Name change after marriage in South Dakota

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Marriage certificate

• South Dakota marriage certificates can be requested in person, by mail, online or by phone.⁶
• The South Dakota Department of Health charges $15 for a certified copy of a marriage record.⁴
• In person, a South Dakota certificate is available at the state office in Pierre or at any county Register of Deeds.⁶
• A South Dakota request sent by mail has to be notarized or carry a clear copy of a photo ID.⁶
• Through VitalChek, one South Dakota certificate totals $26.50 by regular mail or $44 with UPS next-day delivery.⁶
• South Dakota keeps the search fee when no record turns up and sends a Notification of Records Searched instead.⁶
• Copies of a tribal marriage in South Dakota can be obtained only from the tribe itself.⁶
• South Dakota releases certified records to the person named, a spouse and other close relatives or representatives, and may ask for proof of the relationship.⁶

Driver's license

• The South Dakota Department of Public Safety requires a name change to be made in person at a driver licensing location, with a certified legal document proving it.¹
• Section 32-12-16 of South Dakota law sets the fee for a name change on a driver license at $20.²
• South Dakota driver licensing accepts only an original certified marriage certificate from a government entity as proof of a new name; photocopies are refused.³
• A certificate from the church where the wedding took place does not count as proof of a married name in South Dakota.³
• A South Dakota driver whose name has changed more than once needs a certified government document for each change.¹
• For a duplicate or replacement, South Dakota also asks for two documents showing the name and physical address.³
• South Dakota license applications need an original handwritten signature and date; electronic, digital and stamped signatures are refused.¹
• South Dakota driver exam stations take walk-ins, though an appointment saves waiting.¹

Voter registration

• South Dakota’s voter registration form also serves to change the name or address on an existing registration.⁸
• The signed South Dakota form goes to the county auditor and must arrive 15 days before an election for the change to count in it.⁸
• South Dakota law bars sending the voter registration form by fax or email.⁸
• South Dakota voters can also register on the driver’s license application at a driver’s license station.⁸

Social Security

• The Social Security Administration recommends updating your Social Security record before you go to your state motor vehicle office.⁵
• Social Security suggests waiting until the state has recorded the marriage, which takes about 30 days in most cases.⁵
• For proof of identity, Social Security prefers a U.S. driver license and also accepts a state ID card or a U.S. passport.⁵
• Social Security treats a marriage certificate as the ideal proof of both the new legal name and the marriage.⁵
• Social Security accepts only original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency, never photocopies or notarized copies.⁵
• Social Security does not charge for a card with the new name.⁷
• Once Social Security completes the request, the replacement card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.⁹
• People who cannot use Social Security’s online services fill in the paper Form SS-5 and show the required documents.¹⁰

Passport

• USAGov says to report a name change to the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible to get an updated passport.¹¹
• Form DS-5504 covers a name change by marriage when the passport was issued less than one year ago and the name changed within that year.¹²
• The U.S. Department of State charges no fee for Form DS-5504 unless the applicant asks for expedited service or 1–2 day delivery.¹²
• Form DS-82, the mail-in passport renewal, accepts a married name when the applicant sends certified proof such as a certified copy of the marriage certificate.¹³
• Renewing with Form DS-82 requires sending the most recent passport, issued when the applicant was at least 16 and less than 15 years ago.¹³
• An applicant who cannot document the name change with a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order must apply on Form DS-11 instead.¹³
• Form DS-11 is filed in person at a passport acceptance facility, at a passport agency by appointment, or at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.¹⁴

Voter registration

• A voter registration can be updated online through vote.gov or by mail with the National Mail Voter Registration Form.¹¹

Agencies

• USAGov advises telling Social Security early because other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA.¹¹
• Every name on a federal tax return must match Social Security records.¹¹

• Form SS-5 filled in from your answersYou print it, sign it and bring it to Social Security with your documents. The form itself is free on ssa.gov.
• The passport application for your case, filled inPicked from your answers about your current passport; the State Department’s fees are paid to the State Department. The application also needs a recent color photo, which the kit doesn’t include: U.S. passport photo rules, and a photo from a selfie.
• The South Dakota checklistThe steps above in order, with the deadline, the fee and the official page for each one.
• Notification lettersFor your bank, employer, insurer and other accounts, with your old and new names.

The kit does not file anything for you and is not legal advice. Government fees, like the license fee and the county copy of your marriage record, are paid directly to each office.