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Marriage
Licenses In applying for
a marriage license, at least one party must appear in person; and he/she
must have all the necessary information and documents, outlined below.
Documents
Required to Obtain a Marriage License
1. La. R.S. 9:225 requires that applicants provide a certified copy of each applicant’s
birth certificate. If either party cannot produce a certified copy
of their birth certificate due to extenuating circumstances, a waiver
issued by a justice of the peace or district judge MUST be provided.
If either applicant was born out-of-the country and IS a naturalized
citizen, they must present their original citizenship or naturalization papers with
a valid state ID or Drivers License along with a waiver issued by a
justice of the peace or district judge.
If
either applicant was born out-of-the country and IS NOT a naturalized
citizen, they must present an original foreign birth certificate in
English or with a translation into English by a certified translator on official
letterhead. If either party cannot satisfy the birth certificate
requirement, we will accept a valid passport along with a waiver issued
by a justice of the peace or district judge.
2. State law prohibits the marriage
of persons who are related by blood or adoption within the fourth degree
collateral (first cousins).
3.
If either party is
divorced or widowed, applicant must provide a certified copy of divorce
judgment or death certificate which provides applicants name as
surviving spouse. If the documents originated outside the United
States, they must present an original with a translation into English by
a
certified translator on official letterhead. Foreign language
originals must be submitted along with original translations.
4.
Applicants are also required to supply their Social Security numbers. If
an applicant does not have a U.S. Social Security number, they must
appear in person at the time of application to sign and date a statement
before the issuing clerk stating they do not have a social security
number because they are a citizen of another country (La. R.S.9:224).
5.
A medical certificate is not required.
6. A Louisiana marriage license is
valid in any parish in Louisiana for a period of 30 days from issuance.
There is a 72-hour waiting period between the time of issuance of the
license and the ceremony. If the 72 hours have been exceeded you may
apply for a 72 hour waiver which must be signed by a district Judge or
Justice of the Peace in the parish in which the license is issued.
7.
Your completed marriage license application which you may download
here
for your convenience. Either the bride or the groom must each
complete this application, and this form must be presented by either applicant in person at
either our East Bank or West Bank offices. To download this form,
you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader:
8. Only one applicant is required
to come into the office to complete the application, but that person
must have all documents and social security numbers for both applicants.
Age
Requirement
Applicants
must be 18 years of age to obtain a marriage license without parental
consent. If an applicant is under 18 years of age both parents must
appear in person with applicant. If either applicant is under 16 years
of age applicant and parents must appear before a juvenile judge for
permission to marry and must present state ID or Drivers License before
a marriage license can be issued. If one parent has sole custody
certified documents must be presented showing sole custody. No temporary
orders are acceptable.
Fees
The fee for obtaining a marriage license is $31.25. A copy of a
marriage license is $5.00. If a waiver is required there will be
an additional fee of $2.50 per waiver. Cash, money order, personal checks, or certified or
cashiers checks are accepted. We are
planning to provide for payment by credit card or check card in the very
near future. By Louisiana law, the clerk of court transfers over forty
percent of the above fees to the program for the Program of Victims of
Family Violence.
General
Information
A Louisiana marriage
license is valid in any parish in Louisiana for a period of 30 days
from issuance. There is a 72-hour waiting period between the time
of issuance of the license and the ceremony. The waiting period
must be waived by a district judge or justice of the peace in the parish
where the license was issued. Newlyweds should order a certified
copy of their marriage license two weeks after the marriage to insure that
the license has been returned and recorded. A form to obtain a copy
or copies by mail is available
here. Police
escorts for wedding ceremonies may be secured by calling the Jefferson
Parish Sheriff's Office at (504) 465-1480. |
