State Vital Records in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health - Vital Records Registry issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Louisiana. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Louisiana Department of Health - Vital Records Registry
State Vital Records in Louisiana: key facts
- Administering office
- Louisiana Department of Health - Vital Records Registry.
- Contact
- Phone 504-593-5100.
- Office location
- 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (excluding state holidays).
- Mail orders
- Vital Records Registry, PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.
- Certificate fee
- $7 for the first certified copy; $7 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 8-10 weeks for mail orders.
- Who may order
- Surviving spouse listed on document; Parent, adult child, sibling, grandparent of decedent; Succession representative with certified Letter of Testamentary; Named beneficiary of insurance policy or trust.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1914. Death records older than 50 years available at Louisiana State Archives.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Louisiana — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek
- By phone: Order via phone or fax through VitalChek with credit card
- By mail: Mail completed application. Allow 8-10 weeks for delivery
- In person: Walk-in at New Orleans office (cash, check, or money order - exact amount for cash)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Primary ID (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport) OR two secondary documents
- Completed application
- Proof of relationship
- Allow the office's processing time (8-10 weeks for mail orders).
Louisiana Department of Health - Vital Records Registry
Phone: 504-593-5100
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Order via phone or fax through VitalChek with credit card. by mail: Mail completed application. Allow 8-10 weeks for delivery. in person: Walk-in at New Orleans office (cash, check, or money order - exact amount for cash). Mail orders go to Vital Records Registry, PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Primary ID (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport) OR two secondary documents; Completed application; Proof of relationship. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Louisiana primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Louisiana Department of Health - Vital Records Registry