Search Louisiana Death Index
Louisiana death index records are maintained by two state agencies. The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry holds certified death certificates for deaths that occurred within the past 50 years. The Louisiana Secretary of State Archives holds historical records for deaths more than 50 years old. You can search the free online death index through the State Archives database, order certified copies through VitalChek, mail a request to the health department, or visit your parish clerk of court. This guide covers all the ways to find and request Louisiana death index records.
Louisiana Death Index Quick Facts
Louisiana Death Index Records
The Louisiana Vital Records Registry is the primary source for death index records in the state. Every death that takes place in Louisiana must be registered with the state registrar. When a person dies, a death certificate gets filed and the registrar enters the name, date, place of death, and other facts into the index. This creates a permanent record that can be used to get certified copies. The Registry's main office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. You can call the main line at (504) 593-5100, or use the toll-free number at (800) 454-9570. Email questions go to vitalweb@dhh.state.la.us. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, excluding state holidays.
A Louisiana death certificate contains key facts about the deceased person. It lists the full legal name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and the cause of death as determined by the attending physician or coroner. The certificate also names the informant who provided the details at the time of death. Certified copies are printed on security paper and carry an official stamp from the Registry. These copies are accepted for legal and financial purposes, including estate settlement, life insurance claims, Social Security survivor benefits, and pension applications. Most legal matters require a certified copy. The Registry also keeps records for all 64 parishes, so one agency serves the entire state.
The Registry only maintains records for deaths that occurred in Louisiana. If a person died in another state, you must contact that state's vital records office.
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records portal is the official source for ordering death index records and learning what documentation you need to submit.
The portal provides application forms, fee schedules, and contact details for the Vital Records Registry in New Orleans.
How to Get Louisiana Death Index Records
There are four main ways to request a certified death certificate from the Louisiana Department of Health. Walk-in service at the New Orleans office is the fastest. Go to 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400. Hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring exact cash or a check, because the office does not accept credit cards. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. Online orders through VitalChek accept credit cards and can include expedited processing. Many parish clerks of court also issue death certificates at their offices.
To order a death certificate by mail, send your completed application to Louisiana Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID, your payment, and a statement of your relationship to the deceased if the death occurred in the past 50 years. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to the Louisiana Department of Health. Add $0.50 for state processing and postage on mail orders. The application form is available on the LDH website. Include the deceased person's full name, date of death, and the parish where the death occurred. If you don't know the exact date, include an approximate year range and the Registry will search within that window.
Vital records kiosks are also available at select locations statewide. These kiosks process requests with additional fees. Call the Registry recording at (504) 568-5152 to learn more.
Visit the LDH page on how to order death records for step-by-step instructions on each method, including what forms to complete and where to send payment.
The page explains what documents to include with a mail request and lists the walk-in hours at the New Orleans office.
Who Can Access Louisiana Death Records
Louisiana is a closed-record state for recent death certificates. Under Louisiana Revised Statute R.S. 40:41, death records are confidential for 50 years from the year of death. Only certain people may request a certified copy during this time. The law covers the surviving spouse of the deceased, a parent of the deceased, an adult child of the deceased, a sibling of the deceased, a grandparent or adult grandchild of the deceased, and a beneficiary of an insurance policy of the deceased who presents an original beneficiary letter. Attorneys who represent any of these people may also make requests on behalf of their clients. A succession representative or universal legatee named in a will may get a copy to handle estate matters.
You must show valid identification with any request. Primary ID options include a current state-issued driver's license, a state-issued photo ID, a U.S. military ID, or a current passport. If you do not have primary ID, the Registry accepts two secondary documents. Secondary options include a W-2 form combined with an original Social Security card, an insurance policy, an official property deed, or a payroll stub showing your name and Social Security number. School IDs and yearbooks may work for students. The Registry checks your ID against the relationship you claim. If the ID does not match, the request may be denied.
After 50 years, death records become public. Anyone can request them with no relationship required. The Louisiana State Archives handles all records older than 50 years.
Historical Louisiana Death Records
The Louisiana State Archives maintains death records for all deaths that occurred more than 50 years ago. The Archives office is at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Mailing address is P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. Phone is (225) 922-1000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Statewide death records from 1911 through 1971 are held here. For Orleans Parish, the Archives holds death records dating back to 1819. Records before 1911 exist for some parishes but coverage varies by location. Birth records were not required statewide until 1918, and death registration lagged in some rural parishes before that time.
