Search South Dakota Vital Records

Vital records in South Dakota — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by South Dakota DOH Vital Records. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the Register of Deeds.

What this page covers: South Dakota vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).

Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact South Dakota DOH Vital Records. For marriage licenses, contact the Register of Deeds in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.

Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.