Grant Parish Marriage License Lookup

Getting a marriage license in Grant Parish means visiting the Clerk of Court office in Colfax, the parish seat. Both people who plan to marry must appear in person together, show their documents, and pay the fee. The Grant Parish Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses for the 35th Judicial District. This page walks through the office location and contact details, what you must bring, how much the license costs, the mandatory waiting period, and how the marriage is officially recorded after the ceremony.

Grant Parish Clerk of Court - Marriage License Office

The Grant Parish Clerk of Court is the Honorable "Randy" Briggs. The courthouse is at 200 Main Street in Colfax, Louisiana. The mailing address is P.O. Box 263, Colfax, LA 71417. The main phone number is (318) 627-3246. The fax number is (318) 627-3201. You can reach the clerk's office by email at rbriggs-4899@yahoo.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Colfax is a small town in central Louisiana that serves as the seat of Grant Parish government. The courthouse on Main Street houses the clerk's office, which handles marriage licenses along with civil court records, property filings, and other legal documents. Both applicants must appear together in person. You cannot apply by mail or send a representative. Arrive before 4:30 PM so there is enough time to process your application during regular business hours.

Grant Parish is part of the 35th Judicial District. The clerk's office in Colfax serves the entire parish. If you have questions before your visit, call (318) 627-3246 to speak with staff about current fees or document requirements. This is especially helpful if you are traveling from another parish or from out of state.

Grant Parish Marriage License - Parish Information

The Louisiana government directory page for Grant Parish lists contact information and services for local government offices, including the Clerk of Court in Colfax where marriage licenses are issued.

Use this state directory listing to confirm the current contact information for the Grant Parish Clerk of Court before making the drive to Colfax to apply for your marriage license.

What You Need for a Grant Parish Marriage License

Louisiana law under RS 9:224 spells out what both applicants must provide. Photo ID is required. A current driver's license or passport works. You also need to bring a birth certificate as required by RS 9:225. It must be an original or certified copy from a vital records agency. A hospital-issued birth certificate is not accepted. A photocopy is not sufficient. Bring the real documents with you to the courthouse in Colfax.

If either person has been married before, proof that the prior marriage legally ended is required. A certified copy of the divorce decree is needed after a divorce. If the prior spouse died, bring a certified copy of the death certificate. Both must be originals or certified copies. Plain photocopies of these documents are not accepted. The clerk reviews all submitted documents before issuing the license.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under RS 9:208 unless a court order permits an exception. The clerk verifies ages when reviewing the birth certificate and ID. If you have questions about eligibility, call (318) 627-3246 before making the trip. Non-residents of Grant Parish and out-of-state applicants can apply here under the same requirements as local residents.

Note: Louisiana allows couples to choose a covenant marriage when applying for a license. This option requires premarital counseling and limits the grounds for ending the marriage. Tell the clerk at the start of your visit if you want a covenant marriage license.

Grant Parish Marriage License Fee and Waiting Period

The fee for a Grant Parish marriage license is approximately $27.50. Confirm the current amount before your visit by calling (318) 627-3246. Pay when you apply at the clerk's office in Colfax. Ask about accepted payment types when you call ahead.

Under Louisiana law RS 9:242, a 24-hour waiting period is required between the time the clerk issues the license and the time the ceremony can take place. Plan your application at least one full day before the wedding. In some cases, a Justice of the Peace can waive the waiting period. If you need to get married sooner, ask the clerk about how to arrange a waiver in Grant Parish.

The license expires 30 days after issue under RS 9:206. Use it within that time or you must apply again and pay the fee a second time. Once issued, the license is good for any ceremony in Louisiana under RS 9:222. You do not have to hold the wedding in Grant Parish. The signed license must still be returned to the Grant Parish Clerk after the ceremony no matter where it takes place in the state.

After Your Grant Parish Wedding - Filing the Marriage Record

When the ceremony is over, the officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the Grant Parish Clerk of Court at P.O. Box 263 or in person at 200 Main Street in Colfax. This is what officially registers the marriage. Without the returned license, the marriage does not appear in the parish records. Confirm this step with your officiant before the wedding date so nothing is overlooked after the celebration.

Once the clerk receives the signed license, you can request certified copies of your Grant Parish marriage record. These copies are useful for legal name changes, updating insurance policies, and other official purposes. The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office also keeps statewide marriage records accessible by mail or in person. The eClerks Louisiana resource has information about how marriage records are managed across all Louisiana parishes if you need more context about the process.

Covenant Marriage in Grant Parish

Grant Parish couples can choose to enter a covenant marriage when applying at the Colfax courthouse. Louisiana is one of three states in the country that offers this type of marriage. A covenant marriage requires premarital counseling completed before the license is issued. Both parties must also sign a declaration of intent. The process takes more planning than a standard marriage license application.

If covenant marriage is something you are considering, call the clerk at (318) 627-3246 early in the process. You need time to complete the required counseling before coming in to apply. Staff can tell you exactly what paperwork is needed and what the declaration of intent form requires. Most couples who want a covenant marriage start planning this step several weeks before their ceremony date.

Nearby Parishes

Grant Parish is in central Louisiana and is bordered by Rapides, Winn, Catahoula, Natchitoches, and Red River parishes. Check your address if you live near any of these boundaries to confirm which parish clerk handles your area.