Louisiana - How to obtain a Birth Certificate

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Procedure

In Person

Vital Records Central Office

To request a copy of a certificate, complete and submit an application. Present your photo identification and pay the applicable fee. Walk-in services only accept cash, check, or money order as forms of payment (no credit or debit cards).

Application to obtain a certified birth certificate

Vital Records Kiosks

You may also request a copy of a certificate in person from a kiosk service location. Kiosk orders require the user to successfully complete an identity authentication screening. This screening consists of identity confirmation questions known only to the individual. If the authentication is unsuccessful, customers may fax a photocopy of a valid state-issued photo ID to complete the order.

Once the kiosk order is placed, the order is shipped via USPS or expedited shipping, or made available for pickup at Vital Records Central Office. A security fee and shipping costs apply to kiosk orders.

Clerks of Court

Certified copies of vital records can also be obtained from participating Louisiana Clerks of Court Offices. There is an additional fee for this service.

By Mail

Complete an application and send it along with a copy of your photo identification and correct fees to:

Vital Records Registry

PO Box 60630

New Orleans, LA 70160

Note: Birth records over 100 years old and Death records over 50 years old can be obtained by writing the Secretary of State.
Address: Louisiana State Archives, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125.

Online, Fax and Telephone (VitalChek)

You may use a major credit card to place an order online, by fax or by telephone through VitalChek Network, an authorized service provider. There are additional fees when using this service provider or requesting expedited services.

To place an order go online and simply follow the steps to place an order or call 1-877-605-8562.

Check the status of a VitalChek Network order LINK

To inquire about an order placed with VitalChek, call 1-877-605-8562.

Note: Louisiana Office of Public Health does not directly accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through VitalChek, an independent company that the Office have partnered with to provide you with this service. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.

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Required Documents

In Person:

• Completed application
• Photo identification

By Mail:

• Completed application
• Copy of your photo identification

Identification Requirements:

Persons who apply for certified copies of certificates must produce identification in the form of one primary document or two secondary documents.

Primary Documents:

• Current state issued driver's license that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant.
• Current state issued picture identification that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant.
• Current U.S. military identification card that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant.
• Current U.S. issued or Foreign issued Passport
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-570 or N-578)
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-578)
• Students (high school or younger) - a current school yearbook or a current school identification document with a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant.

Secondary Documents:

• Current student picture identification card from a college or university when accompanied by a 100% fee paid receipt for the current semester. (COUNTS AS TWO DOCUMENTS)
• A W-2 form issued within the last two years plus an original signed Social Security Card. The Social Security numbers must match. (COUNTS AS TWO DOCUMENTS)
• Original adoption papers
• Official certified deeds or title to property
• Certificate of vehicle title
• Insurance policy must show name of the applicant (Health, Home, Life, and Auto).
• Payroll stub (cannot be handwritten) showing the name and social security number of the applicant.
• Current U.S. military dependent identification card that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant.
• Original DD-214 Military Discharge document which clearly identifies the applicant.
• Voter's Registration application (certified true copy)

Office Locations & Contacts

Vital Records Central Office

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

Mailing Address:
PO Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160

Phone: (504) 593-5100
Fax: (504) 568-8716
Email: [email protected]

Website

Vital Records Kiosks

Participating Louisiana Clerks of Court

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Acadia Parish : 425 North Parkerson Avenue Crowley, LA 70526
Phone: 337-788-8881

Allen Parish : P.O. Box 248

Eligibility

Who may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate: the person named on the document, spouse of the person named on the document, parent of the person named on the document, adult child of the person named on the document, sibling of the person named on the document, grandparent of the person named on the document, or an adult grandchild of the person named on the document (unless otherwise authorized by LA R.S. 40:41).

When another adult other than the mother or father listed on the certificate is requesting a record, they must present a judgment of custody for the child. Notarized custody papers or provisional custody mandates are not acceptable.

Fees

Certified Documents (Fees):

• Short-Form Birth Certification Card: $9.00 per copy
• Long Form Birth Certificate: $15.00 per copy
• Death Certificate: $7.00 per copy
• Orleans Parish Marriage Certificate: $5.00 per copy
• Evidentiary Document: $10.00 per copy
• Clerk of Court issued Short-Form Birth Certification Card: $14.00 per copy
• Clerk of Court issued Long-Form Birth Certificate: $24.00 per copy

Other Fees:

• Orleans Parish Marriage License: $29.50*
• Delayed Certificate Filing: $27.50*
• Adoption/Legitimation/Paternity: $27.50*
• Amendment of Birth Record: $27.50*
• Amendment of Death Record: $25.50*
• Putative Father Registry Certificate$10.00

* Includes one certified copy of the new record

Notes:

• Fees for walk-in services at the Vital Records Central Office and all Vital Records Service Centers are payable by cash, check or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to "Louisiana Vital Records."
• Fees for kiosk services at specified kiosk locations are payable by debit/credit card or check. A security fee and shipping fee will be added to each order (shipping fee waived for will-call pickup at Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans). Checks should be made payable to "Louisiana Vital Records."
• Fees for mail-in services are payable by check or money order. A $0.50 state charge must be added to each mail or VitalChek order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to "Louisiana Vital Records."
• Internet, phone, or kiosk orders placed through VitalChek are subject to an additional Security Fee.

No Record on File

In cases where a document order is placed but no record is on file, the fee shall be retained to cover the expense of the search for the record [LSA R.S. 40:40(12)]. A full record search covers the year cited by the applicant and two years prior to and two years following that date.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Louisiana Department of Health:

• Application for Certified Copy Birth/Death Certificate (PDF)

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

• Mailed in request: Allow 10-12 weeks for delivery.

Instructions

Louisiana is a "closed record" state, birth and death certificates are not public records. To obtain certified copies of certificates applicants must be able to present proper identification.

You may request for certified copies of certificates in person, by mail, online, by fax or by phone.

Required Information

• Record Information:
  • Name at birth First, Middle and Last name
  • Date of Birth
  • City of Birth
  • Parish of Birth
  • Father's name
  • Mother's full maiden name before marriage
• Applicant Information:
  • Relationship to Person Named on the Certificate
  • Name of the Applicant
  • Day Phone
  • Residence Address and Mailing address
  • Email
  • Reason for requesting the certificate

Your order will be returned if items not completed and included: Signed application Copy of Federal or State photo ID (front AND back) Correct fees.

Need for the Document

A Birth Certificate states the name and sex of a person, it also indicate the time and place of birth, it is issued after you have registered the birth of a child. A copy of the birth certificate is often necessary when you apply for a passport, a driver license or a marriage license.

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a birth certificate in Louisiana.