Hammond Marriage License - Tangipahoa Parish
Hammond residents obtain marriage licenses from the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court, which has a local office on NW Railroad Avenue in Hammond. The Hammond office has two rules that applicants must know before they show up: it accepts only checks or credit cards (no cash), and you must arrive by 3:00 PM to be processed that day. A second office in Amite serves as an alternative for residents who prefer a different location or need to pay in cash.
Hammond Quick Facts
Clerk Office Locations in Tangipahoa Parish
Tangipahoa Parish has two offices for marriage licenses. Hammond residents use the local office:
- Hammond Office: 318-A NW Railroad Avenue, Hammond, LA 70401. Phone: (985) 549-1638. Marriage License Dept: (985) 284-2670.
- Amite Office: 110 N Bay Street, Ste. 100, Amite, LA 70422. Phone: (985) 748-4146.
The Clerk is Gary Stanga. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The website is at tangiclerk.org and the marriage license page is at tangiclerk.org/Services/Marriage-Licenses. Call the marriage license department directly at (985) 284-2670 with specific questions.
Critical Payment and Arrival Rules
Two rules apply specifically to the Hammond office that do not apply to the Amite location. Know these before you go:
Payment: The Hammond office accepts check or credit card only. No cash. The Clerk's guidance is explicit: "Please note that the Hammond office accepts check or credit card only." If you bring cash to Hammond, you cannot get a marriage license. The Amite office accepts cash, check, and credit card.
Arrival time: "If you are acquiring your license in our Hammond office, you will need to arrive by 3:00 p.m." The Amite office cutoff is 4:00 PM. The Hammond cutoff is one hour earlier. Do not arrive at 3:30 PM expecting to get a license. Be at the counter by 3:00 PM to be processed.
Fee
The marriage license fee is $35.00 at both Hammond and Amite offices. Pay by check or credit card at Hammond. At Amite, cash is also accepted. Ask the office about the current cost for certified copies when you apply. You will need those copies after the ceremony for name-change paperwork.
Required Documents
Bring the following for both parties. Have everything ready before you arrive:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Certified birth certificate for each party (not a photocopy)
- Social Security number for each party
- If previously divorced: certified copy of the final divorce decree
- If previously widowed: certified death certificate of the prior spouse
Louisiana does not require a blood test. No medical exam is needed. The document list above is all you need. Make sure the birth certificates are certified official copies from the issuing state's vital records office. Hospital-issued copies are not accepted. Foreign birth certificates must be translated into English before they can be used.
The 24-Hour Wait
Louisiana law requires a 24-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can happen. This is statewide and applies in Tangipahoa Parish just like everywhere else. Plan your office visit at least one full day before the ceremony. A Friday wedding at 6:00 PM means you need the license in hand no later than Thursday at 6:00 PM.
The license is valid for 30 days. After 30 days it expires and you must apply again. Most couples get the license about one week before the ceremony. That gives time to handle any document problems without risking expiration close to the wedding date.
Statewide Validity
A Tangipahoa Parish marriage license is valid across all of Louisiana. The ceremony can take place in Hammond, in Baton Rouge, in New Orleans, or at any location in the state. The marriage record is filed in Tangipahoa Parish because that is where the license originated. Louisiana licenses cannot be used for ceremonies outside the state.
Age Requirements
Both parties must be at least 18. Louisiana law does not issue marriage licenses to anyone under 16 under any circumstances. Applicants aged 16 or 17 need parental consent and a judge's court order before the Clerk can issue a license. Contact the Clerk's office at (985) 284-2670 for guidance on the right court if this situation applies.
Covenant Marriage in Hammond
Louisiana law allows couples to choose a covenant marriage, and Tangipahoa Parish offers this option. Covenant marriage requires pre-marital counseling with a licensed counselor or clergy member and a signed declaration of intent from both parties. The divorce requirements under a covenant marriage are more limited than under a standard marriage. Ask the Clerk's office for the declaration form if you want to pursue this option. The fee may be slightly different; confirm the current amount when you call.
Certified Copies After the Ceremony
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk. Once it is on file, you can request certified copies. These are required for Social Security name changes, driver's license updates, and other legal name-change processes. Request at least two certified copies. Going back to the office for additional copies means paying the fee again each time.
The eClerks LA portal provides online access to marriage records in participating Louisiana parishes. Check there if you need a copy and cannot visit the Hammond office in person.
Official Sources
The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk marriage license page explains the requirements and important differences between the Hammond and Amite offices.
The Tangipahoa marriage license page makes clear that the Hammond office accepts only checks or credit cards, which is important to know before making the trip.
The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court website serves Hammond and all Tangipahoa Parish communities through offices in Hammond and Amite.
Hammond is a major city in Tangipahoa Parish, and the local clerk's office on NW Railroad Avenue is the most convenient option for most Hammond residents.
The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk contact page lists the Hammond and Amite office addresses and phone numbers for marriage license inquiries.
Call the marriage license department at (985) 284-2670 before your visit to confirm any specific requirements and current hours at the Hammond office.
Tangipahoa Parish Marriage License
The Tangipahoa Parish page has complete details on both the Hammond and Amite offices, payment rules, arrival cutoffs, and all document requirements for Hammond residents.
Nearby Cities
Other Louisiana cities near Hammond with marriage license information pages are listed here.