What Are South Dakota Marriage Records?

South Dakota marriage records document the legal union of couples in the state. Officially, these records have been kept statewide since 1905 and include marriage licenses and certificates.

Per SD Code of Law Section 25-1-10, a marriage license is a legal document issued before the wedding and grants permission to marry. In contrast, a marriage certificate is issued after the ceremony and serves as proof that the marriage has been legally solemnized.

These records contain:

• The couple's names and ages
• Places of residence
• The date and location of the marriage
• Birthdate of the couples
• Parent's names of the couples
• The officiant's name and signature

Access to marriage records can help individuals verify marital status for legal purposes, such as inheritance or insurance claims. Genealogists and historians often use marriage records to trace family histories or study societal trends.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

As defined in SD Codified Law Section 1-27-21, a marriage certificate is generally a public record. However, only specific individuals are eligible to access marriage certificates with full information. These eligible persons include:

• The married parties
• Direct family members
• Next of kin
• Children of the married parties
• Legal representatives who can provide proof of relationship with the couples

Non-eligible persons may still request copies, but specific information is redacted to protect the married parties' privacy.

Redacted details may include Social Security numbers, personal identification numbers, exact physical addresses, or any other sensitive information of the registrant.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in South Dakota?

The South Dakota Vital Records Office of the Department of Health and the county register of deeds offices are the custodians of marriage records.

The Vital Records Office maintains marriage records from 1950 to the present, while the county register of deeds offices has kept records since 1905. However, some county registers may have started recording marriages even earlier than 1905.

Fortunately, South Dakota adopts a unified system of using one form, schedule of fees, and procedures, with a slight difference in processing times or waiting periods.

The process usually involves gathering all necessary personal information about the marriage. Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, by phone, or online. Requesters must prepare valid identification and pay the applicable fees.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

The South Dakota Vital Records Office issues certified, informational, or photostatic copies of marriage records.

• Certified copy: This computer-generated copy is issued to eligible persons for legal purposes. It is printed on security paper with the state seal and signature of the issuing agent.
• Informational copy: An informational copy is issued on plain paper with the statement "For informational use only. Not for legal identification".
• Photostatic copy: A photostatic copy is a photocopy of the original record and can either be certified or informational. This copy is issued only when computer-generated copies don't contain any details.

After identifying which copy of marriage certificates to obtain, individuals can choose from the following request methods:

Online

South Dakota marriage certificate requests can be processed online through VitalChek, the only provider authorized by the state.

After providing all the details and submitting an order, individuals pay $15 for the certificate and an expedited fee of $11.50, which consists of a $6.50 VitalChek service fee and $5 for the mailing fee. They can opt for a next-day delivery but must pay an additional $17.50.

Payments are accepted via major credit cards, and the credit card must match the requester's name.

Through Phone

SD marriage certificates can also be requested by phone, and VitalChek administers them. To place an order, individuals can call 605-773-4961. The applicable fees are the same as for online requests.

By Mail

Individuals can opt for mail to request a marriage certificate through the South Dakota Vital Records Office and county registers of deeds. The steps below apply to these agencies, as forms and fees are the same throughout the state.

• Fill out a Vital Record Request form.
• Attach a copy of government-issued identification such as a driver's license or two copies of the following if no valid government ID:
  • Copy of Social Security Card
  • Utility bill with current address
  • Bank statement with current address
  • Car registration or title with current address
  • Pay stub with name, Social Security number, and business address
• Include a payment of $15 in a money order or check.
• Submit the form and required documents to the Department of Health Vital Records Office or any register of deeds office.
• Use the state address below to send a request to the Vital Records Office or check the online register of deeds index to find the county address:

In-Person

Marriage certificates can be requested in person through the Vital Records Office and any of the county registers of deeds by following these steps:

• Complete a request form.
• Notarize the form if designating an agent to process and collect the marriage certificate.
• Provide a valid government ID or two copies of documents bearing the registrant's name, current address, and Social Security number.
• Pay the applicable fees in cash, check, card, or money order.

Payment methods differ from county to county. Thus, requesters should verify with the county which methods are accepted.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

The county register of deeds is the primary custodian of marriage licenses in South Dakota. Although the official year for keeping marriage licenses is 1905, counties recorded these documents much earlier.

For example, Pennington County has records of marriage licenses dating back to June 23, 1887, while Minnehaha County kept these records since 1872. Therefore, individuals may need to verify with the county regarding the records it holds.

To obtain copies of marriage licenses, requesters can mail their requests or visit the register of deeds where the marriage was registered.

Requesters can use the online index of the county register of deeds to get their official numbers, and the year the county started keeping marriage licenses.

Here's a partial list of contact numbers of various counties:

• Aurora County: 605-942-7161
• Lincoln County: 605-764-5661
• Brown County: 605-626-7140
• Brookings County: 605-696-8240
• Meade County: 605-347-2356

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

Aside from the VitalChek and online resources that specific county register of deeds offices provide, alternative online resources to search for marriage records in South Dakota include:

South Dakota State Archives

The South Dakota State Archives is an online repository of historical and marriage records dating back to the 1600s. Using this archive, individuals can search through billions of microfilm and materials. To search for marriages that are not available in the register of deeds, they can use the Library of the South Dakota State Historical Society.

