Terrebonne Parish Marriage License

Couples who want to get married in Terrebonne Parish must apply for a marriage license at the Clerk of Court office in Houma. Both applicants appear in person, bring required documents, pay the fee, and then wait the mandatory 24 hours before the ceremony can take place. The Clerk handles all applications and issues licenses for weddings anywhere in Louisiana. Staff can answer questions by phone or email before your visit, which makes it worth a quick call if you are unsure what to bring or need to confirm current fees.

Clerk of Court Office

The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court is Hon. Theresa A. Robichaux. The office is at 7856 Main Street, Room 100, Houma, LA 70360. Mail goes to P.O. Box 1569, Houma, LA 70361. Call (985) 868-5660 or (985) 868-6802 to reach staff directly. The fax is (985) 868-8309 and the email is theeresa.robichaux@yahoo.com.

Hours run Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. On Fridays the office closes at 4:00 PM instead of 4:30. That 30-minute difference matters if you are cutting it close. Give yourself extra time. Arriving at least an hour before closing is always the safer plan, since staff may need time to process your application and answer any questions.

The fee in Terrebonne Parish is approximately $40.00, which is a bit more than the standard range in many other Louisiana parishes. Call before your visit to confirm the current amount. Ask whether the office takes cash, check, or card. Bringing a little extra is never a bad idea.

Louisiana.gov and LDH Sources

The Louisiana.gov Terrebonne Parish page provides contact information for the Clerk of Court and other officials.

Terrebonne Parish is a coastal south Louisiana parish whose name comes from the French for "good land," with the Clerk's office on Main Street in Houma.

The Louisiana Department of Health directory entry for Terrebonne Parish lists official contact details for the clerk's office.

The LDH directory is a useful verification source for clerk contact information across all 64 Louisiana parishes.

What to Bring

Louisiana requires the same core documents at every parish clerk's office. Both applicants must appear in person. You cannot apply by mail or send someone else in your place. Each person must show a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or passport works fine.

You also need a certified birth certificate. This is not a photocopy or a hospital record. It must be a certified copy issued by the vital records office of the state where you were born, with an official raised seal or stamp. If you were born in Louisiana, contact the Louisiana Department of Health. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office well ahead of time, since processing can take a few weeks depending on the state.

Both applicants must give their Social Security numbers. Bring your Social Security card if you have it. If a prior marriage existed, bring proof it ended. That means a certified copy of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate for a former spouse. Plain photocopies are not acceptable.

Waiting Period and Validity

Louisiana law under RS 9:242 sets a 24-hour waiting period. The ceremony cannot take place until at least 24 hours after the license is issued. Plan your schedule to account for this. Apply the day before your ceremony at the latest, and keep the timing in mind when scheduling the officiant and venue.

The license is valid for 30 days from the issue date under RS 9:206. If the 30-day window passes without a ceremony, the license expires. You would need to reapply and pay the fee again. Most couples schedule the ceremony within a week or two after getting the license. The license is valid statewide under RS 9:222, so you can marry anywhere in Louisiana regardless of where you got the license.

Document Requirements Under State Law

RS 9:224 spells out what the clerk must collect. This includes each applicant's name, age, and birthplace. The clerk records this information on the license along with the date of application. The Social Security number requirement is also part of state law, not just a local policy. Make sure both applicants have this information ready when you arrive.

RS 9:225 addresses the birth certificate requirement specifically. A certified copy issued by the vital records authority of the applicant's birth state satisfies this requirement. Hospital birth records do not. If you have trouble getting a certified copy in time, contact the clerk's office to ask about any alternatives they may accept in limited circumstances.

Covenant Marriage

Louisiana offers covenant marriage as an option. It is a distinct legal form of marriage available only in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Arizona. Couples who choose covenant marriage must complete premarital counseling with a licensed counselor or clergy member before the license is issued. They also sign a Declaration of Intent agreeing to the stricter terms. Grounds for divorce are more limited in a covenant marriage than in a standard marriage.

Most couples in Terrebonne Parish choose the standard marriage license. Covenant marriage is less common but available. If you are considering it, ask the clerk's office for information about the additional paperwork and counseling requirements before your appointment.

After the Ceremony

The officiant who performs the ceremony signs the marriage license and must return it to the Clerk of Court within the required time. Once filed, it becomes a permanent public record. You can request certified copies from the Clerk or from the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office. Certified copies are needed for name changes on driver's licenses, Social Security cards, and other documents. Request a few copies since different agencies often require originals.

Online Pre-Application

The eClerks LA online marriage application lets couples in participating parishes fill out their application before visiting the office. Check whether Terrebonne Parish is listed as a participant. If it is, you can complete the form at home, which reduces time at the counter and cuts down on errors. You still must appear in person to finalize and pay.

Cities in Terrebonne Parish

The largest city in the parish is Houma, which is also where the Clerk of Court office is located. Residents from throughout the parish, including smaller communities like Gray, Montegut, Chauvin, Gibson, and Schriever, all apply at the Houma office.

Nearby Parishes

These neighboring parishes each have their own Clerk of Court office where you can apply for a marriage license.