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Louisiana · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Center for Vital Records and Statistics (state level - New Orleans) / Participating Parish Clerks of Court (parish level - for deaths from July 7, 2012+)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Louisiana death records confidential for 50 years. Eligible requesters: spouse, children, parents, siblings, legal representatives, and others with documented legal interest.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. WALK-IN (New Orleans - Central Office): 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112; 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM Mon-Fri; cash (exact amount), check, or money order
  4. PARISH CLERK OF COURT: Participating parish Clerks of Court can issue death certificates for deaths occurring on or after July 7, 2012 - additional fees apply; more convenient locally
  5. BY MAIL: Complete death certificate application; include copy of photo ID, proof of relationship/interest; check or money order payable to "Louisiana Vital Records" (+ $0.50 state charge); mail to: Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160; allow 8-10 weeks
  6. ONLINE/PHONE (VitalChek): VitalChek at vitalchek.com or (877) 605-8562; additional fees; all major credit cards accepted
  7. Submit with valid photo ID and proof of relationship
  8. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed death certificate application
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (primary OR two secondary documents)
  • Proof of qualifying relationship or legal interest
  • Payment: cash (exact amount), check, or money order for walk-in/mail; card for VitalChek
Fee
Death Certificate: $7.00 per copy (state office - relatively inexpensive); $0.50 state charge added to each mail or VitalChek order; Clerk of Court issued death certificate: $26.00 per copy (higher but more convenient locally)
Processing Time
Walk-in: same day typically; mail: 8-10 weeks; VitalChek: expedited
Online Option
Yes - VitalChek (only authorized vendor)
Where to Go
LDH Center for Vital Records, 1450 Poydras St., Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112; participating parish Clerk of Court (for deaths from July 7, 2012+); VitalChek online
Louisiana Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Louisiana death certificates are relatively affordable at $7 from the state office.
  • Death records: confidential for 50 years; older records (50+ years) at Louisiana State Archives.
  • CLOSED RECORD STATE - restricted to eligible individuals.
  • Cash at walk-in must be exact amount.
  • $0.50 state charge must be included in mail/VitalChek orders.
  • Order multiple copies at once - estates, insurance, banks, SSA, VA each need a copy.
  • Funeral homes assist with initial filing for recent deaths.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
LDH Center for Vital Records and Statistics - ldh.la.gov/vital-records | (504) 593-5100 | 1450 Poydras St., Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112; mail: P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160