Request a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate. R.S. Both people in the couple are needed to appear in person to fill out the application. It establishes the legal validity of your marriage. ... Search the Orleans Parish Marriage Records Index Database through the Secretary of State and order certified copies of marriage licenses for marriages that took place in Orleans Parish more than 50 years from the end of the current calendar year. The license is good for 30 days anywhere in Louisiana. Cash, debit or credit card, money order, personal checks, or certified or cashiers checks are accepted forms of payment. You can get married in any parish in Louisiana, but your marriage license will expire after 30 days. Renew your Louisiana driver’s license online through the Office of Motor Vehicles. Get in touch for more information about the application process. Find the list of requirements for a marriage license application at Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court in Louisiana. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.​​ It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or parish clerk before making any wedding or travel plans. A covenant marriage may be terminated by divorce only upon one of the exclusive grounds enumerated in R.S. Please Schedule An Appointment Below. Don't let the marriage license laws of Louisiana put a dent in your wedding plans. Marriage records for all other Louisiana parishes must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the marriage license was issued. Some locales will only take cash, so don't leave home without it. A Minister of the Gospel, Judge or Justice of the Peace may perform the ceremony. LOUISIANA RESIDENTS – 24-hour waiting period may be waived by a First or Second City Court Judge. If you wait any longer, you should return to the clerk’s office to return the marriage license. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Apply for a Marriage License in Massachusetts, Applying for a Marriage License in Arkansas. Marriage Licenses obtained in East Baton Rouge Parish are valid only for ceremonies performed in Louisiana; however, applicants do not need to be Louisiana residents. Louisiana Marriage License Requirements If you're getting married in the state of Louisiana you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state parish clerk office. To fulfill the requirements to receive a marriage license in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, both applicants need to be single, and at least 18 years of age. Marriages between first cousins are not allowed. She's the co-author of The Everything Great Marriage Book. The program, sponsored by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, is available to females who have resided in West Baton Rouge Parish for the previous five years prior to their marriage. Marriage records for marriages that occurred in the Orleans Parish from 1957 to present are available form the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. Orleans Parish Marriage Licenses may also be purchased at the Second City Court of New Orleans in the Historic Algiers Courthouse at 225 Morgan Street in Algiers. Louisiana does not have a blood test requirement. Louisiana has a covenant marriage option, which makes it harder to obtain a divorce. Sheri Stritof has written about marriage and relationships for 20+ years. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. You should know your Social Security numbers. C. A covenant marriage terminates only for one of the causes enumerated in Civil Code Article 101. If you've just set a date for your wedding, this can be an exciting time for the two of you! Select a service 2. Apply for your official Louisiana Marriage certificate forms online. Proxy marriages, in which one or both members of the couple are not physically present, are not allowed. A Marriage License expires 30 days from the date of issue. We recommend getting this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your wedding date. Orleans Parish marriage records older than 50 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives. ... County where the marriage license was issued Request a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate                                 Apply for a Marriage License. The waiting period between getting your marriage license and having your wedding ceremony is 24 hours. Louisiana has issued marriage licenses for same-sex marriages since July 2, 2015, in accordance with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that applies nationwide. The application for a marriage license and the declaration of intent shall be filed with the official who issues the marriage license. A 72 hour waiting period between time of issuance of the Marriage License and the ceremony applies. These must be certified copies. The waiting period for state residents can be waived by a judge. The marriage will be recorded in the parish where the marriage … The license is good throughout Louisiana so you do not need to apply in the parish where the wedding will actually take place. The fees vary from parish to parish in Louisiana. You do not have to be a resident of Louisiana. Orleans Parish marriage records older than 50 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives. Photocopies of marriage licenses are delivered by mail for $5 each, and certified copies are delivered by mail for $10 each. A marriage license may be issued in any parish, regardless of which parish in Louisiana the ceremony is to be performed. For further assistance or questions, please contact our Marriage License Department at (985) 748-4146. In order to be legally married in the state of Louisiana, you must obtain all of the proper documentation. This intent to designate their marriage a Covenant Marriage must be filed with the official who issued their marriage license and with whom the marriage certificate of the couple is filed. The Natchitoches Parish Marriage License, located in Natchitoches, LA, processes marriage license applications and issues marriage licenses. Birth Death Marriage Support. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in … In Louisiana, there is no waiting period after the end of a marriage to apply for a new marriage license. 1. It'll cost you about $27.50, and you'll have to use it within 30 days. Out-of-state couples can get married in New Orleans without the 72-hour wait required for locals. Pursuant to applicable Louisiana Statutes, only one party is required to come in to purchase the marriage license. State and parish marriage license requirements often change. Marriage Licenses are valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issuance. Your marriage license is one of the most important documents you will purchase during your lifetime. There are many different reasons you might need access to your marriage records someday. However, when applying for the license, both parties need not be present unless they want to sign up for a covenant marriage. You can ascertain which documents, identification, and other legal papers are accepted regardless of your location. Marriage Licenses are issued from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday except for legal holidays, at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse located at 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, La 70501. Licenses are issued between 9:00 a.m. … You may also view information regarding Covenant Marriages. You can search the Orleans Parish Marriage Records Index Database and order certified copies of marriage licenses for marriages that took place in Orleans Parish more than 50 years from the end of the current calendar year. The license is only valid for ceremonies performed in the State of Louisiana. A marriage license may be issued in any parish in Louisiana, regardless of where the ceremony is to be performed or where the parties reside (RS 9:222). You must obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree by contacting the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted. The marriage license is valid for 30 days. Your Louisiana marriage license is issued at the parish level by the Clerk of Court. Yes, in order to legally marry, you and your fiance must obtain a marriage license before you wed. Often required for joint taxes, insurance, social security benefits, or other vital records. How to obtain a copy of marriage license in Louisiana . Marriage Licenses are valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issuance. Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office in Louisiana before the time limit is reached. Disaster Recovery Information for State and Local Agencies Report damaged or destroyed records (Only State and Local Government Agencies) You return the marriage license to the parish where the license was issued so that it can be recorded. Both of you must apply in person for this license, attend premarital counseling, and you both must sign a declaration of intent witnessed by a notary. Once you have a license, you are free to use it to get married anywhere in the state of Louisiana. If a waiver is required, there will be an additional fee of $4.00 per waiver. If previously married, you will need to show proof of how the marriage ended, such as with a divorce judgment or a death certificate. While marriage licenses may be obtained from any parish Clerk of Court’s office throughout the state of Louisiana, West Baton Rouge Parish is unique in its offering of the Poydras Fund dowry. For example, in New Orleans (Orleans Parish) and Baton Rouge, (East Baton Rouge Parish), you can apply online for a marriage license. Louisiana requires you wait 24 hours before getting married. Vital Records Registry1450 Poydras, #400New Orleans, LA 70012Ofc phone: (504) 593-5100. The Louisiana Vital Records Registry can not issue a certified copy of a divorce decree. However, previous marriages must be disclosed and Louisiana requires certified proof of the end of previous marriages in the form of a divorce decree or death certificate. The Marriage License Office also records marriage certificates in Natchitoches and maintains marriage records. Fill out forms 3. Louisiana requires that you provide a picture ID such as a driver's license along with a certified copy of your birth certificates. Either the bride or groom must be present to apply for a marriage license. Applications for marriage licenses should be filed with Clerk of Court of any parish in the state. Louisiana has issued marriage licenses for same-sex marriages since July 2, 2015, in accordance with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that applies nationwide. It expires 30 days from the date of issuance. Licenses obtained in Louisiana may only be used in Louisiana. The license must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the ceremony. Marriage licenses valid for a set number of days, and there may be a waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license in Louisiana and when the ceremony may be legally performed in Louisiana. Under Louisiana law, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains Orleans Parish marriage records for 50 years. Louisiana Marriage Licenses are issued by the office of the Clerk of Court in each parish. A certified birth certificate must be presented for the absent partner. Under Louisiana law, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains Orleans Parish marriage records for 50 years. If you are getting married in Orleans Parish, you may view information on how to register an officiant and obtain a license. If either party to the marriage is between the ages of 16 and 18, the presence and signatures of both parents are required. Cost of a marriage license in both these Parishes is $27.50, plus $5 for a certified copy. The marriage license fee in Louisiana is $25-35, varying by parish and is required at the time of application. Here's what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply for a Louisiana marriage license. Once you obtain your license, you can marry anywhere in the state. Many of these marriage records are available to the public. The fee for obtaining a marriage license is $27.50. Get our free wedding checklist when you sign up for our newsletter. FEES: $27.50 in cash for the license $10.00 in cash for Notary fee if necessary The Louisiana Secretary of State’s website contains online public vital records that include death records, marriage records, divorce records, and more vital records in the state of Louisiana. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. This overturned the state constitutional amendment of September 18, 2004 that banned same-sex marriages and civil unions. Purposes Of Louisiana Marriage Records. The completed license must always be filed in the parish where it was purchased. A 24 hour waiting period between time of issuance of the Marriage License and the ceremony applies. Getting a Louisiana Marriage License: The Basics. Marriage Waiting Period Louisiana: There is a 24-hour waiting period between the time of issuance of the license and the ceremony. Any ordained or licensed clergymen who have registered with the clerk of the district court of the parish or with the health department if in New Orleans, and justices of the peace. 9:307. Forms: You must obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree by contacting the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted. Louisiana Vital Records Registry (Louisiana Vital Records) issues certified copies of Louisiana birth certificates and Louisiana death certificates for events that occurred within the State of Louisiana, and Louisiana marriage records for marriage licenses that were purchased in Orleans Parish. The waiting period can be waived by a district judge or justice of the peace in the parish where the license was issued. If either party is under the age of 16, a court order is required in order to obtain a license. A certified copy of a marriage license is $10.00 (La. You’ll need to purchase a new one if you want to get married in Louisiana. A certified copy of both birth certificates will be required to obtain a marriage license. Marriage licenses are handed down by the clerk of court of any Louisiana parish, except for Orleans Parish where it's distributed by the state registrar of vital records or a city court judge. Requirements may vary as each parish in Louisiana could have their own requirements. The licenses are valid in any parish in the State of Louisiana. Get your official Louisiana Marriage certificates online for birth or death certificate, joint taxes, insurance, social security benefits. A 24-hour waiting period is required by law between the time of issuance of the marriage license and the ceremony. 13:841). Marriage Licenses obtained in East Baton Rouge Parish are valid only for ceremonies performed in Louisiana; however, applicants do not need to be Louisiana residents. You should both also know your parent's full name, mother's maiden name, and the states in which you were born. 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