South Dakota Marriage Records

The legal minimum marrying age is 16 in South Dakota, with some prerequisites. Parties 16 and 17 must provide parental or guardian consent to the license issuer and submit a parental consent form. A marriage must be solemnized within 20 days of the license purchase, or it becomes void. The state does not allow marriage by proxy. It is possible to fill out the application in advance; however, one must sign it in person before the Register of Deeds.

No blood test is required during the marriage license application, though marriage between close relations, including parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, or cousins, is prohibited. To get married, the couple must go to the Register of Deeds office within the county, fill out and submit the license form. At this time, they will also provide proof of age by providing a copy of their birth certificate and the license fee. Marriage licenses in South Dakota are $40. From this, $30 is channeled to support domestic abuse programs while the rest goes to the general county fund.

According to Vital Statistics data from the state’s Department of Health, the mean duration of marriages in the state as of 2021 was 12 years, and the median duration was nine years. Per Codified Law 34-25-52.5, marriage records are not open in South Dakota. The Register of Deeds stores the records within any county in the state. Records that are before 1950 can be traced from the Register of Deeds offices or the South Dakota Department of Health.

What are Marriage Records?

South Dakota marriage records are official documents that can be used to prove a couple is legally married. These records include the parties' names within the union, locations, witnesses, officiants, and dates. They also include personal information concerning the parties, such as their addresses and the identities of their parents. Marriage records in South Dakota are generated and stored at the county level via the Register of Deeds, considering this is the first stop to get a license.

Marriage records form part of the vital statistics in South Dakota, although they are restricted to specific parties by state law. The records are essential at the government and individual levels. At a personal level, marriage records provide proof of a legal union, which can be used when applying for spousal or insurance benefits. They also allow parties to stake their claim to disputed property during inheritance cases.

Marriage records can be used to update personal identification documents when one wants to change their name, like a driver's license, passport, or taxation forms after the marriage ceremony. At an institutional level, marriage records satisfy research purposes, especially in social studies regarding population trends. They can also be used to trace family history during genealogical research.

Marriages in South Dakota

South Dakota's average marriage rate is 6.5 per 1,000 residents, down from 7.3 in 2010 and slightly higher than the national average of 6.2 per 1,000. Due to religious influences, South Dakotans typically marry at a young age. That said, the time for many marriages ranges from less than one year to 58. The mean duration is twelve years before the first divorce.

In South Dakota, 52% of the population aged 15 years and older are currently married. 36% have never been married, 10% are divorced, and 3% are widowed. Along ethnic lines, married people demography in South Dakota is as follows:

White (non-Hispanic) - 55.43%
Asian (including Hispanic) - 53.72%
Mixed (including Hispanic) - 30.02%
White Hispanic - 44.09%
Black (including Hispanic) - 33.55%
Others (including Hispanic) - 25.42%

Per the vital statistics data report, the divorce rate in South Dakota is 2.5 which is slightly higher than the national average of 2.4. The state's average age of first divorces is between the late 30s and early 40s, corresponding with national data trends. Surveys done on the causes of divorce have found irreconcilable differences to be the reason behind 97.6% of marital splits in the state.

Marriage by proxy is not allowed in the state.

Both applicants must also be present when purchasing a marriage license. These worksheets are available at any Register of Deeds office, however, the license can be used anywhere in the state. Once the couple declares they want a marriage license, the county office will confirm their photo IDs and age. Applicants who are 16 and 17 may get married but with parental consent. Anyone under 16 is not allowed to get a marriage license. There is also no waiting period from the license issuance to the ceremony's performance. A $40 cash fee is required, and the marriage must be conducted within 90 days, or the license will be void.

Marriages can be performed by a judge of the Circuit Court, a Justice of the Supreme Court, a mayor, or an ordained minister. That is, whether or not the individual resides within the state. Officiants must not be registered in the state but must present a copy of their ordination documents to the local authorities and the couple if requested. Officiants must also keep a record book of all the marriage ceremonies they have performed.

Before the wedding, the officiant will confirm by their knowledge or through photographic identification the party’s request to get married. That is by verifying their identities, real names, and addresses. They will also confirm the names and residences of the two ceremony witnesses.

Once the two have been married, the person solemnizing the marriage must return the license to the Register of Deeds within ten days. If this does not happen, there will be no marriage record.

South Dakota Marriage Certificate

South Dakota marriage Certificates are official documents issued to the couple and stored by the Register of Deeds following the ceremony and submission of their marriage license. They become legal proof that their marriage has taken place. They are also used to settle estates during property cases in court or as proof when applying for joint insurance. They can also be required as part of the necessary documents for visa applications.

A marriage certificate typically contains the parties' names, dates, and wedding locations. It will also include the wedding officiant's identity and the witnesses' names. Typically, these are stored by the Register of Deeds or the Vital Records office of the South Dakota Department of Health. Due to the nature of the official documentation, marriage certificates come with a higher access restriction. As a certified document, it is generally used for legal purposes and would only be accessed by the parties to the marriage or their legal representatives.

How To Find and Access South Dakota Marriage Records

Parties in South Dakota can access marriage records in person, via mail, or online, depending on their preference.

Finding and Accessing South Dakota Marriage Records in Person

Considering the Register of Deeds in any county presides over these records, that would be the first logical place to begin. Locate the Register of Deeds in the county and visit them during office hours. The interested party may prepare the necessary information before visiting, including full names of the parties, dates, and location of the marriage ceremony. They will also bring a copy of their identification documents, including a Driving License or a Passport. A copy of the marriage record will cost $15, which can be issued to the issuing office in cash, check, or credit card.

The other option is visiting a county courthouse and asking for the same records, providing the wedding took place in that jurisdiction. Requesters would have to provide the same details concerning identification and relationship to the parties of the marriage. South Dakota also provides a statewide repository for vital records at the Department of Health. Record seekers may head to their offices and prepare the necessary information, including names of the individuals, dates, and locations.

They will also complete and sign the application for the records while providing proof of identity. The Department of Health accepts Cash, Checks, Money orders, or credit cards, though the last option has a $2.50 surcharge.

Finding and Accessing South Dakota Marriage Records via Mail

Interested parties may complete a mail request of South Dakota marriage records at the Register of Deeds in their counties or from the Department of Health. Depending on the County, mail requests may require one to complete the application for the vital records requested. The request may also have to be signed by a notary or submitted with a clear copy of their photo ID along with the request fee.

The Department of Health also requires requesters to fill out applications. The payments will be issued by money order or check to the state office. Processing times for marriage record requests using this approach may vary depending on the location. That said, submitting a prepaid priority envelope for expedited processing is possible at a higher fee.

Finding and Accessing South Dakota Marriage Records Online

For the convenience of record seekers, they can process requests online or via phone. The South Dakota Department of Health mainly provides this service, however, certain counties may also give it. The Department has partnered to provide the service with the VitalCheck Network. Orders are processed through the site and are paid for by credit card. The credit card should also be in the requester's name. The same details concerning the parties, their relationship to the individuals, and proof of identity will also be required. While the fee for the certificate is $15, VitalCheck also imposes a $6.50 cost. It should arrive via regular mail within a few weeks if not expedited.

Counties in South Dakota

List of Content

What are Marriage Records?
Marriages in South Dakota
1. South Dakota Marriage Certificate
How To Find and Access South Dakota Marriage Records