South Dakota · Moving & Records Transfer

Moving to South Dakota with kids?

South Dakota school enrollment requires proof of immunization under SDCL 13-28-7.1 — including a Hepatitis A requirement for kindergarteners that catches many out-of-state families off guard. Whether you're landing in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, or Aberdeen, here's how to transfer records into South Dakota's SDIIS registry and get your kids enrolled without losing weeks to paperwork.

Last verified: September 3, 2026

Step 1

Request records before you leave — and check Hep A status now

Under HIPAA, you have the right to a complete copy of your child's medical records from any provider. Request these before the move — it's far easier to follow up with a familiar office than to make cross-state calls from a new address.

What to request from each current provider:
  • Complete immunization record with dated doses (request a printout from your current state's IIS)
  • Well-child visit summaries with growth measurements and developmental notes
  • Specialist records, active diagnoses, and referrals
  • Current medications with dosages and prescribing providers
  • Any IEP, 504 plan, or special education documentation

The Hep A catch-up: start before you move

South Dakota requires 2 doses of Hepatitis A for kindergarten entry. Many states do not mandate Hep A for school, so if your child is approaching kindergarten and you're moving from a non-Hep-A state, the 2-dose series may not be complete. The series requires a minimum of 6 months between dose 1 and dose 2. Ask your current provider to administer the first dose before you move — it takes time, and you want dose 2 to be complete before fall enrollment begins in South Dakota.

Source: South Dakota Department of Health — School Immunization Requirements; SDCL 13-28-7.1, accessed September 3, 2026

Step 2

Get records into South Dakota's SDIIS registry

SDIIS (South Dakota Immunization Information System), maintained by the South Dakota Department of Health, tracks immunization records for children vaccinated in South Dakota. Out-of-state records are not automatically in SDIIS — you need to bring them to a South Dakota provider or public health unit to get them entered.

How to get into SDIIS after a move:

Source: South Dakota DOH — Immunization Program, accessed September 3, 2026

Step 3

School enrollment in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen

Sioux Falls School District (sf.k12.sd.us) — South Dakota's largest district. Enrollment requires an immunization certificate (SDIIS printout or provider-signed record), proof of address, and birth certificate. The district has a dedicated enrollment center for new families. Confirm Hep A documentation is complete before enrollment day — Sioux Falls SD is strict about kindergarten requirements.

Rapid City Area School District (rcas.org) — Enrollment is managed through the district office. Rapid City serves a large military and veteran population from Ellsworth Air Force Base — families making a PCS move to the area should confirm SDIIS records are updated before enrollment. The district follows state immunization requirements exactly.

Aberdeen School District — The Aberdeen area serves as a regional center for northeast South Dakota. Enrollment is processed at the district office. Immunization documentation must meet all SDCL 13-28-7.1 requirements, including Hep A for kindergarteners. The district can connect families with local public health resources if catch-up vaccines are needed.

What every South Dakota school needs at enrollment:
  • Immunization certificate (SDIIS printout or provider-signed record)
  • Birth certificate or proof of age
  • Proof of current South Dakota address
  • Prior school's cumulative academic records (requested by the new school, but bring a copy)
  • IEP or 504 plan documentation if applicable
Step 4

Finding a new pediatrician in South Dakota

Sioux Falls and Rapid City have established pediatric and family medicine practices. Smaller communities in South Dakota often rely on family medicine physicians, rural health clinics, or community health centers — many of which have full SDIIS access.

When establishing care with a new South Dakota pediatrician, bring:

The new provider will enter out-of-state doses into SDIIS and issue a South Dakota-compliant immunization certificate. For the Hep A series, they'll also track the dose schedule and remind you when dose 2 is due. Get this appointment on the calendar in your first week — pediatric offices book out quickly in late summer.

South Dakota Department of Health immunization resources: doh.sd.gov/disease/immunization

The Simpler Way

One email address that moves with you

Every person gets one health story, and one private Family Stork email address every clinic already knows how to use. When you're moving to South Dakota, that means your former pediatrician sends the visit summary, your old specialist sends the referral notes, and your new Sioux Falls or Rapid City provider starts sending records from the first appointment — all to the same address, filing automatically on the same timeline.

Tired of managing health records for yourself and everyone you love? Family Stork organizes them for you automatically — no portal logins, no uploads, nothing for any clinic to learn.

Now that you're in South Dakota: Check the South Dakota school health form checklist for every form, deadline, and physician-signature requirement your new school will ask for. Need daycare or camp forms too? See South Dakota daycare and camp health forms.

One health story. One email address every clinic already knows how to use.

Your South Dakota move is the perfect moment to start a complete family health timeline. $99/year, or about $10/month.

Start your family's record — free

More resources:

Juggling logins across multiple hospital portals? See how Family Stork compares to MyChart — one email address vs. a different portal for every clinic.

Keep your family's entire health story in one place: family health timeline software — from first heartbeat and beyond.

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