Get your certified South Dakota Marriage Certificate

The fee for a certified copy of a South Dakota marriage certificate is $15 when ordered through the South Dakota Department of Health. Additional copies requested at the same time may have a reduced fee. When ordering through VitalRecordsOnline.com, processing fees apply in addition to the state fee. County offices may charge slightly different fees, so check with your local register of deeds for exact pricing.

Yes, you can order a South Dakota marriage certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. The online process allows you to submit your application, upload required identification documents, and pay securely. You can also order directly through the South Dakota Department of Health website. Online orders are typically processed within a few business days, making it the fastest option for most applicants.

In South Dakota, either spouse named on the marriage certificate can request a copy. Immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a tangible interest in the record may also be eligible to order a copy. You may need to provide identification and explain your relationship to the person named on the certificate. For third-party requests, a notarized authorization from one of the parties named on the record may be required.

South Dakota marriage records are generally considered public records. However, access to certified copies may be restricted to the parties named on the certificate, their immediate family members, or individuals with a legal reason to obtain the record. Informational copies without legal standing may be available to the general public for genealogical or research purposes through the Department of Health or the state archives.

A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding ceremony that authorizes you to get married. It is issued by the register of deeds in any South Dakota county. A marriage certificate is the official record that proves your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the register of deeds, who then files it and it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes such as name changes, insurance enrollment, and immigration applications.

You can obtain a certified copy of a South Dakota marriage certificate from the South Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records Program in Pierre, or from the county register of deeds where the marriage license was filed. You can also order online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For marriages that took place before July 1905, contact the county register of deeds directly, as the state office may not have older records on file.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by telephone, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the SD-DOH.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a health department close to you.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the SD-DOH at:
      South Dakota Department of Health,
      Vital Records Office,
      221 West Capitol Ave,
      Pierre, SD 57501
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
   4. For requesting by phone: Contact (605) 773-4961 and follow the specific instructions given
2. SD-DOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The amendment process can differ based on the changes needed. An amendment is necessary when any information in the marriage record needs to be changed.

Marriage records can be amended upon request by either of the individuals named in the record, the person who officiated the marriage, the local registrar who filed the marriage, or a legal representative acting on behalf of one of the individuals. The applicant must sign the Marriage Amendment Request form in the presence of a notary public.

In South Dakota, some amendments require a court order, such as any change to a surname on a marriage record made a year or more after the event, unless the change involves a minor spelling error.

Correcting or amending marriage records usually will require the following:

1. A completed, notarized amendment application; Marriage Record Amendment Request
2. Supporting documentation must be over 7 years old if the record is over 1 year old when requesting a correction.
3. Appropriate fee(s): the amendment fee is $8.00, and each certified copy of the amended record costs $15.00.

Apostilles can be requested from the South Dakota Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO). VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries.

An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The South Dakota Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records originally filed with the SD-DOH.

To request by mail, you’ll need to provide the following information:

1. A completed Apostille/Authentication Request Form.
2. Certified marriage record certificate
3. Processing fee of $25.00 per document via check or money order payable to the Secretary of State (cash and all major credit cards also accepted)
4. Self-addressed envelope only if expedited delivery is needed (DHL not accepted)

For standard or express shipping (UPS or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address below: