Requirements for Obtaining a Marriage License in Orleans Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana
Application for a marriage license may be made by the bride or groom in Louisiana, as only one of the parties must be present if you have all your documents. Applicants must present the following:
1) A current driver's license, photo ID or their equivalent. (A list of other acceptable identification documents is available upon request by calling the clerk's office at (504) 368-4099 or (504) 838-5100.)
2) A certified copy of a birth certificate or a certified birth card for both parties. Louisiana residents may purchase a birth card for this purpose during business hours in the marriage office. Non-residents may apply to have this requirement waived Monday-Friday during normal business hours ONLY by a Judge of the Second City Court. A valid passport is acceptable as proof of ID and birth (items 1 and 2), but a birth certificate is preferred.
3) Applicants must provide both Social Security numbers. If no number has been issued, that person must sign a statement to that effect and must appear in person. This form is available in the marriage office and on the marriage office's web-site.
4) If either party has been divorced, s/he must provide a CERTIFIED COPY of the final divorce decree. A widow/er must provide a CERTIFIED COPY of the death certificate of the former spouse when s/he applies for a license to marry.
Application for a marriage license may be made by the bride or groom in Louisiana, as only one of the parties must be present if you have all your documents. Applicants must present the following:
1) A current driver's license, photo ID or their equivalent. (A list of other acceptable identification documents is available upon request by calling the clerk's office at (504) 368-4099 or (504) 838-5100.)
2) A certified copy of a birth certificate or a certified birth card for both parties. Louisiana residents may purchase a birth card for this purpose during business hours in the marriage office. Non-residents may apply to have this requirement waived Monday-Friday during normal business hours ONLY by a Judge of the Second City Court. A valid passport is acceptable as proof of ID and birth (items 1 and 2), but a birth certificate is preferred.
3) Applicants must provide both Social Security numbers. If no number has been issued, that person must sign a statement to that effect and must appear in person. This form is available in the marriage office and on the marriage office's web-site.
4) If either party has been divorced, s/he must provide a CERTIFIED COPY of the final divorce decree. A widow/er must provide a CERTIFIED COPY of the death certificate of the former spouse when s/he applies for a license to marry.
- A seventy-two hour waiting period is required by law between the time of issuance of the license and the ceremony. Judges of the First or Second City Courts are authorized by law to waive the waiting period for Louisiana residents and they can do this during their Monday-Friday hours of operation ONLY. If either the bride or groom is from OUT-OF-STATE, the services will occur in Orleans parish AND be performed by a registered Orleans officiant, that officiant can waive this waiting period. The waiver MUST be attached to the completed marriage certificate when it is returned to Vital Records by the officiant.
- Louisiana does not require a pre-marital medical examination or a blood test.
- Marriage under the age of eighteen (18) is prohibited by law, except as follows: Applicants over the age of sixteen (16) but less than eighteen (18) must have the signed consent of both parents, or an order from a Judge of Juvenile Court. Females under sixteen (16) will be issued a license ONLY upon the written order of the Juvenile Court Judge.
- A marriage license expires and becomes invalid at midnight thirty (30) days after the date of issuance.
- If the service is postponed, you must turn in the old license and purchase a new one.
- The licenses are valid in any parish in the State of Louisiana.
- You are encouraged to purchase one or more certified copies of your final Marriage Certificate when you apply for your license. Certified copies of a Marriage Certificate cost $5.00 + a $.50 mailing charge per transaction.
- PRICE OF A LICENSE: $27.50 (by statute $12.50 of this fee goes to the Family Violence Trust Fund) ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
