How to Officiate a Wedding in Louisiana

As a Minister of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

Pastafarian minister officiating a wedding

The Short Version

There are two things: the wedding ceremony, and the legal marriage. One is a ceremonial ritual, a performance, and the other is paperwork. You’re leading the ceremony. You may also assist the clerk with the marriage paperwork in some places. In Louisiana?

Louisiana is doable, but there’s an extra step — you need to register with the Parish Clerk of Court before performing ceremonies. Important: Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties, and you must register in the specific parish where the wedding takes place. Cost is about $50, and processing can take up to 30 days. You’ll need to file a Marriage Officiant Affidavit.

You Can Do This

The couple asked you because they want you standing up there — not a stranger, not a professional, you. That means something. Here’s what you need to know:

It’s not as scary as you think. Most ceremonies are 5–15 minutes. The couple does most of the talking (vows, “I do”). You’re the guide.

At a minimum, your ceremony needs two elements: 1. Declaration of Intent — “Do you take this person…” / “I do” 2. Pronouncement — You declare them married

Everything else — readings, vows, stories, jokes, Pastafarian blessings, the whole production — is optional and up to you and the couple.

FSM Ordination Package

The Ordination Package — $79

  • Paper Certificate of Ordination
  • Black/Silver Resin Wallet Card
  • Two Vinyl Car Decals
  • Digital credentials (PDF) delivered same-day
  • Free shipping worldwide

Get Ordained →

Preparing for the Ceremony

  1. Get ordained — Get ordained with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Takes a few minutes. The digital credentials come within hours, and the physical package ships in a few days.
  2. Register with the Parish Clerk of Court — Louisiana requires ministers to register in the parish where the wedding will take place. Costs about $50, can take up to 30 days. You’ll need to file a Marriage Officiant Affidavit. Note: registration is per-parish — if you officiate weddings in different parishes, you’ll need to register in each one.
  3. Talk to the couple — What kind of ceremony do they want? Religious? Secular? Funny? Short? This is their day — find out what matters to them.
  4. Write your script — Include the Declaration of Intent and the Pronouncement. Fill in the rest with whatever feels right — personal stories, readings, vows, humor.
  5. Practice — Read it out loud at least twice. Time it. Speak slowly — you’ll talk faster on the day.

Ceremony Day

  • Bring: Your script (printed), your ordination credentials (just in case), and a black pen
  • The ceremony: Walk through your script. Declaration of Intent → Pronouncement → done. Everything else is gravy.
  • Relax. You’ve prepared. The couple picked you. Enjoy it.

If You’re Also Handling the Paperwork

Louisiana allows registered clergy to sign the marriage license, but you must register in the parish where the ceremony takes place.

Statute: Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:202 — priests, ministers, rabbis, or clergy authorized by their religion may solemnize marriages (must be registered).

Can an FSM Minister Handle the Paperwork?

Detail Info
Can officiant sign the license? Yes (with registration)
Registration required? Yes — Parish Clerk of Court, ~$50, up to 30 days
Marriage license cost $20–$40
Waiting period 72 hours (waivable by judge)
License valid for 30 days
Return deadline Promptly after ceremony
Witnesses needed 2 adults

Before the Wedding

  • Register with the Parish Clerk of Court — File your Marriage Officiant Affidavit and ordination credentials in the parish where the wedding will take place. Costs about $50, takes up to 30 days. Do this well before the wedding.
  • Call the Parish Clerk of Court — Tell them you’re an ordained, registered minister performing a wedding. Ask what they need from you. They do this every day and they’re almost always helpful.
  • The couple gets their marriage license — They apply at the Parish Clerk of Court. Both parties need valid ID and birth certificates. Application is signed before a notary. 72-hour waiting period (a judge can waive it). Valid for 30 days.

Right After the Ceremony

Sign the marriage license — you, the couple, and two adult witnesses. Black pen. Do this immediately after the ceremony — don’t wait.

After the Wedding

Return the signed license to the Parish Clerk of Court promptly. Mail it or drop it off. Set a phone reminder right after the ceremony.

Louisiana Tips

  • Louisiana uses parishes, not counties — there are 64 of them
  • Registration is per-parish — register in the parish where the ceremony takes place
  • 72-hour waiting period on the license (a judge can waive it)
  • 30-day license validity is short — coordinate timing with the couple
  • 2 witnesses required at the ceremony
  • Birth certificates required for the marriage license application
  • Covenant marriage is an option (stricter divorce requirements — the couple should know about this)
  • Online ordination is widely accepted

County-Specific Info

Questions?

Contact us. And the #1 rule: talk to your local Parish Clerk of Court before the ceremony. They do this every day. They’ll tell you exactly what you need.

This page is a helpful guide, not legal advice. Laws change. Always verify current requirements with your local Parish Clerk of Court.