Search Lincoln Parish Marriage License

Lincoln Parish marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Court in Ruston, and there are a few important rules specific to this office that you need to know before you make the trip. Both parties must appear in person, the fee is cash only, and birth certificates are required for both applicants. This page explains the full process, what to bring, what to pay, and how the rules work for a Lincoln Parish marriage license.

Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court - Marriage License Office

Hon. Linda Cook is the Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court. Her office is in Room 103 of the courthouse at 100 W. Texas Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270. The mailing address is P.O. Box 924, Ruston, LA 71273. Phone is (318) 251-5130. Fax is (318) 255-6004. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

You can find general information about the clerk's services at lincolnparish.org/clerk-court. The marriage license page is at lincolnparish.org/clerk-court/page/marriage. These pages have details on what the office requires and how the process works.

The Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court page at lincolnparish.org provides an overview of all services available at the courthouse in Ruston.

Lincoln Parish Marriage License Requirements

Lincoln Parish has a requirement that stands out from most other Louisiana parishes. The clerk's office states clearly: "A completed Application for Marriage License. Both parties must be present in the Clerk's Office at the time of application." Both parties must appear in person. You cannot send one person or sign before a notary as an alternative here. Both of you need to be at the Ruston courthouse at the same time.

The Lincoln Parish Clerk's marriage license page at lincolnparish.org details the specific requirements, including the rule that both parties must appear in person.

Along with both parties appearing, you need to bring: "Certified Copies of birth certificates for both parties are required." These must be official certified copies. Plain photocopies will not work. Under Louisiana RS 9:225, certified birth certificates are required statewide, and Lincoln Parish enforces this requirement strictly.

Under Louisiana RS 9:224, both parties must provide their full name, date of birth, and place of birth at the time of application. Bring valid photo ID for each party as well. If either party was previously married, bring proof the prior marriage ended, such as a certified divorce decree or a death certificate.

Note: If you need a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate and do not have one, the clerk can sometimes help. However, the office states: "If a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate is needed, a $34 fee per copy in cash (fee mandated by state) is required. PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME." Budget both the extra cost and the extra time if you need to get a birth certificate on the same visit.

Lincoln Parish Marriage License Fee - Cash Only

The fee for a marriage license in Lincoln Parish is $27.50. Like the birth certificate requirement, payment rules here are strict: "A fee of $27.50 in cash only." No checks, no debit cards, no credit cards. Bring exactly $27.50 in cash, or bring a bit more in case you need to get a birth certificate at the same visit.

If you also need a Louisiana birth certificate at the clerk's office, that is an additional $34.00 per copy, also in cash. So you could potentially need $95.50 in cash if both parties need birth certificates on top of the license fee. Plan ahead and come prepared with enough cash.

Certified copies of the marriage license itself may carry an additional fee on top of the $27.50. Ask the clerk's office when you call at (318) 251-5130 to confirm all the fees before your visit so there are no surprises.

Waiting Period and License Validity

Once the license is issued, you must wait before using it. The clerk notes: "Licenses generally must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the ceremony." The 24-hour waiting period is required under Louisiana RS 9:242. You cannot pick up the license and hold the ceremony the same day. In some limited cases, a district judge or justice of the peace can waive the wait. Ask the clerk's office if you have a specific need for a waiver.

The license has a limited shelf life. The clerk's office states: "Marriage licenses expire 30 days from the date of issue." Louisiana RS 9:206 sets this 30-day window statewide. If your ceremony is not completed within 30 days of when the license was issued, you would need to start the process over and pay again. Book your ceremony date before applying so you know you can use the license in time.

Under Louisiana RS 9:222, a license issued in Lincoln Parish can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Louisiana. You are not required to hold the ceremony in Ruston or Lincoln Parish.

Age Requirements for Marriage in Lincoln Parish

Louisiana law sets age requirements for all marriage license applicants. Anyone 18 or older can apply without restrictions related to age. Those under 18 face additional requirements.

The clerk outlines the age rules clearly. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need both parents' signatures on the application. Under 16 requires a court order in addition to parental consent. Louisiana RS 9:208 covers the full age requirements. These rules apply in Lincoln Parish just as they do across the state. The clerk's staff will check the age of each applicant and ask for any required signatures or orders before issuing a license to a minor.

Lincoln Parish also allows couples to apply for a covenant marriage at the time of the license application. Covenant marriage requires pre-marital counseling and comes with more limited grounds for divorce. More information is available at the Louisiana covenant marriage information page.

Online Search Tools for Lincoln Parish Marriage Records

The ClerkConnect online portal offers online record access for many Louisiana parishes including Lincoln.

ClerkConnect can be used to search recorded documents and prepare online applications for some parish clerk offices. After your ceremony and after the signed license is returned and recorded by the clerk's office, it may be searchable through this system.

For statewide marriage records, the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records maintains a statewide database and can issue official certified marriage certificates. The eClerks LA system also provides information about marriage licenses across Louisiana parishes. For other state public records questions, the Louisiana Secretary of State is a useful resource.

Nearby Parishes

Lincoln Parish is in north Louisiana. The parishes below border it or are nearby. A Louisiana marriage license is valid statewide, so you may apply at any convenient parish clerk's office.