Alexandria Birth Records

Alexandria birth records are not issued by the city itself. Residents who need a birth certificate must go through the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court or order directly from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. Both paths give you a certified copy that is valid for legal use. The Clerk of Court office is located in downtown Alexandria, and the Rapides Parish Health Unit also has a kiosk for ordering birth certificates.

Which Office Handles Alexandria Birth Records

The City of Alexandria does not operate a vital records office. Birth certificates for Alexandria residents must come from the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. This office partners with the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records to print certified copies on site. You can also go directly to the state Vital Records Registry in New Orleans, though that involves a longer trip or a mail request.

The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court is at 701 Murray Street, Suite 102, Alexandria, LA 71301. The main phone is 318-473-8153. For birth records specifically, call 318-619-5846. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk's office is in the Rapides Parish Courthouse in the heart of downtown Alexandria, which makes it easy to reach from most parts of the city.

Note: Records prior to 1865 were destroyed in a courthouse fire during the Civil War, so the earliest available records at the Clerk's office date from that period forward.

Rapides Parish Health Unit Kiosk

Alexandria is one of a small number of cities in Louisiana where you can also use a Vital Records kiosk. This kiosk is located at the Rapides Parish Health Unit, 5604 Coliseum Boulevard, Suite A, Alexandria, LA 71303. The kiosk connects directly to the state Vital Records database. Orders placed at the kiosk are shipped via USPS or can be picked up at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans.

The kiosk is a good option if you want to order your Alexandria birth certificate without going downtown to the courthouse. You still need proper identification. The state fee structure applies at kiosk locations rather than the parish clerk fee structure, so the cost may differ from what you would pay at the Clerk of Court office.

The state office in New Orleans handles all Louisiana birth records from 1911 to the present. For historical records more than 100 years old, you would contact the Louisiana State Archives at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

Rapides Parish Clerk of Court

The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court website has information on birth certificate requests, fees, and what ID you need to bring.

The Clerk's office issues both long-form birth certificates and birth cards for Alexandria residents who were born in Louisiana.

Fees for Alexandria Birth Certificates

The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court charges $15.00 for the first certified copy of a birth certificate. Each additional copy ordered at the same time also costs $15.00. This is lower than what many other parish clerks charge, since Rapides Parish uses the state fee schedule rather than a higher parish rate.

If you order through the state Vital Records Registry directly, the fees are the same: $15.00 for a long-form birth certificate and $9.00 for a birth card. Ordering a birth certificate and birth card together costs $24.00. Under LSA R.S. 40:39.1, a birth card cannot be purchased by itself; it must be ordered with a birth certificate.

If you use VitalChek to order online or by phone, additional service fees apply on top of the base fee. You can reach VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by calling 1-877-605-8562. This is the state's authorized online ordering partner.

Note: Mail orders sent to the state Vital Records office in New Orleans typically take 8 to 10 weeks to process.

Who Can Request Alexandria Birth Records

Louisiana is a closed-record state under LSA R.S. 40:36. Birth records remain confidential for 100 years from the date of birth. Only certain people can get a certified copy. The list includes the person named on the certificate, their current spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. A legal guardian can also request a record, but must show a judgment of custody signed by a judge. Notarized custody papers are not accepted.

Step-parents, in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, and ex-spouses are not eligible to request someone else's birth certificate under Louisiana law. Everyone who requests a certificate must show valid identification. You need one primary document such as a current driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport. If you do not have a primary document, you can use two secondary documents. Contact the Rapides Parish Clerk's office at 318-619-5846 to ask what secondary documents they accept.

State Vital Records Registry Option

Alexandria residents have the option to order birth certificates directly from the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry. The state office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. The phone number is (504) 593-5100. Walk-in hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays, excluding state holidays.

You can also mail your request to the state office. Use P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160 for mailed requests. Include a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and the correct fee. The state accepts payment by check or money order made payable to "Vital Records Registry." Mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks. If you need the certificate faster, walk in at either the state office or the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court in Alexandria.

The Louisiana Vital Records website has the application form and full instructions. You can also check the how to order birth records page for step-by-step guidance on which method works best for your situation.

The state Vital Records Registry page covers all ordering methods available to Alexandria residents, including walk-in, mail, and online through VitalChek.

Tips for Getting Your Alexandria Birth Certificate

Walking into the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court is the fastest way to get a birth certificate in Alexandria. Most requests are handled the same day. Bring your photo ID and exact cash or an accepted form of payment. Call ahead at 318-619-5846 to confirm what payment methods are currently accepted.

Records for people born before 1983 may take longer to process because those records sometimes need to be updated in the state system before the Clerk's office can print them. If you plan to request an older record, arriving early in the day gives the office more time to complete the update and print your certificate before closing time.

False statements on a birth certificate application carry serious penalties under LSA R.S. 40:61. The law sets a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Fill out the application accurately and bring the right ID to avoid delays or legal problems.

Rapides Parish Birth Records

Alexandria is the parish seat of Rapides Parish. All birth certificate requests for Alexandria residents go through the Rapides Parish system. For full details on the Clerk of Court, fees, hours, and all birth records services available in Rapides Parish, visit the parish page.

View Rapides Parish Birth Records