Marriage

Apply for a Marriage Certificate in South Dakota

1. Obtain your license application worksheet from the county Register of Deeds office or print the South Dakota Marriage License Application Form. While you can fill out the application in advance, you must sign the application in person in the presence of the Register of Deeds.
2. When you return the application, you must pay a fee of $40.
3. When applying for a marriage license, you must provide proof of age. Identification is required in the form of a certified copy of a birth certificate or any photographic identification which includes the applicant's name and date of birth.
4. No blood test or waiting period is required.
5. You must be a minimum age of 16 years old to obtain a marriage license. People who are 16 and 17 must have parental consent. Fill out the South Dakota Marriage License Parental Consent Form.
6. The marriage must be solemnized (performed) within 20 days from the purchase of your license or the license becomes void.
7. Once you are married, the individual who solemnizes (performs) the marriage must give the marriage certificate to the married couple and return the license to the Register of Deeds office within 10 days. If the license is not returned, there will be no record of your marriage.
8. You can obtain a certified copy of a marriage record from the county Register of Deeds office for a fee. (SDCL 34-25-52). The Department of Health maintains marriage licenses issued and record of marriages solemnized (performed) in South Dakota.