Detailed Louisiana Wedding Law Notes
These notes summarize state marriage-license, ceremony, witness, and officiant guidance for the new map experience.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent and age-gap restrictions)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Affidavit and Ordination Credential (varies by parish)
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Clerk of Courts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 24 Hours
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days
Couples must be 18+ to marry. Minors 16–17 can marry with guardian consent, provided their partner is no more than three years older.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $20–$40 (varies by parish)
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued ID and Birth Certificate
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent and age-gap restrictions)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Affidavit and Ordination Credential (varies by parish)
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Clerk of Courts
Couples must complete a sworn application before a notary or deputy clerk, providing personal details, parent names, and proof of eligibility to marry (e.g., divorce decree, guardian consent). Military ID may allow one partner to apply on behalf of the other.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 24 Hours
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $20–$40 (varies by parish)
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued ID and Birth Certificate
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent and age-gap restrictions)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Marriage licenses are valid statewide for 30 days. The ceremony cannot take place within 24 hours of license issuance.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Affidavit and Ordination Credential (varies by parish)
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Clerk of Courts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 24 Hours
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $20–$40 (varies by parish)
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued ID and Birth Certificate
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
Ministers must file an affidavit with their name, denomination, and address in the parish where the ceremony will be held before officiating. Ministers should carry ordination credentials as some parishes may request them.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent and age-gap restrictions)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Affidavit and Ordination Credential (varies by parish)
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Clerk of Courts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 24 Hours
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $20–$40 (varies by parish)
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued ID and Birth Certificate
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
Both members of the couple must be physically present during the ceremony, along with two adult witnesses and a qualified officiant. The ceremony must include the couple’s free consent and the minister’s pronouncement.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent and age-gap restrictions)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Affidavit and Ordination Credential (varies by parish)
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Clerk of Courts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 24 Hours
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $20–$40 (varies by parish)
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued ID and Birth Certificate
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
The officiant must complete all required forms, including the marriage certificate with the date, location, and witness signatures. The documents must be returned to the issuing clerk within 10 days.