Louisiana Birth Records

We appreciate you visiting this page. We will strive to give you the best help for finding Louisiana Birth Records. Our goal is to provide clear facts. We want this guide to make your task easy.

If you need to start your search for Louisiana Birth Records right now, you can visit https://louisianaofficialrecords.com/birth-records/. This resource allows you to begin the process immediately. Searching there can save you time if you are ready to order your Louisiana Birth Records and meet the state requirements for access. It offers a direct path for those eligible to request these important documents.

Louisiana Birth Records: Certified vs. Informational

Louisiana is a "closed record" state. This means Louisiana Birth Records are not public records. Access is restricted by law. You usually need a certified copy for legal tasks. These prove identity for passports or school. They are official copies from the state. Louisiana issues long-form birth certificates. These contain more detail than short-form ones. Informational copies exist too. These have text saying they are not valid for identity proof. They are mainly for research like family trees. They cannot be used for official needs. Records stay confidential for 100 years after birth. Only specific people can get certified copies during this time.

Who Can Order Louisiana Birth Records?

Because Louisiana Birth Records are confidential for 100 years, only certain people can order them. You must prove your link to the person on the record. You also need valid ID.

Eligible individuals include:

• The person named on the birth certificate (registrant)

• The registrant's current spouse

• Parents listed on the birth certificate

• The registrant's adult children

• The registrant's siblings

• Grandparents of the registrant

• Grandchildren of the registrant

• A legal guardian (must show a signed judgment of custody; notarized papers are not enough)

• An attorney representing one of the eligible people. The attorney needs a written statement of representation on letterhead. It must include their bar roll number. They also need a copy of their own ID.

If someone else needs the record for a child, they must show a judgment of custody. If an eligible person cannot apply themselves, they can authorize someone else. This needs a signed letter from the eligible person. A copy of the eligible person's valid photo ID must also be included. Aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws cannot order the record.

How to Get Louisiana Birth Records

You have a few ways to order official Louisiana Birth Records. You can go in person. You can send a request by mail. You can also order through the state's authorized online partner. Each way has steps you must follow. You will need an application, ID, and payment. Choose the best way for your needs.

Order In Person

Vital Records Central Office: You can visit the main state office in New Orleans.

• Address: 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112

• Walk-in Hours: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday (closed on state holidays)

• Process: Fill out the application form. Bring your valid photo ID. Bring the correct fee.

• Payment: They accept cash (must be the exact amount), check, or money order. They do not take cards at the walk-in counter.

Participating Louisiana Clerks of Court: Many Parish Clerks of Court offices can issue Louisiana Birth Records. This offers local service across the state.

• Locations: A list of participating Clerk of Court offices is on the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) website. Find the directory here: https://ldh.la.gov/directory/category/279

• Fees: Clerks charge the state fee plus an extra fee for their service. For example, Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court charges $34.00 for a birth certificate (https://www.jpclerkofcourt.us/birth-death-certificates/). Check with the specific Clerk's office for their exact fee and hours.

• Note: Some older records, especially before 1983, might need updates from the state Vital Records office first. It may be best to arrive early, like before 4:00 PM, at Clerk offices. East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court offers this service downtown (https://www.ebrclerkofcourt.org/birth-certificate).

Order By Mail

You can mail your request to the state office. This is good if you cannot go in person.

• Recipient: Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160

• Requirements:

  • A completed application form. You can find the form here: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-RS/vitalrec/birth_deathorderingpacket.pdf

  • A clear copy of your valid photo ID.

  • The correct fee. Pay by check or money order. Make it payable to "Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics". Add $0.50 state charge to the total fee for mail orders. Do not send cash.

• Processing Time: Allow about 8 to 10 weeks for delivery by mail. If no record is found, fees are kept for the search effort as per state law (R.S. 40:40).

Order Online or by Phone via Official Partner

The Louisiana Department of Health partners with VitalChek Network, Inc. for online, fax, and phone orders. This is often the fastest way.

• How to Order: Visit the VitalChek website (https://www.vitalchek.com) or call them.

• Phone: 1-877-605-8562

• Payment: You must use a major credit card.

• Fees: There are extra fees for using this service. Expedited shipping also costs more.

• Will Call Option: You can order online via VitalChek and choose "Will Call". This lets you pick up the certificate at the New Orleans Central Office. You get an email when it is ready. This avoids mail time but still uses the online system.

