Register of Deeds reports steady 2024 revenues, completes DocPro transition

Amanda Halsey, Minnehaha County Register of Deeds, briefed commissioners on the office's 2024 activity, revenue distribution and a recent technology upgrade.

Halsey said total recordings and revenue in 2024 were similar to 2023, with transfer fees remaining the largest single revenue source. Transfer fees are collected at $1 per $1,000 of sale price and she reported transfer fees accounted for more than half of office revenue; those fees flow 100% to the county general fund. The $30 recording fee includes a $5 recording, modernization and preservation (M&P) portion established by the state in 2012; Halsey said $3 of the $5 stays with the county and $2 goes into a statewide pool administered by SDACO and redistributed to counties.

Halsey reported the office brought in roughly $2.7 million to the general fund in 2024 and that about $119,000 came in to the M&P account. She said the office used M&P dollars to fund DocPro, a replacement for the AS/400 system, and that DocPro went live Nov. 15; the DocPro implementation was funded entirely from M&P and cost approximately $80,000. Halsey described improved search and image‑linking features available to the public and title industry users through DocPro.

Halsey said the register's office employs 11 people (including the register) following recent retirements; two positions remain open by choice. She said vital‑records activity reflects statewide usage and that a higher number of death certificate copies sold relative to birth certificates typically reflects purchasers ordering multiple copies for administrative purposes.

Commissioners asked whether fee levels are set locally; Halsey replied recording and transfer fees are statutorily set by the state and that any change would require legislative action. She said the $30 recording fee has been in place since 2012 when the M&P program started.

No formal action was required; the item was presented for information.