State guide
Louisiana
Louisiana issues marriage licenses through the clerk of court in each parish, except Orleans Parish, where the state registrar of vital records or a city-court judge may issue the license. The state keeps a 24-hour delay, requires two adult witnesses at the ceremony, and generally treats the license as valid for 30 days statewide. ([legis.la.gov](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=106990&utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who issues licenses
- Clerk of court in each parish; in Orleans Parish, the state registrar of vital records or a city-court judge
- Waiting period
- 24 hours
- License valid for
- 30 days
- Witnesses
- 2 required
- License fee
- $27.50 published by Orleans Parish LDH; Jefferson Parish also publishes $27.50
- Friend or one-day officiant
- No one-day temporary officiant designation was found in the official sources reviewed; Louisiana instead requires authorized religious officiants to register, and Orleans has a narrow nonresident waiver rule. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=106889&utm_source=openai))
Official resources in Louisiana
State marriage overview, including Orleans Parish licensing links and covenant-marriage information. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/page/marriage?utm_source=openai))
Statute on who issues marriage licenses in Louisiana and the Orleans Parish exception. ([legis.la.gov](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=106990&utm_source=openai))
Statute stating a marriage license is valid for 30 days. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107076&utm_source=openai))
Official Orleans Parish requirements page with fee, waiting period, and waiver details. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/page/644?_fbp=fb.1.1760918400090.671676412933109142&utm_source=openai))
Key facts for Louisiana
- In most parishes, the clerk of court issues licenses; in Orleans Parish, the state registrar or a city-court judge may issue them. ([legis.la.gov](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=106990&utm_source=openai))
- Louisiana has a 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107088&utm_source=openai))
- A Louisiana marriage license is valid for 30 days from issuance. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107076&utm_source=openai))
- Two competent witnesses of full age must be present at the ceremony. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=107105&utm_source=openai))
- Religious officiants must register with the parish clerk of court, or with the state registrar for Orleans Parish. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=106889&utm_source=openai))
- Orleans Parish publishes a $27.50 marriage-license fee; Jefferson Parish also publishes $27.50. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/page/644?_fbp=fb.1.1760918400090.671676412933109142&utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- If you are marrying outside Orleans, check the parish clerk of court that will issue your license before gathering documents. ([legis.la.gov](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=106990&utm_source=openai))
- Plan around the 24-hour delay unless you qualify for a waiver; Orleans has a specific nonresident-officiant waiver path. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107088&utm_source=openai))
- Bring or arrange two adult witnesses before the ceremony date. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=107105&utm_source=openai))
Helpful guides
- How to get married at the courthouse
- What to bring when you apply for a marriage license
- Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates
- Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?