How to Get Married in Louisiana (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Louisiana · Last updated 2026-05-18
In Louisiana, a wedding is not just a personal milestone but a series of state-law steps with their own deadlines. Between license issuance and the ceremony itself, the rule is: 24 hours. License validity in Louisiana: 30 days. Common-law-marriage status: A marriage ceremony. This guide lays out the Louisiana-specific sequence and the documents and rules that govern it.
Key Considerations
Louisiana treats marriage formation as a two-part question. Can the couple skip the license and the ceremony entirely under a common-law doctrine? A marriage ceremony. See the state agency website. If a ceremony is required, who may perform it? La. R.S. 9:202. See the state agency website. The marriage code answers both.
The cost and minimum-age rules sit at the front of the Louisiana marriage-license process. On cost, No state-level statute. The fee for a marriage license is set by each parish's Clerk of Court and therefore varies. See the state agency website. On age, An officiant may not perform a marriage ceremony in which a minor sixteen or seventeen is a party unless the minor has judicial authorization and the written consent to marry of either both of his parents, the tutor of his person, or a person who has been awarded custody of the minor. No marriage ceremony shall be performed for a minor under the age of sixteen. See the state agency website. Couples planning a Louisiana ceremony should resolve both questions before booking a venue.
The Louisiana marriage code carries two timing layers. The first is the waiting period between issuance and lawful solemnization: 24 hours. See the state agency website. The second is the license's validity period, after which a fresh license is required: 30 days. Both are statutory; neither is negotiable with the clerk.
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Relevant Documents
For a Louisiana marriage, the core documents are the marriage-license application filed with the issuing clerk and, where a premarital-course incentive applies, the certificate of completion from a state-approved provider. No state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. License fees in Louisiana are due to the issuing clerk at filing, often in cash or by money order; check accepted payment methods with the specific office before the appointment.
Beneficiary Designation Forms
Documents that specify who receives assets from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts upon your death.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your affairs can be managed without court intervention.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.
Prenuptial Agreement
A contract entered into before marriage that establishes rights to property and financial support in case of divorce or death. This document can protect pre-marital assets and outline financial responsibilities during marriage.
Updated Will
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. Marriage typically invalidates previous wills in many jurisdictions, making it important to create a new one that includes your spouse.
Relevant Laws
Louisiana Civil Code Article 86 - Marriage Definition
Defines marriage in Louisiana as a legal relationship between a man and woman created by civil contract. This is the foundational law that establishes what constitutes a legal marriage in Louisiana.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 87 - Requirements for Marriage
Specifies that to be legally married in Louisiana, the parties must be capable of contracting, consent to be married, and participate in a marriage ceremony. This law outlines the basic requirements that must be met for a valid marriage.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 90 - Age Requirements
Sets the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana. Persons aged 16-17 require parental consent, while those under 16 require both parental consent and judicial authorization. This is relevant for couples where one or both parties are minors.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 91 - Marriage License Requirement
Requires couples to obtain a marriage license from a parish clerk of court before the ceremony. The license is valid for 30 days from issuance. This procedural requirement is essential for all couples planning to marry in Louisiana.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 94 - Covenant Marriage Option
Provides couples the option to enter into a covenant marriage, which has stricter requirements for divorce. This alternative form of marriage requires premarital counseling and limits grounds for divorce, offering couples a more binding marital commitment.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325-2337 - Matrimonial Regimes
Establishes Louisiana's community property system, where assets acquired during marriage are generally considered jointly owned. Couples can opt out by creating a prenuptial agreement. This significantly affects property rights during marriage and in case of divorce.
Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:224 - Marriage License Application
Details the requirements for marriage license applications, including the 72-hour waiting period between application and ceremony (with exceptions). This timing requirement is important for couples planning their wedding timeline.
Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:273 - Covenant Marriage Requirements
Outlines specific requirements for covenant marriages, including mandatory premarital counseling and a declaration of intent. This provides important information for couples considering this more binding form of marriage.
Regional Variances
Parish-Specific Marriage Requirements in Louisiana
Orleans Parish has unique marriage license procedures. The marriage license must be obtained from the Orleans Parish Marriage License Office rather than the clerk of court. There is a 72-hour waiting period after obtaining the license before the ceremony can take place, but this can be waived by a judge. Orleans Parish also requires both parties to appear in person when applying for the license.
Jefferson Parish requires couples to apply for marriage licenses at the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. The standard 72-hour waiting period applies, but the parish may have specific documentation requirements. Both applicants must appear in person with valid identification, and certified copies of birth certificates are typically required.
In East Baton Rouge Parish, marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Court. The parish strictly enforces the requirement for certified copies of birth certificates and may have additional documentation requirements for divorced individuals. The standard 72-hour waiting period applies unless waived by court order.
Lafayette Parish issues marriage licenses through the Clerk of Court office. The parish requires proof of divorce (if applicable) with the full divorce decree, not just the judgment. Both parties must appear together with proper identification, and there is a 72-hour waiting period after obtaining the license before the ceremony can be performed.
Caddo Parish has specific requirements for marriage license applications, including certified birth certificates and, if applicable, divorce decrees showing the date the divorce was finalized. There is a mandatory 72-hour waiting period after obtaining the license. The parish may also have specific requirements for minors seeking to marry with parental consent.
Covenant Marriage Options in Louisiana
Louisiana is one of only three states that offers covenant marriage, which is a legally distinct type of marriage with stricter requirements for both entering and dissolving the marriage. Couples must undergo premarital counseling and agree to seek marital counseling if problems develop. Divorce is only granted in covenant marriages under limited circumstances such as abuse, abandonment, adultery, imprisonment for a felony, or after a lengthy separation period.
Marriage Age Requirements
Louisiana law sets the minimum age for marriage at 16. Individuals aged 16-17 require both parental consent and judicial approval. The judge must interview the minor and may require evidence that the marriage is in the minor's best interest. This is stricter than some other states that may allow marriage at younger ages with parental consent.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Apply for the Louisiana marriage license at the issuing clerk's office
Before the ceremony days after startingNo state-level statute. The fee for a marriage license is set by each parish's Clerk of Court and therefore varies. Bring valid government-issued photo identification for each applicant and any documentation the clerk requires (proof of termination of any prior marriage, for example).
Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application
Before the ceremony days after startingStandard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married.
Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date
Before the ceremony days after starting30 days. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply.
Plan the ceremony date around the statutory waiting period
Before applying days after starting24 hours. A ceremony performed before the waiting period runs is voidable; the couple should confirm the earliest lawful date directly with the clerk.
Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period.
Before the ceremony days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later.
Hold the ceremony with an authorized Louisiana officiant
At the ceremony days after startingLa. R.S. 9:202. Make sure the officiant is qualified under the state's officiant list before the ceremony; a marriage performed by a person not authorized to solemnize is not a lawful Louisiana marriage.
Have the officiant return the executed license to the clerk after the ceremony
After the ceremony days after startingThe clerk records the marriage and issues the certified certificate; many states impose a strict return deadline (often 10 to 30 days), so the officiant should not delay.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for the Louisiana marriage license at the issuing clerk's office | No state-level statute. The fee for a marriage license is set by each parish's Clerk of Court and therefore varies. Bring valid government-issued photo identification for each applicant and any documentation the clerk requires (proof of termination of any prior marriage, for example). | - | Before the ceremony |
| Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application | Standard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date | 30 days. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Plan the ceremony date around the statutory waiting period | 24 hours. A ceremony performed before the waiting period runs is voidable; the couple should confirm the earliest lawful date directly with the clerk. | - | Before applying |
| Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period. | No state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Hold the ceremony with an authorized Louisiana officiant | La. R.S. 9:202. Make sure the officiant is qualified under the state's officiant list before the ceremony; a marriage performed by a person not authorized to solemnize is not a lawful Louisiana marriage. | - | At the ceremony |
| Have the officiant return the executed license to the clerk after the ceremony | The clerk records the marriage and issues the certified certificate; many states impose a strict return deadline (often 10 to 30 days), so the officiant should not delay. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
No state-level statute. The fee for a marriage license is set by each parish's Clerk of Court and therefore varies. Verify the current charge with the specific Louisiana clerk that will issue the license; some clerks publish the figure online and others quote it only at the counter.
A marriage ceremony. Couples who established a common-law marriage in a recognizing state and then moved to Louisiana should be aware that Louisiana courts generally honor a marriage that was validly formed elsewhere under choice-of-law principles, even when the state itself would not let the couple form one inside its borders today.
24 hours. The practical effect in Louisiana is that the license-application date has to be planned backward from the ceremony date with the waiting period built in, so applicants do not arrive at the ceremony without a usable license.
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