If you're getting married in Louisiana, you must first apply for a marriage license.
It'll cost you about $27.50, and you'll have to use it within 30 days.
Before getting married in Louisiana, you must first apply for a marriage license at any parish-level clerk of court office. However, in Orleans Parish it's handled by the state registrar of vital records or any city court judge.
Your residency doesn't have any impact on getting a marriage license.
The Louisiana marriage license fee is between $25 and $40. It differs from parish to parish.
Your marriage license can be used anywhere in Louisiana. It can only be used in Louisiana.
The application will request your name, birth name, birthdate, birthplace, residence, race, sex, marital history, highest education completed, social security number, parents' birth names and birthplaces, and if this is a covenant marriage.
If you're a member of the armed forces, your co-applicant can complete the application on your behalf. A photocopy of your military ID must be presented. Everyone else can apply absentee with a notarized application. However, at least one must apply in person.
Eighteen year olds and older can marry without parental consent.
If you're 16 or 17 years old, you can marry with the written consent of your custodial parents, a guardian, or a juvenile court judge.
If you're 15 years old or younger, you can marry with authorization from a juvenile court judge, assuming your custodial parents or guardian agrees. The judge must be from your parish of residence or the parish where the ceremony will occur.
The parents or guardians consenting to their child's marriage must sign a consent form in the presence of the clerk of court.
On March 14, 2018, Louisiana State Senator Karen Carter Peterson introduced Senate Bill 463, which would outlaw marriage below age 18. However, it's not expected to progress any further for consideration.
You'll get your marriage license immediately, but you'll have to wait 24 hours to use it.
The 24-hour waiting period can be waived by a judge or justice of the peace. In Orleans Parish, anyone authorized to solemnize marriages can waive it for nonresidents of Louisiana who opt to marry in Orleans Parish.
Your marriage license will expire 30 days after issuance at midnight.
You'll need to bring your birth certificate and photo identification.
Bring a certified copy of your birth certificate with a stamp or raised seal. A short-form certification card is okay for Louisiana residents. Non-English certificates must have a sworn translation that's notarized.
Bring unexpired photo ID, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card, federal-issued ID card, passport, or visa with form I-94.
The premarital blood test and medical certificate requirement hasn't been in effect since July 18, 1988.
If your last marriage ended in divorce, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree.
If your last marriage ended with the death of your spouse, bring a certified copy of their death certificate.
Name change after marriage isn't automatic. You can use a marriage name change kit to help get it done. You can take your spouse's last name, hyphenate, or return to any previous surname. You can also replace your middle name with your maiden name.
Two competent witnesses aged 18 or over must attend your marriage ceremony. Afterward, they'll sign the certificate portion of your license.
Your marriage can be solemnized by a judge, justice of the peace, or parish-registered clergyperson of any religious sect or society, including Quakers.
Your marriage license must be returned to the office that issued it for recording no later than 10 days after marriage.
You can buy a certified copy of your marriage certificate (a.k.a. marriage record) from the office where you got your marriage license. It'll cost about $5.
In some parishes, the marriage license fee includes one complimentary certified copy of your marriage certificate. It's up to you to inquire.
You can't get married by proxy, which is when you have a surrogate take your place at the marriage ceremony.
Louisiana law does not permit marriage between first cousins.
Louisiana law forbids marriage among blood relations within the fourth degree, which casts a very wide net of exclusion, all the way to great aunts and uncles.
If your spouse has abandoned you the previous five years and their whereabouts is unknown, you can actually remarry without first divorcing.
Louisiana does not and has never legally recognized common-law marriage.
Where will you apply?
Share your questions or comments
I'm married in Texas can I go get married in Louisiana to a different man
The simple answer is no, because that's bigamy. However, your subsequent marriage wouldn't be considered bigamous if your Texas spouse has abandoned you for the past five years and his whereabouts are unknown. Or he's been presumed dead by a court of law.
Janelle says:If I live in a different state and get a divorce from a spouse, is there a waiting period to get married to someone else?
Staff says:is there a waiting period to get married to someone else?
