Louisiana death certificate: how to get one

Louisiana death certificates are issued by the Louisiana Department of Health's Vital Records Registry in New Orleans and, for more recent deaths, by participating parish Clerks of Court. The two routes charge very different fees, so it is worth choosing before you apply. This guide covers who can order, where, what it costs and how corrections work.

Who can order a Louisiana death certificate?

Louisiana limits certified copies to people entitled by law. The state's ordering page lists:

• The surviving spouse named on the certificate
• A parent, adult child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild
• A beneficiary of an insurance policy, trust, retirement plan or payable-on-death account, with documents
• A succession representative, with certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
• An attorney or other authorized professional, under stated conditions

If you are not on the list, an entitled person can sign an Authorization Release of Records for you, submitted in person or by mail to the central office.

For ID, the state asks for one primary document or two secondary documents. Primary documents include a current state-issued photo driver's license or photo ID, a passport and a military photo ID. In person, bring the ID. By mail, send a photocopy.

Which office holds the record: state, county or city?

Louisiana uses parishes rather than counties.

• Vital Records Registry, New Orleans: the central office for Louisiana death records
• Participating Clerks of Court: certified death certificates for deaths on or after July 7, 2012

The state publishes a directory of participating clerks. Not every parish clerk takes part, so check the list before you go.

Louisiana death records are confidential until 50 years after the year of death. Records older than that are available from the Louisiana State Archives.

How to order online, by mail or in person

Online or by phone

The Department of Health does not take online orders or credit cards itself. It uses VitalChek, at vitalchek.com or 1-877-605-8562, which accepts major credit cards. VitalChek offers a Will Call option with an email when the order is ready. Start from the state's How to Order Death Records page.

By mail

Send the completed application from the state's Birth/Death Ordering Packet, a photocopy of your photo ID and the fee to Vital Records Registry, PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Make the check or money order payable to Louisiana Vital Records.

In person

The Vital Records Central Office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. Walk-in hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. The office takes cash in the exact amount, checks and money orders. Participating Clerks of Court also issue certificates in person.

Cost and processing time

Louisiana's fees, as listed on November 10, 2026:

• $7 per copy from the Vital Records Registry
• $0.50 state charge added to each mail-in or VitalChek order
• $26 per copy for a death certificate issued by a Clerk of Court
• An additional security fee on VitalChek orders, shown at checkout

If no record is found, the state keeps the fee. A full search covers the year you give plus two years before and after. Fees are set by statute and can change in any legislative session.

The state says mail orders take approximately 8 to 10 weeks. It gives no processing time for in-person, Will Call, Clerk of Court or VitalChek orders.

How to correct or amend a Louisiana death certificate

In Louisiana, families do not usually file the correction themselves. Who asks depends on what is wrong:

• Personal details: the funeral home listed on the certificate requests the change within one year of death, on its letterhead, with the funeral director's original signature
• Medical details, such as cause of death: the attending physician or coroner requests the change, on letterhead, with an original signature

The letter must give your loved one's name and date of death, the item numbers, the incorrect information and the correct information. The fee to amend a death record is $25.50, which includes one certified copy of the new record. Other legal changes follow different steps, so contact the Vital Records Registry first.

What to do after you receive the certificate

Compare the certificate with your loved one's ID and other papers right away. If something is wrong, contact the funeral home first, since it files most corrections in the first year. Keep certified copies secure and confirm what each bank, insurer or agency needs before you send one.

Planning ahead with After

If this process has you thinking about your own plans, you can explore pre-planning options with After. Plan availability, providers and terms vary by state.

Frequently asked questions

Who is allowed to request a certified copy in Louisiana? The surviving spouse, close family, documented beneficiaries, succession representatives and certain authorized professionals.

Can I order online, and which website is official? Yes, through VitalChek. The state does not take online orders directly.

How much does a copy cost? $7 per copy from the state, plus $0.50 on mail and VitalChek orders. A Clerk of Court copy is $26.

How long does processing take? About 8 to 10 weeks by mail. The state gives no time for other routes.

Should I contact the state or a parish office? For deaths on or after July 7, 2012, a participating Clerk of Court can issue the certificate. Otherwise use the state registry.

What if the death occurred in another state? Order from that state. See our death certificate ordering guide, or the guide for Texas.

Last reviewed: November 2026

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change, so confirm with the state or local office before filing.

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