Background Checks

Getting a background check on an individual who you want to hire as a respite provider is a necessary step towards protecting yourself and your loved one. You must inform the person that you will be doing a background check. It is always a good practice to also get written consent from the prospective respite provider before you get a background check.

For all background checks you must have the correct full name and a complete list of the current and previous residential addresses or the background check will not be as complete as possible.

Background Check Options

State of South Dakota Unified Judicial System
Search by Statewide Criminal or County specific Criminal Records
Cost: $20.00 per name searched
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/recordsearch.aspx

For assistance in obtaining a State of South Dakota Unified Judicial System background search contact:

Department of Human Services
Division of Long Term Services and Supports
3800 East Hwy 34 – Hillsview Plaza
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: (605) 773-3656

Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Investigation South Dakota Sex Offender Registry
Search by Text, Map or neighborhood using name, address, city, county, zip code
Cost: Free
https://sor.sd.gov/Search.aspx

The U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW)
Search by Individual States
Cost: Free
https://www.nsopw.gov/

SD Attorney General Background Check Requirements
Search by State Only Background Check or State/FBI Background Check State Only
Cost: $26.75 plus local law enforcement fee for fingerprinting
State/FBI Cost: $43.25 plus local law enforcement fee for fingerprinting
atg.sd.gov/LawEnforcement/Identification/backgroundcheckrequirements.aspx

The Office of Inspector General
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has the authority to exclude individuals and entities from federally funded health care programs (i.e., Medicaid, Medicare) and maintains a list of all currently excluded individuals. Check the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) by searching the OIG exclusions database.
Cost: Free
exclusions.oig.hhs.gov

Private Companies
There are various online private companies which conduct background checks and who charge a minimum amount (e.g., $40.00 to $60.00 per name) for a very basic search. The type and scope of the background check varies by each company and is based on the person’s correct full name and a complete list of their current and previous residential addresses. Please be aware to always research the extent of the background check which a private company promises to provide before paying for this type of search.