South Dakota One-Party

Licensing & Regulation

South Dakota does not maintain a statewide PI license. Investigators operate under standard business registrations and any municipal requirements.

Physical Surveillance

Public surveillance is permitted. South Dakota's stalking statute (SDCL §22-19A-1) constrains intrusive conduct. GPS tracking on a non-owned vehicle is risky.

Audio & Video Recording Consent

South Dakota is a one-party-consent state under SDCL §23A-35A-20. The recording party must be a participant.

Domestic, Marital & Infidelity Investigations

South Dakota allows fault-based divorce; adultery is a ground. PIs document patterns. Accessing a spouse's accounts may violate SDCL §43-43B-1 et seq. (computer crime).

Cybersecurity, Hacking & Digital Investigations

SDCL §43-43B (computer crimes) parallels the CFAA. OSINT is permitted; pretexting is barred.

Missing Persons, Skip Tracing & Harassment

SD DCI coordinates missing-persons cases. DPPA fully applies. SDCL §22-19A-1 (stalking) is broad.