Birth records in the IDOH Vital Records office begin with October 1907. Prior to October 1907, records of birth are filed only with the local health department in the county where the birth actually occurred. Fees are established by law (IC 16-37-1-11 and IC 16-37-1-11.5). Each search for a record costs $10.00. The fee is non-refundable. Included in one search is a five-year period; the reported year of birth
and, if the record is not found in that year, the two years before and after. One certified copy of the record, if found, is included with the search fee. Additional copies of the same record purchased at the same time are $4.00 each. Amendments made to the record are an additional $8.00. Please see our Fee Schedule for a complete listing of costs associated with Vital Records. There are four ways
to order a birth certificate: IDOH Vital Records does not
offer walk-in service. Please contact your local health department (LHD) in the county where the event occurred to obtain their individual walk-in hours. Visit the Local Health Department Contacts page for LHD contact information, including links to local webpages, when available. To check the status of an order, please contact Customer Service at (317) 233-2700.
How To Order Birth Records
Louisiana is a "closed record" state. This means that birth and death certificates are not public records. All requests for birth or death certificates must include proper identification, appropriate fees, and a completed application.
Who May Order A Birth Certificate:
- The person named on the document
- The current spouse of the person named on the document
- Mother or father of the person named on the document
- An adult child of the person named on the document
- Sister/brother of the person named on the document
- Grandmother or grandfather of the person named on the document
- Grandchild of the person named on the document
- An attorney representing one of the above with a signed contract of representation or authorization.
When another adult other than the legally entitled individuals listed above is requesting the record of a child, they must present a judgment of custody for the child. Notarized custody papers or provisional custody mandates are not acceptable.
You may also request Apostille copies of vital records.
There are three ways to obtain a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate:
IN PERSON
New Orleans VItal Records Walk-In Services are currently available by using VitalChek ordering and choosing the "Will Call" option for delivery. Customers will receive an email once the order has been processed and is ready to be picked up.
Walk-in Service Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. (excluding state holidays)
You may complete an application for a certified copy of a birth certificate, bring your photo identification and correct fees to the Vital Records Central Office. Walk-in services accepts cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards as forms of payment.
Please fill out the application to obtain a certified birth certificate.
Participating Louisiana Clerks of Court offer certified copies of birth records (long and short form) at locations around the state. There is an additional fee for this service.
Kiosk Service Locations Hours of Operation: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (excluding state holidays)
You may also order in person from a kiosk service location. Kiosk orders require the user to successfully complete an identity authentication screening. Once the kiosk order is placed, the order is shipped via USPS or expedited shipping, or made available for pickup at Vital Records Central Office. A security fee and shipping costs apply to kiosk orders.
You may mail your completed request, a copy of your photo identification and correct fees to:
Vital Records Registry
PO Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
Please complete the application to obtain a certified birth certificate and allow approximately 8-10 weeks for delivery.
INTERNET, FAX AND TELEPHONE
You may use a major credit card to place internet, fax or telephone orders through VitalChek Network, an authorized service provider. There are additional fees when using this service provider or requesting expedited services.
To order using the VitalChek Network, visit their website or call 1-877-605-8562.
If you have already placed a VitalChek Network order, you may also check the status.
To inquire about an order placed with VitalChek, please call 1-877-605-8562.
Louisiana Office of Public Health does not directly accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through the independent company that we have partnered with above in order to provide you with this service, VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.