👰🎺 Beignets, Brass Bands, and 'I Do': Your Epic Guide to Getting Hitched in New Orleans! ⚜️
Yo, listen up! You’ve decided to tie the knot, and you’re aiming for the most lit spot in the whole country—New Orleans, Louisiana! Smart move, fam. Forget those dull, cookie-cutter ceremonies; NOLA is where the party is, where the history is thick like gumbo, and where your wedding can be truly, utterly epic. But hold your horses, because before you can second-line down Bourbon Street with a brass band trailing behind you, you gotta handle the paperwork. It’s not as exciting as catching Mardi Gras beads, but trust me, getting that marriage license squared away is clutch.
We’re gonna break down this whole shebang into a step-by-step master plan. We’re talking about going from zero to certified married in the most colorful city in the South. Get ready to dive deep, because we’re leaving no stone unturned. This is your ultimate playbook for a legal, laughter-filled, and legend-making New Orleans wedding!
Step 1: Getting That Golden Ticket (The Marriage License)
This is the non-negotiable first base. You can't start the party without an invite, and in this case, the marriage license is the official invite to your own wedding. You need to head to the Orleans Parish Marriage Office, which is currently chillin’ in the Benson Tower downtown. Don't try to roll up to the French Quarter expecting a marriage office, you’ll just end up with a Hurricane cocktail and no license.
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| Can I Get Married In New Orleans |
1.1 Who Needs to Show Up?
Both of y’all! Unless one of you is serving in the U.S. armed forces or there's some seriously extenuating circumstance, you both gotta be there in person. This isn’t a Netflix-and-chill situation; you gotta put on real pants and show face. If one of you absolutely can’t make it, your signature on the application needs to be separately notarized—it's a whole process, so honestly, just go together. Make a date out of it!
1.2 The Docs You Can't Forget (No Cap!)
You need to bring the goods, and I mean the certified goods. Photocopies are straight-up not going to fly here, so don't even try that amateur move.
Valid Photo ID: A current driver’s license, a state ID, or your passport. Keep it current, folks.
Certified Birth Certificates: This is key. It needs to be a certified copy, not some printout from your mom's photo album. If the document isn't in English, you’ll need a certified translation—duh!
Social Security Numbers (SSN): If you were born in the U.S., you need to know your SSN. You don't need the card, just the number. If you’re international, a valid passport or visa with an I-94 form is your equivalent.
Proof of Previous Marriages (If Applicable): Did you get divorced? Bummer, but you need a certified copy of the final divorce decree. Are you a widow/widower? You’ll need a certified copy of the death certificate of your former spouse. No skipping this part; it's the real deal.
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
1.3 Money Talks: The Fees
The fees are usually around $27.50 for the license in Orleans Parish, but this can change, so always check the Louisiana Department of Health website to be sure. You'll likely need to pay by cash, check, or money order—sometimes credit/debit cards are accepted, but don't risk it; have the greenbacks ready. Oh, and if you want certified copies of your marriage certificate sent to you later (which you totally do for name changes and everything else), those are typically an extra $5.00 a pop. Spend the five bucks, dude.
Step 2: The Waiting Game (It's Not a Marathon, But Still...)
So you got the license, you paid the piper. You’re not quite ready to walk down the aisle yet. Louisiana has a little pause button called the waiting period.
2.1 The Big 24-Hour Rule
By law, there’s a 24-hour waiting period between when your license is issued and when your ceremony can legally take place. This is to stop you from making a hella impulsive, whiskey-fueled decision after a night in the French Quarter. Breathe, people!
2.2 Waiving the Wait: The Local Hookup
Now, here’s where being a tourist (or just planning ahead) can work out.
If you’re a Louisiana resident: You can get a judge from the First or Second City Courts to waive the 24-hour wait. That's a solid local advantage!
If you’re from out-of-state and your officiant is registered in Orleans Parish: Boom! Your registered officiant can waive the waiting period. This is super common for destination weddings. Just make sure the waiver is attached to the completed certificate when it's sent back. This is your pro-tip!
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
Step 3: Finding Your Officiant and Witnesses
The license is just a permit; now you need the people who make it official.
3.1 Who Can Vibe as Your Officiant?
Your ceremony needs to be performed by someone legally authorized to do so. This includes:
Ministers or clergy members of any religious sect.
Judges or Justices of the Peace.
Registered Officiants (especially important if you're non-residents looking to skip that waiting period).
Make sure they are registered with the Clerk of Court in the parish where they’ll do the deed. Don't let your buddy with an online certification think they can do it without checking the local NOLA requirements. Louisiana is strict on this, and you don’t want to find out after the fact your marriage is invalid. That’s a major L.
3.2 Picking Your Witnesses (Two is the Magic Number)
You need two competent witnesses present at the ceremony. They have to be old enough to understand what they are witnessing (no specific age is stated, but typically 16 or 18 is a safe bet) and they need to sign the marriage certificate. Pick two people who are reliable and won’t lose the pen! This is one of the easiest parts of the process, honestly.
Step 4: The "I Do" and the Big Send-Off
You’ve got the license, the waiting is over (or waived), the officiant is ready, and your witnesses are standing by. Time to get married, buttercup!
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
4.1 The Ceremony and Signing
Have your awesome, unique New Orleans ceremony. Maybe it’s in a lush courtyard, maybe it's on a balcony, or maybe it’s a full-on Second Line parade complete with parasols and a brass band. Whatever it is, do your thing! Right after, or as part of it, the marriage license must be signed by:
The happy couple (that's you!)
The two competent witnesses.
The authorized officiant.
Pro-Tip: Use a dark, non-erasable ink, like black ink. Don't be the couple who uses a neon pink gel pen and messes up the official document.
4.2 The Return of the Docs
Your officiant is the one responsible for this crucial step. They have to return the signed marriage certificate to the same office where the license was issued—the Clerk of Court in Orleans Parish—no later than 10 days after your ceremony. This is the final step to make it legally legit. Once it's processed, the original is mailed out to you. This is when you can officially change your Facebook status!
FAQ Questions and Answers
Can I get married in New Orleans if I am not a resident of Louisiana?
Absolutely! New Orleans is a prime spot for destination weddings. All the same rules apply, but non-residents can often get the mandatory 24-hour waiting period waived if their ceremony is in Orleans Parish and performed by a registered Orleans officiant. Easy peasy.
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
What is the cost of a marriage license in Orleans Parish, New Orleans?
The fee for the marriage license itself is generally around $27.50, payable by cash, check, or money order. You'll want to add about $5.00 for each certified copy of the final marriage certificate you request. Always call ahead to confirm the exact fee, because nobody likes surprise costs!
Do I need to get a blood test to get married in Louisiana?
Nah, dude. Louisiana does not require a blood test to get a marriage license. You can skip that awkward visit to the lab!
How long is the New Orleans marriage license valid for?
Once issued, your license is only valid for thirty (30) days. You need to have your ceremony within that timeframe, or you’ll have to return the expired one and purchase a whole new license. Don't procrastinate on the actual wedding part!
Can a friend officiate my New Orleans wedding?
Maybe, but they must be properly authorized and registered with the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court. They can't just be click-to-ordain online without checking local Louisiana registration requirements. It’s safer to use an officiant who is already officially registered in the parish to ensure your marriage is 100% legal.
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