Fees and Costs

South Dakota concealed-pistol-permit fees are set by a combination of statute (the per-permit reimbursement that the Secretary of State pays the county under SDCL Section 23-7-72) and county-set application fees. The applicant typically pays an application fee at the sheriff's office, and the Secretary of State reimburses the county at the statutory rate.

Statutory County Reimbursement (SDCL Section 23-7-72)

Effective for permits issued on or after July 1, 2022, the Secretary of State pays each county the following amount per permit issued:

The reimbursement is paid quarterly to the county treasurer based on the sheriff's report of permits issued.

Application Fees at the County Sheriff

The application fee an applicant pays at the sheriff's office is set by each county within the statutory framework. Counties may not charge more than the reimbursement amount they collect for the Regular Permit, but Enhanced and Gold Card applicants also typically pay the fingerprinting fee directly:

• Regular Permit: Most counties charge $10 application fee (some charge less; contact the sheriff's office in the county where you reside before applying).
• Enhanced Permit: $100 application fee at the sheriff's office is common. The applicant separately pays the qualifying-handgun-course instructor for training - course tuition typically runs $100 to $200 depending on the instructor and the live-fire range fees.
• Gold Card Permit: $100 application fee at the sheriff's office is common. The applicant separately pays the fingerprinting vendor (often the sheriff's office or a contracted vendor) for FBI fingerprint cards - typically $20 to $40. The FBI fee for the national fingerprint background check is collected through the DCI.

Other Predictable Costs

Qualifying Handgun Course (Enhanced Permit only)

Required course components under SDCL Section 23-7-58:

• Instructor: NRA-certified instructor who also holds a current South Dakota DCI use-of-force certificate.
• Curriculum: South Dakota firearms law, use-of-force law, safe handgun handling, self-defense principles, and live-fire training of at least 98 rounds.

Typical out-of-pocket: $100 to $200 tuition, plus ammunition (98+ rounds; budget another $30 to $80 depending on caliber and bulk pricing), plus eye and ear protection if not provided by the instructor.

Fingerprinting (Gold Card Permit only)

The Gold Card Permit requires FBI fingerprint submission for a national and international criminal background investigation (SDCL Section 23-7-60). Some sheriffs' offices perform fingerprinting on site; others refer applicants to a contracted vendor. Budget $20 to $40 for the fingerprint cards plus the FBI processing fee that may be added to the sheriff's intake fee.

Renewal Costs

• Regular Permit renewal: $3 statutory reimbursement; counties typically charge $10. Renewal application under SDCL Section 23-7-8.11.
• Enhanced Permit renewal: $25 statutory reimbursement; counties typically charge $50, plus refresher handgun course (SDCL Section 23-7-56). The refresher course is generally shorter than the initial course - confirm scope and fee with the instructor.
• Gold Card Permit renewal: $30 statutory reimbursement; counties typically charge $50, plus NICS check fee. Renewal window is 180 days before to 30 days after expiration (SDCL Section 23-7-62).

Lost or Replacement Permits

A permit holder who loses a permit or needs a duplicate must apply through the issuing sheriff. The Secretary of State must provide a replacement at no charge for an address or name change (SDCL Section 23-7-69), but the sheriff may charge a nominal duplicate fee for a lost permit.

Address or Name Change

Required by SDCL Section 23-7-69 within a reasonable time. Notify the Secretary of State in writing. If the new address is within South Dakota, the Secretary of State provides a new permit at no statutory fee.

Permitless Carry Costs (None)

Since July 1, 2019 (HB 1056), no permit is required to carry concealed in South Dakota. A South Dakota adult who is not a prohibited person and does not need a permit for reciprocity, campus carry, or federal NICS-alternative status pays nothing to the state.

Practical Fee Breakdown by Use Case

• In-state-only carrier who never travels armed and does not need campus carry or a federal NICS-alternative: $0 (rely on permitless carry).
• Regular Permit holder who wants reciprocity with most permit-honoring states: Approximately $10-15 at the sheriff's office plus $3 statutory reimbursement. Renewable every five years.
• Enhanced Permit holder (campus carry, broadest reciprocity): Approximately $100 sheriff fee + $100 to $200 course tuition + $30 to $80 ammunition + $50 statutory reimbursement = roughly $280 to $430 total initial outlay.
• Gold Card Permit holder (federal NICS-alternative + international background check): Approximately $100 sheriff fee + $20 to $40 fingerprinting + $30 statutory reimbursement = roughly $150 to $170 total initial outlay.

Fee Waivers

The statute does not provide a categorical fee waiver for veterans, law enforcement, seniors, or low-income applicants at the state level. Counties may, by ordinance or sheriff's policy, reduce or waive the county-side application fee for active-duty military, honorably discharged veterans, retired law enforcement, or active law enforcement; check with the sheriff in the county where you reside.

Active-duty military personnel (and their spouses) whose home of record is in South Dakota are exempt from the 30-day county-residency requirement (SDCL Section 23-7-7.5) but pay the same statutory and county fees.

Verifying Current Fees

The fee structure described here reflects SDCL Section 23-7-72 as amended through 2025. Always verify current fees directly with the sheriff of the county where you reside. The South Dakota Secretary of State publishes a permit FAQ and reciprocity list at sdsos.gov.