How to Get Married in South Dakota: Legal Requirements Guide

Planning a wedding in the Black Hills or anywhere across South Dakota comes with a few important legal steps, and one of the biggest is getting your South Dakota wedding license. Whether you’re celebrating in Rapid City, exchanging vows beside Sylvan Lake, or choosing a tucked-away overlook in the hills, this guide walks you through exactly what you need to bring, where to apply, and how the process works.

South Dakota keeps things simple and straightforward, but knowing the details ahead of time helps make the whole process easy and stress-free.

South Dakota Marriage Requirements at a Glance

Here are the basic requirements for getting married in South Dakota:

• Both partners must be at least 18 years old
• Ages 16–17 require parental consent
• You must apply together and in person at a Register of Deeds office
• Residency is not required
• No blood tests are required
• No waiting period
• Licenses are valid for 90 days

These relaxed requirements make South Dakota especially appealing for destination weddings and elopements.

What You Need to Bring When You Apply

Valid Photo Identification

You’ll both need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.

Social Security Numbers

You’ll be asked to provide your Social Security numbers, but you do not need the physical cards.
International couples without a Social Security number can still marry; the clerk will provide guidance.

Payment for the License Fee

The fee for a South Dakota marriage license is typically 40 dollars. Some counties accept cards, but smaller locations sometimes only accept cash.

Previous Marriages

If you were previously married, bring the date your last marriage legally ended. Some counties may request documentation like a divorce decree or death certificate, so having it with you is helpful.

Where to Apply for Your South Dakota Wedding License

You can apply for your marriage license at any Register of Deeds office in South Dakota. Popular counties for wedding and elopement couples include:

• Pennington County (Rapid City)
• Custer County
• Lawrence County (Spearfish and Deadwood)
• Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls)

Your marriage license is valid anywhere in the state, so you can apply in one county and get married in another.

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Marriage License in Pennington County, SD

If you’re getting married near Rapid City, you’ll most likely apply for your marriage license through Pennington County. The Register of Deeds office in Rapid City handles marriage licenses for the area, including weddings in Custer State Park, the Black Hills National Forest, and Badlands National Park.

You can apply in person at:
Pennington County Register of Deeds
130 Kansas City St., Suite 110, Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605) 394-2177

Appointments aren’t usually required, but both parties must be present and bring valid government-issued photo ID.

• Cost: $40
• Payment: Cash, credit card, or money order accepted
• Valid immediately after application
• Expiration: 90 days
• Where you can use it: Valid anywhere in South Dakota

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Marriage License in Custer County, SD

If you’re planning a wedding or elopement in Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake, or anywhere in the southern Black Hills, you’ll likely want to apply for your marriage license through Custer County.

You can apply in person at:
Custer County Register of Deeds
420 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer, SD 57730
Phone: (605) 673-8148

Appointments are not required, but both parties must be present with valid government-issued photo ID. No birth certificates are needed.

• Cost: $40
• Payment: Cash, credit card, or money order accepted
• Valid immediately after application
• Expiration: 90 days
• Where you can use it: Valid anywhere in South Dakota

This office is the best option for couples staying in Custer, Keystone, Hill City, or near Sylvan Lake or Needles Highway, since it’s close by and convenient.

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Marriage License in Lawrence County, SD

Planning an elopement in Spearfish Canyon, Roughlock Falls, or around Deadwood? You’ll want to get your South Dakota marriage license from the Lawrence County Register of Deeds.

You can apply in person at:
Lawrence County Register of Deeds
90 Sherman St., Deadwood, SD 57732
Phone: (605) 578-3930

No appointment is necessary, but both partners must appear in person with valid government-issued photo IDs (driver’s license, passport, or tribal ID). No birth certificates or Social Security numbers are required.

• Cost: $40
• Payment: Cash or card accepted
• Waiting period: None. The license is valid immediately
• Expiration: 90 days, valid anywhere in South Dakota

This is the ideal location for couples staying in Spearfish, Lead, or Deadwood, or anyone planning an adventurous elopement in the stunning northern Black Hills.

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Marriage License in Minnehaha County, SD

If you’re eloping or planning a wedding in Sioux Falls or anywhere in Minnehaha County, here’s how to get your marriage license locally.

You’ll need to apply in person at:
Minnehaha County Register of Deeds
415 N Dakota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-4223

Both parties must be present, with valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or tribal ID). No appointment is required, and there’s no waiting period.

• Cost: $40
• Payment: Cash, credit card, or money order accepted
• Valid immediately after application
• Expiration: 90 days
• Where you can use it: Valid anywhere in South Dakota

If you’re planning a courthouse wedding, you can also schedule a ceremony with the Minnehaha County Clerk of Courts, which is a great option for couples looking for a simple way to tie the knot.

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Can You Get Married at a Courthouse in South Dakota?

Yes! If you’re looking for a simple, civil ceremony, you can get married at most courthouses across South Dakota. You’ll need to bring your marriage license (obtained from the Register of Deeds) and two adult witnesses. Most counties have a magistrate judge available during weekday business hours to perform ceremonies, but it’s best to call ahead and ask if they offer marriage services and what the schedule is.

Some courthouses may charge a small fee for the ceremony. For Pennington County (Rapid City), call (605) 394-2688 to inquire about courthouse ceremonies.

Common Fees for a South Dakota Marriage License

South Dakota keeps the marriage license process simple, but the fees can vary slightly depending on the county. Most counties charge around 40 dollars for the license itself.

One important detail to know before you go: many counties accept cash only. Even if your county lists debit or credit as an option, smaller offices often don’t have card machines or may have them temporarily out of service. When my husband and I applied for our marriage license, we actually had to leave the courthouse and find an ATM because the office only accepts cash for marriage licenses. To avoid the same stress, bring enough cash to cover your license fee and any extra certified copies you may want.

Having cash on hand is a simple way to make the process quick and easy so you can move on to the more exciting parts of wedding planning.

How Long Your Marriage License Is Valid

Your South Dakota wedding license becomes valid immediately after it’s issued and stays valid for 90 days. There is no waiting period, which gives couples plenty of flexibility — especially for weekend ceremonies or spontaneous elopements.

Who Can Legally Officiate a Wedding in South Dakota

In South Dakota, the following individuals can legally officiate your ceremony:

• Judges
• Clergy members or ordained ministers
• Authorized tribal officials
• Online-ordained ministers

If you’re bringing your own officiant, make sure they have proper legal ordination recognized by the state.

What Happens After the Ceremony

Your officiant will complete the marriage license after the ceremony and return it to the Register of Deeds office where it was issued. You can then request certified copies of your marriage certificate, typically costing around 15 dollars per copy depending on the county.

Most couples order one or two official copies for name changes and personal records.

Tips for Getting Married in the Black Hills

Planning a Weekend Wedding

County offices in smaller towns often have limited weekday hours. Plan to pick up your license a day or two before your wedding weekend.

Planning an Elopement

South Dakota does require two witnesses, along with an officiant, to legally get married.

Traveling From Out of State

With no waiting period, couples visiting South Dakota can apply for their license shortly before their ceremony, making it convenient for destination weddings.

A Simple, Stress-Free Step Toward Your Wedding Day

Getting your South Dakota wedding license is one of the easiest but most important parts of planning your wedding. With minimal paperwork and no waiting period, the process gives you more space to be present and excited for your day.

If you’re planning a wedding or elopement in the Black Hills and want imagery that tells the story of your day as it truly happened, reach out and let’s start planning your experience together.