Louisiana doesn't have a waiting period between divorce and remarriage. There's no need to wait. Even if you live in one of the few states that impose divorce waiting periods, those laws don't apply in Louisiana.
Emily says:Hi! I’m a US citizen looking to marry my Spanish boyfriend while on holiday in New Orleans. We both live in Spain and aren’t looking for a green card. What documents/procedural changes, if any, are there for him?
Staff says:Hi Emily. Both of you need to bring photo ID and your birth certificates. Nearly any government-issued photo ID is good, such as a passport. If your boyfriend's birth certificate is not in English, attach a certified and notarized translation.
Anna says:Hi! Where can I find information on a courthouse ceremony? I am having a wedding in another country and need to have a legal ceremony in Louisiana beforehand.
Staff says:Where can I find information on a courthouse ceremony?
You may use the Louisiana justice of the peace directory or ask the parish clerk of court for a referral.
Chris says:My fiance lives in Akron, OH. She’s gonna travel to Louisiana to get married. We only have 2 day in a week to get the license and get married. Can we do that in two days?
Staff says:We only have 2 day in a week to get the license and get married. Can we do that in two days?
My boyfriend is on probation and technically we can't be together. If we marry in a different state can this be detected by the state we're in now? How does this waiting period thing work because I read above that there isn't a wait period then on a different comment there was a 72 hour waiting period mentioned.
Staff says:If we marry in a different state can this be detected by the state we're in now?No, there's no automatic alert. States don't notify or monitor other state's marriage occurrences.
How does this waiting period thing work
Let's say you apply on Monday. You'll get your marriage license Monday, but it'll contain wording to the officiant not to solemnize your marriage until Thursday. Consider it a cooling off period.
I read above that there isn't a wait period
The 24-hour wait time may be waived by a judge or justice of the peace. Some folks are able to kill two birds with one stone by getting married in a civil ceremony and having that same judge apply the waiver.
Kayla Reed says:I want to marry my fiance which is in the nursing home due to a stroke which caused him to be disabled,he's 70,and I'm 37. He's a Vietnam veteran,can I apply for both of us to get married without him being present?
Staff says:can I apply for both of us to get married without him being present?Yes, you may apply on his behalf. Bring his military ID card. Jessica says:
Hi, I'm Jessica, I want to get married to my EVERYTHING!! In August of this year ,but he has an estranged wife that he has to deal with first and he doesn't where she is exactly. It's only been a year n a half since they split and they don't have any children together. What would be the steps he need to take in order to finally divorce her,so me n him can get married. What will (WE) need to get married once they are divorce? Any waiting period before we marry?
Jessica says: Sorry for the typo. I meant he doesn't (know) where she is. Staff says:What would be the steps he need to take in order to finally divorce her
He'll have to serve his spouse with divorce papers. If he can't track her down, he'll have to ask the court to assign a lawyer to his missing spouse. The lawyer will act as a sort of proxy so that divorce proceedings can commence without the absent spouse.
What will (WE) need to get married once they are divorce?
Other than the typical requirements listed on this page, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Any waiting period before we marry?After you get your marriage license, you must wait 24 hours before getting married. Dawna says:
I have friends coming in from the UK to visit and they wish to get married in the States, aka Louisiana, other than their birth certificate and passport what else do they need?
Staff says:other than their birth certificate and passport what else do they need?That's sufficient. Teresa says:
I can’t find information on courthouse weddings. Can you give me a website or information on a courthouse wedding in Orleans Parish or St. Bernard parish?
Staff says:Hi Teresa. Louisiana's Department of Justice provides a public justice of the peace list. If you need a non-justice judge, try contacting the parish's clerk of court office.
Leif says:Me and my gf don't want some big ceremony we're just looking to get married we don't have the money to spend on anything like that but we just want it to be official how do we go about just getting married in the courthouse
Staff says:how do we go about just getting married in the courthouseContact your parish's clerk of court for a list of available judges and scheduling. rodney says:
I got married in Mt. Hermon LA on June 8th, we pre-paid the mailing fee to get a marriage certificate mailed to us in TX. How long will that take?
Staff says:Hi Rodney. It could take 8 to 10 weeks for your Louisiana marriage certificate to arrive by mail. That's not necessarily the case for all parishes. You'll have to contact yours to find out for certain.
