You have to be 18 to get married in Louisiana without anyone else’s involvement. At 16 or 17, marriage is still possible, but only with written parental consent, a judge’s authorization, and a spouse who is close enough in age to satisfy the state’s age-gap rule. Anyone under 16 cannot legally marry in Louisiana, and no parent or judge can change that.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Civil Code 29 – Age of Majority2Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Civil Code 90.1 – Impediment of Age
The Age Rules at a Glance
Eighteen is the age of majority in Louisiana. Once you reach it, you can marry any other adult without permission from parents or a court.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Civil Code 29 – Age of Majority
At 16 or 17, you can marry, but two conditions apply on top of the standard license requirements. You need written parental consent, and you need judicial authorization.3Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Children’s Code 1545 – Necessary Consent; Parents; Judicial Authorization
There is also an age-gap restriction. A 16- or 17-year-old cannot marry someone 18 or older if the age difference is three years or more.2Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Civil Code 90.1 – Impediment of Age A 16-year-old could marry a 17- or 18-year-old, but not a 19-year-old. A 17-year-old could marry someone up to 19 but not 20 or older.
Under 16, marriage is prohibited outright. Consent and court approval are not options the statute makes available.2Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Civil Code 90.1 – Impediment of Age
Parental Consent for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
Written consent must come from one of the following: both parents, the minor’s legal tutor, or a person who has been awarded custody.3Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Children’s Code 1545 – Necessary Consent; Parents; Judicial Authorization These are alternatives. If a court has awarded custody to a particular person, that person’s consent alone is what the law asks for.
When both parents are living and no custody order exists, both parents must consent. If one parent has died, or a divorce decree gives custody to one parent, the framework adjusts to the surviving parent or the parent with custody. Consent is either notarized ahead of time or signed in person at the clerk of court’s office.4Calcasieu Clerk of Court. Marriage Licenses
Judicial Authorization
Parental consent by itself is not enough. A judge has to separately authorize the marriage after the minor applies to the court. Authorization is granted only when there is a compelling reason for the marriage to take place, and the court must consider the best interest of the minor.5Justia Law. Louisiana Children’s Code Article 1547 – Judicial Authorization; Compelling Reasons
The statute does not define “compelling reason,” which leaves judges with meaningful discretion. Even with enthusiastic parental support, a judge who finds the marriage is not in the minor’s best interest can refuse. The hearing is typically held in chambers rather than in open court.
Marrying as a Minor Emancipates You
A 16- or 17-year-old who marries becomes fully emancipated under Louisiana law. Full emancipation gives the minor the legal capacity of an adult for most purposes, including the ability to enter contracts and manage their own affairs.6Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Civil Code Article 367 – Emancipation by Marriage
The emancipation is permanent. If the marriage later ends through divorce or annulment, the person stays emancipated and cannot be returned to the legal status of a minor.
What Happens If the Age Rules Are Broken
A marriage that violates Louisiana’s age restrictions is absolutely null. It has no legal effect from the beginning, any interested person can bring an action to have the nullity recognized, and no court declaration is required for the marriage to be treated as void.7Justia Law. Louisiana Civil Code Article 94 – Absolutely Null Marriage This covers marriages involving anyone under 16, marriages of 16- or 17-year-olds without the required consent and judicial authorization, and marriages that break the age-gap rule.
Officiants carry their own exposure. Any officiant other than a judge or justice of the peace who knowingly performs a ceremony involving a minor without the required consent or judicial authorization permanently loses the right to perform marriages in Louisiana.8Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Children’s Code 1548 – Penalty for Officiant Who Performs a Marriage Ceremony in Violation of This Chapter