New Orleans City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a New Orleans Courthouse Wedding Special

New Orleans operates under a legal system shaped by French and Spanish civil law traditions, something no other major American city can claim. While the practical steps for getting married here follow the same basic pattern as anywhere else in Louisiana, there’s a historical weight to the paperwork that sets this city apart. You’re filing marriage documents in a legal framework that traces back to the Napoleonic Code.

The cost makes New Orleans one of the most affordable places to get a marriage license in the country. At $27.50, the Orleans Parish marriage license fee is a fraction of what most major cities charge. For couples planning a simple civil wedding ceremony without the expense of a traditional wedding, New Orleans keeps the legal side minimal and inexpensive.

Louisiana also gives couples an unusual option: covenant marriage. Only two other states (Arizona and Arkansas) offer this legally distinct marriage type, which requires pre-marital counseling and carries stricter grounds for divorce. Most couples choose a standard marriage license, but those who want a stronger legal commitment have the option available in Orleans Parish. It’s entirely voluntary and requires both partners to agree.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at the New Orleans Courthouse

A New Orleans courthouse wedding happens across two locations. You get your Orleans Parish marriage license at the Marriage License Office in the Benson Tower, and you have your civil wedding ceremony performed separately by a judge or licensed officiant. The license office does not perform marriage ceremonies.

1. Gather your documents. Both partners need a valid government-issued photo ID, a certified birth certificate (originals only, no photocopies), and their Social Security numbers. If previously divorced, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. If widowed, bring a certified copy of the former spouse’s death certificate.

2. Apply for your marriage license in person. Visit the Orleans Parish Marriage License Office at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 407, during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:15 AM to 3:15 PM). Both partners must appear together. Pay the $27.50 non-refundable fee. Bring cash or money order to be safe, as sources disagree on whether cards are accepted. (Verify payment methods by calling (504) 568-5161 before your visit.)

3. Wait 24 hours (or get a waiver). Louisiana requires a 24-hour waiting period between marriage license issuance and the wedding ceremony. Louisiana residents can have this waived by a judge at the First or Second City Court during business hours. Non-residents can have an Orleans Parish officiant waive it by attaching a waiver to the completed marriage certificate. (Some sources cite a 72-hour waiting period. The 24-hour figure has stronger sourcing from the Louisiana Department of Health. Verify with the office before planning your ceremony date.)

4. Book your officiant or judge. Contact the Second City Court at 225 Morgan Street in Algiers to schedule a civil wedding ceremony with a judge. You can also hire any registered Orleans Parish officiant, including ministers, Justices of the Peace, notary publics, or ordained ministers. Book weeks in advance, as court judges are not available for walk-in wedding ceremonies.

5. Arrive for your wedding ceremony. Bring your issued marriage license, two adult witnesses (age 18+), and your wedding rings if you plan to exchange them. Your witnesses will sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony.

6. File and get certified copies. Order certified copies of your marriage certificate ($5.00 each, plus $0.50 mailing fee if ordered by mail). Get 4 to 6 copies at the time of your application for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office, and financial institutions. Ordering copies later by mail takes 8 to 10 weeks.

Orleans Parish Marriage License Details

Documents You Need for Your New Orleans Marriage License

Both partners must bring the following to the Orleans Parish Marriage License Office:

• Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Certified birth certificate (originals only; translated to English if in another language)
• Social Security number (if U.S.-born)
• Certified copy of final divorce decree (if previously divorced)
• Certified copy of former spouse’s death certificate (if widowed)
• For non-U.S.-born applicants: valid passport or visa with attached I-94 form (in lieu of birth certificate and SSN)

If no birth certificate is available, a waiver is required under Louisiana Revised Statute 9:228.

Both partners must appear in person unless the absent partner’s signature has been notarized beforehand. Active military members may substitute a military ID for the absent party.

New Orleans Marriage License Fees

Bring cash or money order. Whether credit and debit cards are accepted is disputed across sources. (Verify payment methods before your visit.)

Eligibility Requirements for a New Orleans Marriage License

• Both partners must be at least 18 years old (16-17 with parental consent)
• Both partners must appear in person together (with limited exceptions)
• No Louisiana residency required
• No blood test required
• Marriage license is valid for 30 days from issuance
• License can be used anywhere in Louisiana, not just Orleans Parish

New Orleans Civil Wedding Ceremony Details

Where to Have Your Courthouse Wedding Ceremony

The Orleans Parish Marriage License Office issues licenses only. It does not perform wedding ceremonies. This is a common point of confusion for couples planning a New Orleans courthouse wedding. You have two main options for your civil ceremony:

Option 1: Judge Ceremony at New Orleans City Court

Judges at the First or Second City Court of New Orleans perform civil marriage ceremonies. The Second City Court is located at the Algiers Point Courthouse, 225 Morgan Street, Algiers, LA 70114. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (split schedule with a lunch break). Arrive by 2:15 PM to allow processing time.

Contact the court directly to schedule your courthouse wedding ceremony. Walk-in availability is not guaranteed. Judges at this court can also waive the 24-hour waiting period for Louisiana residents.

(No source confirmed whether judges charge a separate ceremony fee beyond the $27.50 marriage license. Courthouses in other cities typically charge $25 to $75 for civil wedding ceremonies. Confirm the fee when you schedule.)

