How to Find South Dakota Marriage Records

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How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find South Dakota Marriage Records

Dakota Territory was created in 1861. In 1887 it was divided into two territories North and South Dakota. In 1889 South Dakota became a state.

Finding South Dakota Marriage Records

 * 1862 Dakota Territorial Legislature declared all marriages prior to 1862 as legal if they had been performed by a minister, justices of the peace or judges.
 * 1890, the clerk of the circuit court or register of deed kept the records
 * In July 1905 South Dakota adopted a uniform vital statistics law
 * 1920 marriage records from the county were transferred to the State Board of Health
 * South Dakota marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period

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Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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 * Marriage Records
 * Choose a time period:
 * Before 1862
 * 1862 to 1890
 * 1890 to 1905
 * 1905 to 1920
 * 1920 to Present
 * Marriage year unknown


 * }

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1862

 * Before 18--, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
 * 18-- to 18-- very few records exist

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.



Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1862 to 1890
Marriage Records on Microfilm Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use theFamily History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.


 * Search the FHLC by county.
 * Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
 * For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1890 to 1905
Marriage Records on Microfilm Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.


 * Search the FHLC by county.
 * Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
 * For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1905 to 1920
Marriage Records on Microfilm Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.


 * Search the FHLC by county.
 * Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
 * For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1920 to Present
Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information


 * Copies may be ordered from the county register of deeds.


 * Copies may be ordered from the South Dakota Department of Health.

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

 * South Dakota Online Records
 * South Dakota Vital Records
 * Learn more about U.S. marriage records
 * How to find U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. marriage records
 * How to find U.S. death records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * United States, How to Use Marriage Records
 * United States Marriage Records
 * United States Vital Records
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * Locating United States Vital Records

American Indian Agency Marriage Records

 * 1880-1942 Standing Rock Agency, Birth, marriages and deaths records. BIA