St. Bernard Parish Marriage Records

St. Bernard Parish marriage records are filed with the Clerk of Court in Chalmette, where the 34th Judicial District Court serves the parish. Whether you need to apply for a marriage license, get a certified copy of an existing record, or search for a past marriage in St. Bernard Parish, the Clerk of Court office is the right place to start. Online search options through eClerksLA are also available for those who want to look up records without a trip to Chalmette.

St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court for St. Bernard Parish is Randy Nunez. His office handles all marriage license applications, issues certified copies of marriage records, and keeps the official record of every marriage filed in the parish. The office is located at 1101 W St Bernard Hwy in Chalmette. This is the only office in the parish that can issue a marriage license or provide a certified copy of a marriage record.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you plan to apply for a license, try to arrive well before closing. Arriving close to 4:30 may not leave enough time to complete the application. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.

You can reach the office by phone at (504) 271-3434. Staff can tell you what documents to bring, how long the process takes, and whether the current fee has changed. Calling ahead saves time, especially if your situation is not straightforward.

The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court marriage license page lists the current requirements and steps for getting a license. Read it before you go so you know what to expect.

The page above shows the current instructions and requirements for obtaining a marriage license in St. Bernard Parish. Review it before your visit to make sure you have everything ready.

Getting a Marriage License in St. Bernard Parish

Both people who plan to marry must appear in person at the Clerk of Court office in Chalmette. You cannot apply online or send someone on your behalf. Both parties must be present at the same time and bring valid identification along with all required documents. If either person does not show up, the clerk will not issue the license.

Under Louisiana law at R.S. 9:222, a marriage license issued in any Louisiana parish is valid for use anywhere in the state. That means you can get your license in St. Bernard Parish even if you plan to get married in another part of Louisiana. The license is good for 30 days from the date it is issued. If the ceremony does not happen within those 30 days, the license expires and you must reapply.

St. Bernard Parish requires a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage ceremony can take place. The wait begins when the license is issued. Under R.S. 9:241, this waiting period applies unless a judge grants a waiver. Plan the application date with the 72-hour window in mind so you do not run into timing problems before your ceremony.

The fee for a marriage license in St. Bernard Parish is $32.00. Pay by cash, check, or money order made out to the Clerk of Court. Credit cards are not always accepted at parish clerk offices, so confirm the payment options before your visit. The fee is non-refundable once the license is issued.

Note: A license issued in St. Bernard Parish is valid only within Louisiana and cannot be used in another state.

Documents for St. Bernard Marriage License Applications

Missing documents are the most common reason people have to make a second trip to the clerk's office. Know what you need before you go. Both applicants must bring their own set of documents. The clerk will check each item before starting the application.

Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport works. You also need a certified copy of your birth certificate. A regular copy or a photocopy is not acceptable. It must be an official certified document. Your Social Security number is also required, along with the names and birthplaces of both of your parents, including the mother's maiden name.

If either person was married before, you must show proof that the prior marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse. Louisiana law requires this documentation before a new license can be issued. This rule applies even if the prior marriage ended long ago.

The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court marriage license forms page has downloadable forms you can fill out ahead of time. Completing the paperwork before your visit can speed up the process at the office.

The forms page above lets you download and prepare your application documents before your visit to the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court office in Chalmette.

Search St. Bernard Parish Marriage Records Online

St. Bernard Parish marriage records are available online through eClerksLA, the statewide portal for Louisiana clerk of court records. This system lets you search by name, book and page number, file number, or date range. It is available any time and does not require you to go to the courthouse to find basic record information.

eClerksLA covers many Louisiana parishes and gives you access to indexes and documents where available. For St. Bernard Parish specifically, you can search marriage records using a name or date range search. The results show record details that can help you confirm whether a marriage took place and when. This is useful if you are doing genealogy research or verifying a record from another state.

Certified copies of marriage records are not available online. To get a certified copy that holds legal weight, you must contact the Clerk of Court directly at (504) 271-3434 or visit the office in Chalmette. Online searches are for informational purposes only. If you need a certified document for a court, insurance claim, or name change, go through the office.

The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court website shown above is the official source for office details, forms, and information about marriage records in the parish.

Louisiana Resources for Marriage Records

A few state-level resources can support your search for St. Bernard Parish marriage records, especially for older documents or records that span more than one parish.

The Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) portal gives remote access to court records from parish clerks statewide. Marriage license indexes from St. Bernard Parish may appear through this system. It is a useful starting point if you are not certain which parish holds the record you need.

For historical marriage records, the Louisiana State Archives maintains a collection of older vital records and documents going back many decades. If the Clerk of Court does not have a record you are looking for, the archives may. Their holdings include records from parishes across Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Health issues certified marriage certificates for events recorded after 1946. A certificate from the health department is a shorter document than the full license record. It confirms the marriage took place but does not carry the full details of the original application. Use the Clerk of Court for complete records.

Note: For full marriage license documents showing all applicant details, the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court is the primary source, not the health department.

Communities in St. Bernard Parish

St. Bernard Parish includes communities such as Chalmette, Arabi, Meraux, Violet, and Poydras. All marriage licenses for residents throughout St. Bernard Parish are issued by the Clerk of Court in Chalmette.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border St. Bernard Parish. Each has its own Clerk of Court responsible for marriage records. If you need records from a neighboring parish or are unsure which office to contact, check the parish where the marriage took place.