Plaquemines Parish Marriage License

Couples in Plaquemines Parish apply for a marriage license at the Clerk of Court office, which has two locations: one in Belle Chasse and one in Pointe a la Hache. The Clerk of Court handles all marriage license applications, collects the required fee, and issues the license after verifying your documents. State law requires a 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place, and the license stays valid for 30 days. This page covers both office locations, what to bring, fees, and what the full process looks like.

Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court

The Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court operates two offices. The main office in Belle Chasse at 310 Main Street is the most accessible for residents. The Pointe a la Hache office at 30400 Hwy 15 is the historical seat of government. Phone for the main office: (504) 934-6610. Hours at both locations are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call ahead to confirm which location handles marriage license applications on the day you plan to visit.

The Louisiana.gov Plaquemines Parish page lists official contact information for the Clerk of Court and other elected officials.

Plaquemines Parish stretches along both sides of the Mississippi River south of New Orleans, with the main clerk's office in Belle Chasse.

How to Apply for a Plaquemines Parish Marriage License

You apply in person at one of the two Clerk of Court offices. Both parties should appear together when possible. If one party cannot come in, their portion of the application must carry a separately notarized signature before the other party can submit it. Going together is much simpler and avoids the extra step.

Once you apply and the clerk issues the license, the 24-hour waiting period begins under RS 9:242. The license is then valid for 30 days under RS 9:206. Plan your ceremony date before you apply so it falls within that window. After 30 days the license expires and you must start over.

A Plaquemines Parish marriage license is valid for a ceremony held anywhere in Louisiana under RS 9:222. Many residents who plan to marry in New Orleans or elsewhere still apply locally and then hold the ceremony at a different venue.

Note: Call (504) 934-6610 before visiting to confirm which office handles marriage license applications and to ask about the current fee and payment methods accepted.

Documents Required for a Plaquemines Parish Marriage License

Both applicants must bring original certified birth certificates from the state or country where they were born. Photocopies are not accepted. Social Security numbers are required for both parties. You will also need to give your full legal names, current home addresses, and your parents' full names and birthplaces. The number of prior marriages must be disclosed. If any prior marriage ended in divorce, bring the final divorce decree. If a prior spouse died, bring the death certificate.

Louisiana law at RS 9:208 sets the age requirements. Both applicants must be 18 or older without parental consent. Those who are 16 or 17 need written consent from both parents. Anyone under 16 must also have a court order from a district court judge. The clerk verifies age from the certified birth certificate. Do not assume any exceptions apply without confirming first.

Bring valid photo ID for both applicants. A driver's license or passport works. If your name on your ID does not match your birth certificate, bring legal documents that explain the difference, such as a prior marriage certificate or a court-issued name change order.

Foreign language birth certificates must be accompanied by a certified English translation. If either party was born outside the United States, contact the clerk at (504) 934-6610 to ask about any additional documents that may be required.

Fees for a Plaquemines Parish Marriage License

The marriage license fee in Plaquemines Parish falls within the standard Louisiana range of approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Call (504) 934-6610 before your visit to confirm the exact current fee and what payment methods are accepted. Some offices take only cash or money orders. Others accept cards or checks. Knowing this in advance means you bring the right form of payment and do not have to make an extra trip.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate after the ceremony cost a separate per-copy fee. It is a good idea to order at least a few copies when you return the signed license. You will likely need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration, bank, and DMV, plus potentially your insurance and employer. Getting them all at once is more efficient than returning later.

The eClerks LA marriage license portal has general statewide information on fees and the Louisiana marriage license process. Use it as background, but confirm Plaquemines amounts with the clerk directly since fees can change.

Covenant Marriage in Plaquemines Parish

Louisiana is one of only three states that offers covenant marriage as a legal option at the time of application. Covenant marriage requires premarital counseling with a licensed counselor or clergy member and limits the grounds on which a divorce can later be granted. If you want a covenant marriage, you must say so when you apply at the Plaquemines Parish Clerk's office. The clerk will provide the extra forms you need. You cannot switch from a standard marriage license to a covenant marriage after the license is issued.

Marriage Records in Plaquemines Parish

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk records it permanently. At that point, certified copies can be ordered by anyone who needs to prove the marriage. The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office also maintains statewide marriage records and can issue certified copies by mail. This is useful if you need a copy years later and are not near Belle Chasse or Pointe a la Hache.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border or are near Plaquemines Parish. Each has its own Clerk of Court and its own procedures for issuing marriage licenses.