The Register of Deeds Department is responsible for recording, indexing, preserving, and maintaining real property documents, financing statements, birth, death, marriage, military discharge and notary public records in accordance with South Dakota General Statutes and local ordinances. The department assists attorneys, paralegals, realtors, surveyors, banking officers, and the general public with the retrieval of these permanent records and issues certified copies to the recipient. The Register of Deeds is an elected position.