Louisiana ranks 28th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#18of 51
Speed#42of 51
Ease of ordering#29 (tie)of 51
Birth certificates #25 of 51
Cost
$15 first copy (long form), $15 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: about 8–10 weeks; in person: walk-in service available; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
About 8–10 weeks by mail
Where to order
State office or the Clerk of Court in the parish
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
The state holds the last 100 years; older records are at the Louisiana State Archives
Marriage records #36 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by parish; Orleans Parish marriages: $5 per copy from the state
Processing time
Varies by parish
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by parish
Where to order
Parish only: the Clerk of Court in the parish where the license was issued; Orleans Parish marriages come from the state Vital Records Registry
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Divorce records #27 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by parish
Processing time
Varies by parish
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by parish
Where to order
Parish only: the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Death certificates #16 of 51
Cost
$7 first copy, $7 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: about 8–10 weeks; in person: walk-in service available; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
About 8–10 weeks by mail
Where to order
State office or the Clerk of Court in the parish
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
The state holds the last 50 years; older records are at the Louisiana State Archives
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Louisiana birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Louisiana birth certificate?
A certified Louisiana birth certificate costs $15 per copy from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Vital Records Registry, plus a $0.50 state charge on each mail or VitalChek order. Order by mail (allow about 8–10 weeks for delivery), online or by phone through VitalChek, in person at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans, or at a participating parish Clerk of Court for a higher fee.
Louisiana birth records: ordering details
Who can order
Louisiana is a “closed record” state. You can order if you are the person named on the record, their current spouse, parent, adult child, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild, or an attorney representing one of them (with a written declaration on letterhead). Another adult ordering a child’s record needs a judgment of custody. Anyone else needs a signed Authorization Release of Records from the registrant.
Fee
$15 for each certified long-form copy. Long form plus a short-form birth card (sold only as a pair): $24. Commemorative birth certificate: $50. Extras: $0.50 state charge on each mail or VitalChek order; VitalChek adds its own fees, including a security fee and charges for expedited service. At a parish Clerk of Court: $34 for a long form, or $48 for the long-form and card pair. Fees are kept if no record is found.
How to order
Online, phone or fax:VitalChek, the state’s authorized provider, or 1-877-605-8562 (credit card). Choose “Will Call” to pick up at the New Orleans office. By mail: the birth/death application, a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order payable to “Louisiana Vital Records” to Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. In person: Vital Records Central Office, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans (8 a.m.–3:30 p.m., except state holidays). Cash in the exact amount, check or money order; no cards. Or a participating Clerk of Court.
ID needed
One primary ID (current driver’s license or state photo ID, U.S. military ID, passport, or certificate of naturalization or citizenship) or two secondary documents. See the full ID list. By mail, include a copy of a federal or state photo ID; orders without one are returned.
Processing time
Mail: allow about 8–10 weeks for delivery (LDH’s figure). VitalChek and walk-in times aren’t published; VitalChek Will Call orders are ready when you get an email saying so.
Older and local records
The state registry keeps birth records for 100 years. Older birth records are at the Louisiana State Archives (Secretary of State), P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125. Participating parish Clerks of Court issue long- and short-form birth certificates.
Tip: Need it sooner than 8–10 weeks? A participating Clerk of Court in your parish can print a copy for a higher fee. Call ahead to confirm its hours.
A certified Louisiana death certificate costs $7 per copy from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Vital Records Registry, plus a $0.50 state charge on each mail or VitalChek order. Order by mail (allow about 8–10 weeks for delivery), through VitalChek, in person in New Orleans, or at a participating parish Clerk of Court ($26 per copy) for deaths from July 7, 2012 on.
Louisiana death records: ordering details
Who can order
The surviving spouse listed on the record; a parent, adult child, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild; or someone with documents showing a legal interest, such as an insurance, pension or payable-on-death account beneficiary, a succession representative, or an attorney or notary handling a small succession. Requests from beneficiaries and representatives must go to the central office in person or by mail.