Genealogical Societies

Local and national genealogical organizations often maintain online databases containing marriage records. These societies are helpful for individuals looking to explore familial ties or verify historical marriages in South Dakota.

Commercial Record Retrieval Service

Platforms like RecordsFinder provide access to searchable databases for marriage records. Users can search for marriage details. While these platforms may not provide certified copies, they can confirm basic information about a marriage.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

Confidential marriage occurs when the couple wants to keep it private. The reasons may include privacy, cultural considerations, or other factors.

In South Dakota, confidential marriages are not allowed. All marriage records are filed with the county register of deeds offices and the South Dakota Vital Records Office. These records are accessible to the public upon request but are subject to certain restrictions under South Dakota Public Records Law.

While marriage records are generally public, married individuals can consult a legal professional to explore options for maintaining the confidentiality of their marriage details within the boundaries of the law.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

A marriage license is a prerequisite for marrying in South Dakota and can be obtained from any county's register of deeds office. To apply for a marriage license, individuals must pass eligibility requirements and submit the needed documents.

Application Eligibility

Applicants must be at least 18 to obtain a marriage license in South Dakota. However, if they are 16 or 17, they may apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The state does not permit marriage for individuals under 16, and proxy marriages are not allowed.

Required Documents

All applicants are required to provide:

• Filled out marriage license application form
• Proof of identification such as passport, U.S. driver's license
• Proof of age, such as a birth certificate
• Notarized parental consent form for minor applicants

While marriage license application forms are unified in South Dakota, applicants are encouraged to verify first with the county if it's using the same form prescribed by the Department of Health Vital Records Office.

Process of Application

Both individuals must appear in person at the SD County Register of Deeds office, submit the required documents, and pay the applicable fees to apply.

During this process, applicants provide the surname they intend to use after the marriage.

Applicants must also disclose their Social Security numbers and provide other personal information, such as names, addresses, and birth details. Additional statistical information may be requested as part of the application process.

After the register of deeds checks for the completeness and validity of documents, a marriage license can be issued immediately, provided the application is completed before the day's cut-off time. The cut-off time may vary between counties.

As to the cost, applicants pay $40. Once issued, the marriage license can be used anywhere in South Dakota, and the ceremony must take place within 90 days.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

Mistakes on marriage certificates can include typographical errors, incorrect names, misspellings, or inaccuracies in birthdates or other personal details. These errors may arise during the application process or when recording the information after the ceremony.

Documents to Provide

To correct errors on a marriage certificate, individuals must provide the following:

• The original or a certified copy of the marriage certificate with the error
• A completed Marriage Amendment Request form signed in front of a notary public
• Documentary evidence showing the correct information (for certificates over one year old)

Examples of acceptable supporting documents include:

• Baptismal certificate
• Census record
• Medical record
• Marriage record
• Insurance policy
• School record
• Military record
• Parent's naturalization papers

For certificates older than seven years, supporting documents must be dated at least seven years before the amendment request. After review, all supporting documents will be returned to the applicant.

Steps to Take

Requesters should follow these steps for successful correction or amendment:

• Complete the Marriage Amendment Request form and notarize it.
• Gather supporting documents that verify the correct information. Only one certified or authenticated document is required.
• Submit the form and documents to the South Dakota Vital Records Office or the issuing register of deeds office.
• Pay $8 for amendments to marriage certificates over one year or no fee for amendments made within one year of registration.
• Obtain a court order specifying the correction if the amendment involves a surname change over a year after the event, which includes:
  • Information identifying the certificate
  • The incorrect data, as listed on the certificate
  • The correct data as it should appear
• Wait for the amendment to be processed. Processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the correction and the supporting documentation provided.

Are Marriage Records Under the South Dakota Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) protects the victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses, stalking, or human trafficking. It allows individuals to hide their actual addresses and provide a substitute address in public records. In a few states, ACP participants' public records, such as driver's licenses and marriage records, are inaccessible to the public.

However, South Dakota does not offer ACP protection for public records like marriage records, meaning these records remain accessible to the public but may be subject to certain restrictions or accessed through legal proceedings.

Individuals who wish to protect their address information on South Dakota marriage records can consider alternatives such as obtaining a court order to conceal their address, consulting the register of deeds about legal options, or using an alternative address, like a P.O. Box or mail forwarding service.

Consulting a legal professional can also help ensure privacy and protection under existing laws.

South Dakota Marriage Statistics and Trends

Marriage trends in the U.S. have shifted significantly over the years. The percentage of married adults has dropped from 58% in 1995 to 53% today, while the rate of cohabitation has doubled to 7%. Younger generations have seen the steepest decline, with marriage rates for those under 30 falling from 31% to 18%.

In South Dakota, marriage statistics reveal trends specific to the state's unique demographic and cultural factors:

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