Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In South Dakota, bigamy is prohibited under state law. According to South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) 22-22-1, it is illegal for a person who has a living spouse to marry another person or to cohabit with another person under the appearance of being married. Bigamy is considered a felony in South Dakota, and those found guilty may face criminal penalties. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not permitted under South Dakota law, as the state recognizes only monogamous marriages. Therefore, any marriage license issued while another is still valid would be illegal, and the act of entering into such a marriage would be subject to legal consequences.