St. Bernard Parish Marriage License
Couples who want to apply for a St. Bernard Parish marriage license do so at the Clerk of Court office in Chalmette. The office is open Monday through Friday and can issue your license the next day after you apply. Both parties must appear in person with valid ID and other required documents to complete the application.
St. Bernard Parish Quick Facts
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court issues all marriage licenses for the parish. This is the only office in the parish that can give you a valid marriage license. The clerk handles the application, collects the fee, and records the license after your ceremony. All couples must come in person to the Chalmette office to apply.
The office is located at 1101 W. St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. Room 100 is where you go for marriage license applications. Staff there can answer questions about what you need to bring and how the process works. If you are not sure what documents you need, call ahead so you don't make a wasted trip.
The Louisiana state website provides a reference page for St. Bernard Parish that lists local government contacts. You can visit louisiana.gov/local-louisiana/st-bernard-parish for a general overview of parish services and resources.
The page at louisiana.gov shows the parish office directory and can help you confirm current contact information before your visit to the clerk.
The parish info page above shows the contact details and office location for St. Bernard Parish local government resources, including the Clerk of Court.
| Office Address |
1101 W. St. Bernard Highway, Room 100 Chalmette, LA 70043 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1746, Chalmette, LA 70044 |
| Phone | (504) 278-4215 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Get a St. Bernard Parish Marriage License
Both people who plan to marry must go to the Clerk of Court office together to apply. You cannot send someone else to apply for you. The state requires both parties to appear in person, sign the application, and show their identification before the clerk will process the license.
Louisiana law at RS 9:224 sets out the rules for marriage license applications across the state. The law requires applicants to give their names, ages, places of birth, and residences. You also need to provide your social security numbers. Once you submit the application and pay the fee, the clerk records the information and issues the license after the 24-hour waiting period has passed.
Under state law, a marriage license issued in St. Bernard Parish is valid for use anywhere in Louisiana. The ceremony does not have to take place in St. Bernard Parish. You can get married in any other parish and the license will still be good. What matters is that you get the license before the ceremony and that you use it within 30 days.
Note: The 24-hour waiting period can be waived by a court order under certain circumstances, but this is not common and requires filing a request with the district court.
Documents Needed for a St. Bernard Marriage License
You need to bring the right papers when you go to the clerk's office. Missing even one document can mean a second trip, so check the list before you go. Both people applying must bring their own documents. The clerk will review them and may keep copies on file.
Each applicant must bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID
- Original certified birth certificate
- Social Security number
- Certified copy of any prior divorce judgment, if applicable
- If widowed, a certified copy of the death certificate for the former spouse
Foreign birth certificates must be translated into English before the clerk can accept them. You will need to get a certified translation. If you were born outside the United States and your birth certificate is not in English, plan for this step ahead of time since it can take a few days to arrange.
State law under RS 9:225 requires birth certificates for applicants to verify age and identity. This is a standard requirement at every parish clerk's office in Louisiana. The clerk will not accept a birth record printout from a hospital as a substitute for a certified copy issued by vital records.
St. Bernard Parish Marriage License Fees
The fee for a St. Bernard Parish marriage license is approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Fees can change, so call the office at (504) 278-4215 to confirm the current amount before you go. Bringing the exact amount in cash or an accepted payment form will help avoid delays at the window.
The 24-hour waiting period begins the moment you submit your application. You cannot pick up the license the same day. Plan your visit to the clerk's office at least two days before your ceremony to give yourself enough time. The license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued, so don't apply too far in advance either. Under RS 9:206, unused licenses expire after 30 days and cannot be extended.
Marriage Records After the Ceremony
After the ceremony, the person who performed it must return the signed license to the Clerk of Court. This step creates the official marriage record in St. Bernard Parish. The record is kept by the clerk and becomes part of the public archives. You can request certified copies of the marriage record from the clerk once it is on file.
The Louisiana Department of Health also maintains vital records for marriages. You can order a marriage certificate from the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office. This is separate from the original license and judgment held at the clerk's office. For many legal purposes, a certified copy from the clerk is more useful because it contains the full details of the marriage record.
The eClerks Louisiana system provides information about marriage license processes across Louisiana parishes. This can be a helpful reference if you have general questions about what happens after you apply.
Note: Keep the certified copy of your marriage record in a safe place since you may need it for name changes, insurance, or other legal matters after the wedding.
Age Rules for St. Bernard Parish Marriage Licenses
Both parties must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license without any additional steps. Louisiana law under RS 9:208 sets the age rules for marriage. Minors who are 17 may apply with consent from both parents. The consent must be given by signing an affidavit before the clerk. A judge must also sign a waiver before the license can be issued for a minor applicant.
No marriage license may be issued to anyone under 16 years of age. This rule applies statewide and the clerk in St. Bernard Parish must follow it. State law also bars marriages between people who are related by blood or adoption within a certain degree. These restrictions are in place to protect all parties and the clerk has no authority to set them aside.
Nearby Parishes
St. Bernard Parish borders Orleans and Plaquemines parishes. If you live near a parish line, you can get your marriage license from any parish in Louisiana, regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will take place.