Central, Louisiana Marriage License
Central is a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, and marriage licenses for Central residents come from the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court located at 222 St. Louis Street in downtown Baton Rouge. Central was incorporated more recently than most Louisiana cities, but it remains part of East Baton Rouge Parish for legal purposes including marriage licenses. The Clerk's office serves all EBR Parish communities, and Central residents follow the same process as other parish residents.
Central Quick Facts
Where Central Residents Apply
The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court is at 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Phone: (225) 389-3950. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk's office has a specific note for applicants: please arrive at least 60 minutes before closing to allow time for processing. Do not arrive at 4:25 PM expecting to get a marriage license that day.
The EBR Clerk website is ebrclerk.com. The public service page at ebrclerk.com/public-service has current information on marriage license services. The City of Baton Rouge also maintains a marriage information page at brla.gov for the broader metro area.
Arrive Early
The 60-minute early arrival rule is important. The EBR Clerk's guidance is explicit: "Please arrive at least 60 minutes prior to closing in order to allow time for processing." That means you need to be at the counter by 3:30 PM at the latest. Marriage license paperwork takes time. The clerks need to verify documents, enter information into the system, and print the license. Arriving late in the day risks not getting your license that day.
Parking in downtown Baton Rouge near the courthouse can be tight during weekday hours. Give yourself extra time for parking as well. Street parking and nearby garages are available, but it is not always quick.
Fee for Marriage License
The marriage license fee in East Baton Rouge Parish is approximately $35. This covers the license itself. Certified copies of the marriage certificate after the ceremony cost more. Call (225) 389-3950 to confirm the current fee before your visit. Ask about payment types accepted at the counter. Having cash and a check on hand is usually a safe approach if you are unsure.
Required Documents
Each party must provide the following documents. Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Certified birth certificate from the state where you were born
- Social Security number
- If previously divorced: certified copy of the final divorce judgment
- If previously widowed: certified death certificate of the former spouse
Louisiana does not require a blood test. No medical exams are needed. The document list above is what matters. A hospital birth notice is not the same as a certified birth certificate. Get the certified version from the state vital records office of your birth state.
The 24-Hour Wait
Louisiana law requires a 24-hour waiting period between issuing the license and performing the ceremony. This applies to all parishes, including East Baton Rouge. Plan your trip to the office at least one full day before the ceremony. A Saturday ceremony means you need the license by Friday at the latest, and at a time that is at least 24 hours before the ceremony start.
The license is valid for 30 days from the date and time it is issued. It will expire at that point. Apply early enough that you have some buffer, but not so early that it might expire before the ceremony.
Ceremony Location
An East Baton Rouge Parish marriage license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Louisiana. Central residents can hold their ceremony in the city, in Baton Rouge, or at a venue anywhere in the state. The record will be filed in East Baton Rouge Parish. Louisiana law does not allow a Louisiana license to be used for a ceremony outside the state.
Age Requirements
You must be 18 or older to marry in Louisiana without court involvement. No one under 16 can receive a marriage license. Those who are 16 or 17 need both parental consent and a judge's authorization. The EBR Clerk's office can direct you to the right court if a minor applicant is part of your situation.
Covenant Marriage Option
East Baton Rouge Parish offers covenant marriage like all Louisiana parishes. A covenant marriage requires pre-marital counseling, a signed declaration of intent, and comes with stricter divorce requirements. It is a legal election, not just a ceremony type. Ask the Clerk's office for the declaration form if you want to explore this option. Both parties must agree; one party cannot unilaterally choose covenant marriage.
Getting Certified Copies
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the EBR Parish Clerk. The Clerk records the marriage and can then issue certified copies. You need these for Social Security name changes, driver's license updates, and other legal purposes. Request them from the Clerk's office. You can also check the eClerks LA portal for online record access in participating parishes.
Official Sources
The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk public service page covers marriage licenses and other services for all EBR communities including Central.
Central residents, like all East Baton Rouge Parish residents, apply for marriage licenses at the EBR Parish Clerk office on St. Louis Street in downtown Baton Rouge.
The City of Baton Rouge's marriage information page provides an overview of the marriage process for residents of the Baton Rouge metro area including Central.
The city's marriage page points all East Baton Rouge Parish residents, including those in Central, to the EBR Parish Clerk for marriage license applications.
East Baton Rouge Parish Marriage License
The East Baton Rouge Parish page has complete details on fees, hours, the 60-minute arrival rule, and all requirements for Central residents seeking a marriage license.
Nearby Cities
Other East Baton Rouge Parish area cities with marriage license pages are listed here.