A seventy-two hour waiting period is required by law between the time of issuance of the license and the ceremony. Judges of the First or Second City Courts are authorized by law to waive the waiting period. The written waiver must be attached to the returned license.

Certified copies of birth records must be presented for both parties. Judges of the First City Court may waive this requirement for persons born outside of Louisiana. The certified copies of birth certificates shall be issued by the registration authority of the city, county, state, or registration area. The raised seal or stamp of the agency or authority issuing the certificate must be affixed thereto. In accordance with Act No. 362 of the 1990 legislature, the certified copies of the birth certificates must be retained by the recorder of the marriage. The documents are returned to the applicant by mail approximately sixty (60) days after the date of purchase of the license.

In accordance with R.S. 9:224A(6), applicants must provide their social security number. If no social security number has been issued to a party, the party must present a properly executed affadavit to that effect. A standard affadavit form is available.

Marriage between a male and female under the age of eighteen (18) is prohibited by law, unless as specified below. Applicants over the age of sixteen (16) but less than eighteen (18) must have the signed consent of both parents, or an order from a Judge of Juvenile Court. Females under the age of sixteen (16) will be issued a license only upon the written order of the Juvenile Court Judge.

If either party has been divorced, a certified copy of the final decree of divorce must be presented to the issuing officer. A certified copy of a death certificate must be presented when a widow or widower is applying for a license to remarry.

A medical certificate is not required.

A marriage license expires and becomes invalid thirty (30) days after the date of issuance.