Clerk of Court

ALL couples must make an appointment
between 9:00am - 3:30pm.
NO Walk-Ins.

Complete Application Online BEFORE arriving.

To make an appointment:

• Call 337-437-3558 Ext. 492
• Ask for Recording Dept / Marriage License appointments
• MAP for Directions

Upon arrival, applicants should have all required legal documents and methods of payment ready, as listed on the Marriage License info page .

Parties should complete the APPLICATION in advance.

24-hour waivers are only being issued under extenuating circumstances at the judges' discretion.

Only bride/groom are allowed in employee area. Family remain outside - unless guardian signature required.

GENERAL LAWS REGARDING MARRIAGE LICENSES

• A marriage license may be issued in any parish in Louisiana, regardless of where the ceremony is to be performed or where the parties reside (RS 9:222).
• A Minister of the Gospel, Judge or Justice of the Peace may perform the ceremony. A license to marry issued in Louisiana, must be used within the territorial limits of the State of Louisiana. Two witnesses of full age must also sign the Certificates. (RS 9:244).
• The license must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the ceremony. It expires 30 days from the date of issuance. NO REFUNDS ON UNUSED/EXPIRED LICENSES.
• The license is only valid for ceremonies performed in the State of Louisiana.
• AGE REQUIREMENTS
  • NO ONE 15 years or under may enter into a contract of marriage. (ACT 401 Art. 2333)
  • 18 years or older: parental consent is not required
  • Ages 16 or 17 provides for judicial authorization upon application by the minor, for the marriage when there is a compelling reason why the marriage should take place. Must provide certified copy of birth certificate and both parents must be present, obtain judicial authorization, sign written consent & show ID. If one parent has custody, a certified copy of the custody papers/death certificate must be presented.
  • No one ages 16 or 17 may enter into a contract of marriage with a person of the age of majority where there is an age difference of three years or greater between them. (ACT 401 Art. 2333)
  • There is a 24 hour waiting period to be married once license is obtained BUT this can be waived by obtaining a “24 Hour Waiver” from the Judges Office of the 14th Judicial District Court.

  LAWS REGARDING INFORMATION ON MARRIAGE LICENSES APPLICATION FORM - (RS 9:224)

  • Must contain all information required on form (see application form – RS 9:223)
  • Each parties’ social security number or one of the following if not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.:
    • Valid and unexpired passport from the country of birth, or
    • Unexpired visa with Form I-94 as issued by the U.S.
    • Both parties before a deputy clerk
    • One party before a notary and one party before a deputy clerk
    • Waiver signed by judge or justice of the peace (they must be in the territorial jurisdiction of the court) valid only for the absent party
    • Military exception – individual appearing attaches a copy of the other’s military ID; only appearin g party needs to sign application.
    • Please follow the link below to print the full application, if any of the exceptions apply above. This allows only one party to be present to apply for marriage license.
      • The party must have full marriage license application with signature places printed out and sign in front of a Notary.
      • Do NOT print out the electronic application.
      • The party present must have the absent parties original valid id and original or certified copy of birth certificate at time of application

      LAWS REGARDING DOCUMENTS REQUIRED - (RS 9:225)

      1.BIRTH CERTIFICATE (RS 9:226)

      - If born in Louisiana

      - Certified copy of each party’s birth certificate (short form acceptable); OR

      - Order waiving birth certificate(s) WITH letter from proper registration authority that a thorough search was made and no birth record was located (RS 9:227 & 228).

      ·If born outside of Louisiana but in a U.S. state or territory, (American Samoa, Guam, N Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands):

      - Certified copy of each party’s birth certificate (short form not allowed), or

      - Order waiving birth certificate(s) WITH letter from proper registration authority that a thorough search was made and no birth record was located (RS 9:227 & 228).

      ·If born outside U.S. or its territories:

      - Certified copy of party’s birth certificate and a valid and unexpired passport, or

      - Certified copy of party’s birth certificate and unexpired visa accompanied by Form I-94 as issued by the U.S.

      - Order waiving birth certificate(s) WITH letter from proper registration authority that a thorough search was made and no birth record was located (RS 9:227 & 228).

      ·Certified translation of birth certificate if certificate is in a language other than English:

      - Must include sworn declaration of translator.

      - Valid and unexpired driver’s license, or

      - A government issued identification card, or

      - A valid and unexpired passport from the country of his birth, or

      - An unexpired visa accompanied by Form I-94 as issued by the U.S.

      3. WRITTEN CONSENT FOR MINORS or court’s authorization if applicants are age 16 or 17

      4.COVENANT MARRIAGE DECLARATION (if applicable)

      - If this is a Covenant Marriage, both parties must be present to submit your Declaration of Intent & Affidavit & Attestation at time of obtaining license.

      5.WAIVERS, if Applicable:

      - 24-Hour Waiver, no change to process; (R. S. 9:242)

      - Birth Certificate Waiver as described above; (R.S. 9:227 & 228)

      - Waiver of Notarized Application as described above (9:224)

      DOCUMENTATION OF PREVIOUS MARRIAGES
      If you have been married before, you MUST know the month, day and year of the divorce/death of your previous spouse. NO PAPERS ARE NECESSARY TO SHOW PROOF. **

      **EXCEPTION: If you have been divorced within 30 days of applying for a license, then a Certified Copy of “Judgement of Divorce” MUST be provided to Deputy Clerk.

      • The license fee is $27.50
      • We accept CASH or CREDIT CARD ONLY. (No bills larger than $20.)

      TIMES APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED & PROCESSING TIME
      License applications are by appointment only between 9:00am - 3:30pm (Monday-Friday). Allow 30-40 minutes for processing of your license.

      PROOFREAD YOUR LICENSE CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE CLERK’S OFFICE
      When you complete the application, please read over and let clerk know of any mistakes. Corrections can only be made prior to ceremony. There is a fee of $10.00 to correct any mistakes after obtaining license. CORRECTIONS CAN NOT BE MADE ONCE CEREMONY HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND YOU ARE MARRIED.

      COPIES OF MARRIAGE LICENSE
      When your license has been processed, you will receive the following:

      • The incomplete ceremonial license form to be signed at the ceremony and returned to Clerk by you or officiant
      • A keepsake decorative license (which is not an official copy)

      
      Once the signed license is returned after the ceremony, you can obtain Certified copies of marriage licenses for $10.00 each.