Louisiana State Marriage Laws 

Couples planning to tie the knot in Louisiana, also known as The Pelican State, must be at least 18 years of age and must provide a social security number, along with a valid driver’s license or other photo identification and a birth certificate when applying for a marriage license.  In addition, both the bride and groom must provide the full names of their parents, along with their mother’s maiden name and the states in which they were born.  Louisiana residents are required to observe a 72-hour waiting period, but this may be waived by a judge, while there is no waiting period for non-residents.  If either the bride or groom were previously married, a certified copy of the divorce decree or their former spouse’s death certificate must be provided. 

Individuals who are under the age of 18 and wish to be married in the state of Louisiana must have both parents present at the time an application is submitted and must also have their signatures to act as written consent.  If either parent has legal custody as a result of a divorce, a certified copy of the judgement must be provided.  Those under the age of 16 who wish to be married must first obtain a court order before obtaining a marriage license. 

The state of Louisiana does not have any residential requirements, which means you can exchange vows even if you are not a resident of the state.  Vacationers, former residents and all others are free to tie the knot in this southern state.  Once granted, a marriage license is valid for 30 days.  Application and/or marriage license fees may vary by county, which means you must check with the local courthouse regarding the actual cost and acceptable payment methods.  The average cost is $25.00 and it is advisable that applicants have cash on hand in the event that credit cards are not accepted. 

Same sex marriage is not permitted in the state of Louisiana.  Common law marriages, which are those that a state may acknowledge after a couple has lived together for a certain amount of time, are not recognized in the state.  A wedding can be officiated by a licensed ordained clergyman or a justice of the peace. 

Planning a wedding isn’t state law, but it certainly makes for a more memorable experience.  The official state flower, which is the magnolia, would be ideal for a bridal bouquet, wedding decorations, etc.  There are a number of tranquil locations, resorts and tourist destinations that would make Louisiana a wonderful choice for an upcoming wedding. 

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only.  It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal advice.  Marriage laws and requirements can change, which means that you should check with your county courthouse regarding the application process for a marriage license, laws, fees and other requirements.   

To obtain a copy of a Louisiana marriage certificate from the Orleans region, send $5.50 to: Office of Public Health, Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.  All other marriage documents can be obtained in the county where the marriage license was issued.

Louisiana Family Code

Title IV, Chapter 1 (Civil Code 86) provides information on Louisiana's' marriage laws.