Louisiana Wedding Laws
Many happily married or engaged couples consider a life of love together to be the ultimate party, and the folks in Louisiana know a thing or two about great parties. As with anything, details matter, and no matter where you are in the Bayou State, there are specific regulations that you need to pay attention to regarding marriage. At the Universal Life Church, we’re here to help you help engaged couples “let the good times roll” or laissez les bon temps rouler. We’ve put together a handy, straightforward step-by-step guide to help you interpret Louisiana’s marriage rules and regulations for a marriage that is fully compliant.
How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Louisiana
- Min. Age of Minister:
- Age 18
- Residency:
- Not Required
- Document(s) Required:
- Varies by City
- Online Ordination Recognized:
- Yes
- Relevant Office of Registration:
- Clerk of Courts
- Latest Document(s) Submission Date Allowed:
- Before the Ceremony
- Minister I.D. # Issued:
- No
Within Louisiana, the following people can legally marry a couple:
- State judges
- Justices of the peace
- Priests
- Ministers
- Rabbis
- Clerks of the Religious Society of Friends
- Clergy of a religious sect who are at least 18 years old
Other officiants outside of this list must file an affidavit that includes their legal name, denomination and address with the clerk of court in the parish where the ceremony will be performed beforehand. Any ministers ordained through the Universal Life Church online are considered to be religious actors as per the law. It is strongly recommended that you have your ordainment credentials available to furnish to county officials upon request.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:202. Authority to perform marriage ceremony
A marriage ceremony may be performed by:
(1) A priest, minister, rabbi, clerk of the Religious Society of Friends, or any clergyman of any religious sect, who has attained the age of majority and is authorized by the authorities of his religion to perform marriages, and who is registered to perform marriages;
(2) A state judge or justice of the peace.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1997, No. 73, §1; Acts 2014, No. 651, §1.
LA. Stat. Ann § 9:204. Officiant other than judge; registration
An officiant, other than a judge or justice of the peace, may perform marriage ceremonies only after he registers to do so by depositing with the clerk of court of the parish in which he will principally perform marriage ceremonies, or, in the case of Orleans Parish, with the office of the state registrar of vital records, an affidavit stating his lawful name, denomination, and address.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.
Getting Married in Louisiana
- Marriage By Proxy Allowed:
- No
- Minister Required to be Present:
- Yes
- Number of Witnesses Required:
- 2
- Min. Age of Witnesses:
- 18
- Couple's Consent Required:
- Yes
- Pronouncement Required:
- Yes
Any formal wedding ceremony within the state of Louisiana requires the presence of both parties of the couple. The ceremony must be officiated by a qualified third party with two adult witnesses present. Both individuals must give their formal consent to marry one another.
The state has no further restrictions for couples and ministers when it comes to belief systems, cultural traditions or other ceremonial preferences.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:244. Witnesses required
The marriage ceremony shall be performed in the presence of two competent witnesses of full age.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.
La. Civ. Code Ann. 87. Art. 87. Contract of marriage; requirements
The requirements for the contract of marriage are:
The absence of legal impediment.
A marriage ceremony.
The free consent of the parties to take each other as husband and wife, expressed at the ceremony.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.
Art. 91. Marriage ceremony required
The parties must participate in a marriage ceremony performed by a third person who is qualified, or reasonably believed by the parties to be qualified, to perform the ceremony. The parties must be physically present at the ceremony when it is performed.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.
How to Get a Louisiana Marriage License
- Who Picks Up License:
- The Couple
- Where License is Valid:
- Any Parish in Louisiana
- Marriage License Pick-Up:
- In Person Only
- Cost of License:
- Varies by County
- Accepted I.D. Types:
- Government Issued ID and Birth Certificate
- Proof of Divorce Required (If Applicable):
- Yes
- Blood Test Required:
- No
Couples who want to say “I do” in the Bayou State can complete a written application for a marriage license that needs to be signed by either a notary public, a deputy clerk, or deputy registrar in any parish, irrespective of where the couple plans to live or to be wed.
The application should include the following details for each party:
- Complete name
- Race
- Residence
- Age
- Social Security number
- Names of both parents
- List of former marriages
- Knowledge of potential blood relations between the couple
Both people must affirm that they can be legally married and that they haven’t knowingly provided false information. Birth certificates and government IDs are necessary for verification. For applicants under the age of 18, written proof of consent must be provided, as well as proof of divorce, if applicable.
If warranted, couples can both apply at different times as long as each person completes the application in the presence of a notary and affirms that the information provided is true. Exceptions can be made for members of the U.S. military with the appropriate ID, as well as couples who have provided good cause to a judge. In these situations, one party is allowed to complete the application and sign for a fiancé or fiancée.
Parishes set the fee for a marriage license, but applicants should plan to spend between $20 and $40.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:222. Place of issuance
A marriage license may be issued in any parish, regardless of where the ceremony is to be performed or the parties reside.
Acts 1990, No. 81, §1.
La. Stat. Ann § 9:224. Application; information required
A. The application for a marriage license provided by R.S. 9:223, and containing all of the following information, shall be sworn to and signed by both parties before a notary public, deputy clerk, or deputy registrar:
(1) The date and hour of the application.
(2) The full name, residence, race, and age of each party.
(3) The names of the parents of each party.
(4) The number of former marriages of each party, and whether divorced or not.
(5) The relationship of each party to the other.
(6) Each party's social security number, if both parties were born in any state or territory of the United States or are naturalized citizens of the United States.
{ (a) to (b) omitted }
(7) An acknowledgment that each party is free to marry pursuant to Louisiana law, that the information contained in the application is true and correct, and that each party understands that falsification of the application shall constitute the filing of false public records pursuant to R.S. 14:133.
B.(1) Both applicants are not required to execute the application at the same time, provided that each applicant executes the application before a notary public as required by R.S. 9:224(A).
(2) A member of the armed forces of the United States shall not be required to sign the application required by Subsection A of this Section if the co-applicant attaches a copy of the military identification card of the member. If both applicants are members of the armed forces of the United States, only one applicant shall be required to sign the application, but that applicant shall attach a copy of the military identification card of the co-applicant not signing the application.
(3) In the event of extenuating circumstances, and after a finding that the parties have complied with all other requirements, for good cause shown, a judge of the First or Second City Courts of the city of New Orleans, a family court judge, a juvenile court judge, a district court judge, a city court judge, or a justice of the peace may order an issuing official within the territorial jurisdiction of his court to issue a marriage license with the notarized signature of only one of the applicants. The written order shall be attached to the marriage application.
(C-E Omitted)
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1997, No. 1380, §2; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 8, §1, eff. April 24, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 1298, §1; Acts 2015, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:225. Documents required; attachments
A. An application for a marriage license shall be accompanied by:
(1)(a) A certified copy of each party's birth certificate as provided by R.S. 9:226.
(b) If the applicant does not have a birth certificate, the applicant shall obtain an order signed by a judge waiving the requirement pursuant to R.S. 9:228.
(2) The written consent for a minor to marry, or the court's authorization for the minor to marry, or both, as required by Chapter 6 of Title XV of the Children's Code.
(3) If applicable, the declaration of intent for a covenant marriage, as provided in Part VII of this Chapter.
(4) A valid and unexpired driver's license, a government issued identification card, or a valid and unexpired passport from the country of his birth or an unexpired visa accompanied by Form I-94 as issued by the United States.
B.(1) It shall be unlawful for any officer authorized to issue a marriage license in this state to issue a license to any male or female unless both parties first present and file with the officer a certified copy of their original birth certificate.
(2) A photostatic or photographic reproduction of the certified copy of the birth certificate shall be filed with the officer.
Acts 1988, No. 344, §1; Acts 1988, No. 345, §1, eff. July 7, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 808, §1, eff. July 18, 1988; Acts 1995, No. 415, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1380, §2; Acts 2015, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. NOTE: See Acts 1988, No. 808, §3.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:226. Certified copy of birth certificate; translation to English
A. A person born in Louisiana shall submit a certified copy of his birth certificate. A short-form birth certification card shall be acceptable as a certified copy of a birth certificate.
B. A person born in a state or territory of the United States other than Louisiana shall submit a copy of his birth certificate under the raised seal or stamp of the vital statistics registration authority of his place of birth.
C. A person born outside of the United States or territory of the United States shall submit a birth certificate under the seal of the United States or shall submit all of the following:
(1)(a) A copy of the person's birth certificate under the raised seal or stamp of the vital statistics registration authority of the person's place of birth.
(b) If the birth certificate is not printed in English, the party shall submit a translated copy in addition to the copy required by Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph. The translation shall contain a sworn declaration of the translator that he is fluent in the language of the original birth certificate and of the translation, and that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original.
(2) A valid and unexpired passport or an unexpired visa accompanied by a Form I-94 issued by the United States, verifying that the applicant is lawfully in the United States.
D. A copy of the birth certificate or order issued pursuant to R.S. 9:228 shall be retained by the official recorder of the marriage for a minimum period of sixty days.
