South Dakota

South Dakota is a non-strict voter ID state.

You will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.

If you cannot present an acceptable ID, you may still be able to vote by signing a Personal Identification Affidavit.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

Any registered South Dakota voter may request an absentee ballot.

You must either have your absentee ballot application notarized or include a copy of acceptable ID.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

You must file a formal request with your county’s court to change your name in South Dakota.

You need to file your name-change petition in the county where you live. You will be required to submit proof that you have resided there for at least six months.

South Dakota requires you to publish notice of your name-change hearing and petition in a newspaper for a specific period of time.

Complete the verification section of your petition form in the presence of a notary or court clerk.

Submit a request to the South Dakota Vital Records office to amend your birth certificate.

You will need to provide a court order changing your name and specifying that a new birth certificate should be issued.

To change the name on your South Dakota birth certificate, you will need to provide:

• signed and notarized Birth Record Amendment Request form (PDF – full instructions on page 2!)
• name-change court order (original or certified copy)
• copy of your photo ID
• certified copy of your birth certificate or application for a new copy*
• payment of any applicable fees

* If you have a certified copy of your birth certificate, include it with your application. This will allow the state to issue you an updated birth certificate at no charge.

If you do not have a certified copy of your birth certificate, include a completed Vital Records Request form (PDF) and the required documents/fees. You will be issued an updated birth certificate.

Visit a South Dakota Licensing location to change the name on your driver’s license or state ID.

You will need to provide:

• name-change court order (original or certified copy)
• two documents that show your new name and prove South Dakota address
• current South Dakota-issued ID

If you do not have a current South Dakota driver’s license or state ID, you will need to present required documents to prove identity and state residency.

South Dakota does not have a legal provision for updating your birth certificate’s gender marker and there is no procedure for doing so.

There are recent examples of people requesting to update both their name and gender marker in the same court petition – but the process, requirements, and outcomes are unclear and inconsistent.

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

South Dakota does not have a legal provision for updating gender marker on your driver’s license or state ID.

You must provide a court order* certifying your gender transition or a signed affidavit from a physician confirming you have undergone gender affirmation surgery.

* This process to obtain this court order is not consistent across judges and requirements are not clear.

Visit a South Dakota Licensing location to update your license or ID.

You will need to provide:

• court order certifying you gender transition or signed physician’s statement
• two documents that show your name and prove South Dakota address
• current South Dakota-issued ID

If you do not have a current South Dakota driver’s license or state ID, you will need to present required documents to prove identity and state residency.