The Archives research library is open to the public for in-person visits. Staff can help with searches during open hours. Microfilmed records and original documents are available on site. For mail orders, write to the Archives with the person's name, approximate death date, and a check or money order. The fee is $5.00 for a photocopy and $10.00 for a certified copy. The search covers a three-year window per surname. If you plan to visit in person and make your own copies, the per-page cost is just $0.50. This makes the Archives an affordable option for family history research on older deaths. The Archives does not accept phone or fax orders for copies; mail is required.
The Louisiana State Archives historical records page is the starting point for finding death records older than 50 years and learning what collections are available.
The Archives holds statewide death records from 1911 to 1971 and Orleans Parish records dating back to 1819, making it essential for genealogy research.
Louisiana Death Index Online Database
The Louisiana State Archives runs a free online death records index. You don't need an account or subscription to search. Enter the person's name and the results show basic information such as the name, death year, and parish. The database covers statewide deaths from 1911 to 1971 and Orleans Parish deaths from 1819 to 1971. Use the index to confirm that a record exists before paying for a copy. Once you find a match, place a mail order with the Archives to get the actual certificate. The online search is best for genealogy work, family history projects, and looking up older records.
The index is a research tool, not a substitute for a certified copy. If you need an official document for legal purposes, you must order a certified copy from the Archives by mail. The online search shows the index entry only. You will not get a copy of the certificate from the website itself. For deaths that fall outside the database's coverage, try the LDH or your parish clerk of court.
The Louisiana Online Public Vital Records Index is a free search tool for historical death records from 1819 through 1971.
The database makes it easy to search by name and confirm that a death record exists before placing a mail order for an official copy.
Death Record Fees in Louisiana
Fees vary by source and type of copy. The Louisiana Department of Health charges $7.00 for a death certificate, which covers the search and one certified copy. If no record is found, a $15.00 additional search fee may apply. Mail orders also carry a $0.50 state processing and postage charge. Orders through VitalChek add their own service fees on top of the state cost but accept credit cards. Parish clerks of court charge more for death certificates than the LDH. Most clerks charge $26.00 per certified death certificate. This higher rate reflects the statutory clerk fees set by state law. If you need more than one copy, each costs the same flat rate.
Louisiana State Archives fees are separate from LDH fees. A photocopy from the Archives is $5.00, and a certified copy is $10.00. The fee includes a three-year surname search. If you visit in person and make your own copies, the rate drops to $0.50 per page. These lower rates apply only to records older than 50 years. For recent death certificates, you must go through the LDH or a parish clerk. Fees can change, so verify current rates by calling the agency directly or checking the official website before you submit payment.
Note: Fees listed here reflect official state sources and are subject to change. Always confirm current costs with the agency before submitting your request.
Louisiana Death Index Laws
Louisiana law controls access to death index records. The key statute is R.S. 40:41, which sets death certificates as confidential for 50 years from the year of death. Only authorized persons may access records during this window. After 50 years, records move into the public domain. The State Registrar of Vital Records, whose authority comes from R.S. 40:40, oversees registration and enforcement. The registrar supervises local registrars across all 64 parishes and ensures death registrations follow state standards. When a death occurs, the local registrar must file the certificate within the required period and send it to the state for inclusion in the death index. This keeps the statewide index current and accurate.
Certified copies of death certificates are issued under the authority of R.S. 40:46. Fees for these copies are set by R.S. 40:47, which applies to both state and parish offices. Louisiana's broader public records law, R.S. 44:1, gives citizens the right to inspect and copy public records. Death certificates within the 50-year window are a specific exception. Once the window closes, they fall back under the general access rules of R.S. 44:1 and become available to any person who requests them. The Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51 also contains regulations governing registration procedures and certification standards for vital records statewide.
HIPAA and the federal Privacy Act may affect how death records are used in medical and insurance contexts, but they do not override the state's 50-year access rule for certified death certificates.
Order Louisiana Death Records Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official third-party ordering partner for the Louisiana Department of Health. You can use the site at vitalchek.com or call (877) 605-8562 to place an order by phone. VitalChek accepts major credit cards, which makes it a better option if you don't want to deal with checks or money orders. The service adds its own processing fees on top of the state fee of $7.00. If you want to pick up your certificate in New Orleans, choose the "Will Call" option during checkout and collect it at the LDH office. Expedited processing is available for an added cost if you need the record quickly.
The VitalChek portal accepts online orders for certified Louisiana death certificates as the official state-authorized third-party service.
VitalChek accepts credit cards and offers faster processing options that are not available when ordering directly by mail through the LDH.
Browse Louisiana Death Index by Parish
Each of the 64 parishes in Louisiana has a Clerk of Court who works with the LDH to issue certified death certificates. Select a parish below for local contact information and death record resources.
Louisiana Death Index in Major Cities
Louisiana's major cities get death record services through their parish clerk of court offices. Select a city below to find death index resources for that area.