Thi says:How do I go about getting married in a courthouse? Is that the same thing as just applying for a marriage license?
Staff says:How do I go about getting married in a courthouse?Get in touch with a local justice of the peace.
Is that the same thing as just applying for a marriage license?No, a courthouse marriage is optional, costs extra, and is typically by appointment only. Collette Stewart says: Is there someone that can marry my fiancé and I at New Orleans City Hall? Staff says:
Hi Collette. The public justices of the peace listing doesn't show anyone for Orleans Parish, but there's nothing stopping you from hiring someone from any other parish. Justices can operate throughout Louisiana. If you're looking for another civil celebrant, you can contact Orleans Parish clerk of court office. They may be able to provide you with a referral.
Sophie says:We’re getting married in NOLA soon. I Have dual Nationality with two passports (USA/UK) - was born in USA (American birth certificate) but have lived all my life in the UK. I don’t have a social security number. Is that going to cause problems? Thank you so much
Sophie says:Sorry, more questions! My fiancé is English. What documents will he need to show for our Orleans marriage licence? Do they keep any of the documents? Can we have copies of the marriage certificate mailed to us in England? Many many thanks!
Staff says:What documents will he need to show for our Orleans marriage licence?Birth certificate (original or certified copy) and photo ID, such as a passport.
Do they keep any of the documents?Your documents won't be kept, just inspected.
Can we have copies of the marriage certificate mailed to us in England?
Yes, you can order certified copies at the same time you apply and have them mailed to wherever you need.
Staff says:I don’t have a social security number. Is that going to cause problems?If you don't have a social security number, it's not required. Sophie says: Thank you so so much! Kenna says: Hi I’m getting married August 17 2019 I was wondering when should I go get my marriage license Staff says:
I’m getting married August 17 2019 I was wondering when should I go get my marriage license
August 18, 2019, at the latest. You have to factor in the 24-hour waiting period. For instance, if your marriage license is issued on August 14 at 1pm, the earliest you may marry is August 18 at 1pm. The date and time your marriage license becomes ready for use will be written on the license.
Lee says: Can gay couples get married in Louisiana Lee says: We getting married on July 27 2019 when should we get our license Staff says:Hi Lee. There's a 24-hour waiting period to marry after getting your marriage license. Since your marriage date is a few days away, you're getting close to the edge. You may want to seek a waiver of the waiting period from a justice of the peace or judge.
Staff says: Hi Lee. Yes, same-sex marriage is legal in Louisiana. Qilla says: Do I sign my maiden name or my married name on my marriage license and certificate? Staff says: Hi Qilla. Sign your current legal name. Taylor says:Around January is when my boyfriend gets back from South Carolina (army basic training and airborne school) and we need to get married so i can live with him on base. How exactly do we get married and what do i do with the license and everything when i get it. Im just confused on how this works and what everything is and what it does
Editor says:How exactly do we get married
Apply for a marriage license at the clerk of court office. To save time, you may apply alone, but you'll need a photocopy of your boyfriend's military ID. Bring a certified copy of your birth certificate and photo ID.
what do i do with the license and everything when i get it.
You'll get your marriage license the day you apply, but there's a 24-hour waiting period to use it. It expires after 30 days. After your marriage ceremony is over, your officiant must return your marriage license to the issuing clerk of court for recording. Once your marriage is recorded, you're married in the eyes of the state. If you need proof of marriage, you'll have to buy a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Some parishes include this in the marriage license fee, some don't. You'll have to ask when you apply. You can pay in advance and have them mail out your copy after they've recorded it.
Ali Chidi says:Hallo i have a good friend she live in Louisiana and we planning on getting married and i live in germany what we i do to be with her over there and what do she have to do to get me over there and how much is the marriage cost in church and in court does she have to have a job or me to get marries or meet her over there
Editor says:we planning on getting married and i live in germanyYou can apply together in person or she can apply for both of you using a notarized application.
how much is the marriage cost in church
The cost of a religious ceremony can only be answered by the church. That's not priced by state law or clerk of court offices.