Lafayette Parish Marriage Records Lookup
Lafayette Parish marriage records are issued and maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse. Louis J. Perret is the current Clerk of Court. The 15th Judicial District Court serves this parish. If you need to apply for a marriage license, search past Lafayette Parish marriage records, or get a certified copy, the Clerk's office handles all of it. Online access is available through eClerksLA, Clerk Connect, and eClerks Alert, and the office also offers an online pre-application you can fill out before your visit.
Lafayette Parish Quick Facts
Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court office is at 800 S. Buchanan Street in Lafayette. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502. The main line is (337) 291-6400. For marriage-related questions, the direct number for the marriage department is (337) 291-6335. Fax is (337) 291-6392. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Marriage licenses are issued until 4:00 p.m., so do not arrive at 4:25 expecting to apply.
Pursuant to applicable Louisiana Statutes, only one party is required to come in to purchase the marriage license in Lafayette Parish. This is different from some other parishes. However, the absent party still needs to be accounted for in the application. Staff can explain what is needed from the party who cannot appear in person.
The official Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website above has current information on office hours, the marriage license process, required documents, and online tools available to applicants.
| Office Address | 800 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502 |
| Main Phone | (337) 291-6400 |
| Marriage Dept. Phone | (337) 291-6335 |
| Fax | (337) 291-6392 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (licenses until 4:00 PM) |
| Website | lpclerk.com |
Lafayette Parish Marriage License Process
Marriage licenses are issued from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse. The license is valid for ceremonies performed in Louisiana only and must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the ceremony. It expires 30 days from the date and time of issuance. If you do not use it in that window, it expires and you must apply again.
The fee is $27.50 plus $4.00 per attachment. Certified copies of the marriage record cost $5.00 each. Under Louisiana law at R.S. 9:222, a marriage license issued in Lafayette Parish is valid throughout Louisiana. You do not have to get the license in the parish where the ceremony will be held.
In order to serve you as efficiently as they can, the office offers an online application you can complete prior to coming in. You fill out the form online, then bring your documents when you arrive. This can cut down on time spent at the office. Only one party is required to be present for the purchase, but both may come if preferred.
The Lafayette Parish marriage license page shown above explains the full application process, fees, required documents, and the online pre-application option available before your visit.
According to Louisiana law, if you want your Social Security number to be kept confidential, you must request this from the Clerk of Court in writing when you purchase the marriage license. Under R.S. 9:241, the 24-hour waiting period begins at the time of issuance.
Note: The online pre-application does not replace the in-person visit. You still need to appear at the office with your documents to complete the process.
Documents for Lafayette Parish Marriage Records
Each applicant must bring a valid photo ID, a certified birth certificate, and Social Security number. The clerk uses this information to complete the license application. A regular copy of a birth certificate will not work. It must be certified.
If either party was previously married, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. That means a certified divorce decree or the former spouse's death certificate. Louisiana law under R.S. 9:225 requires this documentation before a new license can be issued. Do not skip this if it applies to you.
If a minor between 16 and 17 is applying, both parents must be involved in the process. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Louisiana. Bring proof of age for any minor applicant.
Search Lafayette Parish Marriage Records Online
Lafayette Parish offers a free index for land records, civil records, marriage records, and probate through eClerksLA. This statewide portal lets you search without going to the courthouse. It is available around the clock and covers records from the parish going back many years.
The eClerksLA portal above provides free online access to Lafayette Parish marriage license indexes and other public record types. Use it to search before contacting the office for certified copies.
Clerk Connect and eClerks Alert are two additional online tools offered through the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court. Clerk Connect gives you inquiry access to court records. eClerks Alert notifies you when specific records are filed. These are useful for people who need to track filings or monitor activity in the court system.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court department directory above lists current contact information for each department, including the marriage division, making it easy to reach the right staff with your questions.
Louisiana Marriage Record Resources
Several state resources support your search for marriage records in Lafayette Parish and across Louisiana.
The Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) portal provides statewide access to court indexes from parish clerks across Louisiana. Marriage license indexes from Lafayette Parish are part of this system. It is a good place to search if you are looking across multiple parishes.
The Louisiana State Archives holds historical vital records going back to the 1800s for many parishes. If you are researching a marriage from several generations ago, the archives may have records that supplement what the Clerk of Court holds in Jennings.
The Louisiana Department of Health issues certified marriage certificates for events after 1946. These are shorter than full court records. They confirm a marriage happened but do not carry the detailed applicant information found in the full license. For full records, the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court is the right source.
Note: Lafayette Parish is a fast-growing parish. If you have trouble reaching the office by phone, try the direct marriage department line at (337) 291-6335 or email the office directly.
Cities in Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish is home to one of Louisiana's largest and fastest-growing cities. All marriage licenses for residents are issued by the Clerk of Court at 800 S. Buchanan Street. Lafayette is the qualifying city in this parish with its own page on this site. Other communities include Broussard, Scott, Youngsville, and Carencro.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border Lafayette Parish. Each has its own Clerk of Court that handles marriage license applications and records. Use the location where the license was issued or where you plan to marry to find the right office.