Heart Light Weddings
heartlightwedding Celebrants Asheville NC and New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Wedding License
Getting married in New Orleans is easy and can be done as a weekend elopement or before a cruise leaving from New Orleans. It was possible in New Orleans to get a marriage license and be married on the same day if certain requirements are met and the license obtained during weekday office hours. Office days and hours are posted by the various Clerks that issue a license and they need to be contacted for those hours and days. The closest office to the French Quarter is the recently opened office at 1450 Poydras St, Bensin Towers next to the Superdome. Common St. Downtown New Orleans, phone (504) 593-5100, (map) and the Algiers Court House, 225 Morgan St, Algiers, LA 70114, (504)368-4099. Brides and Grooms are responsible for obtaining the marriage license from the State of Louisiana before the wedding ceremony. Either person may obtain the license from the State Office of Vital Records or other Parish Clerks of Court Offices in the New Orleans area. The state provides information over the web at this page: Fact Sheet For New Orleans Marriage License
NOTICE Vital Records Central Office will offer walk-in services at Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras St, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA beginning on Monday, February 28, 2011. Vital Records services at the Jefferson Parish Health Unit – Metairie will not be available after Friday, February 25, 2011. The Orleans Parish Marriage Office will move from 1010 Common Street to Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras St, Suite 407, New Orleans, LA beginning on Monday, February 28, 2011. Effective Monday, February 28, 2011 the Vital Records Customer Serivce Call Center can be reached at 504-593-5100 .
A State Marriage License is good in any city. Identification is required along with authentic copies of birth certificates and any divorce judgments. In some cities there is a three-day waiting period from the time the license is issued, it can be waived by a judge. In New Orleans a Minister can also waive the waiting period for non-residents if good reasons exist. No medical tests are necessary. The license is good for 30 days. You must present the license to the person doing the ceremony in advance as it requires the minister to complete some portions in black ink and he must mail it back to the issuing office. You will get a complimentary certificate and instructions on how to order a certified one after the original is recorded. You must order a certified copy from the Office you obtained the License. They provide a form to order a certified copy or you can print that form from the State’s web page linked above. A ceremony must be conducted before 2 adult witnesses who also sign the certificates. The cost of the license is just under $30.00 paid to the State. For further information on marriage licenses contact any of the Clerk’s offices below.
Certified Copy Of Marriage Certificate after the Marriage
After your wedding the state copy of the license is mailed by the officiant to the office that issued the license. That office processes the license and provides a certified copy. You should order a certified copy at the time you get the license. The State indicates it takes 30 to 40 days for them to process after the ceremony. If you do not get a certified copy after ordering it you should contact the office that issued you the license. There is additional information on ordering a copy at the State page with instructions and forms located here: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?id=252&detail=7758
Changing Your Name After A New Orleans Wedding
It is a tradition in western cultures that a bride takes the last name of the husband, it is not a requirement to do so. You need to order several certified copies of your marriage certificate from the office you received your license. Usually this is done when you apply for your marriage license by prepaying for certified copies to be mailed to you.
1. A new drivers license should be obtained by going to your local motor vehicle office with a certified copy of the marriage certificate. That office will help you get a new license with the marriage name. They may charge a fee so you should call before going to get particulars. You may also need to change your auto title and auto insurance.
2. A new Social Security Card should be obtained by getting the necessary forms off the web at: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html. You can mail the form in or go in person to your local office but you need a certified copy of your marriage license to present to them. You can telephone them for details.
4. You will also need to change your name with banks, credit card companies, landlords, and any other agency that has your name on record. Generally by getting the first 3 done the rest are easier as some agencies will accept the new drivers license as proof of you new name.
5. Be sure the IRS, Voter Registration, your insurance agent, and CPA also knows of the name change so that they make the necessary charges to their records too.
REV. MAURY WHITE-HEREFORD
City Park, Audubon Park and the French Quarter in New Orleans provide many beautiful and free spaces for an elopement or small outdoor wedding. Rev. Maury will be glad to meet you at Audubon Park or City Park prior to your wedding to assist you in finding the perfect spot for your ceremony.If you are staying in the French Quarter, often the courtyard at a small hotel is available with no fee for an elopement ceremony. Jackson Square is open during the day and Artillery Park across the street from the Square offers a beautiful view of the square and the Mississippi river. Getting married in New Orleans is fun and affordable.