Get your certified Louisiana Birth Certificate

How to Get a Louisiana Birth Certificate Without ID

The LDH-OPH requires all applicants to verify their identity. If you do not possess any of the accepted primary IDs, you can submit two forms of approved secondary ID, as shown in the table above.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Louisiana?

Processing and replacement times for Louisiana birth certificates may vary. Refer to the chart below for the current delivery and processing timelines. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

The LDH-OPH generally does not require notarized applications to obtain certified copies of birth certificates.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a Louisiana Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in Louisiana; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with the state of Louisiana. If you were born on a U.S. military base overseas and your parents were U.S. citizens at the time of your birth, your birth should be recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240).

  Note that this is not a birth certificate; it is evidence of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to having a U.S. birth certificate. This document is recognized in the U.S. as proof of birth and citizenship and can be used to obtain a passport and apply for social services. If you need additional copies of this document, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate, or order them from the Department of State. Learn more about CRBA for more information.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Louisiana Birth Certificate?

  

  A birth certificate is an essential document that provides authoritative information about a person's birth. It confirms the individual's legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names. This document is crucial as it serves as proof of identity and citizenship. Birth certificates are widely acknowledged and accepted by both government and commercial entities. They are indispensable for various significant life events such as legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.

  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does a Louisiana Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Louisiana Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Correct or Amend a Louisiana Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Louisiana Birth Certificate

  

  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):