South Dakota Officiants

Marriage License Laws South Dakota

Marriage license Laws in the state of South Dakota, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the South Dakota marriage laws before filling out the South Dakota marriage license form.

In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, but you'll need to apply for the certificate together, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

ID Requirement: Drivers License or a certified copy of a Birth Certificate.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of South Dakota.

If previously married: Proof of divorce may be required.

Application Requirement: Both parties to a marriage should appear in person at a Register of Deeds Office in a South Dakota county.

Fees: $40 - Some offices accept only cash and travelers checks.

Waiting Period: No waiting period.

Blood Tests: No blood test or physical exam is required.

Under 18: Applicants 16 and 17 must have parental consent. South Dakota law does not permit marriage of those under 16.

Proxy Marriages: No. Both parties must be present.

Common Law Marriage: No.

Cousin Marriage: No.

Same Sex Marriage: No.

Solemnization of Marriage: The marriage must be solemnized within 20 days from the purchase of your license or the license becomes void. Call the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce at (605) 347- 2556 for a listing of individuals who can perform solemnize marriages.

Once you are married, the individual who solemnizes the marriage must return the license to the Register of Deeds within 10 days. If not, there will be no record of your marriage. Marriage may be solemnized by a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the circuit court, a magistrate, or any person authorized by a church to solemnize marriages. See SDCL 25-1 for specific statutes.

Officiants: Marriages may be performed by a minister of the gospel, or priest of any denomination. Ministers must provide the bride and groom with marriage certificates upon request. Ministers must also keep a record book of all marriages they perform. Finally, the minister must send a marriage certificate to the clerk who issued the marriage license within 30 days after the marriage.

Valid: License is valid for 20 days.
The license can only be used within the State of South Dakota.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

South Dakota County Clerk's Office

Aurora County Clerk Plankinton, SD 605. 942. 7161	Beadle County Huron, SD 605. 352. 3168	Bennett County Clerk Martin, SD 605. 685. 6054
Bon Homme County Tyndail, SD 605. 589. 4217	Brookings Register Of Deed Brookings, SD 605. 696. 8240	Brown County Clerk Aberdeen, SD 605. 626. 7140
Brule County Chamberlain, SD 605. 734. 5310	Charles Mix County Lake Andes, SD 605. 487. 7141	Clark County Clark, SD 605. 532. 5363
Clay County Vermillion, SD 605. 677. 7130	Codington County Watertown, SD 605. 882. 6278	Custer County Custer, SD 605. 673. 2784
Davison County Mitchell, SD 605. 995. 3808	Day County Webster, SD 605. 345. 4162	Deuel County Clearlake, SD 605. 874. 2268
Douglas County Armour, SD 605. 724. 2204	Fall River County Hot Springs, SD 605. 745. 5139	Grant County Milbank, SD 605. 432. 4752
Haakon County Philip, SD 605. 859. 2785	Hamlin County Hayti, SD 605-783-3206	Hanson County Alexandria, SD 605. 239. 4512
Hughes County Pierre, SD 605. 773. 7495	Hutchinson County Olivet, SD 605. 387. 4217	Jerauld County Wessington Sprg, SD 605. 539. 1221
Kingsbury County De Smet, SD 605. 854. 3591	Lake County Madison, SD 605. 256. 7614	Lincoln County Canton, SD 605. 987. 5661
Lyman County Kennebec, SD 605. 869. 2297	Marshall County Britton, SD 605. 448. 2352	Meade County Sturgis, SD
Minnehaha County Sioux Falls, SD 605. 367. 4223	Moody County Flandreau, SD 605. 997. 3151	Pennington County Rapid City, SD 605. 394. 2177
Potter County Gettysburg, SD 605. 765. 9467	Roberts County Sisseton, SD 605. 698. 7152	Sanborn County Woonsocket, SD 605. 796. 4516
Spink County Redfield, SD 605. 472. 0150	Turner County Parker, SD 605. 297. 3443	Union County Elk Point, SD 605. 356. 2191
Walworth County Selby, SD 605. 649. 7057	Yankton County Yankton, SD 605. 665.2422