To obtain a marriage license, each applicant shall sign the marriage license application in person in the presence of the register of deeds or in the presence of a person duly appointed by the register to act in the register’s behalf. Each applicant shall provide valid personal identification and provide proof of age before issuance of the marriage license. Proof of age and personal identification must be satisfied by providing a valid:

(1) Passport;

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 25-1-10.1

  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC

(2) Federal, state, military, or tribal photo identification;

(3) Certified birth certificate, along with a current school or employment photo ID; or

(4) Certified birth certificate, along with a U.S. Department of the Treasury Form 4029 that is completed.

On the marriage license application, each applicant shall provide the name the applicant shall be known by after the solemnization of the marriage. This choice must be indicated on the certificate of marriage and serve as a legal means for a name change. A first name may not be changed under this section. A middle name may only be changed if an applicant is changing the applicant’s surname to become a middle name. A surname may only be changed to adopt the spouse’s surname or the applicants’ hyphenated surnames.

No person may use a power of attorney to obtain a marriage license.

Source: SL 1993, ch 191, § 1; SL 2021, ch 115, § 1; SL 2022, ch 78, § 1.