SOS Business Search

South Dakota Secretary of State office — contact & fees

Updated August 2026

Quick Answer

The South Dakota Secretary of State handles all business entity registrations, annual reports, amendments, and certificates of existence. Online filings through SOSEnterprise are $15 cheaper than paper submissions for formation filings. Fee amounts in the table below are sourced from the live schedule at sdsos.gov, confirmed August 2026; verify all amounts before filing.

Open Official South Dakota Secretary of State Portal ↗

Office contact

Walk-in address
500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 112 (Business Services), Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Mailing address
Capitol Building, 500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 204, Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Main phone
(605) 773-3537
Business filings phone
(605) 773-4845
Business filings email
corpinfo@state.sd.us
Office hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time
SOSEnterprise portal
sosenterprise.sd.gov

Entity formation and filing fees

Online filings are $15 less than paper submissions for LLC and corporation formations. The amounts below are sourced from the live fee schedule at sdsos.gov — Filing Fees, confirmed August 2026. Verify current amounts before filing.

Domestic LLC — Articles of Organization

Fee (Online / Paper)
Online $150 / Paper $165

Domestic LLC — Annual Report (due 1st of anniversary month)

Fee (Online / Paper)
Online $55 / Paper $70

Domestic For-Profit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee (Online / Paper)
Online $150 / Paper $165

Domestic For-Profit Corporation — Annual Report

Fee (Online / Paper)
Online $55 / Paper $70

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee (Online / Paper)
$30

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Annual Report

Fee (Online / Paper)
$10

Late Annual Report penalty

Fee (Online / Paper)
+$55

Name Reservation

Fee (Online / Paper)
$25

Certificate of Existence

Fee (Online / Paper)
Online $20 / Paper $35

Expedited processing

Fee (Online / Paper)
+$50

UCC filing, notary, and apostille services

The Secretary of State also handles UCC filings, notary commissions, and document authentication:

  • UCC search and filing — available through the Secretary of State's UCC system; check the current fee schedule before filing.
  • Notary public commissions — a $30 filing fee for a 6-year commission.
  • Apostilles and authentications — $25 per document, plus a $50 expedite fee for an in-person appointment.

Source: South Dakota Secretary of State notary handbook and apostille page (sdsos.gov).

Key South Dakota state licensing agencies

South Dakota Department of Revenue

What it covers
Sales and use tax registration, withholding tax, business tax licensing
Website
dor.sd.gov

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation

What it covers
Unemployment insurance registration, employer accounts, professional licensing
Website
dlr.sd.gov

South Dakota Contractors State License Board

What it covers
Contractor licensing — electrical, plumbing, mechanical, general construction

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to file South Dakota business paperwork online?

Yes. Online filings run $15 less than paper submissions for LLC and corporation formations and annual reports — for example, LLC formation is $150 online versus $165 by paper.

How much does a South Dakota Certificate of Existence cost?

$20 if ordered online, or $35 for a paper request — the same $15 online discount pattern South Dakota applies to its LLC and corporation filings as well.

How much does expedited processing cost for a South Dakota business filing?

South Dakota's expedited processing option adds $50 on top of the standard filing fee, whether for a formation, annual report, or certificate order.

Compare Other States

Entity search rules, fees, and offices are set state by state. These are the states closest to South Dakota — useful if you're comparing how a neighboring state runs the same process.

Helpful Guides

What Is a Registered Agent, and Who Can Be One?

Every LLC and corporation is required to name one — here's what the job actually involves and who's eligible.

Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One

A one-page proof that your LLC or corporation is current with the state — what it's for, what it costs, and how to request one.

How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step

Closing an LLC the right way means more than just walking away — here's the filing sequence every state expects.

LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?

Both are formed with the same state office — the real differences show up in taxes, ownership, and how much paperwork you're signing up for.

Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?

Both documents create a legal business entity with the state — the difference comes down to which type of entity you're forming.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State

State filing fees for forming an LLC range from under $50 to $500 — see the base cost in your state and how it compares to forming a corporation.

LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State

Every state has its own rules for keeping an LLC in good standing — see your state's report frequency, fee, and due date at a glance.

Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check

Registering an entity with the state isn't the same as holding a license to operate it — here's where licenses actually come from.

UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business

Uniform Commercial Code filings show which lenders have a claim on a company's assets — here's how to search them and what the results mean.