How to Search Louisiana Vital Records

Louisiana vital records (births, deaths, marriages, divorces) are maintained by the state Department of Health (or equivalent). Older records may be at county clerks or the state archives. Some records are restricted by privacy law.

  • Order birth, death, marriage, divorce: through the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office.
  • Order online: vitalchek.com — authorized vendor for most states.
  • Historic records: contact the Louisiana State Archives.
  • Marriage license: apply at any county clerk's office.
  • Genealogy research: state historical societies and FamilySearch.org carry many historical vital records.
Population
4,573,749
Households
1,750,000
Median Income
$57,852
Median Home Value
$192,800

Vital Records Databases

22 official Louisiana vital records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Vital Records

Births | 1819-1913
Official Free
Louisiana births recorded between 1819 and 1913, provided by the Louisiana Secretary of State.
🌐 sos.la.gov
Calcasieu Parish Marriages
Official Free
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court marriages from 1987 to present. Archived records cover 1911-1986. Registration required.
🌐 calcasieuclerk.gov
Death Records
Official Free
Louisiana Secretary of State death records filed since 1911. Does not include records that were filed less than 50 years ago.
🌐 sos.la.gov
Orleans Parish Divorces
Official Free
Paid subscribers may search the Orleans Parish Civil District Court's recorded documents database for conveyance, mortgage or court records;.
🌐 orleanscivildistrictcourt.org
Orleans Parish Marriages
Official Free
Orleans Parish marriage records since 1831 from the Louisiana Secretary of State. Louisiana does not include records filed less than 50 years ago.
🌐 sos.la.gov
St. Tammany Parish | Marriages
Official Free
St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court marriage records by groom or bride name.
🌐 ssl.sttammanyclerk.org
Caddo Parish Marriages
Official Free
Search the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court marriage records by name, date or book and page. Online indexes go back to 2/6/1919.
🌐 caddoclerk.com
St. Bernard Parish Marriages
Official Free
Use this service from the St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana Clerk of Court to search for marriage records by name, book/page, file number, date range, etc.
🌐 records.stbclerk.com
Deaths | Cemetery Records
Official Free
Louisiana cemetery and interment records listed by Parish.
🌐 findagrave.com
Jefferson Parish Obituaries 1972-1978
Official Free
Search this Jefferson Parish Library database for obituaries that appeared in the Times-Picayune newspaper between 1972 and 1978.
🌐 jplibrary.net
Orleans Parish | Births 1796-1900
Official Free
Louisiana GenWeb database of Orleans Parish births between 1796 and 1900.
🌐 usgwarchives.net
Caddo Parish Divorces
Official Free
Search the Caddo Parish recorded documents database (mortgages, deeds, liens, judgments, etc.) to view mortgage, conveyance, chattel, civil, criminal and marriage documents. Requires registration and fee.
🌐 caddoclerk.com
Orleans Parish Vital Records
Official Free
Orleans Parish vital records, including bible, birth, business, cemetery, courts, death certificates, divorces, marriages, and obituaries.
🌐 usgwarchives.net
Births and Christenings 1811-1934
Official Free
Louisiana births, christenings, and baptisms recorded 1811-1830 and 1854-1934.
🌐 familysearch.org
Deaths | 1850-1954
Official Free
Louisiana Deaths recorded between 1850 and 1875, and between 1894 and 1954.
🌐 familysearch.org
Marriages | 1816-1906
Official Free
Louisiana Marriages recorded between 1816 and 1906.
🌐 familysearch.org
Orleans Parish | Probate Estate Files 1804-1846
Official Free
Probate Estate files recorded between 1804 and 1846 in Orleans Parish.
🌐 familysearch.org
Deaths | Social Security Administration
Official Free
Louisiana deaths reported to Social Security.
🌐 familysearch.org
New Orleans Death Index | 1804-1972
Official Free
Browse New Orleans, Louisiana deceased by name or search by name or date of death.
🌐 nolacityarchives.org
New Orleans Marriages Index 1837-1857
Official Free
Browse New Orleans marriages appearing in the Daily Picayune by name. Gives name of spouse, date of marriage, and date/page number of the article.
🌐 nolacityarchives.org
New Orleans Marriages | 1846-1880
Official Free
Browse this New Orleans Public Library City Archives database by bride or groom name for New Orleans Justices of the Peace marriages between 1846.
🌐 nolacityarchives.org
New Orleans Obituary Index 1994-2004
Official Free
Browse New Orleans obituaries by date and name. Gives date published in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
🌐 files.usgwarchives.net

Louisiana Counties

All 64 Louisiana counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

East Baton Rouge Jefferson Orleans Caddo St. Tammany Lafayette Calcasieu Ouachita Livingston Acadia Ascension Assumption Avoyelles Baton Rouge

Frequently Asked Questions

Order from the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records office, online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at a county clerk.

Most Louisiana vital records have access restrictions. Recent records may require proof of relationship. Older records (typically 50+ years for births, 25+ for deaths) are usually public.

Marriage licenses are issued by county clerks. Both parties typically apply in person. Fees and waiting periods vary by county.

For records before state-level recording began, contact the Louisiana State Archives or the county where the event occurred.

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