Bossier City Birth Records Search
Bossier City birth records are not handled by the city government. The City of Bossier City does not issue birth certificates. Residents who need a certified copy of a Louisiana birth record must contact the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton or go through the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. Both offices follow the same state eligibility rules and issue certified copies directly from the Louisiana Vital Records database.
Bossier City Quick Facts
Which Office Handles Bossier City Birth Records
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court is the local office that issues birth certificates for Bossier City residents. The clerk's office is located in Benton, the parish seat, at 204 Burt Blvd., Third Floor, Benton, LA 71006. You can also write to P.O. Box 430, Benton, LA 71006. The phone number is (318) 965-2336.
The clerk partners with the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and issues certified copies directly from the state's database. This means the certificate you get from the Bossier Parish Clerk is the same state-issued document you would receive from the central office in New Orleans. The record is not created locally. It is pulled from the statewide system and printed for you.
Standard office hours for the Bossier Parish Clerk are Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact the office directly at (318) 965-2336 to confirm current hours and to ask about payment methods before your visit, as the office does not always list specific vital records payment details online.
| Office | Bossier Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 204 Burt Blvd., Third Floor Benton, LA 71006 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 430, Benton, LA 71006 |
| Phone | (318) 965-2336 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (confirm by phone) |
| Website | bossierclerk.com |
Fees for Bossier City Birth Certificates
The Bossier Parish Clerk charges the standard Louisiana parish rate for birth certificates. A birth certificate costs $34.00. If you need a birth card along with the certificate, the pair is $48.00. Under LSA R.S. 40:39.1, a birth card cannot be purchased by itself. You can only get the card when you buy it together with a certificate. Death certificates are available for $26.00 each.
For lower fees, order directly from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. The state charges $15.00 for a long-form birth certificate, $9.00 for a birth card, and $24.00 for the pair. You can order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by calling 1-877-605-8562. VitalChek adds a processing fee to online orders. Mail orders to the state at P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160 take 8-10 weeks to process.
Bossier City Vital Records Resources
The City of Bossier City official website provides local government information but directs residents to the Bossier Parish Clerk or the state for birth records since the city does not issue them.
The city site is useful for learning about other local services, but for birth certificates you will need to contact the parish clerk.
The Caddo Parish Clerk birth certificate page in nearby Shreveport shows a similar example of how parish clerks in Northwest Louisiana handle vital records for the public, including fees, hours, and eligibility rules.
The Caddo Clerk and Bossier Clerk follow the same state-set rules for birth certificate requests, so the process is similar at both offices.
Who Can Request Bossier City Birth Records
Louisiana birth records are confidential under LSA R.S. 40:36 for 100 years from the date of birth. Not everyone can request a certified copy. Under LSA R.S. 40:41, eligible people include the person named on the record, their current legal spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and attorneys with a signed contract from one of these individuals. Legal guardians who hold a court-issued judgment of custody may also request copies.
People who do not qualify include step-parents, in-laws, ex-spouses, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Notarized custody papers are not accepted. The guardian must have an actual court order signed by a judge, not a notarized statement.
Bring valid photo ID when you visit the Bossier Parish Clerk. One primary document is enough. A driver's license, state ID card, military ID, or passport all work as primary ID. If you lack a primary document, bring two secondary ones. Secondary documents include a W-2 form plus Social Security card, a voter registration card, or a property deed. Under Louisiana law, making a false statement on a birth certificate application is a serious offense under LSA R.S. 40:61, carrying fines up to $10,000 or up to five years in prison.
Ordering Bossier City Birth Records Online or by Mail
Bossier City residents who cannot travel to the Bossier Parish Clerk in Benton have two other options. VitalChek online ordering is the faster non-in-person method. Visit vitalchek.com, complete the online form, and pay by credit card. The request goes through the state Vital Records database and the certificate is mailed to you. VitalChek adds a processing fee but is generally faster than mailing the state directly.
Mail orders are the least expensive option for those not in a hurry. Complete a request form, include a copy of your ID, and send a check or money order payable to the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. The mailing address is P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Allow 8-10 weeks. If you need to speak with someone first, call the state office at (504) 593-5100. Walk-in hours at the state office are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays for those who can travel to New Orleans directly.
Bossier Parish Birth Records
Bossier City sits in Bossier Parish, and birth certificate requests go through the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton or through the state Vital Records Registry. For full details on Bossier Parish services, fees, and contact information, visit the parish page.