Fee
$7 for each certified copy. Extras: $0.50 state charge on each mail or VitalChek order; VitalChek adds its own fees. At a parish Clerk of Court: $26 per copy. Fees are kept if no record is found.
How to order
Online, phone or fax:VitalChek or 1-877-605-8562; Will Call pickup in New Orleans is available. By mail: the birth/death application, a copy of your photo ID, any proof of eligibility, and a check or money order payable to “Louisiana Vital Records” to Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. In person: 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans (8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), or a participating Clerk of Court.
ID needed
Same as birth certificates: one primary photo ID or two secondary documents from the LDH list. Mail orders need a copy of a federal or state photo ID.
Processing time
Mail: allow about 8–10 weeks for delivery (LDH’s figure). VitalChek and walk-in times aren’t published.
Older and local records
The state registry keeps death records for 50 years. Older death records are at the Louisiana State Archives, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125. Participating parish Clerks of Court issue death certificates for deaths from July 7, 2012 on.
Tip: Settling an estate? Bring the letter of testamentary or administration, certified by the Clerk of Court, if you aren’t a family member listed as eligible.
Louisiana marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Court in the parish where the license was issued; each parish sets its own fees and wait times. The one exception is Orleans Parish: certified copies of Orleans Parish marriage certificates come from the state Vital Records Registry for $5 per copy.
Louisiana marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
Parish records: set by the parish Clerk of Court. Orleans Parish (state): apply with a completed application and photo ID.
Fee
Parish Clerk of Court: varies by parish. Orleans Parish certificate from the state: $5 per copy, plus $0.50 on each mail or VitalChek order and VitalChek’s own fees.
How to order
Outside Orleans Parish: contact the Clerk of Court in the parish that issued the license. Orleans Parish: online or by phone through VitalChek; by mail with the Orleans Parish marriage application, a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order to Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160; or in person at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans.
ID needed
Parish records: ask the Clerk of Court. Orleans Parish: a photo ID (a copy by mail).
Processing time
Parish records: varies by parish. Orleans Parish by mail: allow about 8–10 weeks for delivery.
Older records
Contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the license was issued.
Tip: Married in New Orleans? Order from the state Vital Records Registry, not the parish clerk.
Louisiana divorce records come only from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted. The state Vital Records Registry keeps birth, death and Orleans Parish marriage records only, so fees and wait times are set by each parish.
Louisiana divorce records: ordering details
Who can order
Set by the parish Clerk of Court.
Fee
Varies by parish.
How to order
Contact the Clerk of Court’s office in the parish where the divorce was granted and ask how it takes requests (in person, by mail or online).
ID needed
Ask the Clerk of Court.
Processing time
Varies by parish.
Older records
Contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted.
Tip: Have both spouses’ names, the year and the parish ready before you contact the Clerk of Court.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Louisiana records people search for
Official Louisiana sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by parishes or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official Louisiana sites for other records
Court case lookup
eClerks LA State-designated index (Louisiana Clerks' Remote Access Authority); each parish clerk of court keeps the records, and images carry fees.
Inmate search
DOC inmate information Locate a person by phone or through LAVNS (VINE), the state-designated custody lookup.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Louisiana public records
Certificate Information
State law in Louisiana states that all birth records and death records become public records 100 years after their date of filing
and become available at the state archives. Records can be retrieved by mail, online, or by visiting one of the multiple locations.
Certified documents cost $9 for a short copy $15 dollars for the long birth certificate and $9 dollars for each death certificate.
Mail to:
Vital Records Registry
PO Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
Marriage and divorce certificates are not all available through the state archives. Only Orleans Parish marriage records within
the last 50 years are available through the Vital Records Registry. All records performed more than 50 years ago must be had
from the Office of the Secretary of State. All marriage and divorce records can be ordered from the Office of the Clerk of Court
from each parish.
Adoption Records
All adoption records including original birth certificates are considered confidential records. The state maintains a voluntary
registry for exchange of vital information and medical history.
The Louisiana Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry
Post Office Box 3318
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Property Records
Property records, tax records and land use recrods can all be found using the parish GIS mapping applications and local assessor
property data searches.
