How to Apply for a Concealed Carry Permit in South Dakota

Application Process for South Dakota Concealed Carry Permits

Overview

South Dakota is a permitless carry state as of July 1, 2019 (SL 2019, ch 113), meaning carrying a concealed pistol without a permit is not prohibited by state law (SDCL Section 23-7-7). However, the state continues to issue concealed pistol permits for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states. The South Dakota Secretary of State oversees the permit program, with applications processed through local county sheriff's offices.

Permit Types

South Dakota offers four categories of concealed pistol permits:

SDCL Section 23-7-7, 23-7-53, 23-7-60, 23-7-54.2

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Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

All applicants must meet the requirements of SDCL Section 23-7-7.1:

1. Be eighteen years of age or older
2. Have never pled guilty to, nolo contendere to, or been convicted of a felony or a crime of violence (as defined in SDCL Section 22-1-2(9))
3. Not be habitually in an intoxicated or drugged condition
4. Have no history of violence
5. Not have been found in the previous ten years to be a "danger to others" or a "danger to self" as defined in SDCL Section 27A-1-1, and not currently be adjudged mentally incompetent
6. Have physically resided in and be a resident of the county where the application is being made for at least thirty days immediately preceding the date of application
7. Have no pending charges or previous violations of SDCL Chapters 23-7 (Firearms Control), 22-14 (Unlawful Use of Weapons), or 22-42 (Controlled Substances and Marijuana) constituting a felony or misdemeanor in the five years preceding the date of application
8. Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States
9. Not be a fugitive from justice
10. Not be otherwise prohibited by state law, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g), or 18 U.S.C. Section 922(n) from receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm

Military exception: Active duty military personnel or their spouses with a home of record in South Dakota are considered to have met the 30-day residency requirement (SDCL Section 23-7-7.5).

Note: Mail forwarding addresses do not satisfy the residency requirement.

Step 2: Complete the Application

The application must be filed with the sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides, either electronically or in triplicate on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State (SDCL Section 23-7-8). Some counties, such as Minnehaha County, offer online application portals.

The application requires:

• Complete name, address, and occupation
• Place and date of birth
• Country of citizenship
• Physical description
• A statement that the applicant has never pled guilty to, nolo contendere to, or been convicted of a crime of violence
• A sworn statement that the information on the application is true and correct
• Applicant's signature
• If not a U.S. citizen: any alien or admission number issued by U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement

WARNING: Providing false information or false evidence of identity in applying for a permit is a Class 6 felony, punishable by up to two years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000, or both (SDCL Section 23-7-12).

Step 3: Additional Requirements by Permit Type

For Enhanced Permits (SDCL Section 23-7-53), the application must also include:

• A copy of fingerprints for submission to the FBI for state, national, and international criminal background check
• An authorization to run a fingerprint background check
• Proof of completion of a qualifying handgun course (within the preceding 12 months) - OR proof of current/former law enforcement officer status with recent qualifying on a certified shooting course

If the sheriff takes fingerprints, they must do so at no additional charge to the applicant.

For Gold Card Permits (SDCL Section 23-7-60), the application must include:

• A copy of fingerprints for FBI background check
• An authorization to run a criminal background check

(No handgun course is required for the Gold Card permit.)

Step 4: Background Investigation

The sheriff conducts a background investigation including:

• A computer check of available online records
• A check utilizing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
• For Enhanced and Gold Card permits: fingerprint-based state, national, and international criminal background check through the FBI via the Division of Criminal Investigation

For background check questions, contact the SD Division of Criminal Investigation Identification Section or your local sheriff's office (per SD Attorney General guidance).

If the background investigation requires an INTERPOL international criminal history check, the five-day issuance timeline is extended; the sheriff must issue the temporary permit within three business days of receiving the INTERPOL response (SDCL Section 23-7-7.6).

Step 5: Issuance of Temporary Permit

Regular Permits: The sheriff issues a temporary permit within five days from the date of application (SDCL Section 23-7-7.1).

Enhanced Permits: The sheriff issues a temporary enhanced permit within thirty days of application, after receiving confirmation that the applicant passed all required fingerprint and NICS background checks (SDCL Section 23-7-54). The temporary permit must clearly designate that it is "enhanced."

Gold Card Permits: The sheriff issues a temporary gold card permit within thirty days of application, after receiving background check confirmation (SDCL Section 23-7-61). The temporary permit must clearly designate that it is a "gold card" permit.

Step 6: Official Permit from Secretary of State

Within seven days after the temporary permit has been issued, the sheriff sends a copy to the Secretary of State's Office, which then issues the official permit card (SDCL Section 23-7-8). Per Minnehaha County guidance, the official permit card typically arrives within 30 days.

If the application is filed in triplicate:

• Original → delivered to applicant as temporary permit
• Duplicate → sent to Secretary of State within 7 days (who issues the official permit)
• Triplicate → preserved for 5 years by the issuing authority

If filed electronically, two signed copies are made: one for the applicant as temporary permit, one preserved for 5 years by the issuing authority.

