South Dakota Marriage License Requirements

If you're getting married in the state of South Dakota you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…

Cost of Your License

How much does a marriage license cost?

The marriage license fee is $40.00 dollars. Accepted forms of payment are cash or travelers check.

Residency Requirement

Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?

There are none. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of South Dakota to obtain a marriage license that will be valid statewide.

Waiting Period

After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?

There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.

Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?

No, you can get married immediately after your marriage license is issued.

License Expiration

How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?

Your license will expire 20 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.

What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?

Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.

Age Requirement

How old must I be to get married?

You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

What if one or both of us is younger than 18?

If either partner is under 18, one parent or legal guardian must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry.

Blood Test

Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No blood test or physical exam is required.

Divorced or Widowed Applicants

What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?

If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.

Marriage Name Change

How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?

When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).

There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for South Dakota or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.

Proxy Marriage

What is a proxy marriage?

A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."

Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?

No, getting married by proxy is not allowed in South Dakota. There are actually only five states left that do allow marriage by proxy.

Common Law Marriage

What is a common law marriage?

The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual South Dakota marriage license.

Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?

No, common-law marriages are not allowed in South Dakota. This is unsurprising as only one-fifth of the country currently recognizes common law marriage.

Cousin Marriage

Can I get married to my cousin?

No, cousin marriages are not allowed.

Same Sex Marriage

Are same sex marriages legal?

Yes, same-sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in South Dakota.

Where to Go

Where do I physically need to go to get my marriage license?

South Dakota has 41 offices where a marriage license can be acquired. Simply choose a location below to visit. Phone numbers as well as map and accompanying driving direction links are provided for every address.

Aurora County Clerk Registered Deeds
P.O. Box 397
Plankinton, SD 57368
605-942-7161
Beadle County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 55
Huron, SD 57350
605-352-3168
Bennett County Clerk Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 433
Martin, SD 57551
605-685-6054
Bon Homme County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 3
Tyndail, SD 57066
605-589-4217
Brookings Register Of Deed County Court House
3146 Ave
Brookings, SD 57006
605-696-8240
Brown County Clerk Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 1307
Aberdeen, SD 57402
605-626-7140
Brule County Register Of Deeds
300 S. Courtland
Chamberlain, SD 57325
605-734-5310
Charles Mix County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 206
Lake Andes, SD 57356
605-487-7141
Clark County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 294
Clark, SD 57225
605-532-5363
Clay County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 536
Vermillion, SD 57069
605-677-7130
Codington County Register Of Deeds
14 First Ave S.E.
Watertown, SD 57201
605-882-6278
Custer County Register Of Deeds
420 Mt. Rushmore Rd
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-2784
Davison County Register Of Deeds
1015 S Miller Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
605-995-3808
Day County Register Of Deeds
710 West 1st St
Webster, SD 57274
605-345-4162
Deuel County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 307
Clearlake, SD 57226
605-874-2268
Douglas County Register Of Deeds
706 Braddock St
Armour, SD 57313
605-724-2204
Fall River County Register Of Deeds
906 North River St
Hot Springs, SD 57747
605-745-5139
Grant County Register Of Deeds
210 E 5th
Milbank, SD 57252
605-432-4752
Haakon County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 100
Philip, SD 57567
605-859-2785
Hamlin County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 56
Hayti, SD 57241
605-783-3206
Hanson County Register Of Deed
P.O. Box 8
Alexandria, SD 57311
605-239-4512
Hughes County Register Of Deeds
104 E Capital
Pierre, SD 57501
605- 773-7495
Hutchinson County Register Of Deeds
140 Euclid Rm 37
Olivet, SD 57052
605-387-4217
Jerauld County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 452
Wessington Sprg, SD 57382
605-539-1221
Kingsbury County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 146
De Smet, SD 57231
605-854-3591
Lake County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 266
Madison, SD 57042
605-256-7614
Lincoln County Register Of Deeds
100 East 5th
Canton, SD 57013
605-987-5661
Lyman County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 98
Kennebec, SD 57544
605-869-2297
Marshall County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 130
Britton, SD 57430
605-448-2352
Meade County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 447
Sturgis, SD 57785
605-347-2356
Minnehaha County Register Of Deeds
415 North Dakota
Sioux Falls, SD 57102
605-367-4223
Moody County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 247
Flandreau, SD 57028
605-997-3151
Pennington County Register Of Deeds
315 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-394-2177
Potter County Register Of Deeds
201 S. Exane
Gettysburg, SD 57442
605-765-9467
Roberts County Register Of Deeds
411 Second Ave East
Sisseton, SD 57262
605-698-7152
Sanborn County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 295
Woonsocket, SD 57385
605-796-4516
Spink County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 266
Redfield, SD 57469
605-472-0150
Turner County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 485
Parker, SD 57053
605-297-3443
Union County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 490
Elk Point, SD 57025
605-356-2191
Walworth County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 159
Selby, SD 57472
605-649-7057
Yankton County Register Of Deeds
P.O. Box 694
Yankton, SD 57078
605-665-2422