Friend Wedding Officiant: Louisiana Laws And Your Ceremony

If you're planning your wedding in Louisiana, you might be wondering if a friend can officiate the ceremony. The good news is that it's possible for your friend to legally marry you and your partner in the state. Here's what you need to know.

First, it's important to note that your friend must register with the government before officiating your wedding. They will need to register with the Parish Clerk of Court in the specific parish where your wedding will take place. This process typically costs around $50 and can take up to 30 days to complete, so it's important to start the process well in advance of your wedding date.

Your friend will also need to submit a completed Louisiana Marriage Officiant Affidavit and provide official ministry credentials, such as a Letter of Good Standing or Ordination Certificate. These documents can usually be obtained through an online ordination process, which is often fast, easy, and free.

Once your friend has completed the necessary steps and received their credentials, they will be legally recognized as a wedding officiant in the state of Louisiana. Keep in mind that these requirements may vary slightly from parish to parish, so it's always a good idea to check with the specific parish where your wedding will be held.

How to get a friend ordained in Louisiana

If you want a friend to officiate your wedding in Louisiana, there are a few steps they need to follow. Here is a detailed guide on how to get your friend ordained:

• Get Ordained Online: Your friend can become a legally ordained minister through organizations like the Universal Life Church Monastery or American Marriage Ministries (ULC). The process is usually simple, free, and fast.
• Check County/Parish Requirements: Each parish in Louisiana may have specific requirements for wedding officiants. Contact the relevant Parish Clerk of Court to inquire about the necessary documents and procedures.
• Register as a Wedding Officiant: Your friend will need to register with the Parish Clerk of Court in the parish where the wedding will take place. This typically involves submitting a Louisiana Marriage Officiant Affidavit and providing official ministry credentials, such as an Ordination Certificate and a Letter of Good Standing. The cost of registration is approximately $50.
• Complete the Affidavit: The affidavit must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Your friend can find a notary by searching online or visiting their local bank. Remember not to sign the affidavit until the notary is present.
• Submit the Application: Gather all the required documents, including the completed and signed affidavit, and submit them to the Parish Clerk of Court's office. The processing time for the application is typically up to 30 days.
• Receive License and Proof of Registration: Once the application is approved, your friend will receive a license and proof of registration by mail. This process can take several weeks, so it is essential to start the registration process well in advance of the wedding (at least eight weeks is recommended).
• Understand Marriage License Requirements: As an officiant, your friend should also be aware of the requirements for marriage licenses in Louisiana. There is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after the issuance of the license, and the license is valid for 30 days. The signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office before it expires.

By following these steps, your friend will be able to legally officiate your wedding in Louisiana. It is important to stay compliant with the state and parish laws to ensure that the wedding ceremony is legally recognized.

What documents does my friend need to officiate my wedding in Louisiana?

If your friend is not already ordained by a religious governing body, they can become ordained online through websites such as the Universal Life Church Monastery. This is a quick and inexpensive way to gain the credentials necessary to officiate a wedding.

Once ordained, your friend will need to register as a legal minister with the state of Louisiana. This involves the following steps:

Find the Parish and Register:

Firstly, find out which Parish your wedding ceremony will take place in, as registration must be done by Parish. In most Louisiana Parishes, your friend will need to register with the Clerk of Court in that Parish. However, in Orleans Parish, which includes New Orleans, registration is through the Department of Health and Hospitals.

Submit the Required Documents:

Your friend will need to submit the following documents to the relevant governing body:

• A completed and signed Louisiana Marriage Officiant Affidavit, which must be notarized.
• Official Ministry Credentials, which can include a Letter of Good Standing, an Ordination Certificate, or both.

The Ordination Certificate confirms their status as a minister, while the Letter of Good Standing confirms that their status is currently active. These documents can be obtained through the Universal Life Church Monastery or similar organizations.

Pay the Registration Fee:

There is typically a registration fee of around $50, although this may vary slightly depending on the Parish.

Wait for Approval:

The approval process can take several weeks, so it is important to start the registration process well in advance of the wedding date. Once approved, your friend will receive a license and proof of registration.

