Get a Marriage License in New Orleans
Getting a marriage license in New Orleans is handled by the Louisiana Department of Health, not the Clerk of Court. New Orleans is unique in Louisiana because LDH runs the marriage license office here rather than the parish court system. You must apply in person, meet the 24-hour waiting period, and bring the right documents. This page walks you through the full process, including office locations, fees, required paperwork, and what happens after your ceremony.
New Orleans Quick Facts
Where to Get Your Marriage License
New Orleans stands apart from every other city in Louisiana. In all other parishes, the Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses. In Orleans Parish, the Louisiana Department of Health runs the marriage license office. This is a long-standing arrangement unique to Orleans Parish, and it means you go to LDH, not the courthouse, to apply.
The main office is at Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 407, New Orleans, LA 70112. A second location serves the Algiers neighborhood at the Historic Algiers Courthouse, 225 Morgan Street, Algiers. The phone number for the office is (504) 593-5100.
| Main Office | Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 407, New Orleans, LA 70112 |
|---|---|
| Algiers Location | Historic Algiers Courthouse, 225 Morgan Street, Algiers |
| Phone | (504) 593-5100 |
| Main Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:15 AM to 3:15 PM |
| Algiers Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM |
| LDH Page | ldh.la.gov - Orleans Parish Marriage License |
Both offices are closed on state holidays. The LDH official page lists any closures and is updated regularly. Always check there before you go, especially around holidays.
The New Orleans wedding planning guide's marriage license section offers practical tips for couples getting married in the city.
While not an official source, the New Orleans tourism guide can help orient couples who are planning their wedding in the city before they visit the LDH office.
Documents You Need to Bring
Both parties should be present when you apply. If one person cannot appear, their signature on the application must be separately notarized. Bring all required documents for both people. Missing documents will delay your application.
Every couple must bring:
- Driver's license, state ID, or passport for both parties
- Certified birth certificate or birth card for both parties
- Social Security numbers for both (or a valid passport and I-94 for non-US born applicants)
If you have been married before, you must also provide:
- Certified copy of the divorce decree if divorced
- Death certificate if widowed
The LDH accepts certified documents only. Plain photocopies are not accepted. If your birth certificate is from another country, it must come with a notarized translation.
The Louisiana Department of Health page on obtaining an Orleans Parish marriage license is the official guide for New Orleans couples.
The LDH page is updated regularly and is the most reliable source for current fees, hours, and document requirements.
Fees and Payment
The fee for a marriage license in New Orleans is $27.50. Payment is due when you apply. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit and debit card. If you pay in cash, you must bring the exact amount. The LDH does not make change.
Certified copies of the marriage license cost $5.00 each plus $0.50 for mailing. You may order these after your ceremony once the license has been returned and recorded. Credit and debit card payments include a non-refundable convenience fee. Fees are not refunded if the ceremony does not take place.
To be specific about the fees: charges of $27.50 are payable by cash (must contain EXACT AMOUNT), check, money order, or credit and debit card (non-refundable), plus $5 for each certified copy.
The 24-Hour Waiting Period
Louisiana law requires a 24-hour waiting period between the time your license is issued and the time your ceremony can take place. This applies in New Orleans just as it does in every other parish. The license is valid for 30 days after it is issued.
Waivers are available in some situations. First and Second City Court judges can waive the waiting period for Louisiana residents. Out-of-state couples can also get a waiver if their ceremony will take place in Orleans Parish and will be performed by an officiant who is registered in Orleans Parish. To be precise: if both parties reside outside of Louisiana and the services will occur in Orleans Parish and be performed by a registered Orleans officiant, that officiant can waive this waiting period.
If you are from out of state and your officiant is not registered in Orleans Parish, the waiver does not apply. Plan ahead and allow time for the full waiting period unless you have confirmed your waiver eligibility in advance.
Age Requirements and Restrictions
Both parties must be at least 16 years old to marry in Louisiana. Anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting a marriage license. Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old need both parental consent and authorization from a judge. This process takes extra time, so minors should start well before their planned ceremony date.
There is no maximum age limit. Anyone who is 18 or older applies as an adult without additional documentation beyond the standard requirements.
Covenant Marriage in New Orleans
Louisiana offers a covenant marriage option. This is a stronger legal commitment that limits the grounds for divorce and separation. Couples who choose covenant marriage must complete premarital counseling with a licensed counselor or clergy member and sign a Declaration of Intent.
You declare covenant marriage at the time you apply for your license. Tell the LDH staff that you want a covenant marriage and they will provide the required declaration form. Covenant marriage is a voluntary choice. Most couples choose the standard marriage. Either option is fully legal in Louisiana.
After the Ceremony: Certified Copies
After your ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the LDH within a set time. Once the license is processed and recorded, you can order certified copies as proof of your marriage.
The Orleans Parish Civil District Court Clerk website maintains civil court records for the parish including recorded marriage documents.
After your ceremony, the officiant files the signed license with the LDH, and certified copies can be ordered through LDH or the Civil District Clerk.
Each certified copy costs $5.00. You may order by mail or in person. Many couples order two or three copies since banks, employers, and government agencies often each want their own copy. Once issued, certified copies are legal proof of marriage throughout Louisiana and in other states.
Statewide Rules That Apply in New Orleans
A few statewide rules are worth knowing. No blood test is required in Louisiana. The license you get in New Orleans is valid for any ceremony held anywhere in Louisiana, not just in New Orleans. You do not have to be a Louisiana resident to get a marriage license here.
Under RS 9:242, the 24-hour waiting period is set by state law. Under RS 9:206, the license is valid for 30 days. Under RS 9:222, a license issued in any parish is valid statewide. The eClerks Louisiana marriage license resource at eclerksla.com also provides general information on the marriage license process across the state.
Orleans Parish Marriage License
New Orleans is in Orleans Parish, and all marriage licenses for the city are issued through the Orleans Parish LDH office. For full details on the parish-level process, documents, fees, and related resources, visit the Orleans Parish marriage license page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near New Orleans also have their own marriage license information pages.