Lafayette Marriage Records Lookup

Lafayette marriage records are filed and maintained at the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court on South Buchanan Street. Lafayette is the fourth largest city in Louisiana and the seat of Lafayette Parish. The city does not issue marriage licenses on its own. That function belongs to the parish Clerk of Court, currently Louis J. Perret. This page covers where to go, what to bring, fees, waiting periods, and how to search records online.

Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court issues all marriage licenses for Lafayette and the surrounding parish. Clerk Louis J. Perret runs the office at 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. The main phone number is (337) 291-6400. For the Marriage Department specifically, call (337) 291-6335. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Marriage license applications are taken until 4:00 p.m. Do not arrive at 4:25 expecting to complete an application that day.

The clerk's office is where you file, where you pick up your license, and where you go to get certified copies later. There is one location for Lafayette Parish. Unlike some larger parishes, there is no satellite office. The South Buchanan Street address is where all in-person business takes place.

You can complete your marriage application online before you visit. This is the best way to cut down your time at the counter. In order to serve you as efficiently as possible, the clerk encourages applicants to use the online form in advance. At least one party must still appear in person to finalize and pay.

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website above has current information on marriage licenses, fees, required documents, and online application access for Lafayette residents.

Getting a Marriage License in Lafayette

Only one party is required to come in person for a Lafayette Parish marriage license, which differs from some other Louisiana parishes that require both. That said, the person who does appear must bring documentation for both parties. The absent party's information and required documents must all be provided at the time of application.

The license fee is $27.50. Each attachment to the license costs $4.00 more. Certified copies of the marriage record cost $5.00 each. Louisiana requires a 24-hour waiting period between the time the license is issued and the ceremony. The license is valid for 30 days. It is good anywhere in Louisiana but not outside the state. You do not need to be a Lafayette Parish resident to apply here.

The Lafayette Parish Clerk marriage page above explains the process, fees, and required documents for getting a marriage license in Lafayette at the South Buchanan Street courthouse.

The license is valid for ceremonies performed in Louisiana only and must be purchased at least 24 hours before the ceremony. Plan your schedule with that window in mind. If you need to change or update information on your application after it is submitted, contact the Marriage Department at (337) 291-6335 before your visit.

Documents Needed for Lafayette Marriage License

The person appearing at the office must bring valid photo identification for themselves. A driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport works. Certified birth certificates for both parties are required. Uncertified copies will not be accepted. Both Social Security numbers are needed, along with both parents' full names and birthplaces, including the mother's maiden name for each applicant.

If either party was previously married, you need to show that the marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse is required. This is not optional. Louisiana law requires this documentation before a new license can be issued, regardless of where the prior marriage took place.

Note: Applications can be started online to save time at the clerk's office on the day of your visit.

Search Lafayette Marriage Records Online

You can search Lafayette Parish marriage records through eClerksLA, the statewide online portal maintained by Louisiana's participating clerks of court. This system lets you look up marriage license records from Lafayette Parish by name and date range without going to the courthouse. It is free to search and available any time of day or night.

The Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) provides another statewide access point for clerk records. Both systems are worth checking if you need a record quickly or are doing genealogy research.

The City of Lafayette's official website above can point you toward local government services and city-level resources, though marriage license services are handled by the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court.

For historical records, the Louisiana State Archives maintains marriage records from Louisiana parishes going back to the 1800s. If the clerk's office does not have what you need for older dates, the archives are the next step. For certified marriage certificates from after 1946, the Louisiana Department of Health is the source.

Lafayette Parish Marriage Records

Lafayette is the parish seat of Lafayette Parish. All marriage records for Lafayette are Lafayette Parish records. There is no separate city records office. The Clerk of Court on South Buchanan Street handles everything for the city and the surrounding parish. If you are looking for a record from a different community within Lafayette Parish, this is still the right office.

Marriage licenses issued in Lafayette Parish are valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Louisiana. That means you can get your license here even if your wedding will take place in a different parish. The 24-hour waiting period still applies from the time the license is issued, regardless of where the ceremony is held.

Note: Call the Marriage Department directly at (337) 291-6335 for specific questions about your application before making the trip downtown.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Lafayette and each uses its own parish clerk for marriage license services.