Additional Notes:

It is important to note that registration in one Parish does not give permission to perform marriages in another Parish. If your friend plans to officiate weddings in multiple locations in Louisiana, they must register with each individual Parish.

Additionally, federal judges are not able to preside over wedding ceremonies in Louisiana, so if your friend is a federal judge, you will need to find an alternative registered officiant.

Where does my friend register to officiate my wedding in Louisiana?

If your friend is not already ordained by a religious governing body, they can apply online through the Universal Life Church Monastery. This is the fastest and least expensive way to become ordained. Once your friend is ordained, they will need to register as a legal minister with the state of Louisiana.

Firstly, your friend will need to find out which parish the ceremony will take place in, and register there. In most Louisiana parishes, your friend will need to register with the clerk of court in that parish. This will cost around $50. However, in Orleans Parish, where New Orleans is located, your friend will need to register through the Department of Health and Hospitals.

Your friend will then need to fill out, sign, and notarize an affidavit declaring legal ministry status, and submit it to the governing body overseeing marriage officials in that parish. This affidavit is a simple one-page application, but your friend must remember to wait to sign the document in the presence of a notary. Your friend can find a notary by searching "Notary Public Near Me", or by visiting their local bank.

Your friend will also need to submit some version of their Official Ministry Credentials. This could be a Letter of Good Standing, an Ordination Certificate, or both. These credentials will need to be purchased from the church that ordained your friend.

The parish will then take time to review the application. Once all is in order and approved, your friend should receive a license and proof of registration in the mail. This could take several weeks, so it is important that your friend begins the registration process well in advance of the wedding date.

What is the cost of registering to officiate a wedding in Louisiana?

The cost of registering to officiate a wedding in Louisiana is approximately $50. This is a nominal fee charged by the Parish Clerk of Court, which is the relevant office for officiant registration.

To register as a wedding officiant in Louisiana, you must submit a completed Louisiana Marriage Officiant Affidavit, along with your Official Ministry Credentials. The credentials required vary depending on the Parish but typically include a Letter of Good Standing and/or an Ordination Certificate.

The Ordination Certificate is issued by the ordaining church and includes the name and date of ordination. The Letter of Good Standing, on the other hand, is a letter stating that the minister is in "Good Standing" with the church and is signed, dated, and notarised.

It is important to note that registration must be done for each Parish in which you plan to officiate a wedding, as registration in one Parish does not grant permission to perform marriages in another. The Parish Clerk of Court's office is typically located within the Parish Courthouse and is the same office that issues marriage licenses to couples.

How long does it take to register as an officiant in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, a friend can officiate a wedding as long as they register as a legal minister with the state. This is a simple process, but it is important to start the process well in advance of the wedding date—at least eight weeks prior—as it can take several weeks to complete.

How to Register as a Wedding Officiant in Louisiana

Firstly, your friend will need to get ordained online to become a minister. There are plenty of websites where this can be done, many of which are free.

Once they are a minister, they will need to register with the Parish Clerk's office that issues the Marriage License to the couple. There are 64 parishes in Louisiana, and each one will have different requirements, so it is important to contact the Parish Clerk's office to find out exactly what documents are needed. Generally, your friend will need to complete and submit the Louisiana Marriage Officiant Registration Affidavit, as well as some version of their Official Ministry Credentials. This could be a Letter of Good Standing, an Ordination Certificate, or both.

The Parish Clerk's office may ask for proof of your friend's ordination, so it is recommended to have these documents on hand. The Ordination Certificate is issued by the ordaining church and includes the name and date of ordination. The Letter of Good Standing is a letter stating that the minister is still in "Good Standing" with the church, and is signed, dated, and notarized.

The Parish Clerk's office may also ask for documentation with a live signature. In this case, the Letter of Good Standing will meet this requirement.

Processing Time

The processing time for officiant registration in Louisiana is up to 30 days, and successful registration will only give permission to perform marriage in that specific parish. If your friend plans on officiating a wedding in another parish, they will need to register with that parish's Clerk of Court's office.

Frequently asked questions