I Lost My Birth Certificate. What Should I Do?
Table of Contents
- What are Louisiana Vital Records?
- Louisiana Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Birth Records
- Louisiana Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Death Records
- Louisiana Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Marriage Records
- Louisiana Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Divorce Records
What are Louisiana Vital Records?
The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records is the government office that collects, preserves, and issues all vital records for the state. These records include birth, death, fetal death, and Orleans Parish marriage records. This office also handles amendments to vital records, paternity information, and also state health statistics. In a response to an outbreak of Yellow Fever in New Orleans, Louisiana began keeping track of vital records in 1849. The original system has evolved into a statewide mandate with several laws governing vital records. Some vital records are private for a number of years, then opened up to the public. The State Registrar of Vital Records allows you to request copies in person, by mail, and over the internet using the VitalChek Network.
Louisiana Birth Records
Louisiana has been keeping birth record since 1849 in response to a serious outbreak of Yellow Fever. Louisiana is a closed record state, and birth records remain private for 100 years, then opened to the public. The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of birth records and they allow you to request copies through the mail, in-person and internet/phone/fax using the VitalChek service. Birth records are convenient when you apply for a passport or driver's license, for school enrollment, employment purposes, proving your citizenship, with insurance, and applying for government benefits. These are just a few of the reasons people need copies of their birth records.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Birth Records
How do I find birth records in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records is the agency to contact to find birth records in Louisiana. They have been keeping them since 1849. You will have to fill out an application, provide I.D., and pay the fee, however.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records allows you to get a copy via mail, in person or online using the VitalChek service. In-person will be quickest and cheapest.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Louisiana?
It costs $15 for each certified copy of a birth certificate. However, you can also order a "pair," which is a certified copy, and also a birth card to carry in your wallet for $24. If you order by mail, you must add 50 cents for processing.
Who can request birth records?
Since birth records are sealed until they reach 100 years old, only certain people can get a copy of someone's birth record. That list includes:
- The person named on the document.
- The current spouse of the person named on the document.
- Mother or father of the person named on the document.
- An adult child of the person named on the document.
- Sister/brother of the person named on the document.
- Grandmother or grandfather of the person named on the document.
- Grandchild of the person named on the document.
- An attorney who is representing one of the above with a signed contract of representation or authorization.
What information do I need when getting a copy of my Louisiana birth certificate?
When you request a copy of a birth record, you need the following information:
- Full name of the person named on the record.
- Date of birth.
- Place of birth.
- Gender.
- Father's full name.
- Mother's full maiden name.
- Your relationship to the person named on the record.
As the requestor, you also have to provide I.D., your contact details, and a signature.
Where can I find historical vital records in Louisiana for genealogy research?
The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records has birth records going back to 1849, and they can help you with whatever you need for research. However, birth records are sealed until they reach 100 years old, then they are opened up to the public.
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
Amending a birth record is not a simple process. Each situation is different and specific laws apply to how amendments can be made. Therefore, you need to contact The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records, and a specialist can help you.
Can I get a refund if my Louisiana birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable per R.S. 40:40.
Louisiana Death Records
Louisiana has been keeping death records since 1849. They also keep stillbirth death records. Death records in Louisiana are private until they reach 50 years, then they are opened up to the public. The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records is the agency in charge of death records and providing death certificates. You can obtain death records from the State Registrar by mail, in person, and also by phone/fax/internet through the VitalChek Network. Death records come into play when you need to file a life insurance claim, or you decide to get remarried after your spouse has died.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Death Records
How do I find death records in Louisiana?
Contact The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records, and they can perform a search for you. The search includes a certified copy also.
Are death records public in Louisiana?
No. Death records in Louisiana are kept private for 50 years; then, they can be opened up to the public.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Louisiana?
A Louisiana death certificate costs $7 each. You can request multiple copies at the same time, however. If you order through the mail, you must pay an additional fee of 50 cents, and if you order through VitalChek, you may have to pay extra for their service.
How long does it take to get a copy of a Louisiana death record?
You can get a copy while you wait if you visit the office in person. If you order through VitalChek, you may wait 5-7 days, and if you order through the mail, you have to wait 8-10 weeks for your copy.
Who can request death records?
Because death records are private in Louisiana, only specific people can request copies of death records, that list includes:
- "Surviving spouse of the person named on the document. (Must be listed as the Surviving Spouse on the document).
