How to Perform a Marriage in Brookings County

Researched and edited for you by trained team members at GetOrdained.org

Has someone asked you to officiate wedding ceremony in Brookings County? Presiding over the union of two people is obviously a great responsibility, and it won't be an experience you'll soon forget. As you prepare for the big day, please review this guide to make sure you're up to speed on the officiating process. We’ll explore key questions like what is actually required to officiate, what office you'll need to contact (and how to get in touch with them), and how to ensure the ceremony you perform in Brookings County is recorded successfully.

1. How to Become a Minister in Brookings County

Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained (in case you haven't already done so). How does it work? Get Ordained™ offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you'll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.

Get Ordained Now

Important Info for Ministers in Brookings County

ULC Ordination Accepted:: Yes
Minister Registration Required:: No
Documents Required:: N/A
Minister's Residency:: Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:: 18

2. Learn Brookings County Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in Brookings County. Politely explain that you're an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding ceremony in their jurisdiction, and you'd like to know what credentials or official documents you need to show prior to officiating. Below you'll see contact information for this office in Brookings County.

Office Address:: 520 3rd Street Suite 120
Brookings, SD 57006
Office Phone Number:: (605) 696-8240
Office Website:: Brookings County Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Brookings County?

How about you! (Once you are ordained, of course). Weddings have a reputation for being pretty spendy, and couples are always looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, while also injecting extra meaning to the proceedings, is by selecting someone they know personally to officiate. This could be a friend, a loved one, or even a mentor.

Regardless of your relationship to the couple, being asked to officiate is a tremendous honor. It shows that the couple has deep trust in you, and that they find confidence in having you standing alongside them on the big day. It's worth noting, however, that not everyone planning a wedding knows this is an option! If you are close to an engaged couple, you could always present the idea of you becoming ordained and officiating, just in case it hadn't occurred to them.

Average Cost of a Wedding in Brookings County:: $14,000

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Brookings County

After contacting the Brookings County office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in Brookings County, the Classic Wedding Kit with a Letter of Good Standing is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.

Once you receive the items you need, you'll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it's your first time officiating, (or even if it's not!) we'd encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.

5. How Brookings County Marriage Licenses Work

Once you finish the ceremony, your final (and most crucial) responsibility is to correctly fill out and return the marriage license. A Brookings County marriage license is valid for 90 days, and after the document has been issued, there is no mandatory waiting period before the marriage can take place. Please note that a marriage license in Brookings County must be returned to its issuing office before it expires.

Remember that this is a legal document, so always double-check all fields have been properly completed before returning it. The license itself can be a bit confusing, so if you need tips for how to fill out a marriage license, please check out our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:: 0 Days
Marriage License Valid For:: 90 Days
Return Within:: 10 Days

6. Performing a Wedding in Brookings County

Located near the southern part of South Dakota, bordering Minnesota, Brookings County is home to South Dakota State University, so the crowd here tends to lean younger. Being a college town, there's lots of event centers, venues, and hospitality for wedding participants. A fun and lively city, this is a great county to party it up in on the wedding day!

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Brookings County

Freezing cold in the winter with a decent amount of snow. Temperatures even out to mild/warm in the Summer. Brookings County is perhaps best enjoyed in the summer unless the bride getting lost in the snow in a white dress doesn't phase you!

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on Brookings County weddings! Even if your ceremony isn't for a while, a friendly reminder that it's never too early to become a minister (ordination is good for life, after all). Go ahead and click the button below to get started.