Union Parish Marriage License

A marriage license in Union Parish is issued by the Clerk of Court in Farmerville, located in the northwest corner of Louisiana near the Arkansas border. Both applicants must appear in person at the East Bayou Street office, bring the required documents, and pay the fee. The license is subject to the statewide 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can be held. Union Parish is a smaller, rural parish, so calling ahead to verify hours and current fees is always a smart move before making the trip to Farmerville.

Clerk of Court Office

The Union Parish Clerk of Court office is at 100 East Bayou Street, Farmerville, LA 71241. Mail goes to P.O. Box 368, Farmerville, LA 71241. The main phone number is (318) 368-3055. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Since Union Parish is a smaller parish with a compact office, it is worth calling ahead on the day you plan to visit. Staff can confirm current fees, let you know if there are any delays, and answer questions about what to bring. The office handles all clerk services in one location, so wait times can vary depending on how busy they are.

The fee in Union Parish falls in the standard Louisiana range of approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Call the office to confirm the exact amount before your visit. Ask about accepted payment methods. Some smaller offices may prefer cash or check over credit cards.

Louisiana.gov Official Source

The Louisiana.gov Union Parish page lists the Clerk of Court and other elected officials for the parish.

Union Parish is in north Louisiana with Farmerville as the parish seat and the Clerk of Court office on East Bayou Street.

What Documents to Bring

Louisiana law sets the same core requirements at every parish clerk's office. Both applicants must be present. There is no way to apply by mail or send a representative. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. If you are using a passport, make sure it is not expired.

A certified birth certificate is required for each applicant. This must be a certified copy issued by the vital records authority of the state where the person was born. It needs an official seal or stamp to be accepted. Hospital birth records and photocopies are not acceptable. If you were born in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Health issues certified copies. If you were born in another state, request the certified copy from that state's vital records office as early as possible, since mail processing can take several weeks.

Both applicants must provide their Social Security numbers. Bring the Social Security card if you have it. If either person was married before, proof that the previous marriage ended is required. That means a certified copy of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate. Uncertified copies will not be accepted.

Waiting Period and License Validity

Louisiana state law under RS 9:242 requires a 24-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. Plan accordingly. If you get your license on a Monday, the earliest you can marry is Tuesday. This applies in every parish without exception.

Under RS 9:206, the license is valid for 30 days from the date it was issued. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires and you must start the process over, including paying the fee again. The license is valid anywhere in Louisiana under RS 9:222. You can get a license in Union Parish and hold your ceremony in another parish or city without any additional steps.

State Law Requirements

RS 9:224 requires the clerk to collect specific information from each applicant. This includes full name, age, and birthplace. The clerk records this on the license along with the date the application was received. Social Security numbers are also required by state law. Make sure both applicants have this information ready when you arrive so the application can be completed without delays.

RS 9:225 sets the birth certificate requirement. The clerk must see a certified copy from the applicant's birth state. This is a statewide rule, not something individual clerks can waive. If there is a problem obtaining a certified copy in time, contact the clerk's office as early as possible to understand your options.

Covenant Marriage Option

Louisiana is one of three states, along with Arkansas and Arizona, that offers covenant marriage. This is a more formal type of marriage with stricter grounds for divorce. Couples who want a covenant marriage must complete premarital counseling before the license is issued and sign a Declaration of Intent. Most people in Union Parish choose a standard marriage license. But the covenant option exists if you want it. Ask the clerk's office for details if you are considering it.

After the Ceremony

Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Clerk of Court. After it is recorded, you can request certified copies. You will need certified copies for things like changing your name on a driver's license, updating Social Security records, or adding a spouse to insurance. The clerk's office can issue copies for a fee. The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office can also provide certified marriage records once they are filed statewide.

Online Pre-Application Tool

Some Louisiana parishes participate in the eClerks LA online marriage application system. This lets couples complete their application before visiting the clerk's office. Check the eClerks LA website to see if Union Parish is a participating parish. If it is, pre-filling the application at home can save time and reduce errors at the counter. You still need to appear in person to finalize and pay.

Marriage Records After Filing

Once your marriage license is returned and recorded by the Clerk of Court, it becomes part of the permanent public record for Union Parish. Certified copies are available from the clerk's office. You can also request records from the Louisiana Department of Health if you need them at a later date. Keep at least one certified copy in a safe place at home since getting replacement copies takes time and money.

Nearby Parishes

These adjacent parishes each have their own Clerk of Court where marriage license applications are accepted.