Acadia Parish Marriage Records

Acadia Parish marriage records are filed and kept at the Clerk of Court office in Crowley. The 15th Judicial District Court serves Acadia Parish. If you need to find a marriage license, get a certified copy, or search for a past record, this guide covers the steps and the office that handles it all. Both in-person and online options are available for searching marriage records in Acadia Parish.

Acadia Parish Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Acadia Parish is Kari Ann A. Goodwin. Her office issues marriage licenses and keeps all marriage records for the parish. You file here, you pick up copies here, and you come here to search for old records. The office is at the courthouse in Crowley on NE Court Circle.

The Marriage Department handles all steps of the license process. You apply, pay the fee, and wait the required time before your ceremony can take place. Staff at this office can answer questions about what you need to bring. They can also help you look up past records by name or date. If you have a case number, the search goes faster.

The office opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you want to get your license the same day, arrive by 4:00 p.m. Coming in at 4:25 may mean you have to come back. Plan ahead. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.

The Acadia Parish Clerk of Court marriage license page lists what you need to bring and explains the process in plain language. It is worth reading before your visit.

The page above shows the current requirements and instructions for getting a marriage license in Acadia Parish. Check it before your visit to make sure you have everything ready.

Getting a Marriage License in Acadia Parish

Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk of Court office to get a marriage license. You cannot send someone else. You cannot do it online. Both people must be present at the same time. Bring your documents with you or expect to make a second trip.

Under Louisiana law at R.S. 9:222, a marriage license issued in any Louisiana parish is valid statewide. So if you live in another parish but want to get married in Acadia Parish, you can still get your license here. The license is good for 30 days from the date it is issued. If you do not use it within that time, it expires and you have to apply again.

Acadia Parish requires a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place. That means you cannot get married the same day you apply. Under R.S. 9:241, the waiting period starts when the license is issued. A judge can waive the wait in certain cases under R.S. 9:242, but that is not common. Plan your timeline with the 72 hours in mind.

The fee is $32.50. Pay by cash, check, or money order payable to the Clerk of Court. Credit cards may not be accepted, so bring cash or a check to be safe. The fee covers the license itself. Certified copies of the marriage record cost extra if you need them later.

Same-sex marriage licenses are available in Acadia Parish on the same terms as all other licenses.

Note: Your marriage license must be used in Louisiana. It is not valid in other states.

Documents Needed for Acadia Marriage Records

Both parties must bring the right documents when you apply. Missing even one item can delay the process. The clerk cannot issue the license without the required paperwork. Here is what you need to have ready.

Each person must bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or state-issued ID card. You also need a certified birth certificate for each person. A regular copy will not work. It must be certified. You need your Social Security numbers too. The clerk also asks for both parents' names and birthplaces, and the mother's maiden name for each applicant.

If either person was previously married, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. That means a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse. Louisiana law under R.S. 9:225 requires you to show this before a new license can be issued. Do not skip this step if it applies to you.

If one party is between 16 and 17 years old, both parents must sign the application. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Louisiana. Both parents must be present or provide notarized consent. Bring proof of age for any minor applicant.

The official Acadia Parish Clerk of Court website above has the most up-to-date list of required documents and any changes to the application process.

Search Acadia Parish Marriage Records Online

You can search Acadia Parish marriage records through eClerksLA, the statewide online records portal for Louisiana clerks of court. This system lets you look up marriage records without going to the courthouse. It covers many parishes across Louisiana and is available around the clock.

eClerksLA gives you access to indexes and documents from participating parishes. You can search by name, date range, or record type. Results include marriage license records filed in Acadia Parish. This is a good option if you need basic information fast or if you are searching from out of town.

For certified copies of a marriage record, you still need to contact the Clerk of Court directly. Online searches give you record information, but the office issues official certified copies that carry legal weight. If you need one for a legal matter, contact the Acadia Parish Clerk at (337) 788-8881.

The contact page above has the current phone numbers, email address, and office details for reaching the Clerk of Court in Acadia Parish.

Louisiana Marriage Records Resources

Several state resources can help you search for or obtain marriage records in Acadia Parish and across Louisiana. These are worth knowing before you start your search.

The Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) portal provides statewide access to court records from parish clerks of court. Marriage license indexes from Acadia Parish may appear in this system. It is a good place to search if you are not sure which parish holds the record.

The Louisiana State Archives keeps historical vital records and older marriage documents. If you are searching for a record from many decades ago, the archives may have it when the parish clerk does not. Their collection includes records going back to the 1800s in some cases.

The Louisiana Department of Health issues certified copies of marriage certificates for events after 1946. A certificate from the health department is shorter than the full court record. It shows that the marriage took place but does not include the full license application details. Both have their uses depending on what you need.

Note: For full marriage license documents with all applicant details, the Clerk of Court is the right source, not the health department.

Cities in Acadia Parish

Acadia Parish includes several communities. All marriage licenses for residents of Acadia Parish are issued by the Clerk of Court in Crowley. Communities include Crowley, Rayne, Eunice, Church Point, Iota, and Estherwood.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border Acadia Parish. Each has its own Clerk of Court for marriage records. If you are not sure which parish to contact, use the address where you plan to get married or where you live.