Marriage License in St. James Parish
The St. James Parish marriage license office is at the Clerk of Court in Convent, located along Louisiana Highway 44, where both applicants must appear together, show their documents, and pay the fee before the 24-hour wait begins.
St. James Parish Quick Facts
St. James Parish Clerk of Court
The St. James Parish Clerk of Court in Convent is the only office that issues marriage licenses for the parish. The office is at 5800 Louisiana Highway 44 along the River Road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The mailing address is P.O. Box 63, Convent, LA 70723. Phone is 225-562-2270. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff process all applications, collect fees, and keep the official record of each marriage license issued.
St. James Parish sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River. The parish seat of Convent is somewhat off the main highway. Couples coming from Baton Rouge or the New Orleans area should plan travel time accordingly. The drive can take 30 to 45 minutes from parts of neighboring parishes. Give yourself enough time before the 4:30 PM close so you are not rushed through the application.
| Office Address | 5800 Louisiana Highway 44, Convent, LA 70723 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 63, Convent, LA 70723 |
| Phone | 225-562-2270 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Louisiana.gov St. James Parish page lists the Clerk of Court and other elected officials for the parish.
St. James Parish is along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, with the Clerk's office in Convent.
How to Apply for a St. James Parish Marriage License
Both parties must go to the clerk's office in Convent together. Louisiana state law requires both applicants to appear in person and sign the application at the same time. One person cannot apply on behalf of the other. The clerk checks each person's ID and documents before accepting the application.
After you submit the completed application and pay the fee, you must wait at least 24 hours to pick up the license. This waiting period is required by RS 9:242. Most couples come back the next business day. If you apply on a Friday, the 24-hour period may not be met until Monday since the office is closed on weekends. Plan ahead to avoid cutting it too close to your ceremony date.
Under RS 9:206, the license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. If you do not use it in time, it expires. You must apply again and pay a new fee. There are no extensions. Louisiana law also allows a marriage license from St. James Parish to be used for a ceremony in any other Louisiana parish. You do not have to hold the wedding in Convent or even in St. James Parish.
If either party was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce judgment or a certified death certificate for the former spouse. The clerk needs those documents before issuing a new license.
Documents Needed in St. James Parish
The clerk in Convent follows the same state rules as every other parish. Both applicants must bring their own documents. Missing papers mean a return trip on another day, which can affect your timeline if the wedding is soon.
Each applicant must bring:
- Valid government photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
- Original certified birth certificate from a vital records office
- Social Security number
- Certified copy of divorce judgment if previously divorced
- Certified death certificate if widowed
Louisiana requires birth certificates under RS 9:225. A hospital printout or a photocopy is not acceptable. You need the original certified copy issued by the state or country where you were born. If your birth certificate is in a foreign language, you must have a certified English translation ready to present. The clerk cannot process untranslated documents. Arrange for the translation in advance so there are no delays at the counter.
Social Security numbers are required from both applicants. You do not need to bring the physical card, but you must know the number and be able to provide it at the time of application.
St. James Parish Marriage License Fees
The fee for a marriage license in St. James Parish is approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Call 225-562-2270 before you go to confirm the current amount. Fees are set under Louisiana law but can be updated. Checking first means no surprises at the counter. Ask about accepted payment methods when you call. Not all small parish offices accept credit cards.
There is also a separate fee for certified copies of the marriage record after the ceremony. The amount varies but is usually a few dollars per page. If you need certified copies for name changes or legal matters, ask the clerk how many you should order and what they cost. It is often easier to order extra copies when the license is recorded rather than making another trip later.
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records can also issue a shorter marriage certificate that confirms the marriage took place. For full legal copies with all license details, the Clerk of Court in Convent is the right source.
Marriage Laws That Apply in St. James Parish
All Louisiana parishes follow the same state marriage laws. The Clerk of Court in Convent does not have authority to make exceptions. Knowing the key rules helps you prepare and avoids problems on application day.
Both applicants must be 18 years old or older to get a license without additional steps. A 17-year-old may apply with notarized consent from both parents. A judge in the 23rd Judicial District must sign a waiver before a license can be issued to a minor. No one under 16 may receive a marriage license anywhere in Louisiana under any circumstances. State law also bars marriage between people related by blood or adoption within the fourth degree collateral. The clerk will not issue a license in those cases.
Louisiana is one of only three states that offers a covenant marriage option. This is a stronger legal commitment requiring pre-marital counseling. It limits the grounds for divorce later on. If you want a covenant marriage, let the clerk know when you apply. The process involves extra steps compared to a standard license.
The eClerks Louisiana marriage license resource is helpful for understanding the general Louisiana process before you visit the clerk in Convent. Marriage records from St. James Parish are kept at the clerk's office and can be accessed by either spouse after the ceremony is recorded.
After the Ceremony
Once the ceremony is done, the person who performed it must sign the license and return it to the St. James Parish Clerk of Court. This creates the official marriage record. After it is filed, you can request certified copies from the Convent office. Those copies are what you use to update your name at the Social Security Administration, the DMV, and elsewhere.
Marriages performed in another parish using a St. James Parish license are still recorded in St. James Parish since the license was issued there. The ceremony location does not change which parish holds the record.
Nearby Parishes
St. James Parish is along the Mississippi River corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, bordered by several parishes where you can also apply for a marriage license.