Catahoula Parish Marriage License
Applying for a marriage license in Catahoula Parish takes you to the Clerk of Court office in Harrisonburg, the parish seat. Both applicants must appear together, show valid documents, and pay the required fee. The Catahoula Parish Clerk handles marriage licenses for the 7th Judicial District. This page covers the location, documents needed, fees, waiting period, and what happens after the ceremony so you can prepare for a smooth application visit.
Catahoula Parish Quick Facts
Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court
The Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in Catahoula Parish. The courthouse is located on Courthouse Square in Harrisonburg, a small town in central Louisiana along the Ouachita River. Both people who plan to marry must go to this office in person to complete the application. The clerk checks your documents and issues the license once everything is in order.
The clerk's mailing address is P.O. Box 105, Harrisonburg, LA 71340. The physical courthouse is on Courthouse Square in Harrisonburg. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 318-744-5497. Call ahead if you have questions about what documents to bring or if you need to confirm hours before making the drive to Harrisonburg.
Catahoula is a rural parish with a small population. The clerk's office handles a range of civil records beyond marriage licenses, including property records and civil court filings. Staff can help you with the marriage license application and answer questions about the process. The Louisiana state directory for Catahoula Parish also has contact information for local offices.
| Office | Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Physical Address | Courthouse Square, Harrisonburg, LA 71340 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 105, Harrisonburg, LA 71340 |
| Phone | 318-744-5497 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Catahoula Parish Marriage License - Parish Information
The Louisiana government directory page for Catahoula Parish lists local offices, contact details, and links for residents looking to access parish services including marriage license applications.
This state directory page is a useful starting point if you need to verify the current contact information for the Catahoula Parish Clerk before your visit to apply for a marriage license.
Documents Required for a Catahoula Parish Marriage License
Louisiana law under RS 9:224 sets out what both applicants must provide. You need a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You also need a birth certificate under RS 9:225. Bring an original or certified copy. Hospital-issued birth certificates are generally not accepted. The clerk needs to verify your legal name, date of birth, and that you meet the age requirements.
If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree that ended the prior marriage. If a prior spouse died, bring the death certificate. These documents prove that you are legally free to marry. The clerk will not issue a license without this documentation when it applies. Having everything ready before you go will make the process faster for both you and the clerk's staff.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old unless a court order has been obtained as required by RS 9:208. The clerk will verify ages and will not issue a license to anyone under 18 without the proper court documentation. Identification must match the information on your other documents.
Note: Applicants do not need to be Louisiana residents to get a marriage license in Catahoula Parish, though the ceremony must take place in Louisiana.
Marriage License Fees in Catahoula Parish
The fee to get a marriage license in Catahoula Parish is approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Call 318-744-5497 before your visit to confirm the current fee, since amounts can change. You pay when you apply at the clerk's office. Ask about accepted payment methods when you call.
Louisiana law under RS 9:242 requires a 24-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can happen. This means if you get your license on Monday morning, you cannot marry until Tuesday morning at the earliest. A Justice of the Peace can waive this requirement in some cases. If you need the waiting period waived, talk to the clerk about the process and who can grant a waiver in Catahoula Parish.
Under RS 9:206, the license expires 30 days after it is issued. Plan your ceremony within that window. If the license expires before you marry, you will need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. The license is valid for a ceremony anywhere in Louisiana once issued, as stated in RS 9:222.
Recording Your Marriage in Catahoula Parish
After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage license and return it to the Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court. This step is what officially records your marriage. The clerk keeps the record on file. Do not leave the ceremony without confirming that the officiant knows they are responsible for returning the license promptly.
Once the record is filed, you can request certified copies of your marriage record from the clerk's office. These are sometimes needed for name changes, updating accounts, or handling legal matters. The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office also keeps statewide marriage records and can provide certified copies. If you need to verify a marriage record from Catahoula Parish, the eClerks Louisiana resource explains how parish clerk records work across the state.
Covenant Marriage Option in Catahoula Parish
Louisiana allows couples to enter a covenant marriage when they apply for a marriage license. This is a special type of marriage recognized by state law that requires premarital counseling and limits the grounds for divorce. Catahoula Parish offers this option just like all other Louisiana parishes.
To choose a covenant marriage, you must complete premarital counseling with a licensed counselor or religious official before the license is issued. Both parties sign a declaration of intent. The process takes more preparation than a standard license application. If covenant marriage interests you, contact the clerk's office at 318-744-5497 well in advance of when you plan to apply so you have time to complete the counseling step.
Nearby Parishes
Catahoula Parish is surrounded by several central Louisiana parishes. If you are close to a parish line, double-check your address to confirm which parish you are in. You may apply for a marriage license at any Louisiana parish clerk's office.