• Status Check: If you order through VitalChek, you can check your order status on their site or by phone. LDH does not directly handle these online orders or payments.

Information Needed for Application Form

To get Louisiana Birth Records, you must fill out an application. Make sure all details are correct. Missing facts can slow things down.

You will need to provide:

• Record Information:

  • Full name of the person at birth (First, Middle, Last)

  • Date of birth (Month, Day, Year)

  • Sex (Male/Female)

  • City or town of birth

  • Parish of birth

  • Father's full name (First, Middle, Last)

  • Mother's full maiden name (First, Middle, Maiden Last)

• Applicant Information:

  • Your full name (First, Last)

  • Your home address (Street, City, State, Zip Code)

  • Your daytime phone number

  • Your email address (optional, but helpful)

  • Your relationship to the person on the certificate (e.g., self, parent, spouse)

  • Your signature (certifying the request is true)

You must include a copy of your ID with the form. State law requires this proof. The form also has a warning. Lying on the application is a crime. It can lead to big fines or jail time. Use the correct form for the method you choose (State Mail-in vs. Clerk of Court).

Identification Requirements for Louisiana Birth Records

You must show valid ID to get Louisiana Birth Records. This rule protects privacy. It ensures only eligible people get records. You need one primary ID or two secondary IDs.

Primary Identification (One needed):

• Current state-issued Driver's License with photo

• Current state-issued Picture ID card with photo

• Current U.S. Military ID card with photo

• Current U.S. or Foreign Passport with photo

• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-570, or N-578)

• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-578)

• For High School Students: A current school yearbook or school ID  with photo  

Secondary Identification (Two needed):

• Current student picture ID from a college/university (Must have a paid receipt for the current semester. Counts as TWO documents.)

• A W-2 form from the last two years PLUS an original signed Social Security card (Names and numbers must match. Counts as TWO documents.)

• Social Security card (original, signed)

• Original adoption papers

• Official certified deed or title to property

• Certificate of vehicle title

• Current insurance policy document showing your name (Health, Home, Life, Auto)

• Payroll stub (not handwritten) showing your name and Social Security number

• Current U.S. military dependent ID card with photo

• Original DD-214 Military Discharge document

• Voter's Registration application (certified true copy)

Make sure your ID is current and not expired. Provide clear copies if applying by mail. If you lack primary ID, gather two from the secondary list. This step is key to process your request for Louisiana Birth Records.

Fees for Louisiana Birth Records

The cost for Louisiana Birth Records depends on where and how you order. Fees are set by state law (Louisiana Revised Statute 40:39.1). They can change.

• State Vital Records Office (Mail-in or New Orleans Walk-in):

  • Certified Long Form Birth Certificate: $15.00 per copy.

  • Mail Order Surcharge: An extra $0.50 processing fee per mail transaction.

  • Payment: Check or Money Order (payable to "Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics") for mail. Cash (exact amount), Check, or Money Order for walk-in.

• Participating Clerk of Court Offices:

  • Fees vary by parish. Clerks add their own statutory fee to the state fee.

  • Example (Jefferson Parish): $34.00 for one birth certificate. $48.00 for a birth certificate plus a birth card (sold as a pair). Source: jpclerkofcourt.us

  • Contact the specific Clerk's office for their current fees and accepted payment types. Fees are higher here than ordering directly from the state by mail.

• VitalChek (Online/Phone Orders):

  • State Fee ($15.00) + VitalChek Processing Fee + Optional Expedited Shipping Fee.

  • Fees are shown during the online order process. Payment by credit card is required.

If the requested record is not found after a search, the fees paid are generally not refunded. The fee covers the search cost as allowed by R.S. 40:40. Always confirm the current fee before sending payment or ordering.

Contact Information for Louisiana Vital Records

Knowing who to contact is important. Here are key contacts for Louisiana Birth Records.

Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics (State Office):

• Physical Address (Walk-in Service): Vital Records Central Office 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400 New Orleans, LA 70112

• Mailing Address: Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics P.O. Box 60630 New Orleans, LA 70160

• Customer Service Hotline: 504-593-5100

• Fax: 504-568-8716

• Walk-in Hours: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday (excluding state holidays)

• Website: https://ldh.la.gov/vital-records

Participating Louisiana Clerks of Court:

• Contact information varies by parish.

