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Louisiana · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Center for Vital Records and Statistics (state level - New Orleans) / Participating Parish Clerks of Court (parish level - for more recent records)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Louisiana birth records restricted to: the registrant (if 18+), parents listed on the record, legal guardian/representative, surviving spouse, other immediate family members, authorized agents, or those with documented legal interest.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. WALK-IN (New Orleans - Central Office): Center for Vital Records, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112; 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM Mon-Fri (excluding state holidays); cash (exact amount), check, or money order
  4. PARISH CLERK OF COURT (most convenient): Participating parish Clerks of Court offer birth certificate issuance locally - call or check your parish clerk's website for availability; additional fee applies
  5. BY MAIL: Complete application; include copy of photo ID; check or money order payable to "Louisiana Vital Records" (+ $0.50 state charge for mail orders); mail to: Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160; allow 8-10 weeks
  6. ONLINE/PHONE (VitalChek): VitalChek (only authorized vendor) at vitalchek.com or (877) 605-8562; additional VitalChek fees plus $0.50 state charge; all major credit cards accepted; for expedited processing
  7. KIOSK: Available at Central Office and some service centers; debit/credit card or check; security fee and shipping fee added
  8. Submit with valid government-issued photo ID
  9. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate application
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (one primary document - driver's license, military ID, passport - OR two secondary documents)
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting on behalf of another
  • Payment: cash (exact amount), check, or money order for walk-in/mail; card for VitalChek/kiosk
Fee
Long-form Birth Certificate: $15.00 per copy; Short-form Birth Certification Card: $9.00 per copy (sold as pair at $24.00 together); $0.50 state charge added to each mail or VitalChek order; VitalChek adds additional service fees; Clerk of Court issued copy: $34.00 (long-form) or $48.00 (long+short pair - higher Clerk of Court fees)
Processing Time
Walk-in: same day typically; mail: 8-10 weeks; VitalChek: expedited with additional fees
Online Option
Yes - VitalChek (only authorized vendor); vitalchek.com or (877) 605-8562
Where to Go
LDH Center for Vital Records, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112; or participating parish Clerk of Court (faster locally with higher fee); VitalChek online
Louisiana Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Louisiana is a "CLOSED RECORD" STATE - birth and death records NOT publicly accessible; restricted to eligible individuals.
  • Birth records: confidential for 100 years; death records: confidential for 50 years; older records at Louisiana State Archives.
  • Short-form (Birth Certification Card) and long-form (Birth Certificate) are separate documents - many agencies require the long-form.
  • The $0.50 state charge MUST be included in all mail and VitalChek orders.
  • Check/money order for mail-in must be made payable to "Louisiana Vital Records."
  • Cash at walk-in must be exact amount.
  • VitalChek is the ONLY authorized online/phone vendor - avoid unauthorized third parties.
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