Pointe Coupee Parish Marriage License
The Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court in New Roads issues marriage licenses for couples in this parish, and the license must be obtained at least 72 hours before the wedding ceremony. That is three full days of required waiting, which is longer than most Louisiana parishes. The fee is $27.50 and only one party needs to appear in person to pick up the license. The Clerk of Court in New Roads also holds marriage records dating back to 1735, making this one of the most historically significant record collections in the state.
Pointe Coupee Parish Quick Facts
Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court
Clerk Lanell Swindler Landry leads the Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court at 201 East Main Street in New Roads. Mailing address: P.O. Box 38, New Roads, LA 70760. Phone: (225) 638-9596. Fax: (225) 638-9590. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on all legal and parish holidays. Confirm any holiday closures before you plan your visit.
The Pointe Coupee Parish weddings page explains the marriage license process and all requirements for couples in New Roads.
The parish weddings page is the best source for the 72-hour waiting period requirement that makes Pointe Coupee different from most Louisiana parishes.
| Clerk of Court | Lanell Swindler Landry |
|---|---|
| Office Address | 201 East Main Street, New Roads, LA 70760 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 38, New Roads, LA 70760 |
| Phone | (225) 638-9596 |
| Fax | (225) 638-9590 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed legal and parish holidays) |
| Website | pcparish.org |
The 72-Hour Waiting Period
The clerk's office states directly: "The Clerk of Court is able to aid couples in their marriage preparation by providing the marriage license. The license, which expires thirty (30) days from the date of issuance, must be obtained at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the wedding ceremony. The cost of acquiring a license is $27.50."
The 72-hour wait is a key detail. Most Louisiana parishes only require 24 hours, but Pointe Coupee requires three full days. If your ceremony is on a Saturday, you must have the license in hand by at least Wednesday. Do not cut it close, especially around holidays when the office may be closed. The clerk's office is closed on all legal and parish holidays, so a holiday during your application week could push back when you can get the license.
The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, you must apply again and pay the $27.50 fee a second time. Plan the timing of your visit carefully so the 30-day window covers your ceremony date with room to spare.
Who Must Appear in Person
The clerk's office states: "Only one party need be present to obtain the license." This is different from many Louisiana parishes that require both parties to appear together. In Pointe Coupee Parish, one person can come in alone to pick up the license, provided all the required documentation for both applicants is present. If one party's information or signature is missing, the application cannot be completed.
Both parties' information is still required even if only one person shows up. The information needed for both applicants includes certified birth certificates, Social Security numbers, full names, places of residence, race, and ages. Parents' names and birthplaces are required for each party. The number of prior marriages and whether any ended in divorce must also be noted. If divorced, documentation of the divorce is required.
Documents Needed for a Pointe Coupee Parish Marriage License
The clerk's office is clear on what is required: "Certified birth certificates and/or birth cards; Social security numbers; Full names, places of residence, race, and ages; Names and birthplaces of the applicants' parents; The number of previous marriages and, if applicable, whether divorced or not."
Bring certified birth certificates. Photocopies will not be accepted. If you were born in another state, request a certified copy from that state's vital records office before your visit. If your birth certificate is in a language other than English, bring a certified translation with the original. The clerk cannot accept untranslated foreign documents.
Age rules are enforced. The clerk states: "Louisiana law states that both parties must be eighteen (18) years of age to marry without parental consent. Applicants sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) years of age must have the written consent of both parents. Applicants under the age of sixteen (16) must have authorization from a district court judge in addition to the written consent of both parents." The birth certificate you bring is how age is verified. The clerk will not issue a license to anyone who does not meet the age requirements.
Fees for a Pointe Coupee Parish Marriage License
The fee is $27.50. This is one of the lower fees in Louisiana. Call the clerk at (225) 638-9596 to confirm what payment methods are accepted before your visit. After the ceremony, certified copies of the marriage record can be ordered from the clerk's office for an additional per-copy fee. Order enough copies to cover your name change needs and any other legal purposes. Getting them all at once is more efficient than separate trips.
Covenant Marriage Option
Louisiana is one of only three states that allows covenant marriage. Couples applying for a Pointe Coupee Parish marriage license can choose this option at the time of application. Covenant marriage requires premarital counseling and sets stricter limits on the grounds for divorce. You must declare the covenant marriage option when you apply. You cannot convert a standard marriage license to a covenant marriage after it is issued. The clerk can tell you what extra paperwork is needed if you choose this route.
Historical Marriage Records in Pointe Coupee Parish
Pointe Coupee is one of the oldest settled areas in Louisiana. Marriage records here go back to 1735. That makes the Clerk of Court's collection one of the most historically significant in the state. Researchers looking for family history in this parish have a remarkable archive to work with. The clerk's office does not perform research on your behalf but staff can point you to the right area of the records. For older records, consider working with a genealogist who knows the Pointe Coupee collection.
The Pointe Coupee Parish government website provides access to all parish services including marriage license information from the Clerk of Court.
The parish government site connects to the Clerk of Court office, which holds marriage records dating back to 1735.
Additional Resources
The Louisiana.gov Pointe Coupee Parish page lists all elected officials and contact details for the parish.
Pointe Coupee is one of the oldest parishes in Louisiana, and its records date back further than most parishes in the state.
Additional marriage law details for Pointe Coupee Parish can be found through the MarriageLaws.org Pointe Coupee page.
Always verify fees and requirements directly with the Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk before visiting, as rules can change.
For statewide certified copies of marriage records, the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office at ldh.la.gov can issue certified copies by mail. The eClerks LA marriage license portal also provides general information on the Louisiana marriage license process across all parishes.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes are near Pointe Coupee Parish in central Louisiana. Each has its own Clerk of Court for marriage licenses.