Orleans Parish LA Death Records

We appreciate you visiting this resource. Our aim is to give you the best help we can for finding Orleans Parish Death Records. We have gathered details to make your search clear and easy. This guide covers where and how to find the death records you need in Orleans Parish.

If you want to begin your search for records right now, you can visit https://louisianaofficialrecords.com/orleans-parish-death-records/. This site allows you to start looking for Orleans Parish Death Records immediately. Many people find it helpful to start their search there while also learning more about the official sources and processes outlined below. Knowing the official steps can help manage expectations for timing and what information is needed for a successful request.

Accessing Recent Orleans Parish Death Records (Deaths Within Last 50 Years)

Louisiana law protects the privacy of recent vital records. Death records are considered confidential for 50 years after the year of death. This means access is restricted. Only certain people can get a certified copy. Most requests for recent deaths go through the state health department.

Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics: The Official Source

The main place for recent death records is the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). The Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics holds these files. They handle records for deaths that happened in Louisiana within the last 50 years. This office ensures records are issued only to those allowed by law. They maintain the accuracy and safety of these important documents. The Bureau has specific rules you must follow to get a record. You need proof of who you are. You must show you have a right to the record.

• Location: Vital Records Central Office, 1450 Poydras St, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. This office is in the Benson Tower.

• Phone: (504) 593-5100

• Hours: Walk-in service is usually available 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. State holidays are exceptions. It is good to call ahead or check the LDH website before you visit. Hours can change.

• Who Can Request: Louisiana is a "closed record" state. This limits who can get a certified death certificate less than 50 years old. You must be listed in Louisiana Revised Statute 40:41. Eligible people include the surviving spouse (named on the record), parent, adult child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild of the person named on the record. An attorney representing an eligible person, or a succession representative with court letters, may also apply. You must prove your link to the person. Beneficiaries of insurance policies or trusts may also qualify with proof.

• Request Methods:

  • In-Person: Visit the New Orleans office. Bring your completed application form, valid photo ID, and payment. They accept cash (exact amount needed), checks, or money orders. This is often the fastest way if you are in the area.

  • Mail: Send a completed application form, a copy of your valid photo ID, and the correct fee (check or money order payable to Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics) to: Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Allow extra time for mail processing, often 8-10 weeks.

  • Online/Phone: You can order through VitalChek Network. This is an authorized service provider. They accept credit cards. There are extra fees for using this service. Visit their website or call 1-877-605-8562. The LDH site notes VitalChek is an option.

• Required ID: You need one primary ID or two secondary IDs. Primary IDs include a current state driver's license or ID card, a current US military ID, or a current US or foreign passport. Secondary IDs can include things like a student ID with a paid receipt, a W-2 form with an original Social Security card, or official property deeds. Check the LDH website for a full list of accepted ID documents.

• Fees: The standard fee for a certified death certificate is $7.00 per copy. There is a $0.50 state charge added to each mail order. Fees paid to VitalChek are higher. Fees are for the search; they are not refunded if no record is found.

• Processing Times: In-person requests might be same-day. Mail requests typically take 8 to 10 weeks. VitalChek offers regular and expedited options.

Limited Access Through Clerks of Court

Some Louisiana Clerks of Court can issue death certificates for deaths occurring after July 7, 2012. However, this service varies by parish. There may be an extra fee charged by the Clerk's office. While some parishes offer this, the Orleans Parish Clerk of Civil District Court mainly handles court records and land records. They do not typically issue birth or death certificates. For Orleans Parish deaths, you should rely on the Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics or the State Archives for historical records. Always check directly with the specific Clerk of Court if you plan to use their service.

Finding Historical Orleans Parish Death Records (Deaths Over 50 Years Ago)

Once a death record is more than 50 years old, it becomes a public record. These older records are moved from the Department of Health. They go to the Louisiana State Archives. This makes them open for public research. Genealogists and historians often use these records. They offer great insight into family history and past events in New Orleans. Accessing these records involves different steps than recent ones.

Louisiana State Archives: Repository for Older Records

The Louisiana State Archives holds historical vital records for the state. This includes Orleans Parish death records that are over 50 years old. As of May 2025, this generally means records from 1974 and earlier. The Archives makes these important historical documents available to the public. Their collection provides a rich source for research.

• Location: 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

• Phone: (225) 922-1000

• Hours: The Research Library is typically open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed on state holidays. Check their website for current hours and any access rules.

• Scope of Records: The Archives holds Orleans Parish death records from 1819 up to the 50-year cutoff (currently around 1974). They also have an index covering deaths from 1804 to 1818. Statewide death records from 1911 to the 50-year cutoff are also available. Note that Orleans records prior to 1911 are generally more complete than other parishes.

• How to Obtain:

  • In-Person Research: Visit the Research Library in Baton Rouge. You can view indexes and microfilm records. Staff can help you access original records if needed. You need proper ID to use the research room.

  • Mail Order: You can request copies by mail. You need to provide the person's name and the date or a three-year span for the death. Specify Orleans Parish. Use the forms available on the State Archives website.

• Online Index: The Louisiana Secretary of State website has an online Louisiana Vital Records Index. You can search this index for deaths over 50 years old before visiting or ordering. This helps confirm if a record exists. Find it under Historical Resources on www.sos.la.gov.

• Costs: A non-certified photocopy costs $5.00 by mail. A certified copy costs $10.00 by mail. If you do research in person, you can make non-certified copies for a lower fee (e.g., 50 cents per page). Fees include a search of up to three years per name. Fees are kept even if no record is found.

