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Procedures

Vital records office in Louisiana — birth, marriage, death certificates

CDC-listed vital records office for Louisiana. How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates for immigration filings (I-13

Vital records office in Louisiana

How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from Louisiana for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.

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Birth Event: Birth Cost of copy: Long form: $15.00* Fees for mail-in services are payable by check or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Center of Vital Records and Statistics”. A copy of a valid photo ID for the applicant is required.

  • A $0.50 state charge must be added to each mail-in order. Address: Center of Vital Records and Statistics P.O. Box 60630 New Orleans, LA 70160 Main Number: (504) 593-5100 Remarks: Birth records are strictly confidential, and are maintained by the Center of Vital Records and Statistics for 100 years. Birth records older than 100 years are maintained by the Louisiana State Archives (PO Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804). For more information on who may obtain a birth record, how to submit a request, special requirements, and other information regarding birth records, please visit the Louisiana Center of State Registrar and Vital Records Website . Death Event: Death Cost of copy: $7.00* Fees for mail-in services are payable by check or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Center of Vital Records and Statistics”. A copy of a valid photo ID for the applicant is required.
  • A $0.50 state charge must be added to each mail-in order. Address: Center of Vital Records and Statistics P.O. Box 60630 New Orleans, LA 70160 Main Number: (504) 593-5100 Remarks: Death records are strictly confidential and are maintained by the Center of Vital Records and Statistics for 50 years. Death records older than 50 years are retained at the Louisiana State Archives (PO Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804). For more information on who may obtain a death records, how to submit a request, special requirements, and additional information regarding death records, please visit the Louisiana Center of State Registrar and Vital Records Website . Marriage Event: Marriage Licenses Purchased in Orleans Parish Only Cost of copy: $5.00* Fees for mail-in services are payable by check or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Center of Vital Records and Statistics”. A copy of a valid photo ID for the applicant is required.
  • A $0.50 state charge must be added to each mail-in order. Address: Center of Vital Records and Statistics P.O. Box 60630 New Orleans, LA 70160 Main Number: (504) 593-5100 Remarks: The Center of Vital Records and Statistics only maintains marriage records for marriage licenses that were purchased in Orleans Parish. If a marriage license was purchased in a different parish, the marriage records can be obtained by the Clerk of Court in that parish. Orleans Parish Marriage records are maintained for 50 years. Marriage records older than 50 years are retained at the Louisiana State Archives (PO Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804). For more information on who may obtain a death records, how to submit a request, special requirements, and additional inform

Louisiana vital records office details

Why immigrants need certified vital records

USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:

  • I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
  • I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
  • N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
  • Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
  • School enrollment — proof of date of birth
  • Real ID applications — proof of identity

Apostille and authentication

If you need to use a Louisiana vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.


Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the Louisiana office.

Order vital records in Louisiana

Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get a US birth certificate from Louisiana?
From the Louisiana vital records office listed below. Requests can typically be submitted online, by mail, or in person. You’ll need to prove identity and pay a fee (~$15-30 for first copy, plus shipping). For immigration purposes (I-130 evidence, naturalization), you need a CERTIFIED COPY (original with raised seal), not a photocopy.
How do I get a marriage certificate from Louisiana?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the county clerk where the marriage license was issued, not the state vital records office. The state office may have copies of older records. For recent marriages, contact the county clerk’s office in the county of the wedding.
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
If filing with USCIS, certificates in any language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translator must certify they are competent to translate and that the translation is accurate. See /procedures/translate-document-uscis/ for the standard certification language.
Can I order vital records for someone else?
Most states restrict access to vital records to: the person named on the record, their spouse, parents, children, siblings, or legal representatives. ID verification is required. For genealogical research, records become open to the public after a waiting period (usually 50-100 years).