Rules for Marriage Certificate

• Certified Document

  You must submit an original certified copy issued by the Louisiana State Registrar (Vital Records) or the Clerk of Court in the parish where the license was issued. It must have the original signature of the State Registrar or Clerk of Court.

• Notarization is REQUIRED (Critical Step)

  This is Louisiana's key requirement. The certified marriage certificate must be notarized by a Louisiana Notary Public before you send it to the Secretary of State. The notary must affix their seal and complete their notarial certificate. Rejection Cause: Sending the document without this notarization. The state apostilles the notary's signature, not the vital records official's signature directly.

• Complete Request Form

  While a specific form is not always mandatory, you must include a cover letter with your request stating the type of document, the country it will be used in, your contact information, and the number of documents enclosed.

• Correct Payment

  Include a $20.00 per apostille fee, plus a $5.00 handling fee per document (total $25.00 per document). Payment must be made by check, money order, or credit card authorization form (if using the online portal) payable to "Louisiana Secretary of State."

• Pre-Paid Return Shipping

  You must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage. Using a trackable service like USPS Priority Mail is highly recommended.