Calcasieu Parish Death Index Records
The Calcasieu Parish death index holds records of deaths that occurred in the parish from the early statewide registration era to the present day. The Louisiana Department of Health in New Orleans is the primary source for certified death certificates, and the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court in Lake Charles maintains related court records. This guide covers all search options for Calcasieu Parish death records.
Calcasieu Parish Quick Facts
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
Horace Lynn Jones, II has served as the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court since 2004. The office acts as the keeper of all court records for the parish, including land records, civil filings, criminal records, and probate cases. When a person dies in Calcasieu Parish and a succession is opened, those filings go through this clerk's office.
The main office is at 1000 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Note that passports and birth and death certificates are not processed after 3:30 PM, so plan your visit early if you need those services that same day. Online tools are available for land records, civil records, criminal records, and e-Filing.
Effective January 1, 2026, civil filing requirements changed in Calcasieu Parish. If you are filing succession documents or other civil papers related to a death in the parish, check the clerk's website for the updated rules before you file.
The screenshot below is from the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court website. It shows the main services available and how to access them online.
Visit calcasieuclerk.gov for online record access, eRecording services, and contact details for each department.
Succession records held by the clerk are public under R.S. 44:1 and can be requested by any person during normal office hours.
| Clerk of Court | Horace Lynn Jones, II |
|---|---|
| Chief Deputy | Keith Bonin |
| Address | 1000 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 1030, Lake Charles, LA 70602 |
| Phone | (337) 437-3550 |
| Fax | (337) 437-3804 |
| Hours | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (Passports and Birth/Death Certificates not processed after 3:30 PM) |
| Website | calcasieuclerk.gov |
Death Certificates from Louisiana Department of Health
The Louisiana Department of Health is the official state agency for death registration in Calcasieu Parish. Under R.S. 40:40, the Vital Records Registrar maintains a permanent index of all deaths registered in Louisiana. LDH has kept records for Calcasieu Parish since statewide registration began in 1914.
You can order a certified death certificate in person at the LDH Vital Records office at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Phone: (504) 593-5100. The fee is $7.00 per certified copy. Mail orders are also accepted; use the form on the LDH order page to submit your request.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek at (877) 605-8562. VitalChek adds a processing fee on top of the state fee. It is a convenient option for out-of-area requesters who cannot visit New Orleans in person.
Access to Calcasieu Parish death records is controlled by R.S. 40:41. Records are confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only qualifying relatives and legal representatives may request certified copies during that window. After 50 years, any person may request the record. Rules for the certified copy format are in R.S. 40:46.
Free Calcasieu Parish Death Index Search
The Louisiana Secretary of State offers a free online index that covers many historical Calcasieu Parish deaths. The index is searchable by name at the Louisiana Vital Records Online Index. Results show the year of death and registration number, which you can then use to request a certified copy from LDH or the Archives.
The Louisiana State Archives holds original death registers and microfilm collections for Calcasieu Parish. These records cover deaths from the 1800s through the early statewide registration period. The Archives are located in Baton Rouge and are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (225) 922-1000 for help. More information is at the Louisiana State Archives research page. Copy fees are $5.00 for plain copies and $10.00 for certified copies.
The screenshot below is from the Louisiana Vital Records online index, which covers Calcasieu Parish death records going back many decades.
The online vital records index is free to use and does not require an account or login.
Once you locate an entry in the index, you can request a certified copy from LDH at $7.00, from the Archives at $10.00, or from the Clerk of Court at the applicable parish rate.
Cities in Calcasieu Parish
Calcasieu Parish includes Lake Charles and several nearby communities. Lake Charles is the parish seat and the largest city in southwest Louisiana. Deaths in all communities throughout the parish are registered under the Calcasieu Parish vital records district with LDH.
Nearby Parishes
Calcasieu Parish borders several other parishes. Death records for each are kept by that parish's clerk and by LDH under a separate registration district.