How to Obtain a Free Birth Certificate or ID in South Dakota: Instructions and the Law
Recent changes to state law make it possible for youth experiencing homelessness in South Dakota to obtain a birth certificate or state identification card (ID) for free. This resource includes instructions on how to obtain these vital documents and cites applicable law.
Birth Certificates
- The Department of Health will provide one free certified copy of a South Dakota birth certificate upon application to youth who can prove their homelessness. The department will provide an affidavit that applicants can complete and submit as proof they are homeless. The department will not accept an affidavit unless it is also signed by one of the following:
- Government or nonprofit agency that provides a food bank, homeless shelter, housing assistance program, homeless outreach or advocacy program
- Human services or social services agency, public or private, providing health services, behavioral health services, substance use disorder services, or employment or public assistance services to homeless individuals
- Law enforcement officer designated as a liaison to the homeless population by a local police department or sheriff’s department
- Homeless liaison designated by a school district
- School counselor
- School nurse
- Social worker
- Any youth experiencing homelessness, their spouse, child, parent, guardian, next of kin, or authorized representative may apply for a certified copy of the youth’s birth certificate for them.
- Youth without a state ID who need to obtain their birth certificate can find alternative forms of identification that the Department of Health will accept here.
- Parents are also entitled to a free copy of a birth certificate for their children upon valid proof of enrollment into a Head Start program, and if needed for enrollment of students who are recipients of Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), food stamps or county relief.
Instructions for Obtaining a Homeless Birth Certificate Waiver
Requests for a fee-exempt copy of a birth certificate are still subject to standard application requirements and each applicant must complete the South Dakota Vital Records Request form and provide applicable identification as stated on the application.
State IDs
The Department of Public Safety will waive the fee for a nondriver’s South Dakota ID card or duplicate card for youth experiencing homelessness.
To qualify for a free ID youth must be considered homeless due to:
- Lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence
- Having a primary nighttime residence that is a place not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Living in a homeless shelter
Applicants must submit an affidavit as proof of homelessness signed by an official or employee of any government or nonprofit agency that provides a food bank, homeless shelter, housing assistance program, homeless outreach or advocacy program, or any similar program; a homeless liaison designated by a school district; a school counselor; a school nurse; or a social worker.
Instructions for Obtaining an Identification Card
Recent changes to South Dakota law make it possible for youth experiencing homelessness to get a non-driver state identification card at no cost. The Department of Public Safety makes the necessary instructions and required documentation available on its website.
If you run into any trouble…
Below is a list of relevant laws you can present to your school, the vital records office for obtaining a birth certificate, or the DMV when applying for an ID.
South Dakota State Laws
2025 South Dakota Legislature
ENROLLED
An Act
ENTITLED An Act to modify the individuals eligible to sign an affidavit of homelessness for purposes of obtaining a free copy of a birth certificate.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That § 34-25-52.7 be AMENDED:
34-25-52.7. Notwithstanding § 34-25-52, the department must provide, at no cost, a certified copy of an individual’s South Dakota birth certificate, limited to one, upon application and proof of that person’s homelessness. The individual or the individual’s spouse, child, parent, guardian, next of kin, or authorized representative may apply for a certified copy of the individual’s birth certificate pursuant to this section.
An affidavit developed by the department attesting to the individual’s housing status is proof of homelessness for the purposes of this section. The department may not accept an affidavit as proof of homelessness unless signed by the individual experiencing homelessness and a homeless services provider with knowledge of the individual’s housing status.
For the purposes of this section, the term “homeless services provider” means any: (1) Government or nonprofit agency that provides a food bank, homeless shelter, housing assistance program, homeless outreach or advocacy program, or any similar program; (2) Human services or social services agency, public or private, providing health services, behavioral health services, substance use disorder services, or employment or public assistance services to homeless individuals; (3) Law enforcement officer designated as a liaison to the homeless population by a local police department or sheriff’s department; (4) Homeless liaison designated by a school district, as described by 42 U.S.C. § 11432 (January 1, 2025); (5) School counselor, certified by the Department of Education; (6) School nurse, licensed in accordance with chapter 36-9; or (7) Social worker, licensed in accordance with chapter 36-26.
2025 South Dakota Legislature
ENROLLED
An Act
ENTITLED An Act to modify the persons eligible to sign an affidavit for proof of homelessness for purposes of waiving the fee for a nondriver identification card.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That § 32-12-17.16 be AMENDED:
32-12-17.16. The Department of Public Safety shall waive the fee one time for an original nondriver identification card or a duplicate nondriver identification card if the applicant is homeless.
In order for the fee to be waived, the applicant must submit, with the application, an affidavit signed by a homeless services provider attesting that the applicant is homeless.
For the purposes of this section, the term “homeless” means an individual who: (1) Lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; (2) Has a primary nighttime residence that is a place not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or (3) Is living in a homeless shelter.
For purposes of this section, “homeless services provider” means an official or employee of any government or nonprofit agency that provides a food bank, homeless shelter, housing assistance program, homeless outreach or advocacy program, or any similar program; a homeless liaison designated by a school district, as described by 42 U.S.C. § 11432 (January 1, 2025); a school counselor, certified by the Department of Education; a school nurse, licensed in accordance with chapter 36-9; or a social worker, licensed in accordance with chapter 36-26.