Requirements

• Persons who apply (known as “Requestor”) for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate must produce identification in the form of one primary document or two secondary documents. See section 1.
• Requestor must come in person to our offices to obtain the requested birth or death certificate.
• Requestor information on the application must match the information on the provided identification.
• Only specific individuals can be a requestor and request access to the Registrant (person named on the certificate) information.
• Death certificates can only be issued for deaths occurring after July 9, 2012.
• In cases where a requestor provides or attest to false information, the indivi dual who signs the application is the individual prosecuted. See Section 2, Notes.
• Our staff will use our professional judgement when issuing requests, even in cases where identification requirements are
  met. If our staff suspects a fraudulent request, or for any reason feels uncertain of any requests, we will refuse the issuance of the requested certificate.
• Fees are as follows:
  • Birth Certificate - $34.00, cash only
  • Death Certificate - $26.00, cash only  

Section 1: Identification Requirements For Birth And Death Records

Primary Documents - Any One of These

• Current State issued driver’s license that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant
• Current State-issued picture identification that displays photography 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, N - 578)
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (Form N - 560 or N - 578)
• Students (high school or younger) – a current school yearbook or current school identification document with a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant

Secondary Documents - Any Two Of These

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

Section 2: Legal Entitlement to Birth and Death Records for Clerks of Court

Who May Purchase A Certified Copy Of A Louisiana Birth Certificate?

• Yourself:
  • You can be the Requestor and the Registrant (person named on the certificate).
• Immediate Family:
  • Current or legal spouse of person named on the certificate
  • Brother or sister of person named on the certificate
  • Mother or father of person named on the certificate
  • Grandchild of person named on the certificate
  • Grandparent of person named on the certificate
  • Legal Guardian of person named on the certificate
    • Legal Guardian must provide a judgement of custody. Custody by mandate or provisional custody for a notary will NOT be accepted. Transfer of custody witnessed by a notary will NOT be accepted. Custody expires at the age of 18.

Who May Purchase a Certified Copy of a Louisiana Death Certificate?

• Immediate Family (listed above)
• Funeral Directors may request additional copies of a Death Certificate on behalf of surviving immediate family members within one year of the date of death.

What About a Non - Family Member?

• A non-family member may request a certified copy of a certificate on behalf of an entitled individual with a letter of authorization that names the authorized individual and provides the person named on the certificate’s name and date of birth.
  • A copy of a state drivers’ license or state ID for the entitled individual is required.

Notes:

• As a closed records state, Louisiana law limits those who are entitled to request and receive certified copies of vital event documents.
• The registrant (person named on the certificate) is entitled to his or her own birth record, provided they can show required identification (See section 1).
• While requestor is not required to demonstrate proof of relationship (other than legal guardians and ensuring the father is
  listed on the certificate), they are required to sign, under penalty of perjury, on all applications that their relationship to the registrant (person named on the certificate), as well as all other information, is given on the application, is accurate.
• In cases where the requestor provides or attests to false information, the individual who signs the application is the individual prosecuted.
  • LSA R.S. 40:61 a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than five (5) years or both shall be imposed on any person who willfully and knowingly makes any false statement on any application for a certified copy of a vital record.