How to Get Married Online in South Dakota

By Distant Vows | Updated 2026

If you are trying to figure out how to get married online in South Dakota, you will find one of the most permissive marriage systems in the country in several respects. South Dakota has no waiting period, no blood test requirement, no residency requirement, no officiant registration requirement, and allows self-solemnized marriages for couples whose denomination or sect permits it. Despite all this flexibility, the state still requires both partners to appear together in person at any county Register of Deeds office before a license will be issued, and the ceremony must take place within South Dakota. For couples where one or both partners cannot easily make that in-person visit, Utah’s online marriage system offers a fully remote alternative.

By using Utah’s fully legal online marriage system through Distant Vows, South Dakota couples can get married online in South Dakota 100% virtually and receive a U.S. marriage certificate valid in South Dakota and all 50 states. If you are comparing rules across the country, you can also review our full guide on how to get married online in all 50 states.

How South Dakota Marriage Usually Works if You Don’t Get Married Online in South Dakota

South Dakota marriages are governed by South Dakota Codified Laws Title 25, Chapter 1. Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Deeds in each county. Both applicants must appear together in person at any Register of Deeds office in the state. There is no residency requirement, meaning couples from out of state, including non-U.S. residents, may apply at any South Dakota county regardless of where they live. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and may be used for a ceremony anywhere in South Dakota, but only within South Dakota.

South Dakota has no waiting period. The license is issued the same day as the application and is valid immediately. The license is valid for 90 days and may only be used for a ceremony within South Dakota. The fee is $40, uniform statewide, with a $15 fee for each certified copy of the completed marriage certificate.

Most Register of Deeds offices accept cash; some accept credit or debit cards with a convenience fee. Application worksheets are available at the office and may be downloaded from some county websites in advance to speed up the in-person visit. Social Security numbers are required on the application, though the Social Security card itself is not required. If either applicant has been previously married, information about how the prior marriage ended is requested, and some county clerks may ask to see a divorce decree or death certificate, though this is not mandated statewide.

After the ceremony, if a third-party officiant performed the ceremony, that officiant must return the completed license to the issuing Register of Deeds within 10 days. If the couple self-solemnized their marriage, they must return the license themselves within 30 days. South Dakota does not require officiants to be registered with any city, county, or state agency before performing a marriage, making it one of the most open officiant systems in the country. Certified copies of completed marriage certificates are available both from the county Register of Deeds that issued the license and from the South Dakota Department of Health vital records office, which maintains statewide records.

One limitation worth noting is South Dakota’s name change rule on the marriage license. At the time of application, each applicant must state the surname they will use after marriage. The options under South Dakota law are limited to retaining the existing surname, adopting the spouse’s surname, or using a hyphenated combination of both surnames. No other name combination is available through the marriage license process alone.

South Dakota’s Self-Solemnization Option

South Dakota is one of a small number of states that permits self-solemnized marriages. Under state law, a marriage may be solemnized by the parties themselves without a third-party officiant, provided the self-solemnization is consistent with the practices of the spouses’ denomination or sect. In practice, this means Quakers, members of the Religious Society of Friends, and some other religious communities whose traditions do not involve a clergy officiant may marry in this way.

For a self-solemnized marriage, the couple completes the license in the usual way at the Register of Deeds, holds their private ceremony, and then returns the signed license to the Register of Deeds within 30 days. Self-solemnization does not eliminate the in-person clerk visit or the requirement that the ceremony take place within South Dakota. Couples who want to get married online in South Dakota from across the country or from abroad will still find the Utah online route more practical, since it requires no in-person steps at any stage.

Documents, Waiting Period, and Age Requirements in South Dakota

South Dakota’s minimum marriage age is 16, with parental or guardian consent required for applicants who are 16 or 17. A parent may grant consent in person at the Register of Deeds office while presenting photo ID, or may provide a notarized consent statement if unable to appear in person. Unlike some states, South Dakota does not offer a judicial override for parental refusal: if the consenting parent or guardian declines, there is no court process available to the minor applicant. No one under 16 may obtain a marriage license in South Dakota under any circumstances.

