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South Dakota · How-To Guide

How do I get a marriage license?

County Register of Deeds (county level - each of South Dakota's 66 counties)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Both applicants must appear in person together at any SD county Register of Deeds office; no appointment required at most offices; typical hours Mon-Fri during business hours
  2. Complete the South Dakota Marriage License Application; you may fill it out in advance, but MUST SIGN IT IN PERSON in the presence of the Register of Deeds; do not sign in advance
  3. Provide proof of age and identification for both applicants
  4. Each applicant must state the surname (last name) they will use after the marriage at the time of application; note that SD limits name change options to adopting spouse's surname or a hyphenated combination of both surnames
  5. Pay the $40 fee; CASH is strongly preferred or required at most SD county offices; many do NOT accept checks or credit cards; some larger counties (e.g., Davison County/Mitchell) accept debit/credit; CALL AHEAD to confirm payment method
  6. License issued immediately; NO waiting period; can marry the same day
  7. License valid for 90 DAYS from date of issue (some sources indicate 20 days - verify with your county; the SD UJS official source states 90 days for when the marriage must be solemnized before the license becomes void)
  8. Two witnesses must attend and sign the marriage license at the ceremony
  9. After the ceremony:
  10. If officiated by an officiant: officiant must return the completed marriage license to the Register of Deeds within 10 DAYS of the ceremony
  11. If self-solemnized (SD allows self-uniting marriages - couple marries themselves): must return within 30 DAYS
  12. Certified copies of the marriage certificate: available from the issuing county Register of Deeds ($15) or the SD Department of Health ($15); may be ordered in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, tribal ID, or other photo ID showing name and date of birth) for both applicants; OR a certified copy of birth certificate
  • Social Security numbers for both applicants (not always required; verify with county)
  • If previously divorced: divorced parties do NOT need to bring a divorce decree in SD (unlike many states); however, it's wise to have the date of divorce finalization handy
  • If previously widowed: death certificate of former spouse may be requested; verify with county
  • Minimum age 16; ages 16-17: written parental consent required (separate Parental Consent Form); under 16: not permitted
Fee
$40 statewide (set by state law; SD Code 25-1-10); $10 of fee goes to county general fund; $30 goes to county domestic abuse program fund; certified copy of marriage record: $15 additional
Waiting Period
NONE - license effective immediately; can marry same day LICENSE VALIDITY: 90 days (solemnize before license becomes void) WITNESSES: 2 required at ceremony and must sign OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 10 DAYS for officiant-solemnized; 30 DAYS for self-solemnized SELF-UNITING MARRIAGE: YES - South Dakota allows self-uniting/self-solemnizing marriages (couple marries themselves without an officiant); some counties may ask for paperwork or explanation; verify locally CASH ONLY AT MANY OFFICES: Call your specific county to confirm accepted payment methods NAME CHANGE: Must be selected at application; limited to spouse's surname or hyphenated combination
Online Option
No statewide online application; must appear in person
Where to Go
County Register of Deeds in any SD county
County-specific variations apply

SD's 66 counties each operate their own Register of Deeds. Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls - largest): 415 N Dakota Ave; walk-in during business hours; cash only ($40); contact (605) 367-4223. Pennington County (Rapid City): 130 Kansas City St; contact (605) 394-2177. Beadle County (Huron), Brown County (Aberdeen), Codington County (Watertown), Davison County (Mitchell), Lawrence County (Deadwood/Lead area), Meade County (Sturgis), and other larger counties have listed contact info on their county websites. Very small rural SD counties may have extremely limited hours - many SD county offices are very small; call ahead is essential. During Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (late July-August), area Register of Deeds offices in western SD (Sturgis/Meade, Rapid City/Pennington, Deadwood/Lawrence, Custer, Hot Springs/Fall River, Belle Fourche/Butte) see heavy demand.

South Dakota Notes

Important state-specific details

  • No waiting period; no blood test; no residency requirement.
  • $40 fixed statewide fee - set by state law (SD Code § 25-1-10).
  • Cash preferred/required at most offices - call ahead.
  • Self-uniting (self-solemnizing) marriages are allowed in South Dakota.
  • Tribal officials are explicitly authorized as marriage officiants - reflects SD's significant tribal population.
  • Surname change limited to spouse's surname or hyphenated combination at time of application.
  • No Power of Attorney to obtain license - both must appear.
  • Common law marriage: NOT recognized in South Dakota.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
SD Department of Health, Vital Records (for certified copies of marriage records after filing) - doh.sd.gov/vital | (605) 773-4961; County Register of Deeds (varies by county)