REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE
Application for a marriage license may be made by the bride/spouse or groom/spouse; only one party needs to be present, but must present all required documents for both parties.
1) AGE REQUIREMENT
Applicants must be 18 years of age. If an applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, both parents must appear with photo identification to sign a consent form and you must have written consent from a judge after a hearing is held. The person marrying the minor cannot be more than 3 years older than the minor. Minors 15 years and younger cannot marry in the State of Louisiana.
2) BIRTH CERTIFICATES/BIRTH CARDS
**THIS CAN NOT BE WAIVED UNLESS A LETTER IS RECEIVED FROM THE STATE REGISTRAR (WHERE THE PARTY WAS BORN) THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE**
Applicants must present an original birth record. If either party was born outside the United States, he/she must present the original birth certificate. Foreign language birth certificates must be translated into English by that country’s Consulate per La. R.S. 13:3725. No other translations are acceptable. Foreign Language originals must be submitted along with the original translation. Also, if with party was born outside the United States, he/she must present his/her passport, naturalization papers or green card.
3) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
Applicants must provide both Social Security Numbers. Social Security cards do not have to be produced.
4) PRIOR MARRIAGES
**WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT A FAX COPY FROM ANOTHER CLERK’S OFFICE**
If either party has been married before, he/she must provide a certified copy of the judgment of divorce or the month, day, and year of death of the previous spouse. And, the number of this marriage.
5) TIME REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must obtain marriage license 24 hours prior to the ceremony. A judge can waive this or justice of the peace authorized to perform the ceremony. A marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
6) COVENANT MARRIAGE
A Covenant Marriage requires the same information stated above in addition to premarital counseling. Applicants wanting to obtain a Covenant Marriage must submit a declaration of intent and affidavit and attestation. The Clerk of Court’s Office provides these forms. Also, the minister or counselor must be present for the completion of these documents. Both parties must be present.
7) OTHER INFORMATION
The following information for both parties is also required:
Highest grade of education completed; father’s full name and state of birth; mother’s full name (maiden name) and state of birth.
The law prohibits the marriage of collaterals within the fourth degree. In other words, we cannot issue a license to a brother or sister, first cousins, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew. (L.R.S. Title 9, Sec. 211 Relations of the fourth degree)
8) FEES
The fee for obtaining a marriage license is $27.50. A certified copy of the marriage license is $6.00 and a plain copy is $1.00 and is available upon request.
ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
IF ONLY ONE PARTY IS PRESENT, HE/SHE MUST KNOW THE OTHER PARTY’S INFORMATION FOR THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND HAVE THEIR DOCUMENTS.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION!!!!
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