What Are Louisiana Marriage Records?

Louisiana marriage records are official documents detailing marriages that have occurred within the state. These records have been maintained since 1831 and are accessible to the public through various authorities.

The primary types of marriage records in Louisiana are marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

A marriage license is a legal document granting a couple permission to marry. Its issuance is governed by the Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 9, Sections 221-225. In contrast, a marriage certificate is issued after the wedding ceremony and serves as legal proof of the couple's marital status.

Typical details in Louisiana marriage records include the full names of both spouses, the date and location of the marriage, the officiant's name, witness details, and additional information such as the spouses' birthdates, addresses, and any previous marriages.

The information in Louisiana marriage records is crucial for various purposes. They serve as proof of marital status, which is commonly required for insurance claims, tax filings, and immigration. These documents can also help trace lineage and family connections and make name changes.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

The Louisiana Public Records Act, which has been in effect since 1940 and has undergone multiple revisions, considers marriage certificates to be public records in the state. This means that the general public is allowed to review and inspect them.

While marriage certificates in the state are open to the public, those wanting access must be at least 18 years old to view or obtain copies of these records. Moreover, those wanting access must be aware that custodian agencies restrict or redact certain sensitive information to protect the privacy of the individuals named on the records.

Among the information commonly redacted are Social Security numbers, addresses, signatures, and financial information.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Louisiana?

Individuals can look up marriage records in Louisiana through various government agencies.

The State Registrar and Vital Records Office, which operates under the Louisiana Department of Health, maintains vital records, including marriage records, but only for marriages that occurred in Orleans Parish in the past 50 years. For marriages occurring in other parishes, their respective clerks of court maintain marriage records.

The process for searching or obtaining copies of marriage records can vary depending on the agency. Typically, individuals will face the following procedure when looking up the state's marriage records:

• Identify the agency maintaining the desired record.
• Submit a request to the custodian agency by providing the following information:
  • Full names of both parties involved in the marriage
  • Date of the marriage
  • Location (parish) of the marriage
  • Valid identification to verify identity
  • Any additional documentation required, if applicable
• Pay the applicable fee, which varies depending on the agency and method of retrieval.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

In Louisiana, individuals seeking marriage certificates can obtain them from the parish clerk of the court where the marriage license was originally issued. The state offers two types of marriage certificates: certified copies and informational copies.

A certified copy of a marriage certificate is an official document printed on security paper and stamped with a government seal. It holds legal validity and can be used for identification and official matters. Meanwhile, an informational copy contains the same information as the certified copy. However, it is unofficial and not suitable for legal purposes.

To acquire a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Louisiana, individuals can follow one of the options below:

Online

• Identify the parish where the marriage occurred.
• If the marriage occurred in Orleans Parish, visit VitalChek. For marriages that materialize in other parishes, visit the respective clerk of court website and navigate it for online options.
• Provide the following information:
  • Full names of spouses
  • Location of the marriage
  • Date of the marriage
  • Reason or purpose for requesting
• Provide a valid identification document.
• Pay the applicable fees using major credit or debit cards. For orders made using VitalChek, $5 is charged per copy, with a processing fee of $15.95 and an agency fee of $0.50. The fee can vary for orders made from the clerk of court websites.
• Upon payment, wait for processing, which typically lasts for a couple of days to weeks. Individuals who made an order from VitalChek can check the status of their order by providing the order number, phone number, or PIN.

In Person

• Determine the parish where the marriage license was issued.
• If the license was issued in Orleans Parish, visit the State Registrar and Vital Records Office at the address below:

If the marriage event occurred in other parishes, visit the physical location of their respective clerk of court office.

• At the office, fill out a request form, which usually requires the following information:
  • Full names of both parties involved in the marriage
  • Date of marriage
  • Location of the marriage event
  • Purpose of requesting, if necessary
• Provide a valid identification document.
• Pay the requisite fees. The State Registrar and Vital Records Office charges $5 per certified copy of marriage certificates and accepts cash, money orders, and checks. The fees for requests made from other parishes can vary depending on the clerk of court.

By Mail

• Download the appropriate request form. If the marriage occurred in Orleans Parish, utilize the Application for Certified Copy of Orleans Parish Marriage Certificate. If the marriage occurred in other parishes, navigate that parish's clerk of court website and download their respective request form.
• Fill out the form by supplying the following details:
  • Full name of parties involved in the marriage
  • Date of the wedding ceremony
  • The requester's contact details
• Attach a photocopy of valid identification.
• Include the applicable fee. If the document is obtained from Orleans Parish, $5 is charged per copy, with an additional $0.50 mail transaction fee. If the document is from other parishes, the fee can vary.
• If the document is requested from Orleans Parish, send the completed application form, photocopy of valid identification, and payment to the address below:

If requesting from other parishes, check their respective clerk of court website for their mailing address.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

In Louisiana, marriage licenses are in the custody of the clerk of court in each parish. To look up these records, individuals must first determine the specific parish where the marriage took place.

