Get your certified Louisiana Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate costs $15 from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4. Expedited processing and shipping are available for additional fees.

You may also need to order a Louisiana death certificate through our secure online service.

Yes, you can order a Louisiana birth certificate online through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans or at parish health units across the state.

Looking for a different document? Order a Louisiana marriage certificate through our secure online service.

In Louisiana, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from the authorized applicant.

Need another vital record? Get your Louisiana divorce certificate through our secure online service.

Louisiana birth certificates are not public records for the first 100 years after the date of birth. After 100 years, they become available to the general public through the Louisiana State Archives. For records less than 100 years old, access is restricted to eligible individuals.

New to our service? Learn how our service works through our secure online service.

An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate it is issued by the LDH-OPH (Louisiana Department of Health - Office of Public Health). The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form official birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form informational copy usually is not. The LDH-OPH defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

Explore our complete guide to ordering birth certificates online for general information on types, costs, eligibility, and expedited processing options.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the LDH-OPH.

a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the LDH-OPH office during hours of availability.

b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the LDH-OPH at:

Louisiana Health Department

Vital Records Office

P.O. Box 60630 New Orleans, LA 70160

c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

2. LDH-OPH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

We also offer Louisiana death certificate through our secure online service.

The Louisiana Health Department’s Office of Public Health (LDH-OPH) offers a straightforward process for legally amending birth certificates. The forms to be filled vary based on the information requiring amendment. The changes become addendums to the original vital record, but no entity can alter the original document.

Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application: the Application to Amend Certificate of Birth
2. Supporting documentation: Required documents include a legible copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a state-issued driver's license or non-driver photo ID, and the incorrect birth certificate, along with the application to amend.
3. Appropriate fee(s): The fee is $27.50 which includes a certified copy of the amended birth certificate.

For further information and details about the types of changes and corrections that can be made visit the LDH-OPH webpage.

An apostille is required for vital records filed with a foreign government. The Secretary of State Commissions Division issues Apostilles for vital records initially filed with the LDH-OPH. You can obtain an apostille for Louisiana birth certificates through the Secretary of State Commissions Division or VRO’s Apostille Express Service.

To request an apostille for a Louisiana birth certificate, you will need to provide the following information:

1. An official, certified copy of your birth certificate.
2. The certified copy of your birth certificate.
3. A fee of $20.00 per certificate.
4. Completed Authentication Request Form.
5. A pre-paid mailing envelope or a completed return label .
6. Submit your request to the following addresses:

Standard mail:

Express Courier (UPS, DHL, FedEx):

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Louisiana birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Louisiana birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Browse our Louisiana marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Processing times for a Louisiana birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Louisiana vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Louisiana birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

You may also need to order a Louisiana death certificate through our secure online service.

New Orleans residents can request a Louisiana birth certificate through the Orleans Parish Vital Records office or by ordering online. The parish office handles births that occurred in Orleans Parish, while the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans covers statewide requests. You can also order your Louisiana birth certificate online for convenient processing. Many New Orleans residents need a birth certificate for a Louisiana marriage certificate application or death certificate request.

Same-day birth certificate service may be available if you visit the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans in person. Walk-in requests are subject to availability and office hours. Online and mail orders typically take 2–4 weeks for standard processing. Many Louisiana residents need a birth certificate urgently for a REAL ID application or passport renewal.

Baton Rouge residents can request a Louisiana birth certificate through the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court or online. For births that occurred outside East Baton Rouge Parish, you can apply through VitalRecordsOnline.com for statewide processing. A certified birth certificate is commonly needed for a Social Security card or driver’s license renewal.