When can you get married? How old do you have to be? What’s required to receive a state marriage license? How exactly do you become legally married anyway? The answers to these questions and more can differ depending on where you live.
State marriage laws aim are primarily aimed at ensuring that a marriage is consensual and properly recorded for official purposes. Part of this involves ensuring that couples are old enough to marry. Here’s a summary of South Dakota’s marriage age requirements laws.
South Dakota's Marriage Age Requirement
South Dakota’s marriage age is eighteen years or older. This is the same for both men and women, which is common across the United States but differs from the practice in a number of other countries and cultures. Minors between the ages of sixteen and eighteen can also marry with a parent or guardian’s written consent. South Dakota does not permit minors to marry with judicial consent instead of parental consent.
It’s worth mentioning that proof of marriageable age is required to obtain a marriage license and to receive the legally required solemnization (ceremony). It’s also a misdemeanor for county registrars to grant unlawful marriage licenses and for religious officials and public officials to solemnize a marriage between unauthorized persons – they won’t marry couples who don’t meet the marriage age requirements.
Additional details about South Dakota age requirements for marriage are listed below. See FindLaw's Marriage Law section to learn more.
Code Section |
25-1-9. |
Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent |
Male: 16; Female: 16; consent of 1 parent required). |
Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent |
Male: 18; Female: 18. |
Comments |
Proof of legal age required to obtain a marriage license and receive a marriage solemnization. |
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through a combination of legislation, higher court decisions, and other methods. You should contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Related Resources for Marriage Age Requirements Laws
All states have marriage laws on the books. FindLaw offers additional resources on marriage laws in general and more detailed information on state marriage laws. If you or someone you know still has questions about marriage laws, consider speaking with a South Dakota family lawyer.