Officiating a wedding in South Dakota
Registration, the license, and who returns it — the essentials for officiants.
Informational only. Informational only, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with the county clerk or issuing office that handles the license.
Reviewed August 2026 · Issuing office: doh.sd.gov
Can you officiate, and is registration required?
South Dakota sets no officiant registration, and the Department of Health states that it does not maintain lists of individuals able to perform marriage ceremonies. A justice of the Supreme Court, a circuit court judge, a magistrate, a mayor, or any person authorized by a church to solemnize marriages may do so. No official source reviewed addresses online ordination, so ask a county Register of Deeds or the department’s vital records office. Solemnizing without a license is a misdemeanor for everyone involved, and the marriage must occur within 90 days of the purchase of the license.
Who returns the license, and by when
After performing the ceremony the person solemnizing delivers the marriage certificate to the persons married and returns the license and record of marriage to the county register of deeds within ten days. Confirm the window with that office.
Suggested return window: about 10 days after the ceremony. Confirm the current deadline with the issuing clerk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to register to officiate in South Dakota?
No. The Department of Health states that it does not maintain lists of individuals able to perform marriage ceremonies, and the statute imposes no registration.
Does South Dakota require witnesses?
The officiant must establish the names and places of residence of two witnesses before the ceremony, so it is a verification step rather than only a signature line at the end.
When is a South Dakota marriage license due back?
Within ten days after the ceremony, returned to a county register of deeds.
Never miss a return deadline
RiteBinder's license tracker keeps every state's note in front of you (free, no card). On Solo it also turns the signed license into a task and reminds you before the deadline.
Confirm the current rule with the issuing office:doh.sd.gov.