Access Natchitoches Parish Marriage Records
Natchitoches Parish marriage records are held by the Clerk of Court office in Natchitoches, serving the 10th Judicial District. Whether you need a new marriage license, a certified copy of an existing marriage record, or want to search historical records going back to the mid-1700s, this guide covers the office, the process, and the resources available for Natchitoches Parish marriage records.
Natchitoches Parish Quick Facts
Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court for Natchitoches Parish is located at 200 Church Street, P.O. Box 476, Natchitoches, LA 71458. This office issues marriage licenses and keeps the official marriage record for the parish. The phone number is (318) 352-8152 and fax is (318) 352-9321. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
As noted in research on the Clerk's records, "The Clerk of Court is located in Natchitoches, LA, and the main phone number is (318) 352-8152." Staff can help with marriage license applications, record searches by name or date, and certified copy requests. If you have a specific date or the names of the parties, bring that information along. It speeds up any search.
The fee for a certified copy of a Natchitoches Parish marriage certificate is $5.00. To get one, you need to bring a valid form of identification, the spouses' names or the marriage date, and the fee. You can pay at the office in person. For mail requests, contact the office first to confirm the process and any additional steps.
| Office Address | 200 Church Street, Natchitoches, LA 71458 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 476, Natchitoches, LA 71458 |
| Phone | (318) 352-8152 |
| Fax | (318) 352-9321 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Certified Copy Fee | $5.00 |
Natchitoches Parish Marriage Records History
Natchitoches Parish holds some of the oldest marriage records in Louisiana. The Clerk of Court has marriage records from 1780, making this one of the longest-running archives of marriage documents in the state. Research sources confirm that "marriage records via the Clerk of Courts are available from the mid 1700s to the present," which covers more than two centuries of filings.
Natchitoches Parish itself was created on April 10, 1805, and the city of Natchitoches is widely recognized as the oldest permanent European settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. That long history means the record archive here is unusually deep. Genealogists searching for ancestors from central and northwest Louisiana often find Natchitoches Parish records essential. The Clerk's office holds the original filings, and staff can assist with historical searches.
For genealogy research beyond what the Clerk holds, FamilySearch's Natchitoches Parish genealogy page is a good companion resource. It describes available record collections and guides researchers on where to look. The Louisiana State Archives also holds historical vital records from Natchitoches Parish that complement what is on file at the Clerk's office.
Getting a Marriage License in Natchitoches Parish
Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk of Court office to apply for a marriage license. You cannot delegate this step to someone else. Both people must be present and bring all required documents at the same time.
Under Louisiana law at R.S. 9:222, a marriage license issued in any Louisiana parish is valid statewide. You do not need to apply in the parish where you live or where the ceremony will take place. You can get your license in Natchitoches Parish and marry anywhere in Louisiana. The license is valid for 30 days from the date issued.
Louisiana requires a waiting period before you can use the license. Under R.S. 9:241, the standard waiting period is 24 hours for residents. That means the ceremony cannot happen the same day you pick up the license. Plan your ceremony date with this in mind. In limited circumstances, a judge can waive the waiting period, but that is not the standard process.
Contact the Natchitoches Parish Clerk at (318) 352-8152 to confirm the current license fee and accepted payment methods before your visit. Fees can vary and it is better to come prepared.
Note: Louisiana marriage licenses are only valid for ceremonies within the state. They cannot be used in other states.
Documents for Natchitoches Parish Marriage License
Both applicants need to bring valid photo identification, such as a driver's license or state-issued ID. You also need a certified birth certificate for each person. A regular copy will not work. It must be an original certified document issued by the state where you were born.
Each applicant must provide their Social Security number. The application also asks for both parents' names and birthplaces and the mother's maiden name for each person. Have this information ready before you go. If you are missing any of it, the clerk may not be able to complete the application that day.
If either party was previously married, bring documentation that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse is required. Louisiana law requires this before a new license can be issued. This applies no matter which state the prior marriage ended in. Do not leave this documentation at home.
Applicants between 16 and 17 years old need both parents to consent. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Louisiana. Parental consent must be given in person or by notarized written statement at the time of application.
Search Natchitoches Parish Marriage Records Online
Marriage records via the Clerk of Courts are available from the mid-1700s to the present. For online access, Natchitoches Parish participates in eClerksLA, the statewide portal for Louisiana clerk of court records. You can search by name, date range, or record type without visiting the courthouse. This is a useful tool for basic searches or remote access to record indexes.
eClerksLA above is the statewide Louisiana portal providing public access to clerk of court records, including Natchitoches Parish marriage license indexes spanning from recent filings back through historical records.
The Louisiana State Archives is a key resource for historical Natchitoches Parish marriage records. Given that Natchitoches holds records from the late 1700s, the Archives can help fill gaps and provide access to documents that predate standard parish record systems. For genealogy research, this is an essential stop.
The Louisiana State Archives page above holds historical vital records from Natchitoches Parish and across the state, covering centuries of marriage records that researchers can access for genealogy and legal purposes.
A subscription search may also be available through the Clerk's office for accessing digital records. Contact the office at (318) 352-8152 to ask what online search options are currently available and whether any require a subscription or fee.
Note: Certified copies of marriage records require direct contact with the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court. The fee is $5.00 per certified copy.
Louisiana Marriage Records Resources
Several state resources support marriage record searches in Natchitoches Parish. The LCRAA portal provides statewide access to clerk of court records from participating parishes. Marriage license indexes from Natchitoches Parish may appear here, and it is a good option if you need to search across multiple parishes.
The Louisiana Department of Health issues certified marriage certificates for events after 1946. These are shorter than the full court record but carry legal weight for most purposes. If you need the complete original license application, the Clerk of Court in Natchitoches is the source.
For very old records, both the State Archives and the FamilySearch Natchitoches Parish page are valuable. Natchitoches has one of the richest record histories in Louisiana. A layered search using the Clerk's office, the State Archives, and genealogy databases gives the best chance of finding what you need.
Cities in Natchitoches Parish
Natchitoches Parish includes Natchitoches (the parish seat), Campti, Clarence, and several other small communities. All marriage licenses for residents of Natchitoches Parish are issued by the Clerk of Court in Natchitoches.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border Natchitoches Parish. Each has its own Clerk of Court for marriage records. Contact the clerk in the parish where you plan to get your license or hold the ceremony.