Vital records in Louisiana — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by Louisiana DHH Vital Records Registry. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the Clerk of Court.
What this page covers: Louisiana vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Louisiana DHH Vital Records Registry. For marriage licenses, contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Vital Records Databases
17 official Louisiana vital records sources.
Vital Records
Louisiana Counties
All 64 Louisiana counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Louisiana?▼
Louisiana's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. Parish-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Louisiana court cases?▼
Louisiana's court system is headed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the District Court (each of 64 parishes), Parish & City Courts. Many Louisiana courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Louisiana business entities?▼
The Louisiana Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Louisiana?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some parish offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific parish page for details.
How do I obtain a Louisiana birth or death certificate?▼
Louisiana vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Louisiana Department of Health (Vital Records Registry) and, in many cases, by local parish clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Louisiana property records free to search?▼
Most parish-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Louisiana sex offender?▼
The Louisiana sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.