Standard requirements at the Register of Deeds office include the following:

Valid government-issued photo ID proving identity and date of birth, such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, military ID, or tribal ID. A certified copy of a birth certificate is also acceptable proof of age.
Social Security numbers for both applicants. The Social Security card itself is not required, but the number must be provided on the application form.
If either applicant has been previously married, information about the date and circumstances of the prior marriage’s end. Some county offices may request a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate at their discretion.
Each applicant’s decision about their post-marriage surname, chosen from the three options allowed under state law: retain existing surname, take the spouse’s surname, or use a hyphenated combination of both.

South Dakota does not require blood tests, does not require witnesses at the ceremony, and does not require officiants to be registered with any government agency. A non-citizen applicant without a U.S. Social Security number may still obtain a license; the Social Security field is left blank with a notation that no number has been issued.

Are Online Weddings Allowed Directly if You Want to Get Married Online in South Dakota?

Some South Dakota counties allow couples to download and pre-complete application worksheets before their in-person visit, which saves time at the office. However, both applicants must appear together in person at the Register of Deeds to finalize the application and receive the license. No county in South Dakota issues a marriage license remotely or by mail.

The ceremony itself must also take place within South Dakota, whether by a registered officiant or through self-solemnization. South Dakota does not have a mechanism for a ceremony to be conducted entirely by video under a South Dakota license. These requirements, combined with the 90-day expiration and the limited post-marriage name options, are why couples who want to get married online in South Dakota choose to marry under Utah law through a live video ceremony and use their Utah certificate in South Dakota instead.

4 Steps to Get Married Online in South Dakota with Distant Vows (Through Utah)

With Distant Vows, the same four-step process applies whether you want to get married online in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, or Nebraska. The legal engine is always Utah’s online marriage system, which allows couples to apply for a license and hold a ceremony entirely over video while still being recognized nationwide.

Step 1 – Verify Your Eligibility

First, you confirm that you and your partner meet basic Utah requirements and complete Distant Vows’ quick intake form. Typically, you both must be 18 or older, not currently married to anyone else, and able to join a live video call together. This foundation lets couples who want to get married online in South Dakota do so fully under Utah law. South Dakota recognizes marriages valid where they are performed, so couples who get married online in South Dakota through Utah receive a certificate valid in the Mount Rushmore State.

Confirm you are legally free to marry, whether single, divorced, or widowed.
Gather valid government-issued photo IDs, such as a South Dakota driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a device with audio and video so you can comfortably get married online in South Dakota.

Step 2 – Choose Your Package and Ceremony Date

Next, you choose a Distant Vows package and select a ceremony date and time that works for your schedule in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, Mitchell, or anywhere else. You can keep the ceremony short and simple or personalize it with vows, readings, and guests watching online as you get married online in South Dakota.

Select a basic legal-only ceremony or a more personalized experience.
Pick a time that works for your time zone and any guests joining from South Dakota or overseas.
Tell us if you need witness support, custom vows, religious or civil wording, or language options.

Step 3 – Apply for Your Utah Online Marriage License

After you pick your date, you complete a Utah online marriage license application. Utah County’s system lets you submit everything digitally, including your information, ID uploads, and signatures. You never have to visit a South Dakota Register of Deeds office, decide your post-marriage name from a restricted list at the time of filing, or coordinate an in-state ceremony, because the license is issued by Utah even though your goal is to get married online in South Dakota.

Fill out the secure Utah County application form online from your home in South Dakota or anywhere in the world.
Upload clear images of your IDs and any requested documents, such as divorce decrees if applicable.
Respond to any brief follow-up from the Utah clerk if they need clarification before issuing the license.

A Utah online marriage license is valid for 32 days from the date it is issued, and Distant Vows schedules your ceremony within that 32-day window so your marriage is properly created under Utah law.

