SDCL § 47-25-11: Endorsement and approval by secretary of state--Issuance of certificate of merger or consolidation.

If the secretary of state finds that articles of merger or articles of consolidation delivered to him conform to law, when all fees have been paid, he shall:

(1) Endorse the word "filed" on the original and the copy and the month, day, and year of filing;

(2) File the original in his office; and

(3) Issue a certificate of merger or a certificate of consolidation to which he shall affix the copy.

The certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation, together with the copy of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation affixed thereto, shall be returned to the surviving or new corporation, as the case may be, or its representative.