Louisiana is a stunning location for an elopement that is wrapped in music and culture. From the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, moss-draped streets, and renowned jazz music filling the air – Louisiana creates an unforgettable backdrop for couples looking to exchange vows in this beautiful state. The question is – how to elope in Louisiana? 

Whether you’re eloping, having a micro wedding, or a traditional wedding – the legal steps to get married can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning, a little bit of help, and maybe some beignets that Louisiana is famous for, it can be done quickly and stress free. Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• How many witnesses are required for a Louisiana marriage
• All inclusive Louisiana elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Louisiana on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get your Marriage License

Your marriage license is the most important part of your marriage process. This is because to get married in Louisiana, or really any state, you legally need a marriage license. To obtain that, you’ll fill out your application ahead of time and make an appointment at the marriage licensing office. In Louisiana, this is often the Clerk of Court office. The application can be done online, or downloaded and brought to your appointment. For those hoping for a destination elopement – you’re in luck. You do not need to be a Louisiana resident to obtain a Louisiana marriage license. You simply need to fill out the right application and appear in person for your marriage license appointment. At your appointment, be sure to bring:

• Current drivers licenses, state IDs or passports.
• Certified copies of your birth certificates.
• Both social security numbers, if born in the US.
• Statuses of previous marriage, if applicable. This can be done through divorce decree or certificate of death.
• At least $27.50 for fees. This is payable by cash, check or money order only. We at least because it’s an additional $10.00 for a certified copy of a marriage license, and $4.00 if you need a waiver. Plan accordingly for what you’ll be purchasing and bring the proper payment.

Some other brass tax things to keep in mind: applicants must be at least 18 years old to obtain a marriage license without parental consent. Both parties will need to appear at the marriage licensing office for your marriage license appointment in order to sign the document before a deputy clerk or notary.

Once you’ve completed your marriage license application and gone to your appointment at the Clerk of Court office, there’s a 24 hour waiting period required by law before your elopement ceremony can take place. If there is a need for your marriage to occur prior to this 24 hour waiting period expiring, an application for waiver can be retained by a district judge or justice of the peace. This waiver must be attached to your marriage certificate and returned to the clerk of court. Once your marriage license is valid, you can use it in any parish in Louisiana for 30 days from the date it was issued. Your elopement or micro wedding awaits!

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant

It is a requirement in the state of Louisiana that an officiant perform your elopement ceremony. This person can be a judge, justice of the peace, clergy member, or an officiant who is registered with the Parish Clerk in the parish where the wedding will take place. If finding an officiant seems like a tall task – look to us. When working with Simply Eloped, we coordinate your officiant for you!

Are Witnesses Required for a Louisiana Elopement?

Yes, Louisiana law requires two witnesses, both of whom must be adults and sign the license. In Louisiana, the officiant of a wedding ceremony cannot serve as a witness on the marriage license. The officiant, who is the third party qualified to perform the ceremony, also signs the license, according to KPLC 7 News. Therefore, the officiant’s signature is separate from the two witness signatures required for the license to be valid. Once you’ve had your ceremony and your witnesses have signed your marriage certificate, you must turn it in within seven days of your ceremony. 

All Inclusive Louisiana Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Louisiana elopement. Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in the Pelican State. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Louisiana elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Louisiana

Curious about top places to elope in Louisiana? Here are our top venues in Louisiana with all their details.

City Park 

City Park is one of the oldest parks in the country. If you envision your elopement underneath the beauty of Spanish moss covered trees, with bridges or gazebos as your altar – this venue is for you. A permit is required to elope at City Park, which we will apply for on your behalf. City Park is a wheelchair accessible venue that offers ceremonies for up to 20 guests.

City Park allows chairs (with a permit,) a bottle of celebratory champagne and music, either acoustic or through a small bluetooth speaker. You’ll unfortunately have to leave your fur baby at home, pets are not allowed. Neither are candles or sparklers. Please also note that there is no on site bathroom so it is advised to plan accordingly. 

Audubon Park

Audubon Park is a stunning 350 acre park located in New Orleans. It hosts two venues – Tree of Life and Oak Allée, giving couples more flexibility. This venue requires a permit, which we will apply for on your behalf. This venue is a wheelchair accessible venue that currently offers ceremonies for 45 or less guests.

Audubon Park welcomes chairs, your furry friends, and streaming. Candles, sparklers and alcohol are not permitted. Please also note that there is not an on site bathroom, so plan accordingly.

