How to Find South Dakota Marriage Records

This page is under construction

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

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		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.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1862 to 1890

South Dakota Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

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

South Dakaota Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	RecordSearch	Free; most counties 18-- - 19--: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.
Try 2nd:
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

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

South Dakota Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Ancestry Database: Ancestry.com ($)	South Dakota, County Marriages,1905-1949	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	South Dakota, County Marriages, 1905-1949 - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
Try 2nd:
	South Dakota County Clerk	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the South Dakota county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:
	South Dakota Department of Health	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the South Dakota Department of  Health. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

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.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		From SD Dept. of Health State
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

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 FHL Film 1204876 (first of 2)

References

Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in South Dakota. By the South Dakota Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration. FHL Book 978.3 V23s. FHL film 1,597,561 Item 2. FHL microfiche 6,010,865. FHL film 1597561

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.

Family History Library (FHL); now called, FamilySearch Library (FSL)