Louisiana Marriage License Fee & Waiting Period

In Louisiana, marriage license fees are set by individual parishes and therefore vary by jurisdiction. Fees typically range from approximately $27 to $55, though the exact amount depends on the specific parish clerk of court or health department issuing the license. Applicants should confirm the current fee with their issuing parish's clerk office before applying.

Louisiana imposes a 72-hour waiting period before a marriage license can be used, though this requirement may be waived by a judge in certain circumstances. In Orleans Parish, the waiting period is shortened to 24 hours. Once issued, a marriage license remains valid for 30 days and must be used for the ceremony within 72 hours of issuance. Applicants are required to provide a certified birth certificate as part of the application process.

The fee is representative. Marriage-license fees here are county-set and vary; confirm the exact, current amount on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. Informational only — not legal advice.

Where the fee is actually set

In most states the marriage-license fee is set by the county, not the legislature, so a single statewide number can be wrong for you. The license document itself is issued by the county clerk — that office’s own fee schedule is the authoritative source for the current amount and any waiting period.

Full Louisiana license guide → · Compare fee models by state →