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Louisiana · How-To Guide

How do I get a marriage license?

Clerk of Court (parish level - each of Louisiana's 64 parishes)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Visit the Clerk of Court's office in ANY Louisiana parish (license may be obtained in any parish regardless of where you live or where the ceremony takes place; valid statewide)
  2. Both parties appear in person (some parishes allow notarized applications in advance; check your specific parish)
  3. Present required documents: government-issued photo ID, birth certificate (long-form, not short form in most parishes), and any required documentation about prior marriages
  4. Pay the fee and receive the marriage license
  5. MANDATORY 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD: Louisiana requires waiting 24 hours after issuance before the ceremony can take place; the license is NOT valid until 24 hours after issuance; waiver from a district judge or justice of the peace may be obtained if necessary
  6. Hold ceremony any time after the 24-hour waiting period; license expires 30 days from date of issuance (no refunds on unused/expired licenses)
  7. Two witnesses of full age must sign the marriage certificate (RS 9:244)
  8. Officiant returns the completed, signed marriage license to the issuing Clerk of Court's office (or Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records if issued in Orleans Parish) for recording
  9. Wait approximately 2 weeks after the ceremony before requesting a certified copy to ensure the license has been recorded
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • government-issued photo ID, birth certificate (long-form, not short form in most parishes), and any required documentation about prior marriages
  • Step 4 - Pay the fee and receive the marriage license
  • Step 5 - MANDATORY 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD: Louisiana requires waiting 24 hours after issuance before the ceremony can take place; the license is NOT valid until 24 hours after issuance; waiver from a district judge or justice of the peace may be obtained if necessary
  • Step 6 - Hold ceremony any time after the 24-hour waiting period; license expires 30 days from date of issuance (no refunds on unused/expired licenses)
  • Step 7 - Two witnesses of full age must sign the marriage certificate (RS 9:244)
  • Step 8 - Officiant returns the completed, signed marriage license to the issuing Clerk of Court's office (or Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records if issued in Orleans Parish) for recording
  • Step 9 - Wait approximately 2 weeks after the ceremony before requesting a certified copy to ensure the license has been recorded
Fee
Varies by parish; typically $27.50-$40 (includes $12.50 state fee for family violence fund programs); certified copy of marriage license additional fee; verify with your specific parish Clerk of Court
Waiting Period
Louisiana requires waiting 24 hours after issuance before the ceremony can take place; the license is NOT valid until 24 hours after issuance; waiver from a district judge or justice of the peace may be obtained if necessary Step 6 - Hold ceremony any time after the 24-hour waiting period; license expires 30 days from date of issuance (no refunds on unused/expired licenses) Step 7 - Two witnesses of full age must sign the marriage certificate (RS 9:244) Step 8 - Officiant returns the completed, signed marriage license to the issuing Clerk of Court's office (or Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records if issued in Orleans Parish) for recording Step 9 - Wait approximately 2 weeks after the ceremony before requesting a certified copy to ensure the license has been recorded
Where to Go
Any Louisiana parish Clerk of Court; license valid statewide for ceremonies in Louisiana only
Louisiana Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Louisiana has a MANDATORY 24-hour waiting period - statewide law; cannot be avoided without a judicial waiver.
  • License valid statewide but ONLY for ceremonies in Louisiana.
  • Two witnesses required - Louisiana's requirement differs from many states.
  • Birth certificate typically required (unlike many states that only need photo ID).
  • No blood test required.
  • Louisiana follows civil law traditions - marriage laws have some unique civil code features.
  • Covenant marriage (mariage de droit): Louisiana offers a "covenant marriage" option - a stronger commitment with limited divorce grounds; couples may choose standard or covenant marriage.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records (Central Office - New Orleans) for certified marriage record copies: ldh.la.gov/vital-records | (504) 593-5100 | 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112