On 1 January 1900, an unpopulated area of Søndre Land was transferred to the neighboring municipality of Vardal.

The official blazon is "Azure, three branched tree trunks in bend Or" (Norwegian: I blått tre skråstilte kvistede gull trestammer).

This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is three branched tree trunks lined up diagonally.

The charge has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used.

The blue color in the field symbolizes the water of the Randsfjorden which dominates the central part of the municipality.

It is part of the Hadeland og Land prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

It lies in the south of Innlandet and on the northern end of the 4th largest lake in Norway, Randsfjorden.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Søndre Land is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms.