Marriage license · Louisiana
How to Get a Marriage License in Louisiana
Everything Louisiana couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $27.50 |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 72 hours (waivable by judge) |
| License valid for | 30 days |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| ID required | Photo ID + birth certificate + Social Security card |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 |
| Apply online | No — in person only |
| Where to apply | Any parish Clerk of Court |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Louisiana, you apply at any parish clerk of court.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id + birth certificate + social security card for both partners.
- Apply in person. Most Louisiana offices charge $27.50 per license.
- Wait the required 72 hours (waivable by judge). You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 30 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Louisiana?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Louisiana license is good for 30 days and can't be used until 72 hours (waivable by judge) after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any parish clerk of court. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Louisiana. |
| Earliest you can apply | 30 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 72 hours (waivable by judge) wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 72 hours (waivable by judge) wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Louisiana
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Louisiana couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $27.50 |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Louisiana
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Louisiana driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Louisiana couples make
- Applying too early. A Louisiana license expires after 30 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 72 hours (waivable by judge) wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Assuming you can apply online. Louisiana requires an in-person visit, and many offices need both partners present.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Louisiana before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Louisiana
Birth certificate is required, not just photo ID.
Wedding costs in Louisiana
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Louisiana metros:
- Average wedding cost in New Orleans — $38,000 average, $165 per guest
Common questions specific to Louisiana
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Louisiana?
- In Louisiana the marriage license fee is $27.50. Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Louisiana?
- Yes — Louisiana requires a 72 hours (waivable by judge) waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Louisiana marriage license valid?
- A Louisiana marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Louisiana?
- No — Louisiana requires both applicants to apply in person.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Louisiana?
- Yes — Louisiana requires 2 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Louisiana?
- No — Louisiana does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Louisiana?
- Yes. Louisiana issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any parish clerk of court and allow for the 72 hours (waivable by judge) waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Louisiana it costs $27.50 and is valid for 30 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Louisiana?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Louisiana DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states