This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.
South DakotaConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity
South Dakota is a permitless (constitutional) carry state as of July 1, 2019 (SB 47). A person 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm — resident or non-resident — may carry a concealed pistol without a permit. South Dakota still issues a concealed pistol permit through the sheriff of the applicant's county (the official permit is produced by the Secretary of State) in three classes: the Regular permit (a NICS check, no training), the Gold Card permit (adds an FBI fingerprint background check and a purchase-background-check exemption), and the Enhanced permit (adds a certified handgun training course, SDCL 23-7-58, and is recognized by more states). Permits are valid for five years and issued to applicants 18 or older. Open carry is lawful without a permit, and South Dakota has no duty to inform. Under SDCL 23-7-7.4, South Dakota recognizes valid concealed pistol permits from all other U.S. states. The Enhanced permit is the class worth holding for out-of-state travel.
South Dakota South Dakota Concealed Pistol Permit (CPP)
- Issuing authority
- County Sheriff (official permit issued by the Secretary of State)
- Carry regime
- constitutional
- Minimum age
- 18
- Fee
- $10
- Training
- Not required
- Validity
- 5 years
Permit classes
Regular Concealed Pistol Permit
For reciprocity travel- Minimum age
- 18
The basic permit (NICS check, no training); recognized by a number of states.
Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit
For reciprocity travel- Minimum age
- 18
Adds an FBI fingerprint background check and a firearm-purchase background-check exemption; broader recognition than the Regular permit.
Enhanced Concealed Pistol Permit
For reciprocity travel- Minimum age
- 18
Requires a certified handgun training course (SDCL 23-7-58) and an FBI fingerprint background check; recognized by the most states. Several states (e.g. Minnesota, Nevada) honor the SD Enhanced permit ONLY; Washington honors the Enhanced and Gold.
Carry practicalities
Permitless carry
Allowed — minimum age 18
South Dakota has permitless (constitutional) carry since July 1, 2019 (SB 47). A person 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm — resident or non-resident — may carry a concealed pistol without a permit. A permit remains useful for reciprocity (especially the Enhanced permit) and for the firearm-purchase background-check exemption.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Open carry
Permitless
Open carry of a pistol is lawful in South Dakota without a permit for a person who may lawfully possess a firearm. Open carry remains subject to the prohibited-place restrictions (courthouses, schools, licensed alcohol premises, etc.) and to private-property rules.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Duty to inform
Not required
South Dakota imposes no affirmative duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying, and no statute requires volunteering that you are armed. A permit holder should present the permit if asked, but there is no proactive notification requirement.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Off-limits locations
- county courthouses and the State Capitol (SDCL 22-14-23)
- K-12 school premises and school buses
- portions of establishments licensed for on-sale consumption of alcohol (bars)
- law enforcement offices, jails, and detention facilities
- the secured (past-screening) areas of airports
- private property and businesses that prohibit carry
- places where carrying a firearm is prohibited by federal law
Curated key categories, not exhaustive. Carrying in a county courthouse or the State Capitol is restricted under SDCL 22-14-23; school premises and licensed on-sale alcohol establishments are also restricted. Private-property owners may prohibit carry.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
South Dakota reciprocity summary
South Dakota honors 49 states' permits · honored by 37 states
Where a South Dakota permit is honored →Whose permits South Dakota honors →
Last verified 2026-07-10 against South Dakota Secretary of State — Concealed Pistol Permits.
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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.
South Dakota FAQ
- Does South Dakota have constitutional carry?
- Yes. South Dakota is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The CPP remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.
- How much does a South Dakota CPP cost?
- The CPP application fee in South Dakota is $10. The Regular permit fee is about $10; the Gold Card and Enhanced permits cost more (they add an FBI fingerprint background check, and the Enhanced adds a training course). Confirm current amounts with the county sheriff.
- Does South Dakota honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?
- South Dakota honors concealed-carry permits from 49 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who South Dakota honors" page.
- Where is a South Dakota CPP honored?
- A South Dakota CPP is honored by 37 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
- How long is a South Dakota CPP valid?
- A South Dakota CPP is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.