Access St. Martin Parish Marriage License Records
St. Martin Parish marriage license applications are handled by the Clerk of Court, which has two office locations: the main office in St. Martinville and a second office in Breaux Bridge, giving couples options based on where they live or where it is more convenient to visit.
St. Martin Parish Quick Facts
St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court
The St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses for the parish and maintains all marriage records. The parish has two clerk office locations. The main office is in St. Martinville, the official parish seat. The second office is in Breaux Bridge. You can go to whichever location is more convenient. Both follow the same rules and issue licenses under the same process.
Breaux Bridge is near the Lafayette metro area and more accessible for couples coming from the north or east side of the parish. St. Martinville sits further south in Teche country. Call each office before your visit to confirm they handle marriage license applications, since duties can sometimes be split between locations depending on staffing. Hours at both offices run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
| St. Martinville Office | 415 S. Main Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582 Phone: 337-394-2210 |
|---|---|
| Breaux Bridge Office | 104 S. Poydras Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Louisiana.gov St. Martin Parish page lists the Clerk of Court contact information and links for the parish.
St. Martin Parish has two Clerk of Court office locations, in St. Martinville and Breaux Bridge, giving residents options for where to apply.
How to Get a St. Martin Parish Marriage License
Both people planning to marry must go to the same clerk office at the same time. You cannot split up and apply separately. Louisiana law requires both applicants to be present in person when the application is signed. The clerk will check all documents, take the application information, collect the fee, and then process the license for pickup the next business day.
The 24-hour waiting period under RS 9:242 starts the moment you submit the application. Apply on a Monday, pick up on Tuesday. Apply on Friday and you will need to come back on Monday since both offices are closed on weekends. Once you have the license, RS 9:206 gives you 30 days to use it. An unused or expired license cannot be extended. You would have to apply again and pay the fee a second time.
A marriage license from St. Martin Parish works for a ceremony anywhere in Louisiana. The law allows you to apply in any parish and hold the ceremony in a different one. Many couples who plan outdoor or destination weddings within the state use this flexibility. The marriage record always stays at the parish that issued the license, so it would be on file at the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court.
If either person was previously married and divorced, a certified copy of the divorce judgment must be presented at the time of application. There may also be a waiting period after the divorce depending on when the judgment was signed. Ask the clerk about this if it applies to you.
Documents Needed for a St. Martin Marriage License
Both applicants must bring their own set of documents. Do not assume one person's papers will cover both. The clerk requires individual documentation for each person named on the marriage license application.
Each applicant must bring:
- Valid government photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card
- Original certified birth certificate from a vital records office
- Social Security number for both applicants
- Certified copy of prior divorce judgment if either party was previously divorced
- Certified death certificate if a prior spouse has died
State law under RS 9:225 requires certified birth certificates for marriage license applicants in Louisiana. A hospital birth record or photocopy is not sufficient. The birth certificate must be the original certified copy issued by the state or country where you were born. Foreign-language birth certificates must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Arrange for the translation before your visit since the clerk cannot process untranslated documents on the spot.
St. Martin Parish Marriage License Fees
The marriage license fee in St. Martin Parish is approximately $27.50 to $35.00. Call 337-394-2210 before your visit to the St. Martinville office to verify the current fee. If you plan to go to the Breaux Bridge office, call that location directly as well to confirm hours and payment options. Fees can change and verifying before you go avoids any issues at the counter.
Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the clerk after the ceremony is recorded. These copies are separate from the original license and cost an additional fee per page. If you need certified copies for name changes, insurance, or other legal matters, ask the clerk about the cost when you pick up your license. Getting a few extra copies at the time of recording is often easier than coming back later.
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records can also provide a marriage certificate for St. Martin Parish marriages. This is a shorter document that confirms the marriage took place. For full legal copies with all original license details, the Clerk of Court is the right source.
Marriage Laws in St. Martin Parish
The Clerk of Court in St. Martin Parish follows the same state laws as every other Louisiana parish. Understanding the key rules helps you plan your application without surprises.
Both applicants must be 18 years old or older to marry without any additional legal steps. A 17-year-old may apply with notarized consent from both parents. A judge in the 16th Judicial District must also sign a waiver before the license can be issued. No one under 16 may receive a marriage license anywhere in Louisiana. These rules have no exceptions at the parish level. The clerk cannot override age restrictions regardless of the circumstances.
Louisiana also prohibits marriages between people related by blood or adoption within the fourth degree collateral. The clerk will not issue a license in those cases. These rules come from state law and apply equally in St. Martin Parish and every other parish in the state.
Louisiana is one of only three states with a covenant marriage option. A covenant marriage is a stronger legal commitment that requires pre-marital counseling and limits the grounds for divorce. If you want a covenant marriage instead of a standard license, let the clerk know when you apply. The process is different and involves additional forms.
The eClerks Louisiana marriage license guide covers the full statewide framework for marriage licenses. It is useful if you want to understand the process from start to finish before your visit to the St. Martin Parish clerk. After the ceremony, the signed marriage license must be returned to the Clerk of Court by the officiant to create the official marriage record for St. Martin Parish.
After the Ceremony
Once the ceremony is done and the license is returned to the clerk, the marriage is officially recorded. Certified copies are then available from either the St. Martinville or Breaux Bridge office. You will need those copies for name changes at the Social Security Administration, the Louisiana DMV, your bank, and other institutions.
For statewide record requests, the Louisiana Department of Health also holds marriage records and can issue certificates for marriages recorded in St. Martin Parish.
Nearby Parishes
St. Martin Parish sits in the Cajun country of south-central Louisiana and shares borders with several other parishes where you can also apply for a marriage license.