East Baton Rouge Parish Marriage License
Applying for a marriage license in East Baton Rouge Parish can be done partly online through the clerk's pre-application portal, followed by an in-person visit to the courthouse in Baton Rouge. The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses for the 19th Judicial District. This page covers how to start your application, what documents are required, the 24-hour waiting period, age requirements, and where to go to complete the process in Baton Rouge.
East Baton Rouge Parish Quick Facts
East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court - Marriage License Office
The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court is located at 222 St. Louis Street in downtown Baton Rouge. This is where you go to finalize your marriage license application and pick up the license in person. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1991, Baton Rouge, LA 70821. The main phone number is (225) 389-3950. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's website is ebrclerk.com.
East Baton Rouge is one of the most populous parishes in Louisiana, and the clerk's office serves a large volume of residents. Both applicants must appear in person to complete the marriage license process. The clerk's public service page at ebrclerk.com/public-service has details about the process and what to expect when you visit. The clerk notes to "please arrive at least 60 minutes prior to closing in order to allow time for processing." If you arrive close to 4:30 PM, there may not be enough time to process your application that day.
East Baton Rouge Parish serves several major communities including Baton Rouge, St. George, and Central. Residents of all these communities apply for marriage licenses through the same clerk's office at 222 St. Louis Street.
| Office | East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Physical Address | 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1991, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 |
| Phone | (225) 389-3950 |
| Fax | (225) 389-5559 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | ebrclerk.com |
Online Marriage License Application for East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish offers a pre-application option through ClerkConnect. This lets you fill out some of the application information online before coming to the office. It can help speed up the process when you arrive in person. Both applicants still need to show up at the courthouse to complete the application and pick up the license.
The online pre-application is not a substitute for the in-person visit. You cannot get a license mailed to you. Going online first simply means you have started the paperwork before arriving. Check the ClerkConnect portal to see what information you will need to enter so you can have it ready ahead of time. This is especially helpful if you want to reduce time spent at the courthouse on the day of your visit.
Note: Marriage licenses obtained in East Baton Rouge Parish are valid only for ceremonies performed in Louisiana, but applicants do not need to be Louisiana residents to apply.
East Baton Rouge Parish Marriage License - Clerk and Application Resources
The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court public service page at ebrclerk.com provides detailed instructions for applying for a marriage license, including required documents and office policies.
This clerk website page is the most current source for requirements and procedures for getting a marriage license in East Baton Rouge Parish. Check it before visiting the office.
The ClerkConnect online marriage application for East Baton Rouge Parish allows couples to begin the process before their in-person visit to the courthouse on St. Louis Street.
The online portal makes it easier to prepare before showing up at the Baton Rouge courthouse to pick up your East Baton Rouge Parish marriage license.
Documents Required for an East Baton Rouge Parish Marriage License
The clerk has specific document requirements. Under RS 9:224 and the clerk's own policies, you must bring a birth certificate that is an original or certified copy. The clerk specifically states the birth certificate must be an original or certified copy, and not a hospital copy. For photo ID, a valid driver's license or passport works. Louisiana Wallet (the digital ID app) is not accepted as identification at the East Baton Rouge clerk's office.
Non-US citizens must bring an original or certified birth certificate with a notarized translation if it is not in English. For photo ID, non-citizens must present a valid passport or visa. A foreign driver's license is not sufficient. These requirements are strict, so make sure your documents are in order before you make the trip to the courthouse.
If you have been divorced, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. If a prior spouse died, bring the death certificate. Both types of prior marriage documentation must be certified copies. Plain photocopies are not accepted. The clerk will check these documents during the application process.
Common required documents include:
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy, NOT hospital copy)
- Valid driver's license or passport (LA Wallet not acceptable)
- Certified divorce decree if previously divorced
- Death certificate if prior spouse is deceased
- For non-US citizens: passport or visa plus certified birth certificate with notarized translation
Age Requirements for Marriage in East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana law sets clear age rules for marriage. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without a court order. If an applicant is 16 or 17 years old, a court order is required plus written agreement from both parents. The clerk also states that if either applicant is under 18, a marriage license cannot be issued if there is more than a three-year age difference between the applicants. This is a strict rule with no exceptions at the clerk's office.
As of August 1, 2019, under Act 401, no one under the age of 16 can get married in Louisiana under any circumstances. This change closed the previous exception that allowed younger marriages with judicial approval. The clerk at 222 St. Louis Street enforces these age requirements at the time of application.
Note: If either applicant is under 18, bring the court order and the written parental consent forms to the clerk's office. The clerk cannot process the application without them.
East Baton Rouge Parish Marriage License - Wait and Validity
Under Louisiana RS 9:242, a 24-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. The clerk's office states: "After obtaining the License you MUST wait at least 24 hours, unless you obtain a waiver from a Justice of the Peace." This means you need to plan your application at least a day before the ceremony. A waiver from a Justice of the Peace can eliminate the waiting period if you have a reason for needing to marry sooner.
The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance per RS 9:206. The clerk confirms: "Marriage Licenses are valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issuance." Use the license within that window. Under RS 9:222, the license issued in East Baton Rouge Parish is valid for any ceremony held anywhere in Louisiana. You do not have to hold the ceremony in Baton Rouge.
Cities in East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish includes several major communities. All of them file marriage license applications through the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court at 222 St. Louis Street in downtown Baton Rouge. Major cities with their own pages include Baton Rouge, St. George, and Central.
Nearby Parishes
East Baton Rouge Parish is bordered by several parishes. If you live near a parish line, verify your home address to confirm which clerk's office serves your location before making the trip downtown.