How to Find Louisiana Marriage Records
Finding Louisiana Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- 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
More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source]
- Marriage Records
- Choose a time period:
Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1957[edit | edit source]
- 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 ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]
Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1957 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 37,501 | |
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1781-1943 | On Findmypast ($) |
If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: | |||
Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1718-1925 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 562,712 |
Ancestry, Marriages, To 1850 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 29,692 |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 43,140 |
Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local FamilySearch center or your local public library. |
No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]
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.
Marriages 1957 to Present[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
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.
To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
From Parish of Marriage | From VitalChek | ||
Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | Parish websites can be more difficult to use | Expedited orders | May be more expensive than ordering from the parish |
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- 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
- Louisiana, Marriages, 1816-1906 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 $)
- The New Orleans French, 1720-1733 ($)