St. John the Baptist Parish Marriage License

Getting a St. John the Baptist Parish marriage license means visiting one of two clerk offices: the Eastbank office in LaPlace or the Westbank office in Edgard. The fee is $35.00 and the office accepts only cash or money orders. The LaPlace office closes for a lunch break, and recently divorced applicants must wait 30 days from the date the divorce judgment was signed before they can apply. This page covers both office locations, all required documents, and everything else you need to know before your visit.

St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court

Felicia C. Feist serves as the Clerk of Court for St. John the Baptist Parish. The clerk operates two offices. The Eastbank office in LaPlace is at 1811 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace, LA 70068, phone (985) 652-8041. The Westbank office in Edgard is at 2393 Highway 18, Edgard, LA 70049, phone (985) 497-3331. You can also reach the clerk by email at info@sjbparishclerk.gov. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The LaPlace Eastbank office closes from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch each day.

More information is available at the clerk's website at sjbparishclerk.gov. You can apply at either location. Both issue marriage licenses and handle the full application process.

Key Rules: Payment and Lunch Break

Two rules in St. John the Baptist Parish stand out compared to other Louisiana parishes. First, payment method. The official instructions state: "A marriage license may be issued in any parish regardless of where the ceremony is to be performed or where the parties reside. Application Fee - $35.00 (Money Orders or Cash Only - Exact CASH preferred)." Cards and personal checks are not accepted. If you bring only a card, the clerk will not process your application. Bring a money order or the exact amount in cash.

Second, the lunch closure at LaPlace. The Eastbank office in LaPlace closes from noon to 1:00 PM. If you arrive at noon, you wait an hour. Plan to arrive before 12:00 PM or after 1:00 PM if you are going to the Eastbank location. The Edgard office on the Westbank does not have a listed lunch closure, but calling ahead before any visit is always wise.

The clerk also confirms: "Note: Marriage Licenses are VALID for 30 DAYS FROM DATE OF ISSUANCE! Must be 18 years of Age or Older."

The 30-Day Post-Divorce Waiting Period

This is one of the most critical rules for recently divorced applicants. If either party has been divorced, there is a 30-day waiting period after the divorce judgment is signed by a judge. You cannot apply for a new marriage license until those 30 days have passed.

The clerk's instructions are clear: "In Cases of Divorce: A CERTIFIED copy of the Divorce Judgment is required. There is a 30-day waiting period after Divorce Judgment is signed by a Judge."

Count from the date the judge signed the judgment, not from when you received the papers or when it was filed. You must also bring the certified copy of the divorce judgment with you when you apply. A plain photocopy is not sufficient. If the divorce happened in another state, get a certified copy from that court before you visit. This may take time to arrange, so plan well ahead of your intended wedding date.

The 30-day rule is a legal requirement that the clerk cannot waive. Even if you have a deposit on a wedding venue and the timing is tight, the clerk must follow the law. Count those days carefully.

Documents Required for a St. John the Baptist Marriage License

Both parties must appear together in person to apply. The clerk states: "Both parties must present Driver's License or Photo ID. Both parties must present Original Certified Birth Certificates. Social Security Numbers of both parties."

The full list of documents to bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID for each applicant
• Original certified birth certificate for each applicant
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Certified divorce judgment if previously divorced, and confirmation that 30 days have passed
• Certified death certificate if a prior spouse has died

The clerk also notes: "Note: Foreign Birth Certificates need to be TRANSLATED in ENGLISH." If either party was born outside the United States, the birth certificate must be accompanied by a certified English translation. A hospital record is not a certified birth certificate. If you do not have yours, order one from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born before you try to apply.

Louisiana law at RS 9:225 requires certified birth certificates from all applicants. RS 9:224 requires both parties to provide their name, age, and place of birth. These are statewide requirements and the clerk in St. John the Baptist Parish follows them fully.

Age Requirements

All applicants must be at least 18 to apply without parental consent. The clerk states: "Juveniles 17 or younger must have consent of both parties. Both parents must sign affidavit of consent. Judge must sign waiver." This applies to anyone who is 17. Under 16 is not permitted under Louisiana law under any circumstances. The 40th Judicial District Court handles the judicial waivers for minors in St. John the Baptist Parish. Contact the court directly if this applies to your situation, as it takes extra time.

Covenant Marriage Option

Louisiana is one of only three states that offers covenant marriage. This is a legal option you declare at the time you apply for your St. John the Baptist Parish marriage license. Covenant marriage requires premarital counseling with a licensed counselor or clergy member before the license is issued. It also limits the legal grounds on which a divorce can later be granted. You must choose this option at the time of application. You cannot convert a standard marriage license to a covenant marriage after it is issued. The clerk can give you the extra forms needed to proceed with this option.

State Resources for Marriage License Applicants

The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records page provides statewide information on marriage licenses and certified copies for all parishes.

The LDH vital records office in New Orleans issues certified marriage certificates for Orleans Parish and serves as a statewide resource for marriage records information.

The eClerks LA online marriage application system allows couples to begin applications for participating parishes before visiting in person.

Check the eClerks LA portal to see if it is available for St. John the Baptist Parish before your visit to the Eastbank or Westbank office.

Marriage Records in St. John the Baptist Parish

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk records it as a permanent marriage record. Certified copies can then be ordered from either office for name changes, insurance, and other legal matters. Under RS 9:222, your St. John the Baptist Parish license was valid for any ceremony held anywhere in Louisiana. The record remains on file with the clerk permanently and can be accessed by request.

Cities in St. John the Baptist Parish

St. John the Baptist Parish includes the community of LaPlace, which is the largest populated area in the parish and home to the Eastbank Clerk of Court office on W. Airline Highway. Couples in LaPlace can visit the clerk's office without traveling to the parish seat in Edgard on the Westbank.

Nearby Parishes

St. John the Baptist Parish sits between the New Orleans metro area and the Baton Rouge region. Neighboring parishes are easy to reach and any of them can issue a marriage license regardless of where you live.