Search Jefferson Davis Parish Marriage License

Jefferson Davis Parish marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Court office in Jennings, the parish seat of this southwest Louisiana parish. The office is open Monday through Friday and handles marriage licenses alongside other public records and court filings. This page explains what you need to bring, how much the fee is, and what to expect when you go to the Jennings courthouse to apply for your Jefferson Davis Parish marriage license in person.

Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court

The Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court is located in Jennings at 300 State Street, Jennings, LA 70546. The mailing address is P.O. Box 799, Jennings, LA 70546. The recording and marriage line is (337) 824-1160. Civil and criminal matters can be reached at (337) 824-8340. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The clerk's office handles a broad range of services for the parish. As described on the clerk's website: "Our office records conveyances and mortgages; issues marriage licenses, birth certificates and passports." Marriage licenses are one of several services the Jennings office provides. This makes the Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk a one-stop location for several types of official documents.

The Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk's website at jeffdavisclerk.org gives an overview of all services including marriage licenses, birth certificates, and passports.

How to Apply for a Jefferson Davis Parish Marriage License

Applying for a marriage license in Jefferson Davis Parish requires a visit to the Jennings courthouse. You cannot complete the application online or by mail. Both parties should be prepared with their documents before they arrive. The process itself is generally straightforward once you have everything in order.

Under Louisiana RS 9:224, both parties must provide their name, date of birth, and place of birth when applying. Louisiana RS 9:225 requires certified copies of birth certificates for both applicants. These must be certified copies from the official issuing agency, not photocopies or photos taken on a phone. Bring a valid photo ID for each party as well.

If either party was married before, you need proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a certified death certificate will work. The clerk's staff will review your documents. No blood test is required in Louisiana, so that is one less thing to worry about.

The clerk's office notes that it operates from fees it collects: "The Clerk of Court is the parish recorder, chief election official and custodian of many public records of the parish" and "Our office is self sufficient and operates from the fees collected for services provided and not from taxes." This is a common arrangement for Louisiana clerk offices and explains why fees are collected for each service.

Note: Call (337) 824-1160 before your visit to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods, as these can vary slightly over time.

Jefferson Davis Parish Marriage License Fee and Rules

The standard Louisiana marriage license fee applies in Jefferson Davis Parish. Fees across parishes typically range from $27.50 to $35.00. Call the recording line at (337) 824-1160 to confirm the current fee before you go. Ask about accepted payment methods too, since some Louisiana parishes only accept cash or money orders.

The Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk's fee schedule page at jeffdavisclerk.org lists current fees for marriage licenses and other clerk services.

Once your license is issued, you must wait before using it. Louisiana RS 9:242 requires a 24-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. This rule applies statewide. In some cases, a district judge or justice of the peace can waive the waiting period, but there may be a small fee for the waiver.

The marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, per Louisiana RS 9:206. If the ceremony does not happen within 30 days, the license expires and you would need to purchase a new one. Under Louisiana RS 9:222, a license issued in Jefferson Davis Parish is valid for use in a ceremony anywhere in Louisiana.

Passports and Birth Certificates at the Jefferson Davis Clerk

The Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk's office offers passport services and birth certificates in addition to marriage licenses. This is convenient if you need to gather several documents in one visit. Passport applications can be submitted at the clerk's office, and in many cases the office can take passport photos on-site.

Birth certificates for Louisiana-born individuals may also be available at the clerk's office. If you need a birth certificate to apply for your marriage license, check with the clerk at (337) 824-1160 to see if they can provide it at the same location. This can save a separate trip to the health department.

For statewide vital records including official marriage certificates after they are recorded, visit the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office. After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk's office where it is recorded and becomes a permanent public record.

Louisiana Marriage License Law

All Louisiana marriage licenses are governed by the same state statutes regardless of which parish issues them. The key statutes are in Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. RS 9:224 covers the application requirements. RS 9:225 sets the birth certificate rule. RS 9:242 establishes the 24-hour waiting period. RS 9:206 limits the license to 30 days. RS 9:222 says the license is valid statewide. RS 9:208 covers age requirements, with 18 as the minimum age for marriage without additional consent.

Louisiana also allows covenant marriages, which are a more formal and binding type of marriage. Covenant marriage requires pre-marital counseling and has more limited grounds for divorce compared to a standard marriage. It is an option that couples can choose when applying for their license. You can read more about it at the Louisiana covenant marriage information page.

The eClerks LA system provides general information about marriage licenses statewide and may offer access to recorded documents for certain parishes. The Louisiana Secretary of State is a good starting point for other state-level public records questions.

Nearby Parishes

Jefferson Davis Parish is in southwest Louisiana. The parishes below border it or are close by. A marriage license from any Louisiana parish is valid statewide, so you can apply wherever is most convenient.