Alexandria Marriage Records
Alexandria marriage records are maintained by the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. Alexandria is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, which means the clerk's office is located right in the city on Murray Street. Whether you need to apply for a marriage license, search for a past record, or get a certified copy, the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court is the primary source for all Alexandria marriage records in Louisiana.
Alexandria Quick Facts
Rapides Parish Clerk of Court
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court in Alexandria handles all marriage licenses and marriage records for the parish. As the parish seat, Alexandria is where the main clerk's office sits. Marriage license applications are accepted in person Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The clerk's staff can assist with record searches, certified copies, and questions about the application process.
Rapides Parish has an online records search system called Rapid E-Search, which allows people to look up records remotely without coming to the courthouse. This is a useful tool for confirming whether a record exists or for finding basic case information before requesting a certified copy. For full document access and certified copies, you still need to contact the clerk directly.
The clerk accepts marriage license applications from people of any residency. You do not need to live in Rapides Parish or in Alexandria to apply for your license here. A license issued by the Rapides Parish Clerk is valid for ceremonies held anywhere in Louisiana under R.S. 9:222.
The Rapides Parish Clerk marriage license page has the current requirements, fee schedule, and instructions for applying. Read this before your visit so you know exactly what to bring and what to expect.
The Rapides Parish Clerk marriage license page above provides the current requirements and instructions for obtaining a marriage license in Alexandria, Louisiana.
| Office Address | 701 Murray Street, Suite 102 Alexandria, LA 71301 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (318) 473-8153 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | rapidesclerk.org |
| License Fee (Cash) | $27.50 |
| License Fee (Credit Card) | $28.05 |
Getting a Marriage License in Alexandria
Marriage license applications in Alexandria are accepted in person at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. Both parties should plan to be present. Bring all your required documents and the correct fee. The clerk cannot process an incomplete application.
The fee is $27.50 if you pay with cash. Credit card payment brings the total to $28.05. This is one of the few parishes in Louisiana where the fee is listed separately for each payment type. Know which method you plan to use before you arrive so you have the right amount ready. The fee covers the license itself. Certified copies of the marriage record cost extra and are ordered separately.
The license is valid for 30 days from the date and time of issuance. A Louisiana marriage license can be used for ceremonies held anywhere in the state. After 30 days, it expires and you must apply again. A license issued in Rapides Parish is equally valid whether the ceremony takes place in Alexandria or in any other Louisiana parish.
Louisiana requires a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony under R.S. 9:241. The wait starts from the moment the license is issued. You cannot hold your ceremony on the same day you apply. A judge can waive the 72-hour rule in certain cases under R.S. 9:242, but this requires a formal request and is not guaranteed. Factor the waiting period into your planning.
Note: The license is valid in Louisiana only. It cannot be used for a ceremony in another state.
Required Documents for Alexandria Marriage License
The Rapides Parish Clerk cannot issue a marriage license without the correct paperwork. Make sure you have everything before you drive to the Murray Street office.
Each applicant must bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID card. You each also need a certified birth certificate. Regular copies are not accepted. The certificate must have an official seal or raised stamp from the issuing authority. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers and the full names of their parents, including birthplaces and the mother's maiden name. The clerk records all of this on the application.
If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse. Louisiana law under R.S. 9:225 requires proof that the prior marriage ended before a new license can be issued. This applies to everyone, not just people who divorced recently. Make sure the copy is certified. A notarized copy or a downloaded printout will not be accepted.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court website above is the official resource for Alexandria marriage license applications, fees, and record searches in Rapides Parish.
Applicants aged 16 or 17 need parental consent from both parents. No one under 16 can be issued a marriage license in Louisiana. Same-sex marriage licenses are issued on the same terms as all other licenses in Rapides Parish.
Search Alexandria Marriage Records Online
You can search Rapides Parish marriage records online without going to the courthouse. Two main portals handle this for Alexandria and the surrounding area.
The eClerksLA portal is the statewide online records system for Louisiana clerk of court records. It includes Rapides Parish records and lets you search by name or date range. You can find marriage license records filed in Alexandria and confirm basic details like names and dates. The portal is free to use and available at any time. It is a good starting point for research or for verifying a record exists before ordering a copy.
The Rapides Parish Clerk also offers Rapid E-Search for online record access. This system lets you look up records specific to Rapides Parish, including marriage licenses. Check the Rapides Parish Clerk website for access details and any subscription requirements. For certified copies of Alexandria marriage records, contact the clerk's office directly at (318) 473-8153. Online portals provide indexes and basic information, not certified documents.
Louisiana Marriage Records Resources
In addition to the Rapides Parish Clerk, these statewide resources are available for Alexandria marriage record searches.
The Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority portal provides statewide access to court records from participating parishes, including Rapides. If you are not certain which parish holds the record you need, or if you are searching records from more than one parish, this portal can help. Marriage license indexes from Alexandria and Rapides Parish may appear here alongside records from other parts of the state.
The Louisiana State Archives holds older vital records and historical marriage documents. For Alexandria marriage records that are many decades old, the archives may have materials not held at the courthouse. Their collections extend back to the 1800s in some parishes. If you are doing genealogy research on an older Rapides Parish family, the archives are worth contacting.
The Louisiana Department of Health issues certified marriage certificates for events recorded after 1946. A health department certificate is shorter than a full clerk license record but is a valid certified document for many purposes. If you need proof that a marriage took place but do not need all the application details, the health department may have what you need faster than waiting for the full clerk record.
Nearby Louisiana Cities
These qualifying Louisiana cities have their own marriage records pages on this site.