Metairie Death Index

Metairie death index records are maintained by Jefferson Parish, the parish that governs this unincorporated community just west of New Orleans. Metairie does not have its own city government or courthouse. All death records for Metairie residents are filed through Jefferson Parish, which handles vital records for the entire parish including Metairie. This guide covers where to get Metairie death records, who can access restricted files, and what it costs to order a certified copy.

Jefferson Parish Handles Metairie Death Records

Metairie is an unincorporated community in Jefferson Parish. It has no separate municipal government, no city hall, and no city clerk. All vital records for Metairie, including death certificates, are filed and maintained by Jefferson Parish. This is important to understand when you start searching: you will not find a "Metairie Clerk" because no such office exists. Jefferson Parish is the entity to contact.

The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court handles death records for Metairie. Clerk Jon A. Gegenheimer runs the office. The First Parish Court location, which provides birth and death certificate services, is at 924 David Dr., Metairie, LA 70003. This location is actually in Metairie itself, which makes in-person requests convenient for local residents. The general clerk phone number is (504) 364-2900. The clerk's website at jpclerkofcourt.us has information on services and fees.

The screenshot below shows the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website, which is the hub for Metairie death index records and vital records services in Jefferson Parish.

The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court at 924 David Dr. in Metairie handles death index requests for this unincorporated community.

Note: The East Bank District Office for Jefferson Parish is at the Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd, Suite 603, Jefferson, LA 70121, phone (504) 736-6394. Visit Jefferson Parish Death Index for a full list of office locations.

How to Get Metairie Death Index Records

You can get a Metairie death record in person at the Jefferson Parish Clerk's office, by mail, through LDH, or through VitalChek. Since the First Parish Court location is at 924 David Dr. in Metairie, you may not even need to leave the community to get what you need.

In person at the First Parish Court in Metairie is often the most direct route. Bring a valid photo ID and a completed application. The clerk can pull records and issue certified copies. Call (504) 364-2900 ahead of time to confirm current hours and what form you need to bring. In-person visits typically result in same-day processing.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) at ldh.la.gov/vitalrecords is the state-level option. The LDH office is at 1450 Poydras St Suite 400, New Orleans, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Call (504) 593-5100 or order by mail through the form at ldh.la.gov/page/643. LDH charges $7.00 per certified copy. The LDH parish directory at ldh.la.gov/directory/category/320 lists Jefferson Parish contacts.

VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by phone at (877) 605-8562 lets you place an order online. VitalChek charges a service fee in addition to the state rate. This is convenient if you want to avoid a trip or mail a paper request.

Metairie Death Records - Who Can Request

Louisiana restricts death records less than 50 years old. Under R.S. 40:41, these records are only available to people with a legal right to them. Records more than 50 years old are open to the public with no restrictions.

For Metairie death records under 50 years, the eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent of the deceased, an adult child, a sibling, a grandparent, or an adult grandchild. An insurance beneficiary with an original beneficiary letter may also qualify. Attorneys acting for an eligible party may request records. Succession representatives and legatees handling estate matters also have access rights under Louisiana law.

You must show proof of your relationship along with a valid photo ID. Call the Jefferson Parish Clerk at (504) 364-2900 to confirm what documents to bring before you visit.

Historical Death Records for Metairie

Death records older than 50 years are public. No proof of relationship is needed to access them. This makes them useful for genealogy research on Metairie and Jefferson Parish families.

The Louisiana State Archives holds older Jefferson Parish death records, including those from Metairie. The archives are at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Hours run Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (225) 922-1000 or visit sos.la.gov/historicalresources/researchhistoricalrecords. The online public vital records index at the online vital records index lets you search by name at no cost before ordering a copy. Fees at the archives are $5.00 for photocopies and $10.00 for certified copies.

Fees for Metairie Death Records

The Jefferson Parish Clerk charges approximately $26.00 for a certified death certificate. LDH charges $7.00 per certified copy. The State Archives charges $5.00 for photocopies and $10.00 for certified copies of older records.

If you need more than one copy, pay the fee for each. Most institutions that require a death certificate want a certified copy, not a photocopy. Order enough for all the uses you have in mind. Payment methods vary by office, so call ahead to confirm whether cash, check, or credit card is accepted.

Louisiana Law and Metairie Death Records

Louisiana's vital records statutes apply throughout the state, including in Metairie and Jefferson Parish. The same rules govern every death record regardless of the community where the person lived.

The 50-year confidentiality rule comes from R.S. 40:41. After 50 years from the year of death, the record is public. Before that, only eligible parties can get a certified copy. Certified copies are governed by R.S. 40:46. The state registrar's authority is set out in R.S. 40:40. Louisiana's broader public records law at R.S. 44:1 governs older records that have passed the 50-year window.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying cities are near Metairie in the greater New Orleans area.