Morehouse Parish Marriage License Lookup

The Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court in Bastrop issues marriage licenses for couples in this parish. You apply at the courthouse on East Madison Avenue, and the office can also arrange civil ceremonies right there in the building. The license fee is $27.50 plus a $5 recording fee, and you need to wait 24 hours after the license is issued before your ceremony can take place. This page covers what to bring, what to expect, and how the process works in Morehouse Parish.

Morehouse Parish Marriage License Office

Clerk of Court Hon. Carol Jones runs the Morehouse Parish Clerk's office. The office sits at 100 E. Madison Avenue in Bastrop. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Street parking on Madison Avenue is available near the courthouse. Plan to arrive with enough time to complete your application before close.

The Louisiana state government has a parish directory that includes Morehouse Parish information. The Louisiana.gov Morehouse Parish page lists local government contacts and links to county-level offices including the clerk.

The Louisiana.gov parish directory is a useful starting point when looking for contact info and local resources in Morehouse Parish.

Morehouse Parish Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Morehouse Parish is $27.50, plus a $5 recording fee. That brings the total to $32.50 at the time of application. The clerk's office has stated: "Marriage license $27.50 plus $5 recording fee in Morehouse Parish." Call ahead to confirm whether cash, check, or card is accepted before you visit.

If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate after the ceremony, the first copy costs $15. Each additional copy is $5. Per the office: "First certified copy costs $15, additional copies $5 each." Many couples order at least two or three copies right away, since you will likely need them for name changes, insurance, and other purposes. It is easier to get them at the time you pick up or return the license than to come back later.

The eClerks Louisiana marriage license resource has general fee and process information for Louisiana parishes if you want to compare what other parishes charge.

Note: Fees are set by the state and the parish, and small changes can happen. Confirm the exact amount with the clerk before your visit.

Courthouse Weddings in Morehouse Parish

One thing that makes Morehouse Parish stand out is the option for a courthouse wedding. The Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court can arrange civil ceremonies at the historic courthouse in Bastrop. The clerk's own materials note: "The historic courthouse provides an elegant setting for civil ceremonies." This is a great option for couples who want a simple, official ceremony without renting a separate venue.

If you want to get married at the courthouse, contact the clerk's office ahead of time to arrange it. You still need to get your marriage license first and wait out the 24-hour period before the ceremony can happen. The clerk can walk you through the steps and let you know what is available in terms of scheduling. This kind of service is not available at every parish courthouse in Louisiana, so it is worth asking about if it interests you.

The 24-hour waiting period can be waived in some cases. Louisiana law under R.S. 9:224 allows a judge to waive this requirement. If you need to marry on the same day you get the license, contact the clerk or a local judge to see if a waiver is possible for your situation.

What to Bring for a Morehouse Parish Marriage License

Both applicants need to bring their certified birth certificates. These must be originals from the issuing vital records office, not photocopies. Social security numbers are required for both parties. You also need to provide your full legal names, places of residence, and information about your parents. This includes each parent's name and birthplace.

If either person was married before, you need to bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A final divorce decree or a death certificate works for this. The clerk needs to confirm that both parties are legally free to marry. Louisiana law under R.S. 9:208 governs age requirements. Both parties must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent. Those who are 16 or 17 need written parental consent. Anyone under 16 also needs a court order from a district judge. Valid photo ID is always a good idea to bring along, even if it is not listed as the only acceptable form of identity.

A marriage license issued in Morehouse Parish is valid anywhere in Louisiana for 30 days from the issue date, as allowed under R.S. 9:206. You do not need to hold your ceremony in Morehouse Parish just because you got the license there.

Note: If one party cannot appear in person, their signature on the application must be notarized separately before the other party submits it.

Marriage Records in Morehouse Parish

After your ceremony, the person who performed it signs the license and returns it to the Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk records it as an official marriage record for the parish. This record is permanent and can be accessed by anyone who needs a certified copy in the future.

If you need a statewide copy later, the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office maintains records for marriages across the state. You can order a certified copy from them by mail or in person at their offices. This is useful if you are not near Bastrop and need a copy years after the fact.

The Louisiana parish directory at Louisiana.gov can connect you with other local offices in Morehouse Parish if you need additional records or services related to your marriage.

Nearby Parishes

Morehouse Parish borders these parishes in northeast Louisiana. A marriage license from any parish works across the state, but you apply where you or your partner lives.