Prairieville Marriage License - Ascension Parish
Prairieville is an unincorporated community in Ascension Parish, and marriage licenses for Prairieville residents come from the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court. The Clerk operates two offices: the Gonzales office on East Worthey Street and a second location in Donaldsonville. Most Prairieville residents find the Gonzales office easier to reach. Only one party in the couple needs to appear in person, and an online application is available to start the process before your office visit.
Prairieville Quick Facts
Where to Apply
Prairieville residents use the Gonzales office of the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court. The address is 815 East Worthey Street, Gonzales, LA 70737. Phone: (225) 621-8400. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk asks that you arrive by 4:00 PM if you are applying for a marriage license, so do not show up right at closing.
A second office is in Donaldsonville at 300 Houmas Street, Donaldsonville, LA 70346. That number is (225) 473-9866. Both offices issue marriage licenses. The license is valid anywhere in Louisiana, no matter which office issues it. You can reach Clerk Bridget Hanna's office by email at bhanna@ascensionclerk.com or visit www.ascensionclerk.com for more information.
Online Application Option
Ascension Parish offers an online application that lets you fill out the marriage license form before you visit the office. Start at www.ascensionclerk.com/Marriage-Licenses/Online-Application. This saves time at the counter. You still need to appear in person to complete the process, but the form work is done ahead of time. Only one party needs to show up in person, which is helpful when schedules are tight.
The Ascension Parish Clerk is clear on this point: "Application for a marriage license may be made by either party; only one party needs to be present." That means one of you can handle the whole thing at the Gonzales office while the other is at work.
Fee Information
The marriage license fee in Ascension Parish is $35.00. That fee includes a certified copy of the marriage license mailed to you after the ceremony. You do not need to go back to the office to get your certified copy. It comes to you automatically. If you want a covenant marriage instead of a standard marriage, there is an additional $10.00 fee on top of the base $35.00.
Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods. Some clerk offices in Louisiana have specific rules about cash, checks, or cards. The Gonzales office number is (225) 621-8400.
Required Documents
Both parties need to supply the following, even if only one person appears in person:
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Certified birth certificate for each party
- Social Security number for each party
- If divorced: certified copy of the final divorce decree
- If widowed: certified death certificate of the former spouse
Do not bring photocopies of birth certificates. The office needs certified copies issued by the state where you were born or a certified copy from Louisiana vital records. Getting a certified copy can take a few weeks if you order by mail, so plan ahead.
The 24-Hour Wait and 30-Day Validity
Louisiana law requires a full 24-hour waiting period from the time the license is issued to when the ceremony can be performed. You cannot skip this wait. Plan your application date so that 24 hours pass before the ceremony start time.
The license is good for 30 days. After 30 days it expires. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony so the license is fresh and there is no rush at the end. If the license expires, you have to apply again and pay the fee again.
Where the Ceremony Can Happen
An Ascension Parish marriage license works anywhere in Louisiana. The ceremony does not have to be in Prairieville or Ascension Parish. You could get married in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or any other parish in the state using an Ascension Parish license. The marriage will be recorded in Ascension Parish because that is where the license was issued.
Age Requirements
Both parties must be at least 18 to marry without additional steps. Louisiana does not allow marriage for anyone under 16 at all. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need parental consent and a court order from a judge before the Clerk can issue a license. The Clerk's office can direct you to the right court if this applies to your situation.
Covenant Marriage in Ascension Parish
Ascension Parish couples can choose a covenant marriage. This is a legally distinct form of marriage in Louisiana with stricter divorce requirements and counseling obligations before the license is issued. The extra fee is $10.00. To get a covenant marriage license, both parties must meet with a clergy member or licensed counselor and sign a declaration of intent. Ask the Clerk's office for the required forms when you apply.
After the Ceremony
The person who performs the ceremony (officiant) must sign the license and return it to the Ascension Parish Clerk's office. After it is filed, a certified copy is mailed to you automatically. That certified copy is what you use to change your name with the Social Security Administration and on your driver's license. Keep it in a safe place.
If you need additional certified copies later, you can request them from the Clerk's office for a fee. You can also check the eClerks LA portal for online access to marriage records in participating Louisiana parishes.
Official Sources
The Ascension Parish Clerk marriage license page covers requirements for Prairieville and all Ascension Parish residents.
Prairieville residents use the Gonzales office of the Ascension Parish Clerk, which is the closer of the two office locations for most Prairieville residents.
The Ascension Parish online marriage license application allows couples to start the process before visiting the Gonzales or Donaldsonville office.
Only one party needs to appear in person for an Ascension Parish marriage license, and the online application can make the office visit faster.
Ascension Parish Marriage License
The full Ascension Parish page has complete details on the Gonzales and Donaldsonville offices, online application, fees, and all document requirements for Prairieville residents.
Nearby Cities
These nearby qualifying cities also have marriage license information pages.