There are many online resources that are easily accessible to people who want to find Louisiana marriage records. Is it really possible for you to find some Louisiana marriage records that are 100% free? The answer is yes. Louisiana marriage records, along with birth and death records, are classified under a common type of records known as vital records. These are open records, so there is a good chance that you will be able to find them for free online. However, you may not be able to find all of the records that you are looking for free. You may not even be able to find all of the marriage records that you are looking for online. But, luckily there are other places that you can look. Marriage records in the state of Louisiana are stored in large depositories, which are usually held the state clerk. However, there is a catch for these preserved records. You may have to dish out around $25 to track down these records.
There are other resources to obtain the marriage records within this state; it just depends on what type of marriage records you are actually researching. For example, if you would just like to know certain details about a person's marriage, but you don't want the actual marriage certificate, then you may be able to find out the facts you desire by using other methods. Don't underestimate community center records and newspaper bulletins.
But, if you have no idea how to even begin a search, then you can use the internet to assist you. There are guides, tips, tricks, and techniques that are dispersed throughout the web. Over the years, many people have put information on the internet that can help anyone in need of some help while researching. Many people choose not to try and locate marriage records because they are not sure where they are exactly. But, even if the internet can't provide you with these records directly, they can tell you where you can find them, how much it costs, and how you get them. Since these tools are accessible to anyone and everyone, there is no excuse why anyone should feel as if they can't perform the research.
Marriage records may be used for a variety of purposes. People who do decide to obtain marriage records are doing so because they are motivated by lingering questions. Marriage records can answer questions about the past, and questions about the past can in turn answer questions about the present and future. Everyone's family history is different, and marriage records may provide astonishing results, especially if you don't know very much about the history of your family. Generally people are more fulfilled when they gain more knowledge, even if it something that is disappointing. So, if you have the names of some of your ancestors, and you want to check their marriage records to see who else you might be related to, then you can easily do so with the tools that are available to anyone who wants them.
To obtain a Louisiana marriage certificate, follow the instructions below:
Step 1.
First, determine which Parish in Louisiana the marriage took place. If the marriage was in a Parish other than the Orleans Parish, contact the Clerk of the Court for their specific certified marriage record request procedure.
Step 2.
If the marriage record is in the Orleans Parish, download the Certified Marriage Record request form.
Step 3.
Complete the form, and include the full name of bride and groom, date of marriage, and parish where marriage took place.
Step 4.
Mail your certified marriage record request to the address below with a check or money order for $5 to cover the search fee, or stop by in person during business hours.
More details and assistance can be procured from the following agency:
Louisiana Office of Public Health Director
Vital Records Registry
PO Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
About Louisiana Marriage Records
In Louisiana, there is not one primary agency that maintains all the state marriage records. The Office of Public Health, Vital Records and Statistics maintains marriage records only for the Orleans Parrish from the last 50 years. Records older than 50 years are stored at the Louisiana State Archives. All other marriage certificates for all other parishes are kept at the Clerk of the Court in the Parish the marriage took place.
Restrictions for Obtaining Louisiana Marriage Certificates
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate from the Orleans or any other Parish, you must provide a copy of your photo ID that shows you are related to the parties on the certificate, or that you have a legal need for the document.
Online Availability of Louisiana Marriage Records
The Vital Records and Statistics Registry has partnered with VitalCheck.com to allow online requests for Orleans Parish marriage certificates.