Union County Public Auctions & Sheriff Sales
Comprehensive guide to county sheriff foreclosure auctions, tax deeds, tax lien certificates, over-the-counter land purchases, and surplus funds in Union County, South Dakota.
Where to Bid on Union County Auctions
Public delinquent property auctions for Union County are managed by the Union County Treasurer and hosted online via Union County In-Person County Treasurer Office Portal.
Union County Sheriff Sales & Judicial Foreclosures
In addition to delinquent tax sales, the Union County Sheriff's Office Civil Division conducts regular public foreclosure auctions ordered by the Circuit or Superior Court to satisfy mortgage default judgments, construction liens, and civil court executions.
Union County County Certificate Over-the-Counter Assignment (Over-The-Counter)
Parcels and certificates that receive no bids during the scheduled public auctions enter the county's permanent County Certificate Over-the-Counter Assignment inventory. Any citizen or investor can purchase these parcels directly from the Union County Treasurer over the counter for the delinquent taxes and fees owed, without competing in an auction.
Unclaimed Tax Sale Surplus Funds in Union County
When a delinquent property is auctioned in Union County for more than the outstanding taxes, penalties, and administrative fees, the resulting funds are termed excess proceeds (surplus funds). By law, these funds belong to the former property owner or their legal heirs.
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4 Steps to Bid on Properties in Union County
Pre-Auction Due Diligence
Review the Union County delinquent tax list published 4–6 weeks prior to the sale. Perform title searches on Parcel ID numbers to identify superior federal liens or mortgages.
Bidder Registration & Deposit
Register on In-Person County Treasurer Office at least 48 hours prior to auction start. Deposit required bidder funds (often 5% of anticipated bid budget or flat $200 deposit).
Auction Bidding Strategy
Bid down the interest rate from the statutory 10% Statutory Return Rate cap to win the lien certificate.
Payment & Deed Issuance
Settle the remaining purchase balance within 24 hours. The Union County Treasurer issues a certificate or records the tax deed with the County Recorder.
Frequently Asked Questions: Union County Tax Sales
Is Union County a tax lien or tax deed county? ▼
Union County follows the South Dakota Tax Lien Certificate statutes. Bidders either obtain a first-position tax lien certificate earning 10% Statutory Return Rate statutory return or purchase physical real property deeds at public auction.
Can I buy Union County tax properties online? ▼
Yes. Tax auctions are conducted through In-Person County Treasurer Office (https://dor.sd.gov). Registered bidders can participate remotely from anywhere in the world.
What happens if a property does not sell at auction in Union County? ▼
Unsold parcels are added to the Union County County Certificate Over-the-Counter Assignment list. These properties can be acquired directly over-the-counter through the Union County Treasurer without an auction.