Section 15-6-55(b) - Default judgmentJudgment by default may be entered as follows:
(1) By the Court. In all cases the party entitled to a judgment by default shall apply to the court therefor; but no judgment by default shall be entered against a minor or incompetent person unless represented in the action by a guardian, conservator or guardian ad litem who has appeared therein. If the party against whom judgment by default is sought has appeared in the action, he (or, if appearing by representative, his representative) shall be served with written notice of the application for judgment at least three days prior to the hearing on such application. If, in order to enable the court to enter judgment or to carry it into effect, it is necessary to take an account or to determine the amount of damages or to establish the truth of any averment by evidence or to make an investigation of any other matter, the court may conduct such hearings or order such references as it deems necessary and proper and shall accord a right of trial by jury to the parties when and as required by any statute of this state.(2) Filing. No default judgment shall be rendered against a defendant until a complaint has been on file at least twenty days unless the complaint has been served with a summons.(3) Service by Publication. In actions where the service of the summons was by publication before rendering judgment the court may in its discretion require the plaintiff to cause to be filed satisfactory security to abide the order of the court touching the restitution of any estate or effects which may be directed by such judgment to be transferred or delivered or the restitution of any money that may be collected under or by virtue of such judgment in case the defendant or his representative shall apply and be admitted to defend the action and shall succeed in such defense.SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 33.1707; SD RCP, Rule 55 (b), as adopted by Sup. Ct. Order March 29, 1966, effective July 1, 1966; SL 1993, ch 213, § 91.