Marriage Requirements

The Department of Health DOES NOT maintain lists of individuals able to perform marriage ceremonies. A marriage may be solemnized by a justice of the Supreme Court, a judge of the circuit court, a magistrate, a mayor, either within or without the corporate limits of the municipality from which the mayor was elected, or any person authorized by a church to solemnize marriages. (SDCL 25-1-30)

• Marriage licenses can be obtained from any South Dakota Register of Deeds County.
• No blood test or waiting period required.
• The Marriage License application is required. (Marriage License Application)
• A marriage license costs $40. Some Register of Deeds may only accept cash or traveler's checks – please call ahead to verify acceptable payment methods.
• Identification is required:
  • Passport
  • Federal, state, military, or tribal photo identification
  • Certified birth certificate, along with a current school or employment photo ID;
    or
  • Certified birth certificate, along with a US Department of the Treasury Form 4029 that is completed.
• The marriage must be solemnized within 90 days of the purchase of the license, or the license becomes null and void.
• Applicants 16 or 17 years of age require:
  • A circuit court order following a determination by the court that the marriage is voluntary and in the best interest of the minor applicant(s).
  • Written and notarized consent from two parents of each minor or legal guardian of each minor. (SDCL 25-1-13) – Parental Consent Form
• For those getting married during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the area Register of Deeds includes:
  • Meade County
    1300 Sherman Street, Ste 138
    Sturgis, SD 57785    
    605-347-2356
  • Pennington County
    130 Kansas City Street, Ste 210
    Rapid City, SD 57701
    605-394-2177
  • Lawrence County
    90 Sherman Street
    Deadwood, SD 57732
    605-578-3930
  • Custer County
    420 Mount Rushmore Road
    Custer, SD 57730
    605-673-8109
  • Fall River County
    906 N River Street #102
    Hot Springs, SD 57747
    605-745-5139
  • Butte County
    839 5th Ave #4
    Belle Fourche, SD 57717
    605-892-2912
• Once you are married, the individual who solemnizes the marriage must return the license to any South Dakota Register of Deeds office within 10 days. If the license is not returned, there will be no record of your marriage.

See SDCL Chapter 25-1 for more information