• Find a list of locations and phone numbers here: https://ldh.la.gov/directory/category/279

• Check the specific Clerk's website or call them for hours and fees. Example: Jefferson Parish Clerk: 504-364-2900. Example: East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk: 225-389-5277.

VitalChek Network, Inc. (Official Online/Phone Partner):

• Phone: 1-877-605-8562 (for placing orders or checking status)

• Website: https://www.vitalchek.com

Use the state office number (504-593-5100) for general questions about state policies, mail orders, or amendments. Contact Clerks for questions about their specific services. Use the VitalChek number for issues with online or phone orders placed through them.

Louisiana Birth Record Laws and Confidentiality

Louisiana has specific laws about vital records. These laws protect privacy. Louisiana Birth Records are confidential. They are not public records. This is stated in Louisiana law (like R.S. 40:41). Access is limited for a long time.

Key points about Louisiana law:

• Closed Record State: Louisiana restricts access to birth certificates.

• Confidentiality Period: Birth records are confidential for 100 years after the birth year. Death records are confidential for 50 years after the death year.

• Eligibility: Only specific individuals (listed earlier) can obtain certified copies during the confidentiality period. R.S. 40:41 outlines who can inspect or get copies.

• Application Fraud: Knowingly making false statements on an application is a serious crime. Penalties can include a fine up to $10,000 or prison up to five years, or both (R.S. 40:40).

• Certificate Forms: The state registrar prescribes the official forms used for birth certificates (R.S. 40:34). Hospitals must use typewritten or computer-generated forms. Electronic registration is allowed under rules set by LDH.

• Registration: Law details how births must be registered. For hospital births, the hospital staff usually handle it. The physician certifies medical facts within seven days (R.S. 40:45). For births outside hospitals, the attendant or parent files the record.

These laws ensure the integrity and privacy of Louisiana Birth Records. Always provide true information and follow the rules when requesting records.

Accessing Older Louisiana Birth Records (Over 100 Years Old)

Once Louisiana Birth Records reach 100 years past the birth year, they become public. They are no longer confidential under state law. These older records are not held by the Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. They are moved to the state archives.

• Custodian: Louisiana State Archives manages these historical records.

• Location: The State Archives is part of the Louisiana Secretary of State's office.

• Mailing Address: Louisiana State Archives, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125. (Verify current address if needed).

• Online Index: The Secretary of State provides an online search tool for these older records. You can search the Louisiana Birth Records Index Database here: https://www.sos.la.gov/historicalresources/researchhistoricalrecords/pages/onlinepublicvitalrecordsindex.aspx

• Availability Note: Statewide birth registration was not required by law until 1918. Records before 1911 are generally only available for Orleans Parish (New Orleans). Availability for other parishes before 1918 is limited.

• Ordering Copies: You can order copies directly from the State Archives after finding a record in the index.

  • Photocopy (not certified): $5.00 by mail.

  • Certified Copy: $10.00 by mail.

  • Follow instructions on the Secretary of State website for ordering.

Accessing these older records is great for genealogy or historical research. The process differs from getting recent, confidential records. Use the State Archives resources for births over 100 years ago.

Amending or Correcting Louisiana Birth Records

Sometimes, information on a birth certificate needs to be fixed or updated. This could be a typo or a legal change. Louisiana law allows for amendments or corrections to Louisiana Birth Records. The process depends on the type of change needed.

• Types of Changes:

  • Corrections: Fixing errors made when the record was first created. Examples include misspelled names, wrong date or time of birth.

  • Amendments: Making legal changes to the record after it was filed. Examples include adding a father's name after paternity is established, legal name changes, or changes related to adoption.

• Who to Contact: All requests for corrections or amendments must go through the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics in New Orleans. Local Clerk of Court offices cannot make these changes. Hospitals may help correct errors shortly after birth (like Woman's Hospital contact at 225-924-8753 for initial corrections), but most changes require state office action.

• Process: You will likely need to submit specific forms and supporting documents. The exact proof needed depends on the change requested. For example, adding a father might require a paternity acknowledgment form or a court order. A legal name change requires a court order.

• Fees: There may be fees associated with filing an amendment or correction. Contact the Vital Records Central Office for details on required forms and fees.

• Contact: Call the State Vital Records office at 504-593-5100 to inquire about the specific process for your situation. They can guide you on the necessary steps and documentation for amending Louisiana Birth Records.

Making changes takes time. Start the process early if you need an updated record for official purposes. Be ready to provide legal proof for the requested change.

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