Find a Marriage License in Evangeline Parish

To get a marriage license in Evangeline Parish, both applicants must go to the Clerk of Court office in Ville Platte and apply in person. The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses for the 13th Judicial District and keeps all marriage records for the parish. This page explains where the office is, what documents you need to bring, how much the fee is, how the 24-hour waiting period works, and what happens after the ceremony so you can plan ahead.

Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court - Marriage License Office

The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court is at 200 Court Street, Ville Platte, LA 70586. The mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Ville Platte, LA 70586. The phone number is 337-363-5671. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Ville Platte is in central Louisiana and serves as the governmental hub of Evangeline Parish. The clerk's office on Court Street is where all marriage license applications are processed for the parish.

Both applicants must appear in person to apply. The clerk will not process an application submitted by only one person, and mail-in applications are not accepted. Staff will check your documents, process the application, and issue the license at the time of your visit when everything is in order. The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court website has more information about office services and may have current details about fees or requirements.

The Louisiana state directory for Evangeline Parish also lists local government office contacts including the clerk. Call 337-363-5671 to confirm hours and current requirements before you make the trip to Ville Platte.

Evangeline Parish Marriage License - Clerk and Parish Information

The Louisiana government directory page for Evangeline Parish provides an overview of local office contacts and services including the clerk's office where marriage licenses are issued in Ville Platte.

This state directory listing is useful for confirming contact details for the Evangeline Parish Clerk before heading to the courthouse in Ville Platte to apply for your marriage license.

The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court official website is the most direct source for current information about marriage licenses and other services offered by the clerk's office in Ville Platte.

The clerk's own website may include updates to fees, hours, or procedures that are more current than what appears in other sources, so checking it before your visit is a good idea.

What You Need for an Evangeline Parish Marriage License

Louisiana law under RS 9:224 requires both applicants to appear in person and present valid photo ID and a birth certificate. A driver's license or passport works for the ID requirement. Your birth certificate must be an original or certified copy from a government vital records agency. Hospital-issued birth certificates are generally not accepted, and plain photocopies are insufficient.

If either applicant has been married before, documentation of how the prior marriage ended is required. A certified divorce decree is needed after a divorce. A death certificate is needed if a prior spouse died. Both documents must be originals or certified copies. The clerk checks these documents before issuing the license to confirm that both people are legally free to marry.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under RS 9:208 unless a court order has been granted for a younger person. The clerk verifies age based on the birth certificate and ID provided at the time of application. Applicants from outside Evangeline Parish and from out of state are welcome to apply here.

Note: Louisiana offers covenant marriage, which requires premarital counseling and limits divorce grounds. If you want a covenant marriage license, let the clerk know before starting the standard application process.

Evangeline Parish Marriage License Fee and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Evangeline Parish is approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Call the clerk at 337-363-5671 to confirm the current fee before your visit. Pay at the clerk's office on the day you apply. Ask when you call what payment methods are accepted.

Under RS 9:242, Louisiana law requires a 24-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can be held. Plan your clerk visit at least one full day before the wedding. If you need the waiting period waived, a Justice of the Peace can do so in some circumstances. Talk to the clerk about the waiver option if your situation requires it.

The license is valid for 30 days from the issue date per RS 9:206. Marry within that period. If the license expires, you must apply again and pay the fee a second time. Under RS 9:222, the license is valid for any wedding ceremony held anywhere in Louisiana, not just in Evangeline Parish.

Registering Your Evangeline Parish Marriage

After the ceremony, the person who officiated the wedding must sign the completed marriage license and return it to the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court in Ville Platte. This is the step that officially records the marriage. Without the returned license, the marriage is not on file at the parish clerk's office. Confirm this responsibility with your officiant well before the wedding date.

Once the clerk has the completed license on file, you can request certified copies of your Evangeline Parish marriage record. These are needed for name changes, updating financial accounts, and other legal purposes. The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records also maintains statewide marriage records. The eClerks Louisiana resource explains how parish clerk records work across Louisiana if you want more background on the system.

Nearby Parishes

Evangeline Parish is in central Louisiana, bordered by St. Landry, Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, and Rapides parishes. Check your address before deciding which clerk's office to visit if you live near any of these boundaries.