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What are Louisiana Vital Records?
Vital records in Louisiana are the official records of all births, deaths, fetal deaths, and marriages in the state of Louisiana. These records are maintained by the Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar & Vital Records.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, birth records are confidential until 100 years after the birth of the registrant. Birth records that are older than 100 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives at 8585 Archives Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.
Anyone may obtain a copy of a birth record older than 100 years. For copies of birth certificates less than 100 years, only the following persons may obtain a copy:
- The person named as registrant on the certificate.
- The current spouse of the person named as registrant.
- A legal guardian of the registrant.
- The mother or father of the person named as the registrant.
- An adult child of the person named as the registrant.
- A sister or brother of the person named as the registrant.
- A grandmother or grandfather of the person named as the registrant.
- A grandchild of the person named as the registrant.
- An attorney representing an eligible person.
- Anyone with a court order.
You may obtain a copy of a Louisiana birth record (long form or short form) in one of three ways: in person, by mail, or internet/fax/telephone orders. For any of these options, you should complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate.
To obtain a birth certificate in person, you can either visit the Vital Records Central Office, visit a participating clerk of court's office, or a Vital Records Kiosk.
You may visit the Louisiana Vital Records Office in person at 1450 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70112. The cost of a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate is $15. You may make payment by cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards (Visa, Discover, American Express, and Discover).
You may also choose to visit a participating Louisiana Clerks of Court office to obtain a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate. These offices charge additional fees.
Louisiana also offers kiosk service locations to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. When you place an order through a kiosk, your certificate is shipped through USPS, expedited shipping options, or you may pick up the certificate at the Vital Records Central Office. There are additional fees (security fees and shipping costs) for kiosk orders.
By mail, you should send your completed application form, a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (such as a valid driver's license), and the correct fees to:
Louisiana Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
You may also place your order for a Louisiana birth certificate online through VitalCheck. Additional fees are charged for online, fax, and phone orders. You should contact VitalChek through its website or by phone at 877-605-8562. VitalChek accepts major credit and debit cards, such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in Louisiana?
Under Louisiana law, death records are confidential until 50 years after a person's death to protect sensitive personal information such as the decedent's social security number. Death records older than 50 years are public records available at the Louisiana State Archives.
Anyone may obtain a copy of a Louisiana death record that is older than 50 years. For copies of birth certificates less than 50 years, only the following persons may obtain a copy:
- The surviving spouse of the decedent, if listed on the death certificate.
- The mother or father of the decedent, if listed on the certificate.
- An adult child of the decedent named on the death certificate.
- A sibling of the decedent, with proof of relationship.
- A grandparent of the decedent, with proof of relationship.
- A grandchild of the decedent, with proof of relationship.
- A person named in a court proceeding as an immediate family member.
- A succession representative with a certified Letter Testamentary or Letter of Administration for the succession.
- An attorney with proper notary documentation of representation of the decedent's estate or heirs.
- Anyone with a court order.
You may obtain a copy of a Louisiana death certificate in one of three ways: in person, by mail, or internet/fax/telephone orders. For any of these options, you should complete the Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate.
To obtain a death certificate in person, you can either visit the Vital Records Central Office, visit a participating clerk of court's office, or a Vital Records Kiosk.
You may visit the Louisiana Vital Records Office in person at 1450 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70112. The cost of a certified copy of a Louisiana death certificate is $7. You may make payment by cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards (Visa, Discover, American Express, and Discover).
You may also choose to visit a participating Louisiana Clerks of Court office to obtain a certified copy of a Louisiana death certificate. These offices charge additional fees.
Louisiana also offers kiosk service locations to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate. When you place an order through a kiosk, your certificate is shipped through USPS, expedited shipping options, or you may pick up the certificate at the Vital Records Central Office. There are additional fees (security fees and shipping costs) for kiosk orders.
By mail, you should send your completed death certificate application, a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID, and the correct fees to:
Louisiana Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
You may also place your order for a Louisiana death certificate online through VitalCheck. Additional fees are charged for online, fax, and phone orders. You should contact VitalChek through its website or by phone at 877-605-8562. VitalChek accepts major credit and debit cards, such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Marriage Certificate in Louisiana?
Louisiana marriage records are not confidential and can be accessed by anyone.
The Louisiana Office of Vital Records only maintains Orleans Parish marriage records. For an Orleans Parish marriage certificate, you may obtain a certified copy in person, online, by fax, phone, or mail.
To obtain an Orleans Parish marriage certificate in person, you should bring a completed Application for Certified Copy of Orleans Parish Marriage Certificate, along with your government issued photo ID and correct fees to the Vital Records Office at 1450 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70112. For walk in service, you may pay by cash, check, or money order. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.
For certified copies of marriage records from other parishes, you should contact the Louisiana Clerk of Court's Office in the parish where the marriage license was filed.
For certified copies of marriage records from other states, you should contact that state's vital records office.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Divorce Record in Louisiana?
Louisiana divorce records are not maintained by the State Vital Records Office. To obtain a copy of a Louisiana divorce decree, you should visit the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted. Only the divorced parties, their attorneys or representatives, those with valid authorization from the parties, and those with a court order may obtain a copy of the divorce record.