How much do death certificates cost in Louisiana?
Louisiana has some of the lowest death certificate fees in the country. Certified copies from the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health cost $7 per copy. Mail-in and VitalChek orders include an additional $0.50 state surcharge per order.
| Source | Cost per copy |
|---|---|
| LDH Vital Records (mail) | $7 + $0.50 surcharge |
| LDH Vital Records (in person) | $7 |
| Parish clerk of court | ~$26 (varies by parish) |
| VitalChek online | $7 + surcharge + processing fees |
The $7 fee is set by state statute and applies regardless of how many copies you order. Parish clerks of court can also issue death certificates, but their fees are significantly higher.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director orders the first batch as part of their services. This is the fastest route for recently filed death certificates.
From the Louisiana Vital Records Registry
The Vital Records Registry in New Orleans handles death certificate requests for deaths that occurred anywhere in Louisiana.
- By mail: Send a completed application with a check or money order payable to "Louisiana Vital Records." Include a photocopy of your ID. The mailing address is the Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.
- In person: Visit the Vital Records office in New Orleans during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID.
- Online: Order through VitalChek, the authorized online vendor. Expect additional processing and shipping fees on top of the $7 state fee.
From the parish clerk of court
Each of Louisiana's 64 parishes has a clerk of court that can issue death certificates. The fee is typically around $26 per copy, making this a more expensive option. However, parish offices may have copies available faster for older records or local deaths.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Vital Records (in person) | Same day to 3 business days |
| Vital Records (by mail) | 4 to 6 weeks |
| VitalChek online | 5 to 10 business days + shipping |
| Parish clerk of court | Varies by parish |
In-person requests at the New Orleans office are the fastest option from the state. Mail orders can take over a month during busy periods.
How many copies do you need?
Order at least 8 to 10 certified copies. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, and the district court. At $7 per copy, Louisiana is one of the most affordable states to order in bulk. Ten copies cost $70.
For a complete list of where you will need certified copies, see our guide on how to get death certificates.
Who can order?
Louisiana restricts certified death certificates to:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Parent, child, or sibling of the deceased
- Grandparent or grandchild
- The executor or administrator of the estate (succession representative)
- An attorney acting on behalf of the family
- Anyone with a court order
You must provide a valid photo ID and state your relationship to the deceased.
What to know about Louisiana specifically
Civil law succession, not common law probate. Louisiana is the only state that follows a civil law system inherited from French and Spanish legal traditions. The state calls its estate settlement process a "succession" rather than probate. Small successions (estates under $125,000) can use a simplified affidavit process. See our guide on how succession works in Louisiana for details.
Community property state. Louisiana is one of nine community property states. Property acquired during a marriage is generally owned equally by both spouses, which affects how the estate is divided.
Parishes, not counties. Louisiana's 64 parishes function like counties in other states. When ordering from a local office, contact the parish clerk of court rather than a county clerk.
Lowest fees in the country. At $7 per copy with no price increase for additional copies, Louisiana has among the most affordable death certificate fees of any state.
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