Bossier Parish Marriage License

Residents of Bossier Parish, including those in Bossier City, apply for a marriage license at the Clerk of Court office in Benton, Louisiana. The office issues marriage licenses on a walk-in basis during regular business hours. The Bossier Parish marriage license is valid throughout Louisiana for 30 days. This page covers required documents, the fee, the waiting period, how to apply, and how to search for marriage license records from Bossier Parish.

Bossier Parish Clerk of Court - Marriage License Office

The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court is the office that issues marriage licenses for all of Bossier Parish. The physical office is at 204 Burt Boulevard in Benton. Bossier City is the largest city in the parish, but residents of Bossier City and all other communities in the parish must come to Benton to apply. The courthouse in Benton is where the Clerk of Court is located.

The Louisiana state directory page for Bossier Parish has contact details for the clerk and other offices. The image below comes from that page.

Use that directory to confirm current hours and phone numbers before traveling to Benton. Calling ahead also lets you ask about any specific requirements the office may have.

Documents Required for a Bossier Parish Marriage License

Louisiana law under RS 9:224 requires the marriage license application to include the full names, ages, Social Security numbers, and parents' names for both applicants. The clerk verifies this information through the documents you bring. Missing even one required item can delay the process, so be thorough when gathering your documents before your visit to Benton.

Each applicant must present a certified birth certificate. This requirement comes from RS 9:225. The certificate must be an official certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. Do not bring a hospital copy or a photocopy. Those are not accepted. A valid government-issued photo ID is also needed for each applicant. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card will all work. Social Security numbers for both applicants are required at the time of application.

If either applicant was previously married, you need to show proof that the marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased spouse are both acceptable. The clerk checks this document before approving the new application. Under RS 9:208, applicants must be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 must present a court order and have both parents appear in person to sign a consent form. No one under 16 may marry in Louisiana.

Note: Call 318-965-2336 before your visit to confirm current requirements and the exact fee amount.

Bossier Parish Marriage License Fee and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Bossier Parish is approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Call the clerk before you go to get the exact current amount. Louisiana clerk fees can change, and the office in Benton is the best source for an accurate number. Bring cash or check just in case. Ask the clerk about credit card options when you call.

Louisiana law requires a 24-hour waiting period after you apply. RS 9:242 covers this requirement. The license is not usable until 24 hours have passed from the time the application was submitted. If you apply on a Tuesday at 11 AM, the earliest you can use the license is Wednesday at 11 AM. A judge can waive this period under specific circumstances, but waivers are not routine. Contact the 26th Judicial District Court in Benton to find out how to request one if needed.

Once issued, your Bossier Parish marriage license is valid for 30 days under RS 9:206. The license is good anywhere in the state under RS 9:222. You can apply in Benton and hold the ceremony in Shreveport, New Orleans, or any other Louisiana location.

Marriage Licenses for Bossier City Residents

Bossier City residents apply at the same office as all other Bossier Parish residents. The clerk's office is in Benton, which is the parish seat. There is no separate marriage license office in Bossier City. Residents of Bossier City should plan the trip to 204 Burt Boulevard in Benton to apply. More information for Bossier City residents is on the Bossier City marriage license page.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court. That filed document becomes the official parish marriage record. Certified copies of the completed record are available from the clerk. The Louisiana Department of Health at ldh.la.gov/vital-records also holds statewide marriage records and can issue certified certificates.

Cities in Bossier Parish

Bossier Parish includes several communities. The qualifying city with its own records page is listed below. All residents apply for marriage licenses at the clerk's office in Benton.

Bossier City is the largest city in the parish. Residents there file their marriage license applications at the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton.

Nearby Parishes

Bossier Parish is in northwest Louisiana. The parishes below share borders with Bossier and each has its own clerk office for marriage license applications.