Step 7: Denial and Appeal

A person denied a permit may appeal to the circuit court pursuant to SDCL Chapter 1-26 (SDCL Section 23-7-7.1).

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Qualifying Handgun Course (Enhanced Permit Only)

Per SDCL Section 23-7-58, a qualifying handgun course must be:

• Taught by a National Rifle Association (NRA) certified instructor who also holds a current certificate of completion from the SD Division of Criminal Investigation on the use of force
• Include instruction in:
  1. South Dakota law relating to firearms and the use of force
  2. Basic concepts of safe and responsible use of handguns
  3. Self-defense principles
  4. Live fire training including firing at least 98 rounds of ammunition

The Division of Criminal Investigation must offer use-of-force courses at least once every six months, open to NRA certified pistol instructors. Course fee may not exceed $150 (SDCL Section 23-7-59).

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Renewal Process

Regular Permit Renewal (SDCL Section 23-7-8.11):

• Renewal period begins 90 days before the permit expires
• Must pass a background investigation (NICS + online records check)
• Renewed through the sheriff of the county of residence

Enhanced Permit Renewal (SDCL Section 23-7-56):

• Renewal period begins 12 months before the permit expires and ends 30 days after expiration
• Must pass a criminal background check (NICS + online records)
• Must present proof of: (a) completing the live fire component of a qualifying handgun course, receiving use-of-force instruction, and receiving instruction on relevant criminal statutory changes during the renewal period; OR (b) current/former law enforcement officer qualification
• If renewal period is missed, the permit is deemed invalid and a full new application under Section 23-7-53 is required

Gold Card Permit Renewal (SDCL Section 23-7-62):

• Renewal period begins 180 days before the permit expires and ends 30 days after expiration
• Must pass a criminal background check (NICS + online records)

Grace Period (SDCL Section 23-7-8.13): Upon expiration, all permit holders have a 30-day grace period to renew, during which they may continue to carry a concealed pistol. This grace period does not apply to anyone who committed a disqualifying crime or was denied renewal (SDCL Section 23-7-8.14).

Deployed Military Renewal (SDCL Section 23-7-8.12): South Dakota residents holding regular concealed carry permits who are deployed outside the state on active military duty may request a renewal form from the Secretary of State and complete the process by mail, with commanding officer attestation.

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Permit Details

• Permits are non-transferable - issued to a specific person only (SDCL Section 23-7-8.3)
• Permits are valid statewide (SDCL Section 23-7-7)
• Enhanced permits are only valid if carried with a government-issued photo ID (SDCL Section 23-7-55)
• The permit lists: applicant's name, address, expiration date, and issuance date (SDCL Section 23-7-8.1)
• No state registry of permit holders or firearms may be maintained (SDCL Section 23-7-8.6)
• Permit application records are confidential and may not be released except to other law enforcement agencies or the Secretary of State (SDCL Section 23-7-8.10)

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Restricted Enhanced Permit for Minors (Ages 18 to 20)

Applicants ages 18 to 20 who meet all Enhanced permit requirements may be issued a temporary restricted enhanced permit that clearly designates it is for individuals 18 to 20 years of age (SDCL Section 23-7-54.2). Upon reaching age 21, the holder may submit a written request to the Secretary of State for an unrestricted enhanced permit at no additional cost (SDCL Section 23-7-54.4).

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Revocation

Regular Permits: A prosecuting attorney may apply to circuit court for an order to show cause why a permit should be revoked. Upon court order after hearing, the permit must be surrendered to the county sheriff (SDCL Section 23-7-8.4).

Enhanced and Gold Card Permits: Automatically revoked upon failure to maintain Section 23-7-7.1 requirements or becoming prohibited from possessing firearms. The permit holder must immediately return the permit to the county sheriff. Possession of a revoked enhanced or gold card permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor (SDCL Section 23-7-64, 23-7-65).

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Reciprocity

The Attorney General compares South Dakota permit issuance statutes with those of other states to determine reciprocity eligibility. The Secretary of State may enter into reciprocity agreements after the Attorney General confirms the other state's laws meet or exceed South Dakota's requirements (SDCL Section 23-7-7.3). Enhanced permits are recognized by the most states, including several that do not honor regular or gold card permits.

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Important Restrictions

• County courthouses and state capitol: Firearms are generally prohibited (Class 1 misdemeanor, SDCL Section 22-14-23). A concealed carry permit is not a defense (SDCL Section 22-14-27). However, Enhanced permit holders may carry in the state capitol (except Supreme Court chamber and certain secured areas) with 24 hours prior notification to the Superintendent of the Division of Highway Patrol (SDCL Section 22-14-24(5)).
• County commissions may vote to waive the courthouse firearms prohibition (SDCL Section 22-14-28).

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Key Statutes

Note: Specific fee amounts are set by statute at SDCL Section 23-7-72 and may vary by permit type. Contact your county sheriff's office for current fee schedules.

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Information compiled from South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL Chapter 23-7), the South Dakota Secretary of State (sdsos.gov), the South Dakota Attorney General (atg.sd.gov), and Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office guidance. Last reviewed April 2026.