The Clergyman Affidavit is a sworn statement that the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court publishes for people who will perform marriage ceremonies in Louisiana. The PDF itself is titled Marriage Ceremony Officiant Affidavit and cites La. R.S. 9:204. In it the officiant gives a denomination and an address, and a notary public witnesses the oath. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the Clerk of Court, and delivery follows the Clerk's rules.
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What is Clergyman Affidavit – Jefferson Parish, LA?
The Clergyman Affidavit, printed on the form as the Marriage Ceremony Officiant Affidavit, is a sworn statement made under La. R.S. 9:204 in which a person declares a denomination and address so the clerk of court can register them as authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.
The text of the form is short. Before a notary public, the affiant states his or her name, denomination and address. The affiant then says the affidavit is made for the purpose of depositing this attestation with the clerk of court of the parish in which he or she will principally perform marriage ceremonies, in order to register as a person authorized to perform marriage ceremonies as required in La. R.S. 9:204.
The form is set up in two parts. The top half is completed by the officiant: the parish, name, denomination, address and the affiant signature. The bottom half is the notary's jurat: the day, month and year the affidavit was sworn to and subscribed, the notary's signature, printed name and notary number.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court lists the document as Clergyman Affidavit on its forms page, under Marriage Licenses & Passports, next to the Application for Marriage License and the covenant marriage declarations. It is a separate document from those. The Clerk says its forms are provided as a convenience and are intended as samples for use by qualified notaries or attorneys only.
Who needs to file Clergyman Affidavit – Jefferson Parish, LA?
The main group is the person who will perform marriage ceremonies and must register as authorized to do so under La. R.S. 9:204. That person is the affiant: he or she states a name, a denomination and an address, and swears to the statement before a notary public.
The affidavit is deposited with the clerk of court of the parish in which the affiant will principally perform marriage ceremonies. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court publishes this copy, so it fits an officiant whose principal parish is Jefferson Parish. For any other parish, deposit the affidavit with that parish's clerk of court, as the form itself states.
A notary public also takes part. The notary completes the lower block with the date, signature, printed name and notary number. The form has no block for a representative or anyone signing on the affiant's behalf.
The Clerk's forms page adds a limit on use: the forms are intended as samples for use by qualified notaries or attorneys only, and Clerk of Court employees are prohibited from providing legal advice or assistance with completing any form.
When to file Clergyman Affidavit – Jefferson Parish, LA
The triggering event is registering to perform marriage ceremonies: the affidavit is made for the purpose of depositing it with the clerk of court of the parish in which you will principally perform them, as La. R.S. 9:204 requires. The form prints no separate due date, so the practical timing is that you need a signed, notarized affidavit ready when you deposit it with the clerk of court. The oath must be taken before a notary, whose block records the day, month and year the affidavit was sworn to and subscribed. For any timing rule beyond what the form prints, ask the clerk of court who will receive it.
How to fill out Clergyman Affidavit – Jefferson Parish, LA
Enter the parish
At the top, after State of Louisiana, write the parish on the line beside Parish of. Use the parish where you will principally perform marriage ceremonies.
Print or type your name
On the line under "personally came and appeared", enter your full name. The form asks for it printed or typed.
State your denomination
On the line after "That his/her denomination is", print or type your denomination.
Enter your street address
On the first address line after "declares his/her address is", print or type your street address.
Enter city, state and ZIP code
On the second address line, labeled CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE, enter your city, state and ZIP code.
Read the statement of purpose
The form states that you make the affidavit to deposit it with the clerk of court of the parish where you will principally perform marriage ceremonies, to register under La. R.S. 9:204. Confirm that this matches your situation before signing.
Sign as affiant before the notary
Sign on the line labeled AFFIANT SIGNATURE. The affidavit is sworn to and subscribed before the notary public, so sign when the notary is present.
Have the notary complete the jurat
The notary fills in the day, month and year after "Sworn to and subscribed before me this", then signs and prints his or her name and notary number.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that the parish, name, denomination and address are filled in and legible. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, add the signatures, and deposit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Clergyman Affidavit – Jefferson Parish, LA
The form names one destination: the clerk of court of the parish in which you will principally perform marriage ceremonies. It prints no street address, portal or mailing address, and the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court's forms page at https://jeffparishclerk.gov/forms/ gives none for this document either.
- Deposit with the clerk of court: take the signed and notarized original to the clerk of court of your principal parish. Confirm with that office how it accepts the deposit.
- Fees: the Clerk's forms page says all documents must be submitted with the appropriate fees and refers to its Fees page. No amount is given here; check that page or ask the Clerk's office.
- Help with the form: Clerk of Court employees are prohibited from providing legal advice or assistance with completing any form.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the Parish of blank at the top of the affidavit.
- Signing the affidavit without a notary public completing the lower block: date, notary signature, printed name and notary number.
- Writing the name, denomination or address by hand in an unreadable way when the form asks you to print or type each one.
- Skipping the CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE line after the street address.
- Depositing the affidavit with a clerk of court other than the one for the parish where you will principally perform marriage ceremonies.
- Submitting the affidavit without the appropriate fees, which the Clerk's forms page says must accompany all documents.
- Expecting Clerk of Court staff to help complete the form; employees are prohibited from giving legal advice or assistance with completion.
- Leaving out the day, month and year in the notary's "Sworn to and subscribed before me" line.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Clergyman Affidavit?
It is a sworn statement, printed as the Marriage Ceremony Officiant Affidavit, made under La. R.S. 9:204. The affiant gives a denomination and address and states that the affidavit is deposited with the clerk of court to register as a person authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.
Is the Clergyman Affidavit a Jefferson Parish property tax form?
No. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court lists it under Marriage Licenses & Passports on its forms page. It concerns registering to perform marriage ceremonies under La. R.S. 9:204 and has nothing to do with property taxes.
Does the Clergyman Affidavit have to be notarized?
Yes, the form is built as an affidavit sworn before a notary. The notary block records the day, month and year, the notary's signature, printed name and notary number. Leaving that block empty leaves the affidavit incomplete.
Where do I deposit the Clergyman Affidavit?
With the clerk of court of the parish in which you will principally perform marriage ceremonies, as the form states. It prints no mailing address or portal, so confirm with that clerk's office how it accepts the document.
Is there a fee to file the Clergyman Affidavit?
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court says all documents must be submitted with the appropriate fees and points to its Fees page for the charges. The amount is not on the form, so check that page or ask the Clerk's office.
Can I fill out the Clergyman Affidavit online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the affidavit; you still need a notary and must deposit it with the clerk of court yourself.
Will Clerk of Court staff help me complete the form?
No. The Clerk's forms page says Clerk of Court employees are prohibited from providing legal advice or assistance with completing any form, and that the forms are samples intended for qualified notaries or attorneys.
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