
Congratulations! If you've found yourself at this page it is likely that you are either planning to be married or have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Louisiana. Ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church have successfully performed thousands of legal marriages in Louisiana. The information provided below will walk you through the steps one must follow to become a minister and perform a valid wedding ceremony in the state of Louisiana.
- ULC Ordination Accepted: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: Yes
- Minister's Residency: Irrelevant
- Minister's Minimum Age: 18
- Marriage License Waiting Period: 3 Days
- Marriage License Valid For: 30 Days
- Marriage License Return Within: By Expiration
1 How to Become an Ordained Minister in Louisiana
If you haven't already, you should get ordained online with the Universal Life Church. Ordination is free and can be completed in just a matter of minutes. Thousands of legally valid marriages are performed by ULC ministers around the world every year. Begin the process by clicking the big blue button below!
2 Officiating a Wedding in Louisiana
Next, you should contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk). Let them know that you are a minister of the Universal Life Church in Seattle, and ask what they will require of you to officiate a legal marriage.
Select your Parish Clerk of Courts to quickly generate the contact information for your local marriage authority.
Select a county contact

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3 License to Marry in Louisiana
After you've contacted your marriage authority, you should visit our online store to purchase whatever documentation will be required. We typically advise ministers in Louisiana to get an Ordination Package and add a Letter of Good Standing to her or his order. Minister registration is required in Louisiana. You will need to present the documents in the Ordination Package and your Letter of Good Standing to the Parish clerk before the marriages you perform will be accepted as having been legally solemnized. As an added bonus, having this proof of your ordination will also provide peace-of-mind to any couple that you intend to marry. Additionally, please attempt to leave at least 3 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials in advance.
Parish courts will grant temporary licenses for wedding officiants in Louisiana, but these licenses are expensive and only last for a month. By getting ordained online with the Universal Life Church you can save money and be legally authorized to perform valid Louisiana weddings for life.
4 How to get Married in Louisiana
Now that you've done all of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Louisiana marriage license from the appropriate office. This license is valid for 30 days, and there is a 3-day mandatory waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license in Louisiana and when the ceremony may be legally performed. Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office by its date of expiry.
At the Universal Life Church we receive several calls from wedding officiants in Louisiana, after they've received their license to marry by getting ordained online, asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony. Once the legal matters have been taken care of, officiating a wedding (while a sometimes-daunting task) can be a great deal of fun. We would suggest that new Louisiana wedding ministers concerned about the ceremony peruse one of our helpful wedding guides. The minister training section of our website should offer a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers.
5 Important Louisiana Wedding Information
Folks who have been to Louisiana might describe a certain magic that seems to emanate from the state. With the beautiful natural settings, the colors, the flavors, and welcoming disposition of the locals, plenty of people are hoping to take advantage of the many gorgeous wedding venues in Louisiana. If you know a happy couple looking to have a Louisiana wedding, there are some things you should take into account. The first would be the heat. Like many states, Louisiana's prime wedding season is also the warm season, spanning from late spring to early autumn. This isn't going to be your average dry heat - no, this is a thick, wet heat that you feel saturate your entire body. Be sure to discuss appropriate attire with the couple. Consider that some colors such as white tend to show perspiration less than others would. Attention to these sorts of details can really make a difference and set you apart from less-seasoned wedding officiants. The second thing to consider is the location. While there are a great many wedding chapels in Louisiana and certainly some breathtaking outdoor wedding venues, there is actually just one important distinction when it comes to ceremonies; whether it takes place in the city of New Orleans or somewhere else in the state. This has great impact of the formality of the event. Generally speaking, Louisiana weddings tend to range from semi-formal to completely relaxed and casual with about 89% of ceremonies falling into this category. New Orleans weddings are quite a different a story. They tend to range from formal to black tie affairs. Again, you would want to discuss appropriate attire with the couple. Keeping these things in mind can help you set your fee for performing the wedding. A charismatic and experienced officiant can charge a pretty penny for nuptials.

Louisiana Marriage Code
Marriage in Louisiana is governed by Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Ministers who got ordained online with the Universal Life Church have successfully solemnized thousands of weddings in the state. Below, you will find that we have reproduced a relevant excerpt of this code.§202. Authority to perform marriage ceremony A marriage ceremony may be performed by: (1) A priest, minister, rabbi, clerk of the Religious Society of Friends, or any clergyman of any religious sect, who has attained the age of majority and is authorized by the authorities of his religion to perform marriages, and who is registered to perform marriages; (2) A state judge or justice of the peace. Acts 1987, No. 886, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1997, No. 73, §1; Acts 2014, No. 651, §1. View the Louisiana Statutes on the official state site.
