How to Find Louisiana Marriage Records

Finding Louisiana Marriage Records

 * Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
 * Louisiana uses "parishes" rather than counties
 * Marriages are kept by the parish clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the parish
 * 1957 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

 * Marriage Records
 * Choose a time period:
 * Before 1957
 * 1957 to Present
 * Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1957

 * Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
 * Marriages are kept by the parish clerk for each parish and usually begin at the creation of the parish

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record
If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage


 * If you know the parish of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the parish clerk.
 * If you don't know the date or parish of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records


 * Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the parish clerk.

OR


 * View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and parish where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.


 * Search the FamilySearch Catalog by parish.
 * Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the parish clerk.
 * Some microfilms may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1957 to Present

 * 1957 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

Currently, there are no online indexes to Louisiana marriage records for the period 1957 to the present.

Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage


 * If you know the parish of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the parish clerk.
 * If you don't know the date or parish of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records


 * Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the parish clerk.

OR


 * Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from VitalChek.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. marriage records
 * How to find U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. marriage records
 * How to find U.S. death records
 * United States Record Finder
 * United States, How to Use Marriage Records
 * United States Marriage Records
 * United States Vital Records
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * Locating United States Vital Records


 * Index only.
 * New Orleans Justices of the Peace, Index to Marriage Records, 1846-1880, index.
 * http://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/ResearchHistoricalRecords/LocateHistoricalRecords/Pages/OrleansParishMarriageRecords.aspx Orleans Parish Marriage Records].
 * New Orleans, Louisiana, Marriage Records Index, 1831-1920 Index only ($)
 * Southwest Louisiana, Deaths Index, 1840-1906 Index only ($)
 * Marriage contracts of French colonial Louisiana $)
 * The New Orleans French, 1720-1733 ($)