Do You Want To Know Where To Get A Marriage License In Louisiana? As your wedding day draws near, the excitement can be overwhelming. You’ve found the perfect dress, a picturesque venue, a talented Wedding Photographer (Hi! ??♀️ ) and it’s starting to all come together.
Planning your perfect day is nothing short of exciting. However, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget about the legal side of a marriage. Sure, you’ve found your officiant, but do you know the ins and outs of getting a marriage license?
If you don’t, don’t panic. Getting a marriage license in Louisiana is actually quite easy! Before you walk down the aisle, here are a few questions you need answered.
Where can I get a marriage license in Louisiana?
You can get a marriage license in any Clerk of Court office in Louisiana. There are clerk of court offices in every parish in the state and, depending on the size of the parish, there may be multiple office locations where you can obtain your marriage license.
Marriage licenses obtained in any Clerk of Court office are valid throughout the entire state- meaning even if you get your license in another city, you can still get married in NoLA! More details from the clerk of courts office is HERE.
Do I need to make an appointment to get a marriage license in Louisiana?
Due to COVID restrictions, many offices are only taking marriage license requests online or by appointment. Call your parish of choice before arriving. If marrying in New Orleans, I recommend going to get a license in nearby Jefferson Parish in Jefferson, LA. Address and phone number are at the bottom of this article. At the time of writing this, they are accepting walk-ins!
What documents do I need to get a marriage license in Louisiana?
Both you and your fiancé need to bring the following documents when applying for your marriage license:
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- A current driver’s license, current state ID or passport
- A certified copy of a birth certificate or a certified birth card
- Social Security numbers if born in the United States. If not born in the US or territories, you must bring a valid passport from your country of birth or a visa with an attached I-94 form
- A certified copy of the final divorce decree (if previously married)
- A certified copy of the death certificate of the former spouse (if widowed)
Is there a fee to get a marriage license in Louisiana?
Yes, but don’t worry! The fee is minimal. It ranges from $25-$45 depending on the parish.
How old do I need to be to get a marriage license in Louisiana?
You need to be at least 16 years old to get a marriage license in Louisiana. If you are under 18 years old, you need to have both written consent from both of your parents and judicial authorization. However, if you are under the age of 18, you will not be issued a marriage license if you have an age difference of more than 2 years.
When can I get a marriage license?
Clerk of Court office hours vary by parish, but they are typically open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm except for Federal and State holidays.
It’s best to get your marriage license a few days before your wedding ceremony for two reasons:
Marriage licenses are only valid for 30 days.
There is a 24-hour waiting period between when your license is issued and when you can get married (can possibly be waived in certain circumstances – reach out to us if need a waiver)
If you’re ready to say “I Do,” be sure you know how to get a marriage license in Louisiana. Thankfully, the process is fairly simple and straightforward. If you need help planning your elopement- or you want a photographer for your special day- get in touch with us! We would love to be a part of your wedding – info@elopetonola.com
Resources and Contact Info for offices in New Orleans:
Orleans Parish Marriage Office (Appointment only)
1450 Poydras Street (Benson Tower) 4th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70112
Hours: 8:30am to 3:00pm
Mon-Fri (except state holidays)
Click here to go to New Orleans Clerk of Court
Jefferson Parish Marriage Office (Accepts walk-ins)
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd #603
Jefferson, LA 70121
Click here to go to the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Courts office
Grab our 5 secrets to a successful (and stress-free) elopement and receive a FREE checklist!
Thank you so much for this post! I have found my soulmate and he & I are ready to take the next step to spend the rest of our lives together, we’re NOLA locals and always wanted to have our special day at home! I stumbled upon your website, looking for venues and ideas for a small ceremony (elopement) and this really helps with the official legal stuff (lol) and documents that we will need! We’ll definitely be reaching out soon to begin planning!