To view the in-depth wedding laws for Louisiana state:
Louisiana Marriage Laws⇓ Show the rest
Acadia Parish
500 North Parkerson Ave.Crowley, Louisiana
Phone: (337) 788-8881
Acadia Parish website »
Allen Parish
400 West 6th AvenueOberlin, Louisiana
70655
Phone: (337) 639-4351
Allen Parish website »
Ascension Parish
300 Houmas StreetDonaldsonville, Louisiana
Phone: (225) 473-9866
Ascension Parish website »
Assumption Parish
4809 Hwy 1Napoleonville, Louisiana
Phone: (985) 369-6653
Fax: (985) 369-2032
Assumption Parish website »
Avoyelles Parish
301 North Main StreetMarksville, Louisiana
71351
Phone: (318) 253-7523
Avoyelles Parish website »
Beauregard Parish
201 West First StreetDeridder, Louisiana
Phone: (337) 463-8595
Beauregard Parish website »
Bienville Parish
100 Court House DriveArcadia, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 263-2123
Bienville Parish website »
Bossier Parish
204 Burt Blvd., Third FloorBenton, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 965-2336
Bossier Parish website »
Caddo Parish
501 Texas St., Room 103Shreveport, Louisiana
71101
Phone: (318) 226-6789
Caddo Parish website »
Calcasieu Parish
1000 Ryan StreetLake Charles, Louisiana
Phone: (337) 437-3550
Calcasieu Parish website »
Caldwell Parish
201 Main Street, Suite 1Columbia, Louisiana
71418
Phone: (318) 649-2272
Caldwell Parish website »
Cameron Parish
119 Smith Circle, Room 21Cameron, Louisiana
70631
Phone: (337) 775-5316
Cameron Parish website »
Catahoula Parish
301 Bushley St., Room 101Harrisonburg, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 744-5222
Catahoula Parish website »
Claiborne Parish
512 East Main St.Homer, Louisiana
71040
Phone: (318) 927-9601
Claiborne Parish website »
Concordia Parish
4001 Carter Street, Suite 5Vidalia, Louisiana
71373
Phone: (318) 336-4204
Concordia Parish website »
De Soto Parish
101 Texas StreetMansfield, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 925-6655
Fax: (318) 925-6658
De Soto Parish website »
East Baton Rouge Parish
222 St. Louis Street, Room B115Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Phone: (225) 389-3950
East Baton Rouge Parish website »
East Carroll Parish
400 First St., Suite 3Lake Providence, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 559-2399
East Carroll Parish website »
East Feliciana Parish
12305 St. Helena St.Clinton, Louisiana
70722
Phone: (225) 683-5145
Fax: (225) 683-3556
East Feliciana Parish website »
Evangeline Parish
200 Court St., Suite 104Ville Platte, Louisiana
70586
Phone: (337) 363-5671
Evangeline Parish website »
Franklin Parish
6500 Main StreetWinnsboro, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 435-5133
Franklin Parish website »
Iberia Parish
300 Iberia St.New Iberia, Louisiana
70560
Phone: (337) 365-7282
Iberia Parish website »
Iberville Parish
58050 Meriam StPlaquemine, Louisiana
70764
Phone: (225) 687-5160
Iberville Parish website »
Jackson Parish
500 East Court AvenueJonesboro, Louisiana
71251
Phone: (318) 259-2424
Fax: (318) 395-0386
Jackson Parish website »
Jefferson Davis Parish
300 North State Street, Room 106Jennings, Louisiana
70546
Phone: (337) 824-1160
Fax: (337) 824-1354
Jefferson Davis Parish website »
Jefferson Parish
200 Derbigny St., Room 2100Gretna, Louisiana
Phone: (504) 364-2900
Jefferson Parish website »
La Salle Parish
1050 Courthouse St.Jena, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 992-2158
La Salle Parish website »
Lafayette Parish
800 So. Buchanan St.Lafayette, Louisiana
70501
Phone: (337) 291-6400
Lafayette Parish website »
Lafourche Parish
303 West Third StreetThibodaux, Louisiana
Phone: (985) 447-4841
Lafourche Parish website »
Lincoln Parish
100 West Texas Ave.Ruston, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 251-5130
Lincoln Parish website »
Livingston Parish
Livingston Courthouse<br>20300 Government BlvdLivingston, Louisiana
70754
Phone: (225) 686-2216
Livingston Parish website »
