Louisiana Vital Records Search — at a Glance
Locate Louisiana state vital records. List of government and private entities that provide birth records, marriages and decrees, divorces and death certificates. Order online with free downloadable forms. State vital statistics and history
Birth Certificates
Order a certified copy from the state office that holds the original record.
Death Certificates
Who is eligible to order, what you'll need, and current fees.
Marriage Records
Where marriage licenses are actually filed — often at the county clerk.
Divorce Decrees
Why the final decree lives with the court, not the vital records office.
Federal Guidance
CDC, NCHS/NVSS, SSA, and USA.gov authoritative references.
Frequently Asked Questions
Births abroad, delayed registration, certified vs informational.
1Louisiana Vital Records
- Louisiana State Registrar Vital Records and Statisticsldh.la.govVital Records and Statistics
- Louisiana Birth Recordsldh.la.govOrdering Birth Certificates
- Louisiana Death Recordsldh.la.govOrdering Death Records
- Louisiana Marriage Recordswww.sos.la.govOrdering Marriage Records
- Louisiana Secretary of State Archiveswww.sos.la.govArchives of Vital Records
- Louisiana Divorce Decreeswww.laclerksofcourt.orgDivorce Decrees
- Louisiana Vital Records Registry Lawslegis.la.govVital Registry Law
- Louisiana Vital Records Formslegis.la.govVital Records Forms
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Louisiana's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Louisiana state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains the official national directory of every state's vital records office. Use this to confirm the correct agency, mailing address, and current fee for the state where the event occurred.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm (cdc.gov)
The National Center for Health Statistics collects aggregate vital statistics from all 57 U.S. jurisdictions but does not itself issue individual certificates.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/index.htm (cdc.gov)
Plain-language federal portal explaining eligibility rules, processing times, and how to request records for events that occurred abroad.
https://www.usa.gov/vital-records (usa.gov)
If you need a vital record to replace a Social Security card or establish proof of age, the SSA accepts birth certificates and several secondary documents listed on Form SS-5.
https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf (ssa.gov)
Vital Records Search by State
Vital Records Search is organized by state. Select another state to see its guide.
Louisiana Vital Records Search — FAQ
Does the federal government keep birth certificates?
No. The CDC is explicit: 'The Federal Government does not maintain files or indexes of these records.' Every U.S. vital record is kept by the state where the event occurred.
What is the difference between a certified and informational copy?
A certified copy has a raised seal and is accepted by SSA, passport offices, and courts. An informational copy is marked 'INFORMATIONAL — NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY' and cannot be used for legal ID.
How long does a mail request take?
It varies by state, but a mail order to a state vital records office is typically 4–8 weeks. Walk-in county clerk requests can be same-day. Online orders through VitalChek add a separate processing time on top of the state's.
Who is legally allowed to order a certified copy?
Most states limit certified copies to the registrant, immediate family, and legal representatives. Informational copies are generally available to anyone after a waiting period defined by state law.
What if I was born abroad to U.S. citizen parents?
You should have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, form FS-240). Replacements come from the U.S. Department of State — not from a state vital records office.