Hughes County, South Dakota: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Hughes County Circuit Court - Small Claims in Pierre. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $12,000. South Dakota return time: 21 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $966. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Hughes County Circuit Court - Small Claims |
|---|---|
| City | Pierre |
| Statewide filing fee | Current court fee schedule |
| Small claims limit | $12,000 (Magistrate Court small claims (SDCL 16-12C-13) only) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 6 years |
| Deposit statute | S.D. Codified Laws §§ 43-32-6.1, 43-32-24 |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $12,000 (Magistrate Court small claims (SDCL 16-12C-13) only).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| return full deposit or provide written statement of specific reasons for withholding | 21 days | after the termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions |
South Dakota return rule: 21 calendar days (return full deposit or provide written statement of specific reasons for withholding). Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Hughes County Circuit Court - Small Claims. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Hughes County.
- The South Dakota business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. South Dakota Secretary of State
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Hughes County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $794 | $0 | $794 | Fits under the $12,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $966 | $0 | $966 | Fits under the $12,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $993 | $0 | $993 | Fits under the $12,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $1,344 | $0 | $1,344 | Fits under the $12,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Hughes County compare with other South Dakota counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $966: rank 14 of 69 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 24.8% of households rent in Hughes County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Minnehaha County | $971 |
| Edmunds County | $967 |
| Hughes County | $966 |
| Sully County | $960 |
| Stanley County | $959 |
| Lawrence County | $949 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 69 of 70 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Hughes County
- Blunt
- Harrold
- Pierre
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Dakota Plains Legal Services: Free legal help for eligible tenants with evictions, landlord disputes and security deposits, including tribal-court matters. Native American clients only in: Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Charles Mix, Clay, Codington, Day, Davison, Duel, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Spink, Turner, Union, Yankton. 'Duel' reproduces the source spelling.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Hughes County?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Hughes County?
Hughes County Circuit Court - Small Claims is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.