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How to Get a Marriage License in Louisiana

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Marriage license Laws in the state of Louisiana, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Louisiana marriage laws before filling out the Louisiana marriage license form.

In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

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ID Requirement: Picture ID such as a driver's license along with
a certified copy of your birth certificates. You should know your Social Security numbers. You should both also know your parent's full name, mother's maiden name, and the states in which you were born.

Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Louisiana.

Waiting Period: 72 hours. The waiting period can be waived by
a judge.

Covenant Marriage: Both parties must apply in person for this license, and premarital counseling is required.

If Divorced: If previously married, you will need to show proof of how the marriage ended, I.E.; a divorce judgment or a death certificate. These must be certified copies.

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Fees: $25+ They vary from parish to parish. Some will only take cash.

Other Tests: No blood test requirement.

Under 18: If either party to the marriage is between the ages of 16 and 18, the presence and signatures of both parents are required. If a parent has legal custody in a divorce, a certified copy of the judgement must be presented. If either party is under the age of 16, a court order is required in order to obtain a license.

Proxy Marriages: Both parties need not be present (unless contracting a covenant marriage), but one of the parties must be present to apply for a marriage license. That party must present identification, for the absent party, in the form of a certified birth certificate.

Miscellaneous: Louisiana has passed a Covenant Marriage Act.

Officiants: Ministers of the gospel or priests of any denomination in regular communion with any religious society may perform marriages. Ministers must register with the clerk of the district court of the parish or with the health department if in New Orleans. After performing a marriage, the minister must complete a marriage certificate and return it to the clerk of the district court.

Valid: License is valid for 30 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Louisiana.

It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

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To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.

Louisiana Parishes Office

Acadia Parish Crowley, LA 318.788.8881	Allen Parish Oberlin, LA 318.639.4351	Ascension Parish Donaldsonville, LA 225.473.9866
Assumption Parish Napoleonville, LA 504.369.6653	Avoyelles Parish Marksville, LA 318.253.7523	Beauregard Parish De Ridder, LA 318.463.8595
Bienville Parish Arcadia, LA 318.263.2123	Bossier Parish Benton, LA 318.965.2336	Caddo Parish Shreveport, LA 318.226.6780
Calcasieu Parish Lake Charles, LA 318.437.3550	Caldwell Parish Columbia, LA 318.649.2272	Catahoula Parish Harrisonburg, LA 318.744.5497
Claiborne Parish Homer, LA 318.927.9601	Concordia Parish Vidalia, LA 318.757.8638	De Soto Parish Clerk Manfield, LA 318.872.3110
East Baton Rouge Parish Baton Rouge, LA 225.389.5647	East Carroll Parish Lake Providence, LA 318.559.2399	East Felicianna Parish Clinton, LA 225.634.5623
Evangeline Parish Clark Ville Platte, LA 318.363.5671	Franklin Parish Winnsboro, LA 318.435.5133	Grant Parish Colfax, LA 318.627.3246
Iberia Parish New Iberia, LA 318.365.7282	Iberville Parish Plaquemine, LA 225.687.5160	Jackson Parish Jonesboro, LA 318.259.2424
Jefferson Davis Parish Jennings, LA 318.824.1160	Jefferson Parish Clerk Gretna, LA 504.364.2900	La Salle Parish Jena, LA 318.992.2158
Lafayette Parish Lafayette, LA 318.233.0150	Lafourche Parish Thibodaux, LA 504.447.4841	Lincoln Parish Ruston, LA 318.251.5130
Livingston Parish Livingston, LA 504.686.2216	Madison Parish Tallulah, LA 318.574.0655	Morehouse Parish Bastrop, LA 318.281.3343
Natchitoches Parish Natchitoches, LA 318.352.8152	Orleans Parish New Orleans, LA 504.568.5182	Ouachita Parish Monroe, LA 318.323.8441
Plaquemines Parish Pointe-A-La-Hache, LA 504.333.4343	Pointe Coupee Parish New Road, LA 504.638.9596	Rapides Parish Alexandria, LA 318.473.8153
Red River Parish Coushatta, LA 318.932.6741	Richland Parish Rayville, LA 318.728.4171	Sabine Parish Many, LA 318.256.6223
St. Bernard Parish Chalmette, LA 504.271.3434	St. Charles Parish Hahnville, LA 504.783.6632	St. Helena Parish Greenburg, LA 504.222.4514
St. James Parish Convent, LA 504.562.7496	St. John Parish Edgard, LA 504.651.6955	St. Martin Parish St Martinville, LA 318.394.210
St. Mary Parish Franklin, LA 318.828.4100	St. Tammany Parish Covington, LA 504.646.4120	Tanggipahoa Parish Amite, LA 504.748.4146
Tensas Parish St Joseph, LA 318.766.3921	Terrebonne Parish Houma, LA 504.868.5660	Union Parish Farmerville, LA 318.368.3055
Vermilion Parish Abbeville, LA 318.898.1992	Vernon Parish Leesville, LA 318.238.1384	Washington Parish Franklinton, LA 504.839.4663
Webster Parish Minden, LA 318.371.0366	West Baton Rouge Parish Port Allen, LA 504.383.0378	West Carroll Parish Oak Grove, LA 318.428.3281
West Feliciana Parish St Francisville, LA 504.635.3794	Winn Parish Winnfield, LA 318.628.3515

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