Once the correct parish is identified, searchers must contact the court clerk's office to inquire about accessing the marriage license records. While the process may vary across parishes, requests can typically be submitted in person or by mail.

Some parishes offer online access to marriage license searches. For instance, the Madison Parish Clerk of Court provides a subscription-based online records search platform. Subscribers of this platform can conveniently look up public records, including marriage licenses, from a remote location.

When searching for marriage licenses in Louisiana, individuals must provide detailed information such as the full names of the parties involved, including maiden names, the date of marriage, and the wedding location. Additionally, requesters must present a valid form of identification and pay the relevant fee, which varies depending on the parish.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

While official sources like VitalChek and parish websites are the most reliable for obtaining certified copies online, there are additional resources that can provide valuable information about marriages that have occurred in Louisiana.

The Louisiana State Archives and the Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society house historical indices that include marriage records. Additionally, commercial providers like RecordsFinder offer services that allow individuals to search for public records from multiple states, including Louisiana marriage records.

To effectively search on these platforms, individuals should provide essential details such as the names of the individuals involved in the marriage, the date of the marriage, and the wedding location. They must also pay the applicable fee to search.

Note that although these platforms provide valuable marriage information, they do not furnish certified copies of marriage records. For certified copies, individuals should turn to government sources.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

A confidential marriage is a type of marriage in which the record is not made available to the public. This option is often chosen to protect personal information, avoid social stigma, or maintain confidentiality for legal or personal purposes.

Louisiana does not recognize confidential marriages. Records from wedding events, including licenses and certificates, are considered public and are generally accessible to everyone.

To maintain privacy in their marriages, Louisiana couples can limit public sharing of their marriage information and petition the court to seal their marriage records. They can also consult privacy professionals to strategize ways to keep their marriage details confidential.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

In Louisiana, individuals seeking to marry must adhere to specific eligibility criteria and provide essential documentation as part of the marriage license application process.

Prospective applicants must be at least 18 years old or have obtained consent from both parents or a court order if they are between 16 and 17 years old. In exceptional cases, females under 16 may receive a marriage license with a court order.

If these prior criteria are met, couples can proceed with the application by furnishing the following to the clerk of court of the parish where the marriage will take place:

• A valid form of identification
• A certified copy of the birth certificate
• Social Security numbers
• A passport from their country of birth or a visa with a form I-94 if one of the couples is not born in the US
• Divorce decree, death certificate, or covenant marriage affidavit, if applicable
• Payment of fees, which vary by parish

After furnishing all of the required documents and fees, couples will receive their marriage license. This document entails a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before the wedding ceremony can occur, and it is only valid for 30 days.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

Errors on marriage certificates in Louisiana are not uncommon. These mistakes can come in various types, such as:

• Misspelled names of the couple or witnesses
• Wrong birth dates, marriage date, or place of marriage
• Missing signatures, fields, or official stamps

Fortunately, individuals can correct errors in Louisiana marriage certificates. To do so, they must navigate the following procedures:

• Identify the specific error on the certificate and confirm the discrepancy.
• Contact the clerk of court in the parish where the marriage certificate was issued.
• Obtain and fill out a correction request form from the parish clerk of court.
• Submit certified documents supporting the correction.
• Pay any applicable fees to the parish clerk of court.

Are Marriage Records Under the Louisiana Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

The Louisiana Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is designed to protect individuals who are victims of sexual assault, abuse, or stalking. The program provides these victims with a substitute address that can be used instead of their real address when dealing with government services.

Participants in the ACP can use their substitute address when applying for a marriage license. These records are then protected from public disclosure to safeguard the participant's location and other sensitive information.

Louisiana Marriage Statistics and Trends

The national marriage statistics in the U.S. show evolving trends in marriage rates and cohabitation. In 2018, 53% of American adults were married, a decline from 58% recorded in 1995. On the contrary, cohabitation has become more prevalent, with 7% of Americans in 2018 choosing to live with a partner, up from 3% in 1995.

Factors such as race and educational attainment also correlate with marital status, with Asian adults and those holding bachelor's degrees tending to have higher marriage rates. In Louisiana, marriage trends show differences from national averages. Below are some key statistics for the state:

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