Introduction to Louisiana Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Louisiana Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Louisiana Death certificates have been maintained by the Louisiana Vital Records Registry for individuals that died in the state of Louisiana since 1957.

Louisiana Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Louisiana state law, Louisiana Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Louisiana Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Louisiana Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Louisiana Death Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Louisiana Death Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Louisiana Death Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Louisiana Death certificate
• Beneficiary of an insurance policy of the person Named on the Louisiana Death Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Louisiana Death Certificate

Louisiana Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a Louisiana Death Certificate, 50 years or later from the date of the Death for genealogy or other reasons.

Louisiana Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Louisiana Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Louisiana Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Louisiana Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Louisiana Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Louisiana Death certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Louisiana Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Louisiana Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Louisiana Death certificate
• Sex on the Louisiana Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Louisiana Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Louisiana Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Louisiana Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Vital Records Registry

PO Box 60630

New Orleans, LA  70160

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Louisiana: You may go to any county health department in the State of Louisiana to obtain a certified copy of a Louisiana Death certificate. Most Louisiana Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Louisiana Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Louisiana Death certificate is $7.50, which includes one certified copy of the Louisiana Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Louisiana Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $7.50. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Louisiana Vital Records Registry." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.