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Orleans Parish exact answer

How is a completed marriage license returned in Orleans Parish?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In Orleans Parish, the officiant completes the marriage certificate and returns it to the Louisiana Vital Records Registry, which files the record. Any 24-hour waiver certificate must be attached to the completed certificate when it is returned. The Registry holds Orleans Parish marriage records for 50 years; older records are held by the Louisiana State Archives. The Registry does not itself publish a deadline for the officiant to return the completed certificate. Ask the officiant to confirm their filing timeline before ordering certified copies.

Published rule and conditions

Return and recording rule
The officiant completes the marriage certificate and returns it to the Louisiana Vital Records Registry, which files the record. Any 24-hour waiver certificate must be attached to the completed certificate when it is returned. The Registry holds Orleans Parish marriage records for 50 years; older records are held by the Louisiana State Archives.

The Registry does not itself publish a deadline for the officiant to return the completed certificate. Ask the officiant to confirm their filing timeline before ordering certified copies.

Official requirement

The waiver must be attached to the completed marriage certificate when it is returned to Vital Records.

Issuing office

Louisiana Vital Records Registry (Louisiana Department of Health), Orleans Parish Marriage License Office

Open the issuing office

Official sources for this answer

  • How To Obtain An Orleans Parish Marriage LicenseLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Health Statistics - checked July 26, 2026

    The licenses are valid in any parish in the State of Louisiana. In order to apply for a marriage license, both parties should be present and present all required documents. Fees of $27.50 payable by cash (must contain EXACT AMOUNT), check, money order, or credit/debit card (non-refundable), plus $5 for each certified copy of the marriage certificate desired by the customer. A 24-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 for Louisiana residents and they can do this during their Monday-Friday hours of operation ONLY. 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. A marriage license expires and becomes invalid at midnight thirty (30) days after the date of issuance. Marriage under the age of 16 is prohibited by law.

  • Marriage Certificates & LicensesLouisiana Department of Health, Vital Records - checked July 26, 2026

    Under Louisiana law, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains Orleans Parish marriage records for 50 years. Orleans Parish marriage records older than 50 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives. The Louisiana Vital Records Registry can not issue a certified copy of a divorce decree.

Answer boundary

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