- Mother or father of the person named on the document.
- An adult child of the person named on the document.
- Sister/brother of the person named on the document.
- Grandmother or grandfather of the person named on the document.
- Grandchild of the person named on the document.
- A person named in a court proceeding as a member of the immediate or surviving family of the person named in the certificate.
- The beneficiary of an insurance policy or trust (must have a signed copy of the policy listing applicant as beneficiary).
- A succession representative (Must provide a certified Letter of Testamentary or Letter of Administration certified by the Clerk of Court).* (effective 8/1/2017).
- The credentials of an attorney, together with a written declaration that he is preparing a small succession pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Article 3431 et seq for the deceased person whose death certificate is being requested OR is representing one of the above entitled named parties (must be on letterhead and include bar roll number).* (effective 8/1/2017)."
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Louisiana death certificate?
When requesting a copy of someone's death record, you will need the following information:
- Full name of the person named in the record.
- Gender.
- Date of death.
- Place of death.
- Father's full name.
- Mother's full name.
As the requestor, you must also produce I.D., show your relationship to the deceased, and provide your personal details.
Where can I find historical death records in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records has all the records you need going back to 1849.
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
The amendment process is complex, and you must contact a specialist at The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records to help.
Can I get a refund if my Louisiana death record is not available?
No, per Louisiana law, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
Louisiana Marriage Records
The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records keeps only marriage records for marriages that took place in Orleans Parish. All other marriage records are handled by the clerk of the court where the marriage took place. The state keeps marriage records private for 50 years; then, they are opened up to the public. If you were married in Orleans Parish, you can get a copy of your marriage certificate easily through the State Registrar of Vital Records. Otherwise, you just need to visit the court clerk in the Parish, where you were married. When requesting records, you must fill out an application, pay a fee, and provide I.D.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Marriage Records
Are Louisiana marriage records public?
No. They are kept private for 50 years; then, they are opened up to the public.
What Louisiana marriage records are available?
Louisiana has marriage records dating back to 1870. Not all Parishes will have them that old.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Louisiana?
It depends on how you get them. If you order from The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records you may wait 8-10 weeks. If you visit the courthouse and talk to the clerk of the court, you could get a copy that same day.
How much does a Louisiana marriage certificate cost?
If you order a copy through The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records it will cost you $5 for each copy and an administrative fee of 50 cents. If you order through VitalChek, your fee may be higher.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
When requesting a copy of a marriage certificate, you need to provide the full names of both parties and the date of the marriage. As the requestor, you also must provide I.D. and a mailing address to send the certificate to.
How do I get a copy of a Louisiana marriage record?
If you were married in Orleans Parish, contact The Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar of Vital Records to get a copy. Otherwise, contact the clerk of the court where you were married.
What if I didn't get married in Louisiana?
Louisiana only handles vital records of events that took place in the state. Contact the vital records office in the state where you were married to get a copy if you were married outside of Louisiana.
Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Only specific people such as either party listed on the certificate and close family members plus legal representatives can get a copy of your marriage certificate.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in Louisiana?
The courts handle the amendment process. Contact the clerk of the court where you were married to ask about how to correct a marriage certificate.
Louisiana Divorce Records
The state of Louisiana has been keeping marriage and divorce records since 1870. Each county Parish keeps its own records, and to get a copy of a divorce certificate or divorce decree, you must visit the clerk of the court where your divorce was granted. Marriage and divorce records are kept private for 50 years, and then they are opened up to the public. Therefore, only certain close family members and legal representatives can get a copy of your divorce records.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in Louisiana?
No. You can only get divorce records in person at the clerk's office of the court where the divorce was finalized. However, older divorce records (beyond 50 years) may be stored in some online public database.
How do I find old divorce records?
The Louisiana State Archives and other online sources may have old divorce records that are now open to the public.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
Visit the court where your divorce was granted and speak to the court clerk.
What information is needed to search for a Louisiana divorce record?
When requesting divorce records, you will need the names of both parties on the document and the date and place of divorce.
If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?
No, per Louisiana law, all search fees are non-refundable.
What if my divorce took place outside of Louisiana?
If you were divorced in another state other than Louisiana, contact the courthouse where your divorce was granted, and they can get you a copy.
