How to Get a Marriage License in South Dakota
South Dakota marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $40 (statewide statutory fee; Register of Deeds)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
In South Dakota, applicants for a marriage license must apply at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the marriage will take place. The statewide statutory fee is $40. South Dakota has no waiting period for marriage licenses, and no blood test or witness requirement. A government-issued photo ID and proof of age are required. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; those aged 16 or 17 may apply with notarized parental consent. Individuals under 16 are not permitted to marry. The marriage license is valid for 90 days from issuance.
Because South Dakota marriage law can be subject to administrative updates and the Register of Deeds administers the licensing process at the county level, applicants should confirm the current fee, required documentation, and all eligibility requirements with the Register of Deeds office in their county or through the state's official government website before applying.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| License fee | $40 (statewide statutory fee; Register of Deeds) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 90 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with notarized parental consent; under 16 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required |
| Online option | no statewide online option; apply at the Register of Deeds |
| Where to apply | Register of Deeds (statewide $40 fee, county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full South Dakota requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record South Dakota marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.