Madison Parish
100 North Cedar StreetTallulah, Louisiana
71282
Phone: (318) 574-0655
Fax: (318) 574-3961
Madison Parish website »
Morehouse Parish
100 East MadisonBastrop, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 281-3343
Morehouse Parish website »
Natchitoches Parish
200 Church St., Suite 104Natchitoches, Louisiana
71458
Phone: (318) 352-8152
Natchitoches Parish website »
Orleans Parish
3929 Tulane Ave, Room 104New Orleans, Louisiana
70118
Phone: (504) 593-5103
Orleans Parish website »
Ouachita Parish
301 South Grand Street, Suite 104Monroe, Louisiana
71202
Phone: (318) 327-1444
Ouachita Parish website »
Plaquemines Parish
301 Main St., Suite 108Belle Chasse, Louisiana
70037
Phone: (504) 934-6610
Fax: (504) 934-6629
Plaquemines Parish website »
Pointe Coupee Parish
201 East Main St.New Roads, Louisiana
Phone: (225) 638-9596
Pointe Coupee Parish website »
Rapides Parish
701 Murray StreetAlexandria, Louisiana
71301
Phone: (318) 473-8153
Fax: (318) 473-4667
Rapides Parish website »
Red River Parish
615 E Carroll StreetCoushatta, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 932-6741
Fax: (318) 932-3126
Red River Parish website »
Richland Parish
708 Julia St., Suite 103Rayville, Louisiana
71269
Phone: (318) 728-4171
Richland Parish website »
Sabine Parish
400 South Capital, Room 102Many, Louisiana
71449
Phone: (318) 256-6223
Sabine Parish website »
St. Bernard Parish
1101 W. St. Bernard HighwayChalmette, Louisiana
70043
Phone: (504) 271-3434
St. Bernard Parish website »
St. Charles Parish
15045 River RoadHahnville, Louisiana
70057
Phone: (985) 783-6632
Fax: (985) 783-2005
St. Charles Parish website »
St. Helena Parish
369 Sitman St, Suite 101Greensburg, Louisiana
70441
Phone: (225) 222-4541
Fax: (225) 222-3443
St. Helena Parish website »
St. James Parish
5800 LA Hwy 44, 2nd FloorConvent, Louisiana
70723
Phone: (225) 562-2275
Fax: (225) 562-2383
St. James Parish website »
St. John the Baptist Parish
2393 Hwy 18Edgard, Louisiana
Phone: (985) 497-3331
St. John the Baptist Parish website »
St. Landry Parish
118 South Court St, Suite 207Opelousas, Louisiana
70570
Phone: (337) 942-5606
St. Landry Parish website »
St. Martin Parish
415 St. Martin St.Martinville, Louisiana
Phone: (337) 394-2210
St. Martin Parish website »
St. Mary Parish
500 Main St. 2nd FloorFranklin, Louisiana
70538
Phone: (337) 828-4100 ext 200
St. Mary Parish website »
St. Tammany Parish
701 North Columbia St. Basement LevelCovington, Louisiana
70433
Phone: (985) 809-8740
St. Tammany Parish website »
Tangipahoa Parish
318 NW Railroad Ave, Suite 100Hammond, Louisiana
70401
Phone: (985) 549-1638
Tangipahoa Parish website »
Tensas Parish
201 Hancock St.St. Joseph, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 766-3921
Tensas Parish website »
Terrebonne Parish
7856 Main St., Room 100Houma, Louisiana
70360
Phone: (985) 873-8376
Fax: (985) 868-5143
Terrebonne Parish website »
Union Parish
100 East Bayou, Suite 105Farmerville, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 368-3055
Fax: (318) 368-3861
Union Parish website »
Vermilion Parish
100 North State Street, Suite 101Abbeville, Louisiana
70510
Phone: (337) 898-1992
Vermilion Parish website »
Washington Parish
908 Washington St.Franklinton, Louisiana
Phone: (985) 839-4663
Washington Parish website »
Webster Parish
410 Main St.Minden, Louisiana
71055
Phone: (318) 371-0366
Fax: (318) 371-0226
Webster Parish website »
West Baton Rouge Parish
850 8th StreetPort Allen, Louisiana
Phone: (225) 383-0378
West Baton Rouge Parish website »
West Carroll Parish
305 East Main St., Room 101Oak Grove, Louisiana
Phone: (318) 428-3281
West Carroll Parish website »
West Feliciana Parish
4785 Prosperity StreetSt. Francisville, Louisiana
Phone: (225) 635-3794
West Feliciana Parish website »
Winn Parish
110 West Main Street, Room 103Winnfield, Louisiana
71483
Phone: (318) 628-3515
Fax: (318) 628-3527
Winn Parish website »