Find Orleans Parish Death Index Records

Orleans Parish death index records span from modern LDH-issued certificates to historical entries dating back to 1819 held at the Louisiana State Archives. This page covers where to search, how to request copies, and which office handles records based on the date of death.

Orleans Parish Death Index - Dual Registry System

Orleans Parish has a unique setup for death records. The source you use depends on when the death occurred. For deaths that happened less than 50 years ago, the LDH Vital Records Registry is the right office. For deaths more than 50 years ago, the Louisiana State Archives is the place to go. The Archives holds Orleans Parish death records dating all the way back to 1819, making this one of the deepest historical collections in the state.

This split matters a lot. If you search the wrong office, you will not find the record. Always check the date first. If the death is more than 50 years ago, go to the Archives. If it is less than 50 years, go to LDH. Orleans Parish and New Orleans share the same geographic boundaries, so all city and parish records are the same set of records.

The 50-year rule comes from R.S. 40:41. That law makes death records confidential for 50 years from the date of death. After that, they are open to the public. The Louisiana State Archives holds the older records and makes them available to anyone. LDH holds the newer ones and restricts access to qualified family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct need.

For birth records, the split is 100 years rather than 50. For marriage and death records, it is 50 years. Keep this in mind if you are researching multiple record types for one individual. The rule is set by the same statute and applies statewide, not just to Orleans Parish.

Orleans Civil Clerk of Court

The Orleans Civil Clerk of Court handles civil court records, including successions and probate matters that come up after a death. This is not where you get a death certificate, but it is where you find estate filings, succession judgments, and related legal records tied to a deceased Orleans Parish resident.

The Civil Clerk's office consists of two divisions: Land Records and Civil. As the clerk's office notes: "Our Civil Division is where civil cases, such as personal injury, accidents, successions and foreclosures are filed." The Notarial Archives Division is also part of this office. Those documents date back to the 1700s, as the clerk's site states: "The Notarial Archives Research Center is also located in our Land Records Division. These documents, which date back to the 1700s, represent the rich history of New Orleans."

Note that filing fees increased effective January 1st, 2026. Check with the clerk's office for current rates before submitting any filings.

The Orleans Civil Clerk website is shown below. It gives an overview of both divisions and how to access court records for Orleans Parish.

Visit orleanscivilclerk.com for current hours, division addresses, and how to search civil court records including successions.

Orleans Parish Death Certificates Through LDH

For deaths that occurred within the last 50 years, the Louisiana Department of Health is the right office. LDH's Vital Records Registry issues certified death certificates and holds current records for Orleans Parish. The LDH office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The phone number is (504) 593-5100.

The fee for a certified death certificate from LDH is $7.00. That rate applies to all parishes statewide. You can go in person, request by mail, or order online through VitalChek at (877) 605-8562. The full ordering guide is at ldh.la.gov/page/643. Visit ldh.la.gov/vitalrecords for general vital records info.

Who can get a recent death certificate is controlled by R.S. 40:41. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent, an adult child, a sibling, a grandparent, an adult grandchild, an insurance beneficiary with a letter from the insurer, an attorney acting for any of the above, or a succession representative or legatee. You must bring valid ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased.

The state registrar law (R.S. 40:40) gives LDH authority over all vital records in Louisiana. The copy issuance rules (R.S. 40:46) set out the process for getting certified copies and what fees apply. For legal matters like estate settlement or insurance claims, always request a certified copy rather than a plain printout.

The LDH portal is shown below.

The LDH office is located in New Orleans, which is convenient for Orleans Parish residents. Walk-in service is available during regular hours. Bring all required documents to avoid delays.

Historical Orleans Parish Death Records at the State Archives

For deaths more than 50 years old, the Louisiana State Archives is the place to go. The Archives holds Orleans Parish death records starting from 1819. That is a very long run of records and covers a huge range of historical events. These older records are public and open to anyone.

The State Archives is managed by the Louisiana Secretary of State. It can be reached at (225) 922-1000. Their research portal is at sos.la.gov/historicalresources/researchhistoricalrecords. The copy fee is $5.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record. These are research copies, not certified copies.

The Louisiana Vital Records Online Index is free to search and covers many historical records. It is available at the Archives online index page. Searching the index first lets you confirm a record exists before you order. The index shows basic data like name and date but not the full certificate content.

The Archives index search is shown below.

Because Orleans Parish records go back to 1819, this is one of the richest sets of historical death data in the state. Genealogy researchers often find valuable records here for New Orleans families going back many generations.

New Orleans Public Library Historical Death Records

The New Orleans Public Library holds microfilmed copies of Orleans Parish death records from 1804 to 1914. These are available for in-person use only. You cannot order copies remotely from the library. The main library branch is at 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112. The phone number is (504) 596-2610.

These microfilm records complement what the State Archives holds. If you are researching a death from the 1800s or early 1900s and want to look at original record images rather than index entries, the library's microfilm collection is a solid option. Staff can help you navigate the reels. Check the library's hours before visiting, as hours can vary.

The Historic New Orleans Collection at the Williams Research Center also has relevant materials. That facility is at 410 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, phone (504) 598-7171. Their holdings include documents that fill gaps in other collections and may be useful for very old records or records tied to specific events.

Access Rules for Orleans Parish Death Records

Louisiana's Public Records Law (R.S. 44:1) sets a broad right of access to government records. But death records under 50 years old are carved out of that open access by R.S. 40:41. The confidentiality rule is specific to vital records and overrides the general public records standard for recent deaths.

Once the 50-year mark passes, a death record becomes open to all. You do not need to be related to the deceased. You do not need a stated reason. Anyone can walk in, search the index, and request a copy. This open access is one reason the Archives gets so many genealogy requests for Orleans Parish, given how far back its records go.

For current records that remain confidential, the list of who can request them is fixed by statute. There is no waiver process for people who fall outside the eligible categories. If you do not qualify under R.S. 40:41, you will need to wait until the record reaches the 50-year mark or work through an attorney or succession representative who qualifies.

Cities in Orleans Parish

Orleans Parish and New Orleans share the same boundaries. New Orleans is the only incorporated city in the parish. All Orleans Parish death records cover the city of New Orleans. For more specific information about searching death records within New Orleans, see the New Orleans death index page.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border Orleans Parish. If you are not sure which parish holds the death record you need, check the address where the person lived at the time of death.