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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms
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South Dakota divorce template samples
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Uncontested Divorce SampleSee the full text of the agreement both spouses sign together.
Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff is a resident of the State of South Dakota at the time of filing this Complaint, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-30. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties, which are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage and make it appear that the marriage should be dissolved, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-2(7) and § 25-4-17.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [8. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Alimony
The parties have agreed that alimony shall be as follows: [9. Alimony Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' agreement regarding property, debts, and alimony;
(c) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(d) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce SampleSee how disputed terms are laid out before you fill anything in.
Complaint for Divorce — Contested
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff is a resident of the State of South Dakota at the time of filing this Complaint, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-30. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties, which are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage and make it appear that the marriage should be dissolved, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-2(7) and § 25-4-17.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that this Court equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [8. Property and Debt Description]
Alimony
The parties are unable to agree on alimony. Plaintiff requests that the Court award alimony in an amount and for a duration that is just and equitable, considering the factors set forth in SDCL § 25-4-41. Relevant facts include: [9. Alimony Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(c) award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable;
(d) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Uncontested Divorce with Children SampleSee the agreement plus the parenting plan section in full.
Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested with Children
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff is a resident of the State of South Dakota at the time of filing this Complaint, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-30. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation].
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties, which are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage and make it appear that the marriage should be dissolved, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-2(7) and § 25-4-17.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties have reached a full agreement regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren), in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under SDCL § 25-4-45. The agreed parenting plan is as follows: [10. Parenting Plan Terms]
Child Support
The parties have reached an agreement on child support consistent with the South Dakota Child Support Guidelines (SDCL § 25-7-7). The agreed monthly child support amount is [11. Child Support Amount], payable by [12. Paying Parent] to [13. Receiving Parent]. Additional terms: [14. Child Support Additional Terms]
Medical and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be shared as follows: [15. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [16. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Alimony
The parties have agreed that alimony shall be as follows: [17. Alimony Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' parenting plan regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the parties' agreement and the South Dakota Child Support Guidelines;
(d) approve the parties' property and debt division;
(e) restore Plaintiff's former name of [18. Former Name], if requested; and
(f) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [19. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [20. Execution Date] day of [21. Execution Month, Year], at [22. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce with Children SampleSee how custody and parenting terms appear in the full document.
Complaint for Divorce — Contested with Children
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff is a resident of the State of South Dakota at the time of filing this Complaint, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-30. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation].
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties, which are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage and make it appear that the marriage should be dissolved, in accordance with SDCL § 25-4-2(7) and § 25-4-17.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties are unable to agree on legal or physical custody of the minor child(ren). Plaintiff requests that the Court award custody and establish a parenting plan in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under SDCL § 25-4-45. Relevant facts include: [10. Custody Dispute Facts]
Child Support
The parties are unable to agree on child support. Plaintiff requests that the Court order child support in accordance with the South Dakota Child Support Guidelines (SDCL § 25-7-7). Relevant facts include: [11. Child Support Facts]
Medical, Dental, and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be allocated as follows, or as the Court determines equitable: [12. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that the Court equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [13. Property and Debt Description]
Alimony
The parties are unable to agree on alimony. Plaintiff requests that the Court award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable under SDCL § 25-4-41. Relevant facts include: [14. Alimony Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) determine legal and physical custody and establish a parenting plan in the best interests of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the South Dakota Child Support Guidelines;
(d) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(e) award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable;
(f) restore Plaintiff's former name of [15. Former Name], if requested; and
(g) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [16. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [17. Execution Date] day of [18. Execution Month, Year], at [19. City and State of Execution].
Official formsUJS-310 (Complaint, no children), UJS-312 (Complaint, with children)
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Overview
South Dakota divorce: no residency clock
South Dakota is the state that simply removed the door: there is no minimum residency duration. Under SDCL § 25-4-30, you must be a resident — or a military member stationed there — at the moment of filing, and the state explicitly allows establishing residency and filing on the same day if done in good faith. The 60-day waiting period under § 25-4-34 runs from service of the summons, not from filing, so an uncontested case can close in two to four months.
The no-fault ground is irreconcilable differences under SDCL § 25-4-17.1, but it comes with a condition: both spouses must consent, or the served spouse must simply not appear. The Complaint for Divorce goes to the Circuit Court, and the forms are numbered — UJS-310 for a complaint without children, UJS-312 with children, plus the UJS-309/311 summonses, the UJS-232 case filing statement, and the UJS-304A/304B financial affidavits.
Property is divided equitably, and alimony is called alimony. Child support follows the South Dakota Child Support Guidelines. The filing fee is a $50 base plus automation and law library surcharges, and the same-day filing rule makes South Dakota one of the fastest entry points in the country.