Step 4 – Attend Your Online Ceremony and Get Your Certificate

On your wedding day, you and your partner join a live video ceremony with a Utah-licensed officiant. Two adult witnesses are required and they can join from anywhere in the world. If you do not have friends or family available, you can invite them at no charge, or use our witness service for a small fee.

Join from your home in South Dakota or from anywhere in the world, as long as you are both on the same live video call.
Participate in a real-time ceremony where you exchange vows and say your “I dos.” This is the moment you actually get married online in South Dakota, even though the legal ceremony is taking place under Utah law.
After the ceremony, your officiant files the certificate in Utah and you receive your official Utah County marriage certificate digitally and, if requested, by mail.

South Dakota Register of Deeds System vs Online Utah Marriage

Before you decide how to get married online in South Dakota, it helps to compare the two approaches side by side. The table below shows the key differences between the traditional South Dakota Register of Deeds process and using Distant Vows to get married online in South Dakota through Utah.

Feature	Traditional South Dakota Marriage	Get Married Online with Distant Vows (Utah)
Issuing office	Register of Deeds in any South Dakota county. No residency requirement. Out-of-state and international applicants may apply at any county office.	Utah County online application. No office visit required in South Dakota or anywhere else.
In-person requirement	Both applicants must appear together in person to complete the application and receive the license. No mail or remote option.	No in-person visits required. Everything is completed online.
Waiting period	None. License is issued the same day and valid immediately for 90 days within South Dakota.	No waiting period. Utah license is issued after online review and the ceremony is scheduled within the 32-day validity window.
Name change options	Limited at the time of application to three choices: retain own surname, take the spouse’s surname, or use a hyphenated combination. No other name changes are available through the marriage license process.	Utah’s application does not restrict post-marriage name changes at the time of filing. Standard SSA and DMV name change processes apply after the Utah ceremony.
Self-solemnization	Permitted for couples whose denomination or sect allows it, with a 30-day return deadline for the completed license. The in-person Register of Deeds visit and in-state ceremony are still required.	Not applicable. Distant Vows provides a Utah-licensed officiant for your live video ceremony.
Witnesses	Not required by South Dakota state law.	Two adult witnesses required under Utah law. Distant Vows can provide them if needed.
Officiant registration	Not required. South Dakota does not require officiants to register with any city, county, or state agency before performing a marriage.	Distant Vows officiants are licensed under Utah law. No South Dakota registration is needed or relevant.
Valid in South Dakota	Yes.	Yes, and in all 50 states once properly issued and filed in Utah, because South Dakota recognizes marriages valid where they were performed.
International use	May require apostille or legalization depending on the foreign country’s rules.	Utah certificates can receive an apostille for use in many countries, even if you get married online in South Dakota. Learn more at Distant Vows apostille services.

Military Couples in South Dakota

Many South Dakota couples use the Utah online marriage process when one partner is deployed or stationed away from the state. The Utah process works well for military couples because both partners can join the live video ceremony from different locations, which makes it easier to get married online in South Dakota without coordinating leave, travel, and Register of Deeds appointments. You can read more about how this works for service members at Distant Vows for Military Couples.

Immigration and Long-Distance Couples in South Dakota

Many South Dakota couples use a Utah online marriage when one partner lives abroad and the other is in South Dakota. As long as your ceremony is live, follows Utah law, and is not a mere paper proxy, a Utah marriage certificate can generally support spousal visa and green card applications, subject to federal immigration rules and consular requirements. If you need your marriage recognized by another country, Distant Vows can also help you obtain an apostille so your Utah certificate can be used internationally. You can learn more at Distant Vows apostille services.

Couples researching international marriage recognition may also want to read our guide on whether getting married online affects immigration cases.

Using Your Utah Certificate After You Get Married Online in South Dakota

After you get married online in South Dakota through Utah, your certified Utah County marriage certificate is your primary legal document for updating your records. South Dakota agencies accept any valid U.S. marriage certificate and do not require it to be South Dakota-issued.

