South Dakota Small Claims Court Forms: UJS-008, UJS-232, and UJS-306 Explained

South Dakota's small claims forms look simple — three to four pages each — but small mistakes get filings rejected at the clerk's counter. Here's what each form does and the details that trip people up.

The Forms for Starting the Case

Every plaintiff needs these two forms to start a case. Both are free downloads from the UJS website.

UJS-008: Plaintiff's Statement of Claim

This is the core document. It asks for:

• Your name and address (the plaintiff)
• The defendant's full legal name and address
• The amount you're claiming (up to $12,000)
• A plain-language description of what happened and why the defendant owes you money

Keep your narrative factual and chronological. State the dates, the amount, and the basis (breach of contract, property damage, unpaid invoice, unreturned deposit). Don't include legal arguments or emotional language — the magistrate will ask questions at the hearing.

If you're suing a business, use the entity's registered legal name from the Secretary of State registry, not a trade name or DBA. Naming the wrong entity can prevent you from collecting even if you win.

UJS-232: Case Filing Statement

An administrative cover sheet that captures party demographics, case type, and representation status. It asks whether either party is represented by an attorney, and classifies the case for court recordkeeping. Fill every field — blank sections can delay processing.

UJS-306: Statement of Military Status

This is not an initial filing form. Before a default judgment, the plaintiff must file an affidavit stating whether the defendant is in military service and provide the facts supporting that statement. UJS-306 satisfies the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) requirement. Check the Department of Defense's SCRA website before completing it.

After Filing: Forms You May Need Later

UJS-278: Denial / Counter Claim

This is the defendant's form. If you're sued, UJS-278 is how you deny the claim or file a counterclaim. The counterclaim can be for any amount up to $12,000. Filing a counterclaim adds an $11.84 certified mail postage surcharge.

UJS-255: Small Claims Notice of Dismissal

If you settle with the defendant before the hearing, file this to cancel the case. Filing fees already paid are non-refundable.

UJS-019: Satisfaction of Judgment

After the judgment is paid in full, file this form to record that the judgment is satisfied and clear the corresponding record or lien.

Formatting Rules That Matter

The UJS enforces strict formatting. Every form must be:

• Printed single-sided — double-sided submissions are rejected
• Completed in black ink — blue ink, pencil, or other colors are not accepted
• Signed where required — follow the signature instructions on each form

If you use the Guide and File online interview tool, it generates printable PDFs pre-filled with your answers. You still need to print, sign, and physically deliver or mail them to the Clerk of Courts in the correct county with the filing fee. Guide and File does not e-file for self-represented litigants.

Redaction Requirements

Under SDCL 15-15-11, you must redact sensitive information from all documents before filing: Social Security numbers, taxpayer IDs, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers. Failure to redact makes your personal data part of the public court record.

For the full form-by-form walkthrough with annotated examples, see the South Dakota Small Claims Filing Guide.

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