Acts 1987, No. 330, §1; Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 344, §2; Acts 1988, No. 345, §2, eff. July 7, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 808, §2, eff. July 18, 1988; Acts 1990, No. 362, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 462, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 118, §1, eff. April 19, 2000; Acts 2015, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.
Applying For a Marriage License in Louisiana
- ULC-Officiated Ceremony Type:
- Religious
- Mandatory Waiting Period:
- 24 Hours
- License Valid For:
- 30 Days
- License Must Be Submitted:
- Within 10 Days of Ceremony
In the Bayou State, an officiant or minister may not marry a couple until 24 hours after issuance of the marriage license. The maximum number of days between license issuance and the marriage ceremony is 30. At that point, the license will expire and a marriage ceremony performed after 30 days will be considered null and void.
It is extremely important that you follow up with the marriage license after the ceremony. You have 10 days to complete and return the signed marriage certificates and original license to the same court official who issued it. Failure to do so may result in fines as well as being permanently banned from marrying more couples within the state of Louisiana.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:241. Premature ceremony prohibited
An officiant may not perform a marriage ceremony until twenty-four hours have elapsed since the issuance of the marriage license.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 2018, No. 276, §1.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:235. Valid for thirty days
A marriage license is valid for thirty days from the date of issuance. No officiant shall perform a marriage after the license has expired.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:254. Penalty for failure to file or complete marriage certificate
Any person authorized to perform marriages in this state who fails to complete the forms provided by the Department of Children and Family Services, and specifically fails to fill in the date and place the ceremony was performed, or neglects or fails to file the two executed copies with the clerk of court in the parish where the license was issued or, if in Orleans Parish, with the state office of vital records, within ten days after the date of the marriage as provided by law, shall be fined not less than twenty dollars for the first offense, fifty dollars for the second offense, and one hundred dollars for a third offense, and the offender shall be prohibited thereafter from officiating at any marriage in this state.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; H.C.R. No. 59, 1999 R.S.
Louisiana Marriage Requirements
- Min. Age of Couple:
- Age 18 with Age-Gap Restrictions for Minors
- Residency:
- Not Required
- Min. Distance of Kin Allowed:
- Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality:
- Yes
In Louisiana, no more than two people who are 18 years or older can legally marry. Minors are generally not allowed to marry, with the exception of those who are 16 or 17 years old with partners who are no more than three years older.
Louisiana forbids marriage between a parent and a child as well as relatives who are closer than second cousins or first cousins once removed. These laws apply to said family relations by blood or those created through adoption.
The state of Louisiana allows the marriage of same-sex couples as well as those of non-residents.
La. Stat. Ann. § 9:221. Authority to issue marriage license
A. A license authorizing an officiant to perform a marriage ceremony must be issued by:
(1) The state registrar of vital records, or a judge of the city court, in the Parish of Orleans;
(2) The clerk of court, in any other parish; or
(3) A district judge, if the clerk of court is a party to the marriage.
B. No marriage license for a minor under the age of sixteen shall be issued. No marriage license for a minor of the age of sixteen or seventeen shall be issued where there is an age difference of three years or greater between the persons seeking the marriage license.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 2019, No. 401, §2.
CC 90 Art. 90. Impediments of relationship
A. The following persons may not contract marriage with each other:
(1) Ascendants and descendants.
(2) Collaterals within the fourth degree, whether of the whole or of the half blood.
B. The impediment exists whether the persons are related by consanguinity or by adoption. Nevertheless, persons related by adoption, though not by blood, in the collateral line within the fourth degree may marry each other if they obtain judicial authorization in writing to do so.
Acts 1987, No. 886, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 2004, No. 26, §1.
NOTE: SEE ACTS 1987, NO. 886, §5.
Finalizing the Union
- Officiant's Title on Marriage License:
- Minister
- Church/Ordaining Body:
- Universal Life Church Ministries
- Address of Church:
- Minister's Home Address
In the Bayou State, the burden of compliance with rules and regulations is placed primarily on the marriage officiant. This goes beyond the actual ceremony itself.
As the wedding officiant, you’re responsible for completing any and all parts of the forms provided by the Department of Children and Family Services. Be sure to note the date and location of the wedding ceremony. You are also required to file two signed copies of the marriage certificates with the court clerk who issued the license within 10 days of the ceremony. A first violation will lead to a fine of $20. Subsequent fines are $50 and $100. After a third violation, you’ll be prohibited from performing marriage ceremonies within state borders. Do you and your couples a favor by making sure to file forms correctly and on time.