Change your name with the Social Security Administration first. South Dakota’s DMV checks SSA records when processing name changes on driver’s licenses, so updating SSA before visiting the DMV prevents delays.
Update your South Dakota driver’s license or state ID through the South Dakota Department of Public Safety Division of Motor Vehicles.
Adjust your name and marital status with banks, employers, schools, and insurance providers.
Use your certificate for USCIS spousal visa and green card applications. The Utah County certificate is treated the same as any South Dakota-issued license for immigration purposes.

Many couples who get married online in South Dakota also use their Utah certificate to complete a legal name change after the ceremony. You can learn more in our guide on how to change your name after getting married online.

Helpful Online Marriage Resources

If you are comparing South Dakota’s Register of Deeds process with online marriage options, these guides can help you understand the broader Distant Vows process.

Related Online Marriage Guides

If you are researching how to get married online in South Dakota or nearby states, you may also want to read:

FAQ: Getting Married Online in South Dakota

Is it legal to get married online in South Dakota?
South Dakota recognizes marriages valid where they are performed. When you get married online in South Dakota through Utah’s system, your marriage is valid under Utah law and South Dakota must recognize it. South Dakota’s own requirements about in-person Register of Deeds appearances, in-state ceremonies, and the restricted name change list apply only to South Dakota licenses, not to marriages legally performed in Utah.

Do we still need to visit a South Dakota Register of Deeds office?
No. If you choose the Utah online route, your license is issued by Utah County. You do not need to visit any South Dakota Register of Deeds office. Every couple who chooses to get married online in South Dakota through Distant Vows completes the entire process digitally, with no in-person steps anywhere.

Does South Dakota allow self-solemnized marriages?
Yes, for couples whose denomination or sect permits it. The couple performs their own ceremony without a third-party officiant and then returns the signed license to the Register of Deeds within 30 days. The in-person Register of Deeds visit and the requirement for an in-state ceremony still apply. The Utah online route uses a Distant Vows officiant licensed under Utah law, which is a simpler and fully remote process for couples who want to get married online in South Dakota from anywhere in the world.

Does South Dakota require witnesses?
No. South Dakota law does not require witnesses at a marriage ceremony. However, two adult witnesses are required under Utah law, so couples who get married online in South Dakota through Distant Vows do need witnesses. Distant Vows can provide them if needed.

Can military couples get married online in South Dakota this way?
Yes. Both partners join the ceremony by video from wherever they are. A service member deployed or stationed at another installation can participate from any location while the other partner remains in South Dakota or elsewhere. You can read more at Distant Vows for Military Couples.

Can same-sex couples get married online this way?
Yes. South Dakota’s ban on same-sex marriage was struck down as part of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on June 26, 2015. Same-sex couples who want to get married online in South Dakota can do so through Utah and receive the same legal certificate as any other couple.

How fast can we get married online from South Dakota?
Many couples complete all four steps and receive their digital certificate within a few days. Rush options are available for couples who need to get married online in South Dakota on a tighter timeline. Whether you are in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, or a rural Black Hills community, the steps to get married online in South Dakota through Distant Vows are the same for every couple.

For details on South Dakota’s traditional marriage license requirements, the South Dakota Department of Health vital records page and your local Register of Deeds provide official guidance. For couples who want to get married online in South Dakota without visiting a Register of Deeds office or choosing their post-marriage name from a restricted list at the time of filing, Distant Vows handles everything remotely.

Ready to Get Married Online in South Dakota?

If you are ready to get married online in South Dakota, Distant Vows makes the process simple. Our four-step system walks you from eligibility to your official U.S. marriage certificate, with licensed Utah officiants, witness support, and clear guidance at every stage.

Start today and let us handle the legal details so you can get married online in South Dakota without leaving home. Every week, couples from Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, and across the Mount Rushmore State choose Distant Vows to get married online in South Dakota. You can begin by completing our intake form at get married online.

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