Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - South Dakota

Date: August 2020

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 25-6-10

The circuit court shall direct that an investigation be made by one of the following:

  • A court services officer or other officer of the court
  • An agent of the Department of Social Services
  • Some other discreet and competent person

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 25-6-13

The report to the court shall include the full adoptive name, date of birth, sex, color or race, and place of birth of the adopted child.

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 25-6-15.2

Nonidentifying information, if known, shall be made available to the adoptive parent, or to the adopted person upon reaching age 18. This information or any part thereof may be withheld only if it is of such a nature that it would tend to identify a birth relative of the adopted person. Nonidentifying information includes the following

  • The ages of the birth parents at the time of the adopted person's birth
  • The heritage of each birth parent, including nationality, ethnic background, and race
  • Education, including the number of years of school completed by the birth parents at the time of the adopted person's birth
  • The general physical appearance of the birth parents at the time of the adopted person's birth in terms of height; weight; color of hair, eyes, and skin; and other information of a similar nature
  • The talents, hobbies, and special interests of the birth parents
  • The existence of any other children born to either birth parent before the adopted person's birth
  • Whether it was a voluntary or involuntary termination of parental rights
  • The religions of the birth parents
  • The occupations of birth parents in general terms
  • The health histories of the birth parents and blood relatives
  • The relationship of the birth parents

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 25-6-23

When a court enters a decree terminating parental rights, the parent shall complete a medical and social history form that shall be supplied by the Department of Social Services. When completed, the form shall be filed with the court of the State where the adoption proceedings shall take place.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 25-6-10

In the case of a stepparent adopting a stepchild, the circuit court may, in its discretion, order an investigation.

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