We discuss a lot of the ins and outs of planning a wedding. From the engagement to saying, “I Do,” we have you covered. But no amount of wedding trends and bridal show reporting will make a difference if a couple doesn’t obtain the one thing they need to actually get married.
One of the items to cross of the list of to-do is a complete breakdown of how to obtain a marriage license in both Orleans Parish and in Jefferson Parish.
To some, this may seem a daunting task, but as long as you have a few of the key items that prove you are a living person according to the government, you should be OK.
Orleans Parish
To obtain a marriage license in Orleans Parish, both parties must present the following when requesting a license:
- Application to Obtain an Orleans Parish Marriage License (which can be done at the moment of applying or by the couple before)
- A current driver’s license, state-issued ID or up-to-date passport.
- Certified birth certificates or birth cards for both parties (If not born in the US or US territories and a certified birth certificate cannot be produced, a waiver must be presented in accordance with LA R.S. 9:228.)
- Social security cards for each (If not born in the US or US territories, the applicant(s) must present a valid passport from their country of birth or a visa with I-94 form attached.)
- Copy of final divorce decree if one or both of the parties have previously been divorced.
- Certified copy of death certificate if one or both involved are a widow/widower.
There is a fee to obtain a marriage license in Orleans Parish, which is $27.50, as well as a $5 fee for each additional copy of the marriage certificate that is desired.
Once approved for a marriage license in Orleans Parish, there is a 24-hour waiting period required by law between the issuing of the license and the official ceremony.
This waiting period can, however, be waived by the judges of the First or Second City Courts, who officiate the weddings, as well as a registered Orleans officiant if both parties reside outside of Louisiana and the services will occur in Orleans Parish by said registered Orleans officiant.
The Orleans Parish Marriage License office is located at Benson Tower at 1450 Poydras St. and is open from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, click here.
Jefferson Parish.
The slightly larger younger sibling to Orleans Parish requires almost the same number of documents as New Orleans.
To obtain a marriage license in Jefferson Parish, a couple will need to present the following:
- Identification
- Valid and unexpired driver’s license OR
- Government issued ID card (ID issued by OMV, Passport ID card, Government
Agency ID, Public University) OR - Valid and unexpired passport from country of birth OR
- Unexpired visa with form I-94 issued by the U.S
- Signatures Required on Application
- Both parties must appear and sign before the deputy clerk OR
Appearing party signs before deputy clerk and other party signed before a notary OR
Both parties signed before a notary public OR - One party signs application before notary or deputy clerk, with order from judge or
justice of the peace in Jefferson Parish allowing for only one signature - Military exception – individual appearing attaches a copy of the other party’s military
ID and only appearing party needs to sign application.
- Both parties must appear and sign before the deputy clerk OR
- Status of Previous Marriage (if applicable)
- Must have date of previous divorce, death, or annulment (legal, not church)
- Photocopy of Judgment of Divorce, Certificate of Death, or Judgment of Annulment
- Social Security Numbers
- Must have Social Security numbers of both parties OR
- Valid and unexpired passport from the country of birth OR
- Unexpired visa with Form I-94 issued by U.S.
- Waiver obtained pursuant to La. C.C.P. Art. 74.3.1
- Birth Certificates
- Born in Louisiana – certified copy of each party’s birth certificate (short form
acceptable) OR Order waiving birth certificate(s) WITH letter from proper registration
authority, with raised seal or stamp, thorough search made but no birth record found - Born outside Louisiana but in a U.S. state or territory – certified copy of each party’s
birth certificate OR Order waiving birth certificate(s) WITH letter from proper
registration authority, with raised seal or stamp, thorough search made but no birth
record found - VO v. GEE EXCEPTION – for party born outside U.S. or its territories, who is a
NATURALIZED U.S. citizen – Certificate of Naturalization by U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Authority - Born outside U.S. or its territories and not a naturalized citizen of the U.S. – certified
birth certificate AND valid and unexpired passport OR unexpired visa accompanied
by Form I-94 issued by U.S. - If birth certificate is not printed in English, party shall also submit a translation which
contains sworn declaration of the translator that translator is fluent in the language of
the original birth certificate and of the translation, and that the translation is a true
and accurate representation of the original.
- Born in Louisiana – certified copy of each party’s birth certificate (short form
- Fee (Cash, debit/credit card, money order, personal check, certified or cashiers check)
Like any parish in Louisiana, there is a 24-hour waiting period between the obtaining of the license and the official ceremony, but it can be waived by a district judge or justice of the peace authorized to perform the marriage.
There is a $27.50 fee for obtaining a marriage license in Jefferson Parish, plus a $10 fee for any additional copy required. The fee can be paid by cash, debit or credit card, money order, personal checks, or certified or cashiers checks.
The parish notes on the website that there is a new option to complete the application online and save time at the courthouse. The application can be accessed here and will also have requirements listed for obtaining a license.
The Marriage License Department can be contacted at (504) 364-2922 or (504) 364-2923 (West Bank) OR (504) 736-6390 (East Bank) or by emailing marriageinfo@jpclerkofcourt.us for more information. Office hours are 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.
There is additional information on Jefferson Parish Justices of the Peace, as well as police escorts for second lines or transportation to and from a ceremony and reception and any “genealogists” looking for marriage licenses pre 1951 here.
For each parish, you must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a marriage license without special judicial consent.
No matter your ceremony or reception details, each couple in the immediate Greater New Orleans area must go through a few legal hoops to official call your partner a spouse. So, get that on your to-do list and know that it’s as simple as these steps we’ve provided.
