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Bulk South Dakota business data
Sold by the state. $1,500 setup.
Searching beyond South Dakota
Registries next to South Dakota: North Dakota business search, Nebraska business search, Minnesota business search.
South Dakota business search questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Dakota?
The state filing fee is $150. Articles of Organization. Keeping the LLC on file then averages $50 a year in state fees.
When is the South Dakota annual report due?
South Dakota calls it the annual report. It costs $50, it is filed yearly, and it is due first day of the anniversary month.
Can I reserve a business name in South Dakota?
Yes. A name reservation costs $25 and holds the name for 120 days.
When is the South Dakota annual report due?
On the first day of the anniversary month. The fee is $50 online.
Is the South Dakota business entity search free?
Yes. Searching the Business Information Search (SOS Enterprise) costs nothing. The South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services charges only for certified copies and certificates of good standing.
Who keeps business records in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services. Its business line is 605-773-4845, and its free search is the Business Information Search (SOS Enterprise).
What number identifies a business in South Dakota?
South Dakota assigns each entity a business ID. It is different from the federal EIN and from the number the same company holds in any other state, and searching by it returns exactly one record.
Can I download a list of all South Dakota businesses?
Only by buying it. $1,500 setup.
Sources
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