What are South Dakota's adoption laws?

South Dakota adoption is governed by South Dakota Codified Laws Chapter 25-6. Here are the key provisions:

Residency: 6 months (SDCL § 25-6-2)

Court: Circuit Court

Child Consent: Age 12+ (SDCL § 25-6-4)

Abandonment: 12 months no contact (SDCL § 25-5A-19)

Termination: Can be included in adoption proceeding

Home Study: Typically waived for stepparents (SDCL § 25-6-9)

Timeline: Minor: 3-6 months | Adult: 4-8 weeks

South Dakota has 66 counties, each with its own Circuit Court. Our documents are customized for your specific countie's requirements.

We've helped 187+ families in South Dakota navigate these laws successfully.