The Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married) is the form a couple signs to enter a covenant marriage in Louisiana, published by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. A covenant marriage is a legally distinct form of marriage with limited grounds for divorce or legal separation and a commitment to seek counseling if problems arise. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The completed Declaration of Intent is submitted with the marriage license application, and the Clerk publishes the original form at the official URL.
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What is Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married) – Jefferson Parish, LA?
The Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married) is the form a couple signs to enter a covenant marriage in Louisiana before they marry. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court publishes it with the Affidavit and Attestation that follows counseling.
A covenant marriage is a legally distinct form of marriage in Louisiana. The couple agrees to limited grounds for divorce or legal separation and commits to seeking counseling if problems arise.
According to the Clerk's covenant marriage page, the Declaration of Intent states that both parties:
- agree to live together as spouses for life;
- carefully chose each other and disclosed relevant information affecting the decision to marry;
- received premarital counseling;
- commit to preserving the marriage, including seeking counseling if difficulties arise;
- received that counseling from clergy or a licensed professional counselor.
After the couple discusses the meaning of covenant marriage with a counselor, they sign an Affidavit and Attestation. The counselor provides a notarized affidavit confirming that the discussion covered four points:
- the serious and lifelong nature of covenant marriage;
- the obligation to seek counseling if problems arise;
- the limited grounds for divorce or separation;
- receipt of the Attorney General's pamphlet titled "Covenant Marriage Act."
This is the version for couples who are not yet married. The Clerk lists a separate form, Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Already Married), for couples who want to designate an existing marriage as a covenant marriage.
Who needs to file Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married) – Jefferson Parish, LA?
Couples who have not yet married and want to enter a covenant marriage in Louisiana use this form. Both parties must sign the Declaration of Intent.
The couple must also have received premarital counseling from clergy or a licensed professional counselor. After discussing the meaning of covenant marriage with that counselor, they sign the Affidavit and Attestation, and the counselor provides a notarized affidavit.
Who should not use this version:
- Couples who are already married and want to designate their marriage as a covenant marriage. The Clerk lists a separate form for them, Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Already Married). They complete a Declaration of Intent after counseling and file it with the official who issued the original marriage license. If they married outside Louisiana, they file a copy of the marriage certificate and the Declaration of Intent in the parish of domicile.
- Couples entering a standard Louisiana marriage who do not want a covenant marriage. The Clerk's page describes the declaration only as a requirement for a covenant marriage.
When to file Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married) – Jefferson Parish, LA
The completed Declaration of Intent must be submitted with the marriage license application, so it is filed when the couple applies for the license. The page sets no separate deadline for it.
The paperwork comes after counseling. The Declaration states that premarital counseling was received. The Affidavit and Attestation is signed after the couple discusses the meaning of covenant marriage with a counselor. Finish the counseling and obtain the counselor's notarized affidavit before you apply for the license.
Couples who are already married follow a different timing rule: they complete the Declaration after counseling and file it with the official who issued the original marriage license. They use the Already Married version of the form for this.
Documents you need
- Declaration of Intent signed by both parties, submitted with the marriage license application.
- Affidavit and Attestation signed by the couple after they discuss the meaning of covenant marriage with a counselor.
- Notarized affidavit from the counselor confirming discussion of the lifelong nature of covenant marriage, the obligation to seek counseling, the limited grounds for divorce or separation and receipt of the Attorney General's pamphlet "Covenant Marriage Act."
How to fill out Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married) – Jefferson Parish, LA
Choose the Not Yet Married version
Confirm you have not yet married. Couples who are already married use the Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Already Married) instead.
Complete premarital counseling
Receive counseling from clergy or a licensed professional counselor. The Declaration states that premarital counseling was received and that it came from one of them.
Discuss covenant marriage with the counselor
Talk through the lifelong nature of covenant marriage, the obligation to seek counseling, the limited grounds for divorce or separation and the Attorney General's pamphlet "Covenant Marriage Act."
Enter each party's information
Fill in the entries the form asks for about each party, using the names you will give on the marriage license application.
Review the Declaration statements
Read the statements together: living together as spouses for life, careful choice and disclosure, premarital counseling, commitment to preserve the marriage and counseling by clergy or a licensed professional counselor.
Sign the Declaration of Intent
Both parties must sign the Declaration of Intent. Sign only after counseling has taken place.
Sign the Affidavit and Attestation
After discussing covenant marriage with the counselor, both of you sign the Affidavit and Attestation. The counselor then provides a notarized affidavit.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry and signature line. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and bring it with the counselor's notarized affidavit when you apply for the marriage license.
How to submit Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married) – Jefferson Parish, LA
The completed Declaration of Intent is submitted together with the marriage license application. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court's covenant marriage page names no other filing channel for the Not Yet Married version.
- With the marriage license application: include the signed Declaration of Intent when you apply. The Clerk publishes the covenant marriage forms at https://jeffparishclerk.gov/marriage-licenses-passports/covenant-marriage/.
- Counselor's affidavit: the counselor provides a notarized affidavit confirming the topics discussed. Ask the counselor for it before you apply.
The Clerk's page gives no mailing address, portal or appointment rule for this form. Contact the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court about the license application process.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Having only one party sign the Declaration of Intent; both parties must sign it.
- Submitting the Declaration of Intent separately instead of with the marriage license application.
- Signing the Declaration before premarital counseling has been received; it states that counseling was received.
- Using a counselor who is neither clergy nor a licensed professional counselor; the Declaration states counseling came from one of them.
- Relying on a counselor's affidavit that is not notarized; the Clerk's page says the counselor must provide a notarized affidavit.
- Skipping the Attorney General's pamphlet "Covenant Marriage Act"; the counselor's affidavit confirms its receipt.
- Using this Not Yet Married version when you are already married; the Clerk lists a separate Already Married version.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Declaration of Intent & Affidavit (Not Yet Married)?
It is the form a couple signs to enter a covenant marriage in Louisiana before they marry. The Declaration of Intent states the couple's commitments, and the Affidavit and Attestation follows counseling. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court publishes it.
Do both people have to sign the Declaration of Intent?
Yes. The Clerk's page says both parties must sign the Declaration of Intent to enter a covenant marriage. The couple also signs an Affidavit and Attestation after discussing covenant marriage with a counselor.
Where do I submit the covenant marriage Declaration of Intent?
Submit the completed Declaration of Intent with your marriage license application. The Clerk's covenant marriage page names no separate address or portal for it, so ask the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court about the license application process.
Who can provide the required counseling?
The Declaration states that the counseling was provided by clergy or a licensed professional counselor. The counselor must also provide a notarized affidavit confirming the topics discussed with you.
What does the counselor's affidavit confirm?
It confirms discussion of the serious and lifelong nature of covenant marriage, the obligation to seek counseling if problems arise, the limited grounds for divorce or separation, and receipt of the Attorney General's pamphlet "Covenant Marriage Act."
What is the difference between the Not Yet Married and Already Married forms?
The Not Yet Married form is for couples entering a covenant marriage at the time they marry. The Already Married form is for couples who designate an existing marriage as a covenant marriage; they file it with the official who issued the original marriage license.
Can I fill out this covenant marriage form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form; you submit it with your marriage license application through the Clerk's channels.
Is this a Jefferson Parish property tax form?
No. It is a covenant marriage declaration from the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, used with a marriage license application. This page covers only that document and does not address Jefferson Parish property tax.
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