HLS 18RS-925 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 390
BY REPRESENTATIVE EMERSON
MARRIAGE: Repeals the seventy-two-hour waiting period before performing a marriage
ceremony
1 AN ACT
2To repeal R.S. 9:241 through 243, relative to the performance of marriage ceremonies; to
3 repeal the seventy-two-hour waiting period before conducting a marriage ceremony.
4Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. R.S. 9:241 through 243 are hereby repealed in their entirety.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 390 Original 2018 Regular Session Emerson
Abstract: Repeals the 72-hour waiting period before conducting a marriage ceremony.
Present law (R.S. 9:241) provides that an officiant may not perform a marriage ceremony
until 72 hours have elapsed since the issuance of the marriage license.
Present law (R.S. 9:242(A)) authorizes a judge, justice of the peace, or retired justice of the
peace authorized to perform the marriage to waive the 72-hour delay upon application of the
parties giving serious and meritorious reasons.
Present law (R.S. 9:242(B)) authorizes any officiant performing marriage ceremonies in the
parish of Orleans to waive the 72-hour delay for nonresident parties upon application of the
parties giving serious and meritorious reasons.
Present law (R.S. 9:243) provides that an officiant who violates the 72-hour waiting period,
other than a judge, justice of the peace, or an officiant authorized to perform marriage
ceremonies in the parish of Orleans, may have his authority to perform marriage ceremonies
revoked by the state registrar of vital records, which revocation may not exceed one year.
Proposed law repeals present law (R.S. 9:241-243)
(Repeals R.S. 9:241-243)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.