Free links to official Louisiana state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 64 parishes.
How to Get Louisiana Vital Records (Start Here)
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.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Louisiana vital records URL verified against the official state publisher at ldh.la.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.
Louisiana Vital Records — Key Facts (2026)
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Louisiana — who can request, how to order, and what 2026 changed.
State-only
Issuing authority
Not federal
Restricted
Birth/death access
Usually self + family
75-125 yr
When records become public
Genealogy threshold
VitalChek
3rd-party portal
Used by many states
CDC NVSS
National statistics
Data only, no certificates
Who can request a Louisiana vital record
The person named
100%
Parent of subject
100%
Spouse of subject
90%
Adult child
90%
Legal representative
80%
General public (recent)
10%
General public (historical 75+yr)
95%
Unit: % likely to receive a certified copy.
What Changed in 2026 — Louisiana Vital Records
2026
Louisiana vital records portal active
The official Louisiana portal at ldh.la.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for vital records in 2026.
For 2026, Louisiana continues to publish vital records information through state-authorized portals; check ldh.la.gov for current fees and processing times.
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Louisiana's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
Disaster Recovery Information for State and Local Agencies Report damaged or destroyed records (Only State and Local Government Agencies) Home > Historical Resources > Research Historical Records > Locate Historical Records > Louisiana Birth Records Print
Disaster Recovery Information for State and Local Agencies Report damaged or destroyed records (Only State and Local Government Agencies) Home > Historical Resources > Research Historical Records > Locate Historical Records > Louisiana Death Records Print
The Orleans Parish Civil District Court hosts a Self-Help Resource Center that is an operation of The Pro Bono Project and The Family Justice Center in partnership with the court and the clerk's offices, and with funding from the Louisiana Bar Foundation and is open daily.
Louisiana's Old State Capitol · Mansfield Female College Museum · Old Governor's Mansion · Disaster Recovery Information for State and Local Agencies Report damaged or destroyed records (Only State and Local Government Agencies) Home > Historical Resources > Research Historical Records > Locate Historical Records > Orleans Parish Marriage Records Print ·
To address these concerns, Jessica Jenkins Brewster, St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court, is proud to offer a FREE service that will NOTIFY you whenever a document with your registered name is recorded in St.
The Clerk's Office keeps the records for Caddo Parish, including Mortgages, Conveyances, Marriage Licenses, Civil Suits, Criminal Cases, and Minutes for the First Judicial District Court. We are also responsible for training election commissioners and tabulating election results for the parish.
Jefferson Parish Library · Menu · 87 results found · Index of published obituaries · January 1972-1978 · Last 180 days only · Last 180 days only · Cemetery Transcription Library · Links to state genealogy sites · “Free coverage of the genealogy world in a nutshell"; compiled and maintained by Chris and Tom Tinney, Sr. Lists, publications and microfilm available. From the American-French Genealogical Society · Louisiana...
You can search the Louisiana Birth ... more than 100 years from the end of the current calendar year. The only birth records that are currently available at the Archives prior to 1911 are from Orleans Parish ....
The Civil Filings Department of the Clerk's Office receives and files all pleadings such as petitions, answers and exceptions in Civil matters and divorces and protective orders in Domestic matters . All civil proceedings must pass through our office to reach the Court of trial.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Orleans Parish are maintained by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Louisiana Vital Records Registry · Vital Records Central Office Benson Tower 1450 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 593-5100 Directions from here: Leave City Hall ...
Obituary Index The Obituary Index references obituaries and death notices published in New Orleans newspapers from 1804-1972 and biographical information published in older Louisiana collective biographies . The original index, housed in the City Archives & Special Collections, is an alphabetical ...
Marriage Records from the New Orleans Board of Health covering dates from 1831-1916.Learn More · In 1880 a system of City Courts was substituted for the existing Justices of the Peace arrangement. Learn More · Some civil marriage records were issued from the offices of one of the civil court judges. Learn More · Index of marriages mentioned in the Daily Picayune newspaper, 1837-1857Learn More ·
Certified birth certificates for events in Louisiana are issued by the Official Louisiana Vital Records at ldh.la.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The parish of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.
How do I get a Louisiana death certificate?▼
Louisiana death certificates are issued by the Official Louisiana Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at ldh.la.gov. For deaths within the last year, the parish clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.
Can I look up a Louisiana marriage or divorce record online?▼
Louisiana marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official Louisiana Vital Records (ldh.la.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the parish clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.
How long does it take to get a Louisiana vital record?▼
Standard Louisiana vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some parish clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official Louisiana Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at ldh.la.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.
What ID do I need to order a Louisiana certified vital record?▼
The Official Louisiana Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at ldh.la.gov.
