Cameron Parish Marriage Records

Cameron Parish marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Cameron, Louisiana. The parish serves the 38th Judicial District and holds marriage license records going back to 1874. Cameron is the smallest and most sparsely populated parish in Louisiana, located along the Gulf Coast. This guide explains how to find and request marriage records from the Cameron Parish Clerk of Court.

Cameron Parish Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Cameron handles all marriage license issuance and recording for Cameron Parish. The office is located at 119 Smith Circle, Room 21. There is also an alternative address at 122 Recreation Center Lane. Because Cameron is a remote coastal parish, it is a good idea to call or check the office website before making the trip. The clerk office website at cameronparishcoc.com has contact details and office information.

Staff at this office can search marriage records by name and date. The office handles all record types for the 38th Judicial District, including civil cases, land records, and criminal filings in addition to marriage licenses. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (337) 775-5316 to reach the office directly. For a small parish, the clerk staff can often give you quick answers about whether a specific record exists before you make a formal request.

The Cameron Parish Clerk of Court website provides contact details and office information for marriage license requests and record searches.

Historical Cameron Parish Marriage Records

Cameron Parish marriage records at the Louisiana State Archives cover the period from 1874 to 1924. This collection is the primary historical resource for anyone researching marriages in this coastal parish from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The State Archives in Baton Rouge holds these materials and can help you locate specific records within that date range.

The Louisiana State Archives holds Cameron Parish marriage records from 1874 through 1924, covering the early recorded history of this Gulf Coast parish.

To access the Archives collection, visit in person in Baton Rouge or use the online portal at sos.la.gov/historicalresources. Some materials are available digitally, and others require an in-person visit to view on microfilm or in original document form. Archives staff can help you understand what is available for Cameron Parish specifically and how to request what you need.

Cameron Parish has faced repeated hurricane damage over the decades, which has affected local record preservation in some cases. The State Archives collection for 1874 to 1924 represents what has been preserved from the parish's earliest years. For records after 1924, contact the clerk office directly. They can advise you on what records survived and are currently available.

Getting a Marriage License in Cameron Parish

Both parties must appear in person at the Cameron Parish Clerk of Court to apply for a marriage license. The office is at 119 Smith Circle, Room 21, in Cameron. Each person must show a valid government-issued photo ID. If either party was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce judgment or a death certificate if the prior spouse is deceased. Louisiana law under R.S. 9:241 sets all the requirements for a marriage license application.

Under R.S. 9:222, a Louisiana marriage license expires 30 days from the date it is issued. You must have your ceremony within that window or the license becomes void. There is no waiting period after you receive the license. The ceremony can take place anywhere in Louisiana, not just in Cameron Parish. Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk's office, which closes the record and creates the official entry in the parish index.

R.S. 9:242 requires both applicants to sign the application in front of the clerk. You cannot sign in advance or send a proxy. R.S. 9:225 sets the minimum age at 18 for marriage without parental consent in Louisiana. Cameron Parish follows all Louisiana state requirements. The marriage license fee for Cameron Parish is approximately $27.50, though fees can change. Call the office to confirm the current amount before your visit.

State Resources for Cameron Parish Marriage Records

The Louisiana Department of Health also provides resources related to vital records including marriage licenses. Their website at ldh.la.gov has guidance on vital record requests, public health services, and related state programs. While the LDH does not maintain the marriage license index directly, it is a useful reference for understanding how vital records work in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Health provides guidance on vital records and related services that may assist Cameron Parish residents seeking marriage record information.

The eClerksLA portal and the Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority offer statewide search tools that cover many parishes. Cameron Parish has limited online record access compared to larger parishes, so these statewide portals may have some index data that is useful for remote searching before you contact the clerk office directly.

For historical records, the Louisiana State Archives is the right source. Their Cameron Parish collection covers 1874 to 1924. For anything after that period, the Clerk of Court in Cameron holds the records. Using both sources together gives you full coverage of the parish's recorded marriage history.

Requesting Copies of Marriage Records

To get a copy of a Cameron Parish marriage record, contact the Clerk of Court at (337) 775-5316 or write to P.O. Box 549, Cameron, LA 70631. In-person visits are also accepted at 119 Smith Circle, Room 21. Because Cameron is a small and remote parish, calling ahead is strongly recommended. Staff can confirm whether a specific record exists and tell you what you need to bring or send for your request.

Certified copies carry an official seal and are needed for legal matters. Plain copies work for personal reference. If you need the record for a name change, insurance application, or government form, ask for a certified copy. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year of the marriage, and your return contact information in any written request. Payment must accompany mail requests, so confirm the current fee by phone before sending anything.

Note: Due to the remote location of Cameron Parish, mail requests may take longer than in more accessible parishes. Plan ahead if you need a record for a specific deadline.

Cities in Cameron Parish

Cameron Parish is the most sparsely populated parish in Louisiana. The parish seat is Cameron, a small Gulf Coast community. Other settlements include Hackberry, Grand Chenier, and Johnson Bayou. All marriage licenses in the parish are issued and recorded through the Clerk of Court office in Cameron, regardless of which community the ceremony takes place in.

Nearby Parishes

Cameron Parish borders two other southwest Louisiana parishes. If a marriage record cannot be found in Cameron Parish records, it may have been recorded in a neighboring parish.