What is needed to obtain a marriage license?

1. You must be 18 to obtain a marriage license without parental consent.
   
   
2. A minor must be accompanied by both parents, who must show proper identification or provide a signed notarized statement giving the parent's consent for the minor to marry.  If one parent has been granted legal custody by the courts, that parent must present a certified copy of the judgment granting custody.
   
   
3. A marriage license cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 16 without a court order from a Juvenile Court judge, in addition to parental consent.  If both parents are deceased, a legal guardian may give consent with proof of guardianship.
   
   
4. Both bride and groom must have proof of age in the form of an original or certified birth certificate.  Birth cards and hospital certificates are not acceptable.
   
   Naturalized citizens may use a naturalization certificate as identification. Non-citizens may use their unexpired passports as identification. Birth certificates can be obtained from the Vital Records Registry of the state in which you were born.
   
   If you were born in Louisiana, certified birth certificates may now be obtained in Baton Rouge at the Health Unit at 353 North 12^th. The phone number for the office is 225-342-1930. You may also obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate by contacting the Vital Records Registry at 504-569-5152. That office is located at 325 Loyola, New Orleans, LA 70160.
   
   
5. A couple applying for a marriage license has the option of contracting a covenant marriage.  To do so, the couple must have premarital counseling.  For more details on the Covenant Marriage Act, call 225-389-3950.
   
   
6. If either party has been divorced within a one-year period, that party must provide a certified copy of his or her Judgment of Divorce.
   
   
7. Both parties need not be present (unless contracting a covenant marriage), but one of the parties must be present to apply for the marriage license.  The applicant must bring the certified birth certificate for the absent party.
   
   
8. Each party will need to know his or her father's full name and mother's name and the states in which they were born.  Bride and groom will be asked their social security numbers.
   
   
9. Once the marriage license has been issued, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage ceremony can be performed.  If the license is unused after 30 days, it expires.
   
   
10. Fee for a marriage license is $25 in cash.  A miniature marriage license is available for $5.

For additional information, call 225-293-2933 or 225-389-3950 or
visit the Clerk of Court's Office website.