Pharmacy Museum

Pharmacy Museum is a beautiful, intimate venue that hosts elopements indoors and in their courtyard. This venue requires a permit, which we will apply for on your behalf. This is a wheelchair accessible venue which currently offers ceremonies for 15 or less guests.

The Pharmacy Museum welcomes champagne for toasts (bring your own glasses,) your pets and music – acoustic only. Candles and sparklers are not permitted. 

Pirate Alley

Looking for a venue with a bit of history? Pirate Alley is for you. There are quite a few legends about this alley – one being that pirates travelled it to enter New Orleans from the Mississippi River. Other legends suggest that it was the route to prison for many pirates. For couples looking for a venue with a bit of adventure and an intimate ceremony, Pirate Alley should top your list. This venue does not require a permit, is wheelchair accessible and currently offers intimate ceremonies of six guests or less.

Pirate Alley welcomes your pets and music, either acoustic or through a small bluetooth. Alcohol, candles, and sparklers are not permitted. Please note that this venue is not restroom accessible, so it is advised to plan accordingly.

Jackson Square

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is the perfect venue for those looking for an elopement drenched in history, surrounded by loved ones. This venue requires a permit, which needs to be coordinated by the couple eloping. Jackson Square is a wheelchair accessible venue and currently offers micro wedding and elopement ceremonies of up to 40 guests.

Jackson Square welcomes acoustic music and music through bluetooth. Alcohol, pets, candles, and sparklers are not permitted. There is no restroom at this venue, so please plan accordingly. Traffic is also quite thick around the French Quarter, so it’s important to be mindful of traffic patterns. In the event of rain, there are many covered areas in the park to wait out the storm.

Get Your Marriage Certificate

The process of getting a marriage certificate starts at your marriage license appointment, where you will pay for the amount of certificates you’d like to have. After paying for your marriage license, you’ll need an additional $10.00 for one certified copy of your marriage certificate. It is recommended to get two. This is because as you’re changing your name, you’ll be using this document a lot. While in transition, it’s always good to have a backup in the event of an emergency. 

How to Change your Last Name in Louisiana

1. Get your marriage certificate and other identification documents organized: Similar to getting a marriage certificate, this process starts with your marriage license. To change your name in Louisiana, you’ll first need to declare the name you’ll use once on your marriage license application and at the marriage license office in your Louisiana parish. You’ll also need state issued IDs or passports, certified copies of your birth certificates and social security numbers. 
2. Petition for a Name Change: To petition for a name change, you’ll need to file a petition to change your name with the state. You can contact your parish clerk of Court for full instructions.
3. Change your name on your Social Security Card: Once you have your marriage certificate on your name change order, you can start the  process of changing your name on your social security card. You are required to change your name on your social security card first, before you can update your name on any other forms of ID. This is because you’ll need your social security number as a form of identification when changing your passport and driver’s license. To start the process with social security, you’ll need to fill out the Form SS-5. You’ll also need to provide the SSA with your legal name change document (this is your marriage certificate,) proof of identity (your ID) Proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate). Bring all of these documents to your social security appointment and they’ll walk you through the rest of the process.
4. Change your name on your Drivers License: After receiving, make an appointment at the Office of Motor Vehicles to change your name on your license. You’ll need to bring an original document verifying your name change (marriage license,) your current license, proof of residency, and proof of insurance. There’s a fee to receive a new license and you’ll leave with a paper one – your plastic license will be mailed to you.
5. Change your name on your passport: Once you have your new social security card, which will take a few weeks, it’s time to get started changing your name on your passport. To do this, you’ll want to check the current status of your passport. If it’s not expired, you’ll need to just complete the Form DS – 5504, have your current passport, your certified name change document and a recent photo. Mail all of this to the passport office with a check for $110.00 to cover the cost of a new passport book. From here, it will take several weeks for your passport to come in. 

Once you’ve completed these five steps, you’ve done the tallest task of completing your legal name change. You’ll then want to go through your accounts, credit cards, bank accounts, employers and insurance to name a new one. It seems like a lot because it is! Take this process step by step, and it should all go smoothly. There’s also many businesses that help with the name changing process.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026.

Written by Lisa Guglielmo

Lisa is the Marketing Manager at Simply Eloped. Having gotten married in 2022, she experienced the good (and not so good,) of traditional wedding planning. Here, she loves watching couples do their weddings their way.