Louisiana Marriage License Requirements
In Louisiana, applicants for a marriage license must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental involvement. Persons aged 16 or 17 may marry if they obtain both parental consent and judicial authorization; those under 16 are not permitted to marry. A government-issued photo ID, a certified birth certificate, and a Social Security number are required. No blood test is required as a condition of licensure.
The application process requires two witnesses who are themselves at least 18 years old. Louisiana imposes a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and marriage, though a judge may waive this requirement. Residency within the state is not required. Each parish sets its own license fee. Applicants should verify exact eligibility requirements and current procedures with their county clerk's office or the state of Louisiana's official vital statistics resources, as requirements and processes may change.
| 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 |
Confirm locally. Requirements come from public-record state law and can change. Verify with the issuing county clerk or state .gov. Informational only — not legal advice.
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