This section suggests sample wording for a covenant-marriage declaration and affidavit, including statements about premarital counseling and a lifelong commitment.
§273.1. Declaration of intent; form A. The following is suggested as a form for the recitation which may be used by the couple: "DECLARATION OF INTENT We do solemnly declare that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who agree to live together as husband and wife for so long as they both may live. We have chosen each other carefully and disclosed to one another everything which could adversely affect the decision to enter this marriage. We have received premarital counseling on the nature, purposes, and responsibilities of marriage. We have read the Covenant Marriage Act, and we understand that a Covenant Marriage is for life. If we experience marital difficulties, we commit ourselves to take all reasonable efforts to preserve our marriage, including marital counseling. With full knowledge of what this commitment means, we do hereby declare that our marriage will be bound by Louisiana law on Covenant Marriages and we promise to love, honor, and care for one another as husband and wife for the rest of our lives." B. The following is the suggested form of the affidavit which may be used by the parties, notary, and counselor: STATE OF LOUISIANA PARISH OF BE IT KNOWN THAT on this ___ day of _______ , _____, before me the undersigned notary, personally came and appeared: _____________________________________________________________ (Insert names of the prospective spouses) who after being duly sworn by me, Notary, deposed and stated that: Affiants acknowledge that they have received premarital counseling from a priest, minister, rabbi, clerk of the Religious Society of Friends, any clergyman of any religious sect, or a professional marriage counselor, which marriage counseling included: A discussion of the seriousness of Covenant Marriage; Communication of the fact that a Covenant Marriage is a commitment for life; The obligation of a Covenant Marriage to take reasonable efforts to preserve the marriage if marital difficulties arise, and That the affiants both read the pamphlet entitled "The Covenant Marriage Act" developed and promulgated by the office of the attorney general, which provides a full explanation of a Covenant Marriage, including the obligation to seek marital counseling in times of marital difficulties and the exclusive grounds for legally terminating a Covenant Marriage by divorce or divorce after a judgment of separation from bed or board. _________________________ (Name of prospective spouse) _________________________ (Name of prospective spouse) SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME THIS _____ DAY OF ____________, ________. ________________________________ NOTARY PUBLIC ATTESTATION The undersigned does hereby attest that the affiants did receive counseling from me as to the nature and purpose of marriage, which included a discussion of the seriousness of Covenant Marriage, communication of the fact that a Covenant Marriage is for life, and the obligation of a Covenant Marriage to take reasonable efforts to preserve the marriage if marital difficulties arise. _______________________________ Counselor Acts 1999, No. 1298, §1.