Marrero Marriage Records

Marrero marriage records are handled by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court West Bank office in Gretna. Marrero is a census-designated place on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. It does not have its own marriage licensing office. All marriage records and license applications for Marrero residents go through the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court at the Gretna Courthouse on Derbigny Street. This page covers the office details, requirements, and how to search Marrero marriage records online.

Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court West Bank

Marrero residents use the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court West Bank office for marriage license applications. This office is located at the Gretna Courthouse on Second and Derbigny Street, on the third floor. The West Bank office handles all marriage license applications for communities on this side of the river, including Marrero, Harvey, Westwego, and Terrytown.

The clerk's office is the only place to apply for a marriage license in Jefferson Parish. Marriage licensing in Louisiana is handled at the parish level, not by cities or unincorporated communities. Even though Marrero is one of the larger communities in Jefferson Parish, it does not issue its own licenses. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court is the office you need.

The Jefferson Parish Clerk also has an East Bank office at the Joseph S. Yenni Building in Jefferson. Both offices process marriage licenses and can search records. The West Bank office is more convenient for Marrero residents since it is closer. Both offices have the same fees and the same requirements.

The Jefferson Parish Clerk marriage license page lists all current requirements, fees, and the online application option. Start there before your visit to the Gretna Courthouse.

The Jefferson Parish Clerk marriage license page above shows the current requirements and online application option for Marrero residents seeking marriage licenses from the West Bank office in Gretna.

Getting a Marriage License in Jefferson Parish

Marrero residents apply for a marriage license at the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court West Bank office. Bring your documents and the correct fee. The clerk cannot process an incomplete application. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring or whether both parties need to be present on your visit.

The fee is $27.50. A certified copy at the time of application is $10.00 extra. If you need a waiting period waiver, that costs $4.00 and must be approved by a judge. Jefferson Parish is more flexible on the waiver than some other parishes, but you still need a judge to sign off. Ask the clerk when you apply if this is something you need.

Under R.S. 9:222, a marriage license from Jefferson Parish is valid statewide. You can use a license issued in Gretna for a ceremony anywhere in Louisiana. The license is valid for 30 days from the date and time it is issued. After 30 days, it expires and you must start the process over.

Louisiana law requires a 72-hour waiting period between the time the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. This is set out in R.S. 9:241. You cannot get married the same day you apply. The 72 hours start from the time the clerk issues the license. Jefferson Parish offers the $4.00 waiver option, which requires judicial approval. If timing is critical, ask about the waiver when you apply.

Note: The local Justice of the Peace for the Marrero area is Hon. Vernon J. Wilty, III, who can be reached at (504) 364-2760 through the First Justice Court.

Marrero Marriage License Requirements

Have your paperwork ready before going to the West Bank office in Gretna. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. Here is what each applicant needs to bring.

Each person must bring a valid government photo ID such as a driver's license or state-issued ID card. You each also need a certified birth certificate. Regular copies are not accepted. The certificate must have an official seal or raised stamp from the issuing authority. Bring your Social Security numbers and be ready to give the full names and birthplaces of both parents, including the mother's maiden name. All of this goes on the application.

If either applicant was previously married, bring proof that the marriage ended. A certified copy of the final divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse is required under R.S. 9:225. Do not bring a regular copy or an online printout. It must be the official certified version. This is a firm requirement, not optional, and skipping it will prevent the license from being issued.

The Jefferson Parish Government website above provides general parish information for Marrero residents. All marriage licensing is handled by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, not the parish government office.

Applicants aged 16 or 17 need both parents to consent in writing. No one under 16 can receive a marriage license in Louisiana. Same-sex marriage licenses are issued in Jefferson Parish on the same terms as all other licenses.

Search Marrero Marriage Records Online

Jefferson Parish marriage records, including those for Marrero residents, can be searched online through the eClerksLA portal without going to the Gretna Courthouse.

The eClerksLA portal is Louisiana's statewide records system for clerk of court documents. It includes Jefferson Parish records and lets you search by name, date range, or record type. You can find marriage licenses on file for Marrero and other West Bank communities without an appointment or a courthouse visit. The portal is free and available around the clock. Use it to confirm a record exists and get basic information before ordering a certified copy.

The eClerksLA portal above provides access to Jefferson Parish marriage record indexes for Marrero and other West Bank communities, without requiring a trip to the Gretna Courthouse.

For certified copies, you must contact the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court directly. The West Bank office phone is (504) 364-2922, and you can also email marriageinfo@jpclerkofcourt.us. Online portals show record information but do not issue certified copies. A certified copy is needed for name changes, passport applications, immigration filings, and similar legal purposes.

Louisiana Marriage Records Resources

These statewide resources can help with Marrero and Jefferson Parish marriage record searches.

The Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority portal provides statewide access to court records from participating parishes. If you are searching for a record and are not sure which office holds it, or if you need to search across multiple parishes, this portal is a useful starting point. Jefferson Parish records are included alongside records from other Louisiana parishes.

The Louisiana State Archives holds historical vital records and older marriage documents. For Jefferson Parish records that are many decades old, the archives may have materials that the clerk no longer holds at the courthouse. This is especially useful for genealogy research covering older Marrero-area families.

The Louisiana Department of Health issues certified copies of marriage certificates for events recorded after 1946. A health department certificate is shorter than a full clerk record but is a valid certified document for many purposes. If you need proof of a marriage for a legal matter and do not need all the license application details, the health department may be able to provide a certificate more quickly than waiting for the full clerk record.

Note: Jefferson Parish is a large and active parish, so record volumes at the clerk's office are high. For older or less common records, call the clerk directly before making the drive to Gretna.

Nearby Louisiana Cities

These qualifying Louisiana cities have their own marriage records pages on this site.