PSA: Marriage Certificates!!

AlmostMrsStrong · November 2012

Greetings, fellow NOLA Brides! A handy public service announcement for local brides regarding marriage certificates.

Did you know that there is a 72 hour waiting period between when you get your marriage license and when you can legally get married? It's true! I'm getting married this Saturday, and I was unfortunately unaware of this little fact until 11AM this past Wednesday. Yes, Wednesday. Which meant I had to go get my license by 1PM Wednesday. Which meant a mad dash to find my birth certificate, FI's birth certificate, and both of our SSN's. Also, anyone living in/getting married in Jefferson Parish - you can only get certified copies of your BC in Orleans Parish. By the time I was finished my mad dash on Wednesday, it was 2PM and I needed to get a waiver signed by one of the judges in the courthouse saying it was OK to waive the 72 hour waiting period. Thankfully, I was able to get the license without FI.

Learn from my mistake! Do not wait until the last minute to get your marriage license, or the documents that you need to get your marriage license!!

TL;DR:
Marriage license must be aquired 72 hours before wedding
Birth certificate and SSN of BOTH bride and groom required
Only one person has to be present to get license

Best of luck, and happy planning! Vendor reviews sometime next week!

louisianablue · November 2012

Best of luck with your wedding this weekend! Glad you were able to get your waiver for your marriage certificate.

derksenriley · November 2012

Is it Social Security Number only, or the actual card?

louisianablue · November 2012

You need to have your social security card available.

jeffandjazzgetmarried · November 2012

You need the actual CARD - WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

louisianablue · November 2012

Sorry about that. I was mistaken. I found this on the Orleans Parish site.

1) A current driver's license, current state ID or passport. A list of other acceptable identification documents is
available upon request.
2) A certified copy of a birth certificate or a certified birth card for both parties. Louisiana residents may
purchase a birth card for this purpose five (5) days a week in the marriage office. Non-residents may apply to
have this requirement waived Monday-Friday during normal business hours ONLY by a Judge of the First City
Court.
3) Applicants must provide both Social Security numbers. If no number has been issued, that person must sign a
statement to that effect and must appear in person. This form is available in the marriage office and on our
website.
4) If either party has been divorced, s/he must provide a certified copy of the final divorce decree. A widow/er
must provide a certified copy the death certificate of the former spouse when they apply for a license to
marry.

ZeroOrchestra · November 2012

Is actually really easy to waive the 72 hours. We went to the Algiers courthouse and had no issues.

danalambert · November 2012

Great info! One other tidbit. If you are an out-of-state bride you can have your officiant (if he is registered in the parish you are getting married in which I think for most is Orleans Parish) waive the 72 hour requirement...

AlmostMrsStrong · November 2012

The only person who can waive the 72 hour requirement is a judge or justice of the peace. You do not need the SSN card, just the number. it takes forever to get through to the office sometimes, but they're very helpful once you get them.

PSA: Marriage Certificates!!

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