Terrytown Marriage License in Jefferson Parish
Terrytown is a census-designated place on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, and marriage licenses for Terrytown residents come from the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. The nearest office is the West Bank location at 200 Derbigny Street in Gretna. Terrytown sits close to Gretna, so the commute to the Clerk's office is short. Jefferson Parish also has an East Bank office, and either location can issue a license for any Jefferson Parish resident.
Terrytown Quick Facts
Jefferson Parish Clerk Offices
Terrytown residents have two options for getting a marriage license. Most will use the West Bank office:
- West Bank Office: 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 100, Gretna, LA 70053. Phone: (504) 364-2922 or (504) 364-2923.
- East Bank Office: 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70123. Phone: (504) 736-6390.
Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. No appointment is needed. You can also reach the marriage license department by email at marriageinfo@jpclerkofcourt.us. The full website is at jpclerkofcourt.us. Either office serves the whole parish, so use whichever is easier to reach from your Terrytown address.
License Fees
The marriage license fee in Jefferson Parish is $27.50. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $10.00 per copy. If you want to waive the 24-hour waiting period, there is an optional $4.00 fee. Legal conditions apply to that waiver, so ask the Clerk if it applies to your situation before assuming it is available. These fees are among the lower ones in Louisiana, which makes Jefferson Parish a reasonable choice for couples who have flexibility in where they obtain their license.
What to Bring
Every applicant needs these documents. Missing one means another trip:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Certified birth certificate (must be the official version, not a copy)
- Social Security number
- If previously divorced: certified copy of the divorce decree
- If previously widowed: certified death certificate of the prior spouse
No blood test is required. No medical exam is needed. Louisiana removed those requirements long ago. The list above covers everything the Clerk needs. Certified birth certificates come from the vital records office of the state where you were born, not from the hospital.
24-Hour Waiting Period
Louisiana law requires 24 hours to pass between the time the license is issued and when you can use it. The Gretna office stamps the time on the license. Your ceremony cannot start until that 24 hours has elapsed. If the ceremony is Saturday at noon, you need the license by Friday before noon at the latest, and preferably earlier.
The license is good for 30 days from issuance. It expires after that. Most couples get the license a week before the ceremony. That gives buffer time without risking expiration. If the license expires unused, you start over and pay again.
Statewide Validity
A Jefferson Parish marriage license works across all of Louisiana. You do not have to get married in Terrytown or anywhere in Jefferson Parish. Use the license for a ceremony in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or at any venue across the state. The marriage record is filed in Jefferson Parish because that is where the license was issued, regardless of where the ceremony takes place.
Age Requirements
Both parties must be at least 18 to get a marriage license without additional steps. Louisiana law does not issue any marriage license to anyone under 16. Those who are 16 or 17 need parental consent and a judge's order before the Clerk can issue a license. Contact the Clerk's office to find out which court handles this in Jefferson Parish if a minor applicant is involved.
Covenant Marriage Option
Jefferson Parish offers covenant marriage, as all Louisiana parishes do. A covenant marriage requires pre-marital counseling and a signed declaration of intent from both parties. It comes with stricter divorce rules. This is a voluntary choice. Ask the Clerk's office for the declaration form if you want to pursue it. The counselor or clergy member who provides the counseling must sign off as well.
Getting Your Certified Copy
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Jefferson Parish Clerk. Once recorded, certified copies can be ordered. They cost $10.00 each. You need certified copies to change your name with Social Security and to update your Louisiana driver's license. Request at least two copies. Having extras saves you from paying the fee again later.
The eClerks LA portal may provide online access to Jefferson Parish marriage records. It is worth checking if you need a copy and cannot make the trip to Gretna.
No Blood Test
Louisiana does not require a blood test for a marriage license. That requirement was eliminated years ago. You bring your documents, pay the fee, and the Clerk issues the license. The whole process is straightforward when you have everything ready. Call the West Bank office at (504) 364-2922 with any questions before your visit.
Official Sources
The Jefferson Parish Clerk marriage license page covers Terrytown and all Jefferson Parish West Bank communities.
Terrytown is on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, and the Gretna office of the Jefferson Parish Clerk is the nearest location for marriage license applications.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website serves all Jefferson Parish communities including the West Bank area where Terrytown is located.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk's two-office system gives Terrytown residents the flexibility to use either the West Bank Gretna office or the East Bank Elmwood Park location.
Jefferson Parish Marriage License
The Jefferson Parish page has full details on both the West Bank and East Bank offices, including fees, hours, and document requirements for Terrytown residents.
Nearby Cities
Other nearby Louisiana cities with marriage license information pages are listed here.