New Orleans Public Library: City Archives & Special Collections Resources

The New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) offers valuable resources through its City Archives & Special Collections. While they do not hold official death certificates, their collections can supplement your research. They are a key place for finding death notices or obituaries. These often contain details not on the death certificate.

• Location: Main Library, 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112. The City Archives & Special Collections are located within the Main Library.

• Phone: (504) 596-2610 (Louisiana Division/City Archives direct line may differ, check NOPL website)

• Hours: Library hours vary. The City Archives & Special Collections often have specific research hours, sometimes requiring an appointment. Check the NOPL or City Archives website (nolacityarchives.org) for current details.

• Obituary Index: The Archives houses a massive obituary index. It mainly covers the Times-Picayune from 1837 to 1972. It also includes entries from other historical New Orleans papers. This index is digitized and searchable online through the NOPL website or the City Archives website. It provides the citation (newspaper name, date, page) needed to find the actual obituary.

• Accessing Newspapers: Many obituaries cited in the index (Times-Picayune, States, Item) are available digitally through NOPL's online newspaper databases (requires a library card). Obituaries from other papers may only be on microfilm, requiring a visit to the City Archives.

• Requesting Copies: If you cannot visit, you can use the Archives' Search and Copy Services to request obituary copies for a fee. Find details on their website.

• Related Materials: The City Archives also holds other potentially relevant records. These might include some Coroner's Records or information related to city cemeteries. These can provide context around a person's death.

Key Information About Orleans Parish Death Records

Understanding the details within death records is key. Knowing the types of copies helps too. Louisiana law also plays a big role in who can get records. This section covers these important points. It helps you know what to expect. It helps you use the records correctly.

What Details are on a Louisiana Death Certificate?

Death certificates contain vital information. The exact details can vary by year. Most Louisiana death records include:

• Full name of the deceased person.

• Date and time of death.

• Place of death (parish, city/town, address if applicable).

• Age at time of death.

• Date and place of birth.

• Sex and race.

• Marital status (single, married, widowed, divorced).

• Name of surviving spouse, if applicable.

• Usual occupation and industry.

• Usual residence address.

• Father's full name and birthplace.

• Mother's full maiden name and birthplace.

• Name of the informant (person providing information).

• Cause of death (certified by physician or coroner).

• Place and date of burial or cremation.

• Name of the funeral home.

• Social Security number (on more recent records).

• Veteran status, if applicable (on more recent records).

Certified vs. Informational Copies Explained

There are two main types of copies you might get. A Certified Copy has a raised seal from the issuing agency (LDH or State Archives). It is printed on special security paper. This copy is legally valid. It can be used for official purposes. These include settling estates, claiming insurance benefits, or transferring property titles. Access to certified copies of recent records is restricted by law. An Informational Copy or photocopy is usually for research. It contains the same information. But it does not have the official seal. It cannot be used for legal proof. Photocopies of historical records (over 50 years old) from the State Archives are generally available to the public for research. They are cheaper than certified copies.

Louisiana Vital Records Laws and Privacy

Louisiana operates as a "closed record" state for recent vital records. This means birth and death records are not public information until a certain time passes. For death records, this period is 50 years from the end of the calendar year of death. The law protects the privacy of the individuals named on the records and their families.

• Key Statutes: Access is primarily governed by Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40. Specifically, R.S. 40:41 outlines who is entitled to obtain certified copies of birth and death records. R.S. 40:61 details the fees for copies and searches. These laws ensure confidentiality while allowing legitimate access.

• Entitled Parties: As listed by LDH and based on R.S. 40:41, those entitled to a certified copy of a death record less than 50 years old include:

  • Surviving spouse named on the record.

  • Parent.

  • Adult child.

  • Sibling.

  • Grandparent.

  • Grandchild.

  • Succession representative (with court documents).

  • Attorney representing an entitled party or handling a small succession (must provide specific declaration).

  • Beneficiary of insurance policy, trust, pension, or payable-on-death account (with proof).

  • Surety agent on a criminal bail bond (with documentation).

• Identification: All requests for certified copies require valid identification. You must present either one primary document (like a driver's license, state ID, passport) or two secondary documents (like a student ID with fee receipt, W-2 with Social Security card, utility bill, bank statement). The ID must clearly identify the applicant. A copy of the ID is needed for mail requests.

How to Amend Orleans Parish Death Records

Sometimes, information on a death certificate may be wrong. Louisiana law allows for amendments to correct errors. The process depends on what part of the certificate needs changing. Amendments are made by drawing a line through the wrong data. The correct data is added nearby. The original information remains visible.

Correcting Personal or Demographic Details

If there is an error in items like the deceased's name, date of birth, parents' names, or residence (demographic information, usually items 1 and 3-23), the amendment process typically starts with the funeral home listed on the certificate. The funeral director must submit a request to the Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics. This request must be on funeral home letterhead. It must state the deceased's name and date of death. It must list the item number(s) to change. It must show the wrong information and the correct information. The funeral director must sign the request.

Correcting Cause of Death or Medical Details

If the error relates to the medical certification part (cause of death, time of death, etc., usually items 2 and 27-32), the amendment must come from the attending physician or the coroner who certified the death. That official must submit a request to the Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics. The request must be on their official letterhead. It needs the deceased's name and date of death. It must list the item(s) to change. It must show the wrong information and the correct information. The physician or coroner must provide their original signature.

Appearance of Amendments on Certificates

When a death certificate is amended, the record itself is changed using an interlinear method. This means the incorrect information is struck through with a single line. The correct information is typed or written above or near it. The original, incorrect information is not erased or hidden. This method maintains the history of the record while clearly showing the correction. Any certified copy issued after the amendment will show both the original information (lined out) and the corrected information.