Marriage records in the parish of St. Mary, Louisiana, are available through several channels. StMaryparishCourt.us allows you to start searching for publicly available information on marriage records in this parish. Additionally, the official source for certified copies is the Clerk of Court of St. Mary Parish, as well as the Louisiana Department of Health. Requests can be submitted online, in person at the clerk's office in Franklin, or by mail.
St. Mary Marriage Records Search
In the state of Louisiana, marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Court of the parish where the marriage license was issued. For St. Mary Parish, this is the St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court, located in the administrative center—Franklin. The collection includes marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and historical records dating back to the 19th century—the parish was established in 1811.
The clerk retains the originals of licenses and returned signed certificates. For searching older records, especially prior to the 1900s, it may be necessary to contact the Louisiana State Archives.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in St. Mary
Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained in two ways: through the parish Clerk of Court or through the Louisiana Department of Health (Vital Records Registry). Fees vary depending on the source.
Fees through Louisiana Department of Health
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $9.00 |
| Each additional copy (in one order) | $5.00 |
| Search without issuing a copy | Included in the cost of the first copy |
These fees are established according to the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The Department of Health maintains records of marriages registered since 1946.
Fees through Clerk of Court
The St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court charges a separate fee for searching and copying. The exact amount should be clarified by calling (337) 828-4100, as parish fees may change periodically. Generally, a certified copy through the clerk costs less than through the state department, and processing takes one to two business days for in-person requests.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in St. Mary
There are three main ways to order a marriage certificate in St. Mary Parish.
Online
The state of Louisiana provides the option to order certified copies through the Vital Records portal of the Department of Health. This method is suitable for marriages registered after 1946. Online orders are processed within a few weeks, depending on the current workload.
- Go to the Marriage Certificates & Licenses page on the LDH website.
- Select the order method—online portal or download the application form.
- Fill in the information: full names of the spouses, date, and place of marriage registration.
- Pay the fee with a credit or debit card.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Court office in Franklin. Bring a valid photo ID. Usually, a copy is issued the same day or the next business day.
By Mail
To order through the Department of Health, send:
- A completed application form (available on the Louisiana online services page).
- A money order or check for the appropriate amount, made payable to Vital Records Registry.
- A copy of the applicant's ID.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (optional—for expedited delivery).
Mailing address for state registry requests:
For mail requests directly to the parish clerk, use the Franklin office address listed above. It is recommended to call ahead to confirm the current fee and acceptable forms of payment before sending.
Additional information about the parish, its municipalities, and contact details for local authorities can be found on the official St. Mary Parish page on the Louisiana state website.