Option 2: Private Wedding Officiant

Hire any registered Orleans Parish officiant to perform your wedding ceremony at a location of your choosing. Louisiana law authorizes ministers, Justices of the Peace, notary publics, and ordained ministers to officiate marriages. Your marriage license is valid anywhere in Louisiana for 30 days, so you’re not limited to Orleans Parish for the ceremony itself.

For non-residents, your officiant can also waive the 24-hour waiting period by attaching a waiver to the completed marriage certificate when returning it to Vital Records.

Covenant Marriage in Louisiana (Optional)

Louisiana is one of only three states offering covenant marriage, a legally distinct type of marriage that requires pre-marital counseling and has stricter grounds for divorce. This is entirely voluntary. Both partners must agree to it, and it’s chosen by couples who want additional legal commitment beyond a standard marriage. If you’re interested in a covenant marriage in New Orleans, discuss it with your officiant or attorney before applying for your license.

Photography and Guest Tips for Your New Orleans Courthouse Wedding

Witness Requirements for New Orleans Weddings

Louisiana law requires two adult witnesses (age 18+) at every marriage ceremony. Both witnesses sign the marriage certificate. Arrange your witnesses before your ceremony day. Courthouse staff may occasionally serve as witnesses, but don’t count on this without confirming in advance.

Unlike some states, Louisiana does not allow a wedding ceremony with zero witnesses. If you’re planning a private New Orleans elopement with just the two of you, you still need to bring two people to serve as witnesses.

Wedding Photography at the New Orleans Courthouse

None of the available sources addressed photography policies at the Algiers courthouse or City Court facilities. Contact the specific court where you plan to have your courthouse wedding ceremony to ask about cameras, professional photographers, and any restrictions.

If you’re hiring a wedding photographer, plan for outdoor shots around the French Quarter, Jackson Square, or City Park. The civil ceremony itself will be brief, so most courthouse wedding photography happens before or after at a nearby location.

Practical Tips for Your New Orleans Courthouse Wedding

Bring cash or money order. Sources disagree on whether the Marriage License Office accepts credit or debit cards. Don’t risk it. Bring $27.50 in cash or a money order for the license fee, plus cash for certified copies.

Arrive early. The license office closes at 3:15 PM, but aim to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before closing. Processing your marriage license application takes time, and you don’t want to be turned away at the door.

Check the Louisiana holiday calendar. The offices close for all Louisiana state holidays, including Mardi Gras. Out-of-state visitors may not realize that Mardi Gras Day (and sometimes the days surrounding it) is an official state holiday in Louisiana. Check the current year’s holiday calendar before planning your courthouse wedding trip.

Order certified copies immediately. Get 4 to 6 certified copies of your marriage certificate at the time of application ($5.00 each). You’ll need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office, and financial institutions. Ordering copies later by mail takes 8 to 10 weeks, so handle it during your visit.

Book your judge or officiant weeks ahead. Court judges at the New Orleans City Court are not available on demand for wedding ceremonies. Contact the First or Second City Court well before your planned ceremony date to confirm availability and schedule your civil wedding.

Time your application carefully. Apply for your marriage license no more than 30 days before your ceremony (since it expires after 30 days), but leave enough buffer for the 24-hour waiting period and scheduling. A week between license and ceremony gives you comfortable flexibility.

Bring originals of everything. Certified birth certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates must be originals or certified copies. The marriage license office will reject photocopies.

Consider the Algiers office for less crowding. The Second City Court in Algiers at 225 Morgan Street handles marriage-related services and may be less busy than the Benson Tower location downtown. Note the split schedule: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with a lunch break in between.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Orleans Courthouse Weddings

Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license in New Orleans?

Only if you get the 24-hour waiting period waived. Louisiana law requires a 24-hour wait between marriage license issuance and the wedding ceremony. Louisiana residents can have a judge at the First or Second City Court waive this during business hours. Non-residents can have their Orleans Parish officiant waive it by attaching documentation to the completed marriage certificate. Without a waiver, plan to get your marriage license at least one day before your courthouse wedding ceremony.

Do you need to be a Louisiana resident to get married in New Orleans?

No. Louisiana has no residency requirement for marriage. Couples from any U.S. state or from outside the country can apply for an Orleans Parish marriage license and get married in New Orleans or anywhere else in Louisiana. The license is valid for 30 days at any location in the state.

How much does a New Orleans courthouse wedding cost in total?

The Orleans Parish marriage license costs $27.50. Ceremony fees from a City Court judge have not been officially published, but courthouses in comparable cities typically charge $25 to $75 for a civil wedding ceremony. Budget approximately $55 to $105 for the complete courthouse wedding process (license plus ceremony), before optional costs like wedding photography, flowers, or a celebration dinner. Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $5.00 each.

Where does the New Orleans courthouse wedding ceremony take place?

The Orleans Parish Marriage License Office at Benson Tower (1450 Poydras Street) issues marriage licenses only. It does not perform wedding ceremonies. Civil marriage ceremonies in New Orleans are performed by judges at the First or Second City Court. The Second City Court is at the Algiers Point Courthouse, 225 Morgan Street. You can also hire a private officiant and have your ceremony at any location in Louisiana where your license is valid.