How to Get a Marriage License in Louisiana
Louisiana marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- varies by parish (~$27-$55; Clerk of Court / New Orleans Health Dept)
- Waiting period
- 72 hours (24 hours in Orleans Parish; waivable by judge)
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
This row is flagged for re-verification on publish (county-set fee and/or a statute section still being pinned).
In Louisiana, individuals seeking a marriage license must apply at their parish's Clerk of Court office, or in Orleans Parish through the Health Department. The fee varies by parish and typically ranges from approximately $27 to $55; applicants should confirm the exact fee with their specific parish clerk's office or on the parish's official webpage before applying. Louisiana imposes a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and the marriage ceremony, though this period may be reduced to 24 hours in Orleans Parish or waived entirely by a judge in certain circumstances. The marriage license remains valid for 30 days from issuance.
To obtain a marriage license, applicants must present a government-issued photo ID, a certified birth certificate, and provide their Social Security number. Louisiana requires applicants to be at least 18 years old to marry without consent. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with both parental consent and judicial authorization; marriage is not permitted for anyone under 16. Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must be present at the ceremony. Applicants should verify current eligibility requirements, fees, required documents, and procedures with their parish Clerk of Court or the official parish website, as rules and fees may change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by parish (~$27-$55; Clerk of Court / New Orleans Health Dept) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | 72 hours (24 hours in Orleans Parish; waivable by judge) |
| License validity | 30 days (license valid for the marriage; ceremony 72 hrs after issuance) |
| ID required | government photo ID; certified birth certificate; SSN |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent AND judicial authorization; under 16 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 2 witnesses (18+) |
| Online option | no statewide online option; parish-administered (LA uses parishes, not counties) |
| Where to apply | Clerk of Court (parish); Orleans Parish via the Health Dept (parish-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Louisiana requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Louisiana marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.