Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 46063

Harding County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Harding County, South Dakota. Serving a population of 1324 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Buffalo • Land Area: 2671,57 sq mi • State: South Dakota (SD)

Call: (605) 671-4953 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Harding County Courthouse / Recording Office, Buffalo, SD 57720

Seat of government for Harding County in Buffalo, SD.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(605) 671-4953

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 46063 • Coordinates: 45.5966° N, -103.4739° W

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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Harding County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

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Land Records & Real Property

Harding County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by SDCL § 7-9-15 (Flat $30 per document)

First Page Base Fee

$30.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$0.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

$0.50 per $500 ($1.00 per $1,000) Real Estate Transfer Fee

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in South Dakota:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Harding County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Harding County, South Dakota. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Harding County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Harding County

License Fee $40.00

Waiting Period 0 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 90 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Harding County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Issued by Register of Deeds. Immediate issuance.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $15.00

Death Cert $15.00

Marriage Cert $15.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through South Dakota Department of Health Office of Vital Records and the local Harding County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Harding County

Filing Fee: $10.00

1. Filing Authority

In Harding County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the South Dakota Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in South Dakota.

3. State Rules & Notice

Fictitious business name filed with the Secretary of State.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Harding County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Harding County South Dakota Secretary of State. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in South Dakota.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

South Dakota Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official South Dakota Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with South Dakota county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get South Dakota Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in South Dakota

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring South Dakota recording offices:

Butte County Seat: Belle Fourche

~48.4 mi →

Perkins County Seat: Bison

~49.3 mi →

Meade County Seat: Sturgis

~77.9 mi →

Lawrence County Seat: Deadwood

~87.8 mi →

Ziebach County Seat: Dupree

~97.6 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Harding County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Harding County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Harding County office is located at Harding County Courthouse / Recording Office, Buffalo, SD 57720. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (605) 671-4953.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Harding County?

Under South Dakota statute (SDCL § 7-9-15 (Flat $30 per document)), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Harding County costs $30.00 for the first page, plus $0.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $0.50 per $500 ($1.00 per $1,000) Real Estate Transfer Fee.

How do I obtain a marriage license in Harding County, SD?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Harding County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $40.00. South Dakota requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Harding County?

In Harding County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the South Dakota Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $10.00. Fictitious business name filed with the Secretary of State.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Harding County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $15.00 and death certificates starting at $15.00) can be requested through the South Dakota Department of Health Office of Vital Records or directly at the Harding County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.