The Vital Record’s Department is located in the Mortgage Department on the second floor of the Acadia Parish Courthouse. They are responsible for issuing birth certificates, birth cards, and death certificates. Death certificates are currently back to 2012. Birth cards and birth Certificates can be obtained by simply filling out a request form provided by the Vital Records Department.

Note: A birth certificate must be purchased also obtain a birth card. Total cost for both will be $48.00. See below for Identification Requirements to obtain Vital Records.

Fees:

Identification Requirements for Vital Records
Persons who apply for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate must produce identification in the form of one primary document OR two secondary documents.

Primary Documents – Any one of these:

• Current state issued driver’s license that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant
• Current state issued picture identification that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant
• Current U.S. military identification card that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant
• Current U.S.-issued or Foreign-issued Passport
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-570 or N-578)
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-578)
• Students (high school or younger) – a current school yearbook or a current school identification document with a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant

Secondary Documents – Any two of these:

• Current student picture identification card from a college or university when accompanied by a 100% fee paid receipt for the current semester (Counts as two documents)
• A W-2 form issued within the last two years plus an original signed Social Security Card. The Social Security numbers must match (Counts as two documents)
• Original adoption papers
• Official certified deeds or title to property
• Certificate of vehicle title
• Insurance policy must show name of the applicant (Health, Home, Life, and Auto)
• Payroll stub (cannot be handwritten) showing the name and social security number of the applicant
• Current U.S. military dependent identification card that displays a photograph which clearly identifies the applicant
• Original DD-214 Military Discharge document which clearly identifies the applicant
• Voter’s Registration application (certified true copy)

In cases where applicants provide or attest to false information, the individual who signs the application is the individual prosecuted.

Who may purchase a certified copy of a Louisiana Birth or Death Certificate and Birth Card?

Yourself

• Registrant (person named on the certificate) Does not pertain to death certificate.

Immediate Family

• Adult child of the person named on the certificate
• Current legal spouse of person named on the certificate. Spouse must present marriage license to receive.
• Brother or sister of person named on the certificate
• Mother or father of person named on the certificate
• Grandchild of person named on the certificate
• Grandparent of person named on the certificate
• Legal Guardian of person named on the certificate*

Legal guardian / Non-Family Members

• A legal Guardian MUST provide a judgment of custody. Custody by mandate or provisional custody from a notary will not be accepted. Transfer of custody witnessed by a notary will not be accepted.
• A non-family member may request a certified copy of a certificate on behalf of an entitled individual with a letter of authorization that names the authorized individual and provides the person named on the certificate’s name and date of birth.
• A copy of a state drivers’ license or state ID for the entitled individual is required.

Attorney Entitlement

An attorney representing the person named on the certificate or representing any of the legally entitled individuals listed above is entitled to purchase a certified copy of a Louisiana Birth Certificate, Birth Card, or Death Certificate with a letter of representation on original letterhead. Attorney’s bar roll number is required on the application.
Attorney’s paralegal or runner may purchase a certified copy with a letter on original letterhead stating the case docket number, attorney’s bar roll number, and the name of the person to whom the document is to be released.

• Brother or sister of person named on the certificate
• Mother or father of person named on the certificate
• Grandchild of person named on the certificate
• Grandparent of person named on the certificate
• Legal Guardian of person named on the certificate*

*LSA R.S. 40:61 a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisonment of not more than five years or both shall be imposed on any person who willfully and knowingly makes any false statement on any application for a certified copy of a vital record.

BIRTH & DEATH CERTIFICATES

Birth certificates can be issued from around 1930 until current and the birth cards can be issued going back 100 years. For newborns, you have to wait ninety (90) days before you can obtain a birth certificate. Please note, anyone born before 1986 will require an update from the Vital Records Office. Wait time may be extended for 5-15 minutes.

We can only accept checks, cash, or money orders for this service. The check or money order should be made payable to the “Acadia Parish Clerk of Court”.

Anyone may purchase a birth certificate, birth card, or death certificate provided that the proper application has been filled out.

If you have any questions about the status of a pending application for passports, please call the:
National Passport Information Center
1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778)
TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793
E-MAIL Access: npic@state.gov

Appointments call: (877)487-2778

If you have any questions about the process or for further information about Passports or vital records, please call (337)788-8881, Ext 5004. Passport forms and related information is available at the U.S. Department of State Web site.

Please note: In instances where an individual cannot present the required identification, a relative with proper identification can obtain the document. Also, another individual who knows the registrant and has proper identification may obtain the certificate by presenting a release signed by the registrant.

**IMPORTANT**

In cases where applicants provide or attest to false information, the individual who signs the application is the individual who will be prosecuted.

You may also obtain birth certificate information by contacting the Baton Rouge or  New Orleans office of Louisiana Vital Records

Vital Records – New Orleans Office

1450 Poydras 4th Floor (next to Superdome)

New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

(504) 593-5100

Louisiana Vital Records – Baton Rouge Office

353 North 12 Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

(225) 242-4860

*You may be required to fill out an affidavit stating who you are.