Louisiana Birth Records

Orleans Parish in Louisiana began keeping records of births within its parish as early as 1790. The systematic statewide recording of births outside Orleans Parish started in 1918 when Louisiana mandated birth registration for all parishes.

Louisiana birth records are official vital records documenting every live birth within the state. Louisiana issues two main types of birth records: the long-form birth certificate and the short-form birth certificate.

The long-form birth certificate is the official record of birth. It provides a complete legal history of the birth event and serves as primary legal proof of identity and citizenship. It contains information on the registrant, including full name, gender, date and parish of birth, detailed parental information, hospital of birth, attendant's statement, and registrar's attestation.

The short-form birth certificate, also called a birth card in Louisiana, is the condensed or abridged version of the birth record. It is less detailed and omits information such as parental and attendant information. Usually issued only for births registered within the last 12 months, the short-form birth certificate is valid as legal proof of birth but is ideal only when less detailed verification is required.

Louisiana does not distinguish between authorized and informational copies of birth records. There is no informational copy of birth records in Louisiana. Instead, it offers the long-form birth certificate, which is the certified copy of a birth certificate, and the short-form birth cards, which is valid for proof of birth facts.

How To Order a Louisiana Birth Certificate?

The Louisiana Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics, maintains birth records of all births in the state from 1918 to the present and issues certified copies of the records. The office permits birth records requests in person, by mail, or online through an authorized service provider.

You may purchase a certified copy of a birth record in Louisiana by filling out the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate form. Include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. There is a $15 charge per certified copy of the birth certificate ordered.

To submit the record request in person, visit the Vital Records Central Office located at:

You may send mail requests for certified copies of birth certificates to:

Similarly, certified birth records are accessible at the Parish clerk's office. Every parish clerk accepts applications and issues certified copies of birth certificates from 1918 to date. Usually, parishes require you to complete the application to obtain birth records and include the necessary documentation and fees. For births older than 100 years old, you may request the birth certificate from the Louisiana State Archives.

Are Birth Records Public in Louisiana?

Louisiana classifies birth certificates as closed records, meaning they are not open to the general public for inspection, viewing, or copying. By statute, all birth records are strictly confidential and kept restricted until a predetermined future date. However, the state does permit persons with a direct interest or familial relationship to the record holder to obtain certified copies of the birth record.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Louisiana?

Per state law, access to certified copies of birth certificates is restricted to the following persons:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• A member of the immediate family, including spouse, parent, child, and sibling
• Legal guardian with judgment of custody
• Attorney with proof of relationship
• Persons with a court order
• Government agencies

How Long Does it Take to Get A Louisiana Birth Certificate?

The Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics usually processes mail requests for certified copies of birth certificates between 8 -10 weeks. There is no expedited processing for Louisiana birth certificates. If you need the record faster, use the walk-in service option to request the birth certificate from the Vital Records Central Office. The document is accessible on the same day.

Where Can I Find Louisiana Birth Records Free?

Louisiana birth records are closed to the public, and even when you are eligible to obtain the record, it requires you to pay a fee to access the document. However, there are online resources where you can access information about birth for free.

While the National Vital Records Archives is not a repository for vital records, the website shows you where you can access birth records. Its "Where to Write for Vital Records" lists state-by-state contacts for obtaining birth certificates, including Louisiana birth records.

FamilySearch.org, a genealogical website, provides free access to name indexes and scanned images of Louisiana birth records from 1811 through 1830 and from 1854 to 1934. Similarly, Ancestry.com offers index access to Louisiana birth records from 1790 through 1915. The database is searchable without subscription and fees and is ideal for locating early vital events.

Third-party platforms, such as PublicRecords.us, aggregate public records from governmental databases to provide a single source repository for all types of records issued by the government, including birth records from Louisiana. The web tool provides brief information about births reported in the state, and it is a great place to start when looking for historical and recent birth records.

When Would I Need My Louisiana Birth Records?

A Louisiana birth record is proof of your identity, age, and citizenship. Because certified birth records contain crucial biography details and bear the official seal and registrar's signature, birth certificates are required for a wide range of legal, financial, and administrative processes, including:

• Applying for a passport and visas
• Applying for a driver's license and state ID
• Obtaining or replacing a Social Security card
• Applying for a marriage license or getting divorced
• Enrolling in schools, colleges, or universities
• Accessing health insurance or government benefits
• Establishing familial relationships in probate cases
• Applying for insurance coverage

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Louisiana?

Replacing a Louisiana birth certificate is essential when the original document is lost, damaged, stolen, or destroyed. The process to request a replacement birth certificate is similar to purchasing a certified copy of the document.

To request replacement birth certificates, fill out the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate. Include a clear copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. It costs $15 to replace your birth certificate. You may mail or drop off the replacement requests at the Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics. Alternatively, you may contact your local parish county clerk's office to replace the record.

When Can the Public Access Louisiana Birth Certificates?

Under Louisiana law, birth certificates are classified as closed records and remain confidential for 100 years from the date of birth. During this period, only eligible persons may obtain certified copies or inspect the birth record. After the record exceeds the 100-year confidentiality period, it is transferred to the Louisiana State Archives, where it becomes a public record, available for public inspection and copying.

How To Correct an Error on a Louisiana Birth Certificate?

Louisiana law allows residents to amend an original birth certificate if they notice errors in the document. The state permits correcting clerical errors such as spelling errors, incorrect dates, and typographical mistakes. It also permits substantive changes such as legal name changes, gender marker updates, and adding or removing a parent. However, substantive changes that can significantly alter the birth record require a court order.

To correct your birth error, fill out the appropriate amendment request form. Enter the current certificate details and specify each item to be corrected and the accurate information. Gather and include documents substantiating your correction requests, such as hospital records, school records, baptismal certificates, or court orders. You may also include the original incorrect birth certificate and a valid government-issued ID in your application.

There is a fee of $27.50 to be included with the amendment request. The fee covers the amendment and a copy of the corrected birth certificate. All requests for amending birth records may be submitted by mail to the Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics or in person at the Vital Records Central Office during its business hours.

Does Louisiana Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Louisiana does not offer a non-binary or gender neutral option on birth certificates. Under the state law, individuals may apply to have their gender marker change along the traditional gender markers from Male (M) to Female (F) and vice versa. However, it does not provide individuals have their gender markers changed from Male or Female to the gender neutral option "X".