St. Tammany Parish Marriage License
Couples looking to get a St. Tammany Parish marriage license can apply at either the main Covington office or the Slidell Annex, with the Covington location being the primary office for full marriage license services while Slidell offers convenience for residents on the east side of the parish.
St. Tammany Parish Quick Facts
St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court
Jessica Jenkins Brewster serves as the Clerk of Court for St. Tammany Parish. Her office manages marriage licenses through two locations: the main Justice Center in Covington and the Slidell Annex on Old Spanish Trail. The Covington location is the primary office where all marriage license functions are fully available. The Slidell Annex provides services for residents on the east side of the parish but has some limitations compared to the main office.
The clerk's office website is at sttammanyclerk.org. You will find current information there on marriage license requirements, fees, and office hours. For specific marriage license questions, the direct line to the Covington Marriage Department is (985) 809-8745. For the Slidell office, call (985) 643-6969. The Slidell Annex cannot receive mail or packages, so send all correspondence to the Covington office. Note also that applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM, not the full 4:30 PM close time.
| Covington Office (Main) | St. Tammany Parish Justice Center 701 N. Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70433 Marriage Dept: (985) 809-8745 Main: (985) 809-8700 |
|---|---|
| Slidell Annex | 520 Old Spanish Trail, 5th Floor, Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: (985) 643-6969 Note: Cannot receive mail or packages |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (applications accepted until 4:00 PM) |
The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court website provides full details on marriage license requirements and office locations in Covington and Slidell.
The St. Tammany Clerk's site is the primary source for current fee schedules and any updates to requirements or hours.
St. Tammany Parish Marriage License Fees
St. Tammany Parish has a specific fee structure. The clerk's office states the marriage license fee is "$27.50 + $5.00 per attachment." There is also a photocopy charge: "$1 photocopy fee per page will apply unless applicant provides photocopies along with original documents, up to a maximum of $5 per document."
This means you can save money by bringing your own copies of your documents. If you bring photocopies of your birth certificate and ID along with the originals, the clerk will use your copies instead of charging $1 per page to make them in the office. With two applicants each needing copies of multiple documents, those charges can add up quickly. Making photocopies at home before you go is an easy way to reduce the total cost.
The certified copy fee for a marriage record after the ceremony is $11.00. If you pay by card, a processing fee applies on top of that. Paying by cash avoids the card fee. Ask the clerk about current card processing charges when you visit.
The St. Tammany Parish Clerk contact page lists both the Covington and Slidell office addresses and phone numbers.
Couples in the eastern part of the parish can use the Slidell annex, but should call ahead to confirm what services are available there.
Applying for a St. Tammany Parish Marriage License
Both parties must appear in person at the same time to apply. The clerk follows Louisiana state law which requires both applicants to be present when the application is signed. This rule applies at both the Covington and Slidell locations. Applications are accepted until 4:00 PM, not 4:30 PM, so arrive early to avoid being turned away.
The clerk's office is clear on ceremony location rules: "A marriage ceremony using a marriage license purchased in Louisiana must be performed in Louisiana. The ceremony may be performed in a parish other than the issuing parish; however the marriage will be recorded in the parish where the license was issued." Your St. Tammany Parish license is good for a ceremony anywhere in Louisiana, but the record stays in St. Tammany regardless of where you hold the ceremony.
The 24-hour waiting period is standard. The clerk states: "Applicants must obtain the marriage license at least one(1) day(24 hours) prior to the wedding ceremony. Unused marriage licenses expire 30 days from date and time of issue." Plan to apply at least two days before the ceremony. That gives you the 24-hour wait plus time to pick up the license during business hours before the wedding day.
The clerk also specifically notes: "State law prohibits the marriage of persons who are related by blood or adoption within the fourth degree collateral." No exceptions apply. The clerk will not issue a license if this restriction applies to either applicant.
Documents Needed for a St. Tammany Marriage License
Bring the right documents to avoid a second trip to the office. Both applicants need their own complete set of papers. If you want to save on the photocopy fee, bring your own copies along with the originals.
Each applicant must bring:
- Valid government photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID
- Original certified birth certificate from a vital records office
- Social Security number
- Certified divorce judgment if either party was previously divorced
- Certified death certificate if a prior spouse is deceased
- Photocopies of birth certificate and ID (optional, but avoids $1/page fee)
State law under RS 9:225 requires certified birth certificates. A hospital record or plain photocopy is not enough. Foreign-language birth certificates must include a certified English translation. The clerk at both the Covington and Slidell offices must follow these state rules. If you show up without a certified birth certificate, you will need to come back on another day with the correct document.
Age Rules and State Law for St. Tammany Marriages
Both applicants must be 18 or older to apply without parental consent. A 17-year-old can apply if both parents sign a notarized affidavit of consent and a judge in the 22nd Judicial District signs a waiver. No license can be issued to anyone under 16 years old in Louisiana. The clerk cannot make exceptions to age rules regardless of circumstances.
Louisiana also offers a covenant marriage option, one of only three states in the country to do so along with Arizona and Arkansas. Covenant marriage is a stronger legal commitment requiring pre-marital counseling and limiting the grounds for divorce. If you want a covenant marriage, ask the clerk about the process when you apply. It involves extra forms and takes more time than a standard license application.
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office can provide marriage certificates for St. Tammany Parish marriages after they are recorded. These are shorter summary documents. For the full certified copy of the marriage license and record, the Clerk of Court in Covington is the right source. The eClerks Louisiana resource also explains the statewide process if you have general questions.
After the Ceremony
After the ceremony is complete, the person who performed it must sign and return the license to the Clerk of Court so the marriage is officially recorded in St. Tammany Parish. Certified copies at $11.00 each are then available from the Covington office. Order several at once since you will need them for multiple name change processes.
If you used the Slidell Annex for your application, note that the Annex cannot receive mail. Any mail requests for records should go to the main Covington office at 701 N. Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70433.
Cities in St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish includes Slidell, which is one of the larger cities on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. Residents of Slidell can visit the St. Tammany Annex at 520 Old Spanish Trail, or make the drive to the main office in Covington for full marriage license services.
Nearby Parishes
St. Tammany Parish is on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain and borders several other Louisiana parishes where you can also apply for a marriage license.