Birth Certificates

How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Louisiana Birth Certificate
You can obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate from Louisiana Vital Records offices throughout the state. There is a charge for each copy. Please contact the Vital Records Registry for the current charge.

To Obtain a Copy in Person
Visit the Vital Records office nearest you and request a certified copy of your child's birth certificate. The addresses for these offices are listed below:

Alexandria
Rapides Parish Health Unit
1200 Texas Avenue
Alexandria, LA 71301-4837
318-487-5282 Ext. 6

Baton Rouge
East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit
353 North 12th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-4612
225-242-4863

Lafayette
Lafayette Parish Vital Records Office
2100 Jefferson Street
Building B
Lafayette, LA 70501-8556
337-262-5616

Lake Charles
Calcasieu Parish Health Unit
721 East Prien Lake Road
Lake Charles, LA 70601-8613
337-478-6367

Monroe
Ouachita Parish Vital Records Office
2913 Desiard Street
Monroe, LA 71201-7207
318-362-3340, 318-362-3400

Shreveport
Caddo Parish Health Unit
1035 Creswell Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71101-3917
318-676-5222

To Obtain a Copy by Mail
If you have an Application for Certified Copy of Birth/Death Certificate form which can be found on the Louisiana Vital Records Registry website, complete it and send it to:

Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160

If you do not have a form, send a letter including the following information to the Vital Records Registry in New Orleans at the address above:
• Your full name and mailing address (include apartment number and/or lot number, as appropriate)
• A telephone number where you may be reached during the day
• Your relationship to the child
• Your personal check or money order to cover statutory fees payable to the Vital Records Registry
• The full name of the child at birth
• The date of birth
• The sex of the child
• The city and parish of birth
• The full maiden name of the mother
• The name of the father
• The number of certified copies you are ordering
Allow approximately three (3) weeks for processing.

For additional information, please visit the Louisiana Vital Records website.

Certificates from Other States
If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate from another state, send their Vital Records Office a letter and include the following information:
• Your full name and mailing address (include apartment number and/or lot number, as appropriate)
• A telephone number where you may be reached during the day
• Your relationship to the child
• Your personal check or money order to cover statutory fees payable to the Vital Records Registry
• The full name of the child at birth
• The date of birth
• The sex of the child
• The city and parish of birth
• The full maiden name of the mother
• The name of the father
• The number of certified copies required

You can find the address for the Vital Records Offices throughout the country at the Louisiana Vital Records Registry website.

Birth Verification (Proof of Birth)
You may need proof of birth before you receive your child's birth certificate. If so, the Health Information Management department can prepare a Birth Verification for you once the birth certificate is completed. A Birth Verification contains the baby's name, date and time of birth, place of birth and parent's names.

To order a Birth Verification contact the Woman’s Hospital Birth Certificate Department at 225-924-8753. These documents can be picked up in the Health Information Management Department, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM by one of the baby's parents with a picture ID. These can also be mailed to the address listed on the birth certificate.

Only parents listed on the child's birth certificate can pick up the documents with a picture ID. If you need to have someone else pick up the documents for you, you will need an authorization form. The form can be picked up in the Health Information Management Department or it can be faxed to you. A parent listed on the birth certificate must sign the authorization form giving someone else permission to pick up the Birth Verification. The completed authorization can be carried or faxed back to Woman’s Birth Certificate Department at 225-924-8735. Please be sure the person picking up the birth verification brings a picture ID.

Birth Registration & Louisiana Paternity Laws
There are laws governing the last name you give your child and the recording of the name of the father of the child. These laws differ depending upon whether the mother is married at the time of the child’s conception and birth. There are also laws governing the change of last name of a child or the recording of paternity after birth registration. For complete information, please refer to Birth Registration and Louisiana Paternity Laws.

Information Regarding Your Child's Social Security Number
It typically takes 2-4 months to receive your child's social security number if you apply for it on your child's birth certificate request form. If you need a social security number sooner, you may apply in person at the Social Security Administration's offices. The Baton Rouge office is located at:
5455 Bankers Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Please call them in advance at 225-389-0694 to find out what documents will be needed when you apply. You may also call the nationwide number at 800-772-1213 for additional information or visit the Social Security Administration's website.

Questions Regarding Your Child's Birth Certificate
“How long does It take to receive the birth certificate?”

“What do we do if there is a problem with your birth certificate?”

If you would like to make a change to the birth certificate (i.e. adding the father's name, changing the baby's name), contact Louisiana Vital Records at 504-846-6957. There may be a fee to make changes. You will need to contact the state for more specific information.

For more information on Louisiana Vital Records, refer to their website or call 504-846-6957.

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