Two members of the St. Tammany Clerk of Court’s staff were honored to be asked to serve as part of an instructional panel at the 42nd session of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Institute held from Feb. 9 – 12 in Marksville.

Recording Department Head Connie Stephens and Archivist Robin L. Perkins presented information and challenges concerning   Louisiana laws and policies governing the issuance of marriage licenses to an audience of 60 Clerks of Court and Deputy Clerks from around the state.  

The panel discussion included information on working with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Center for Records and Statistics to ensure all marriage licenses meet the criteria for state filing.

Shown are, from left, Cindy Meador, representing Jefferson Parish; Jeff Hickerson, representing East Baton Rouge Parish; Veronica Allison, representing Calcasieu Parish, Robins Perkins and Connie Stephens, representing St. Tammany Parish.

Over the years, the high volume of marriage licenses issued by St. Tammany Clerk’s Office provided valuable experiences which made Stephens and  Perkins well-trained subject matter experts on marriage license issuance concerns.

As agents for the State of Louisiana, the clerk’s staff is responsible for ensuring all  laws are followed and proper documentation of personal proof of identity and past marriage history are provided when individuals apply for this important life long document.

The institute panel was convened due to increased interest statewide in application of these laws, with an educational goal to continue with a standard of issuance for all Clerk of Court offices in Louisiana.

Stephens and Perkins offered explanations of the reasons why the collection of very private and personal information is needed from the applicant before a marriage license can be issued, with an interpretation of acceptable documents  required to include the evaluation of official foreign language documents with authorized translations, proofs of identity, geographic and time requirements for Louisiana marriage ceremonies, and requirements for registration of clergy.