Louisiana vital records
The Center for Vital Records and Statistics is the vital records office for Louisiana.1 It issues certified birth certificates and death certificates1. It does not issue divorce records; this page shows who does.2 Local offices also issue certified copies.3
On this page
Records and where to get them
| Record | Who issues it | Years held | First copy | Shortest published time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics3 | 100 years before the current year to today4 | $155 | By mail: About 8 to 10 weeks for delivery3 |
| Death certificate | Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics6 | 50 years before the current year to today7 | $75 | By mail: About 8 to 10 weeks for delivery6 |
| Marriage certificate | Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics1 | 50 years before the current year (Orleans Parish) to today2 | $55 | By mail: 8 to 10 weeks8 |
| Divorce records | Clerk of Court of the parish where the divorce was granted2 | – | – | – |
Birth certificate
- Who holds it
- Participating parish Clerks of Court also issue certified long- and short-form birth certificates, for an additional fee.3
- Older records
- Louisiana State Archives (Secretary of State)9
- Ways to order
- Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone
How to get a Louisiana birth certificate
Death certificate
- Older records
- Louisiana State Archives (Secretary of State)9
- Ways to order
- Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone
How to get a Louisiana death certificate
Marriage certificate
- Who holds it
- For marriages licensed in any parish other than Orleans, the certified copy comes from the Clerk of Court of the parish where the license was bought.10
- Older records
- Orleans Parish marriages over 50 years: State Archives; other parishes: parish Clerk of Court2
- Ways to order
- Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office
How to get a Louisiana marriage certificate
Divorce records
- Who holds it
- The state Vital Records Registry does not issue divorce decrees.2
- Older records
- Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted2
- Ways to order
- At a local office
How to get Louisiana divorce records
Local offices
- Local offices issue certified copies
- Yes3
- Which offices
- Parish Clerk of Court (district court) and the Clerk of the Second City Court of New Orleans11
- Any office for any county
- Yes11
Access rules and the law
- Who may get certified copies
- Closed: birth and death certificates are not public records3
Laws and rules the office cites
- La. R.S. 40:32 et seq. (Vital Statistics Laws)12
- La. R.S. 40:39.1 (Clerk of Court issuance)11
- La. R.S. 40:40 (fees)13
- La. R.S. 40:41 (disclosure of records; who may obtain)14
- Act 318 of 2026 (HB 815): adds federally insured banks and credit unions to R.S. 40:41(C)(1)(k)15
- La. R.S. 40:36(G) (transfer to State Archives)16
The state office
- Office
- Center for Vital Records and Statistics (Office of the State Registrar; Vital Records Registry)1
- Phone
- 504-593-51001
- [email protected]17
- Mailing address
- Vital Records Registry, PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 701603
- Walk-in address
- Vital Records Central Office, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 701123
- Hours
- Walk-in 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., excluding state holidays1
- Website
- Official website1
Questions people ask
How much do birth and death certificates cost in Louisiana?
A certified birth certificate costs $15 for the first copy and a death certificate $7.5
What is the phone number of the Louisiana vital records office?
Center for Vital Records and Statistics: 504-593-5100.1
Where do I get a marriage certificate in Louisiana?
Where do I get divorce records in Louisiana?
Clerk of Court of the parish where the divorce was granted. The state Vital Records Registry does not issue divorce decrees.2
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked between November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.
- Vital recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Louisiana Department of Health pageLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- How to order birth recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Section 61Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Service feesLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- How to order death recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Section 62Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- How to order orleans parish marriage recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Request a birth or death certificateLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Marriage Licenses and Officiant RegistrationLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- §39.1. Certified copies of birth certificates and death certificates; clerks of district courtsLouisiana State Legislature
- Louisiana State Legislature pageLouisiana State Legislature
- §40. Fees for certified copiesLouisiana State Legislature
- §41. Disclosure of recordsLouisiana State Legislature
- View DocumentLouisiana State Legislature
- §36. State registrar as custodianLouisiana State Legislature
- Center for Vital Records and Statistics (rendered; mailto links)Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics