Houma Birth Records Lookup
Houma birth records are issued through the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court, not through the city or the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government. The Consolidated Government does not directly issue birth certificates. Houma residents who need a certified copy of a birth certificate must visit the Clerk's dedicated vital records location on Church Street, or they can order through the Louisiana state Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. Both options give you a legally valid certified document.
Houma Quick Facts
Where to Get Houma Birth Certificates
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court issues birth certificates at a specific location that is different from the main courthouse. Go to 310 Church Street, Houma, LA 70360 for birth and death certificates. This is not the main Clerk office at 7856 Main Street. Birth certificate requests at the main Clerk's address are not processed there, so make sure you go to the Church Street location.
The main Clerk of Court office for Terrebonne Parish is at 7856 Main Street, Houma, LA 70360. The general phone is (985) 868-5660. For birth records specifically, call (985) 873-8376. All Terrebonne Clerk locations are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
| Vital Records Location | 310 Church Street Houma, LA 70360 |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 7856 Main Street Houma, LA 70360 |
| Phone (Birth Records) | (985) 873-8376 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Payment | Cash only |
| Website | terrebonneclerk.org |
Houma Birth Records Available at the Clerk
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court has birth records going back to 1903. This is one of the longer records ranges among Louisiana parish clerks. Most parish clerks have records from around 1930, but Terrebonne's records extend back more than 120 years. Death records at Terrebonne are available from 2012 forward only.
All requests are in-person only at the Church Street location. Cash is the only accepted payment. The Clerk does not take credit cards, checks, or money orders for vital records. Bring the correct amount with you. A birth certificate costs $34. There is no way to pay online for a Terrebonne Clerk-issued certificate.
For older Houma birth records that are more than 100 years old, contact the Louisiana State Archives at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Phone is (225) 922-1208. Under LSA R.S. 40:36, birth records become public once they pass the 100-year confidentiality period.
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court website provides contact information and details on birth and death certificate services available to Houma residents.
The Terrebonne Clerk serves as the custodian of Terrebonne Parish birth records from 1903, making it a key resource for anyone born in the Houma area over the last century.
Houma Birth Certificate Fees
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk charges $34.00 for a birth certificate. Death certificates cost $26.00. All payments are cash only at the Church Street vital records location. There is no option to pay by card or check at this office. Make sure you bring exact cash or close to it to keep the process moving quickly.
If you prefer to order from the state, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry charges $15.00 for a long-form birth certificate, $9.00 for a birth card, or $24.00 for both. You can order by mail, walk in at the New Orleans office, or order online through VitalChek. VitalChek adds processing fees on top of the state rate. The state office number is (504) 593-5100 and the walk-in address is 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112.
Note: Under LSA R.S. 40:39.1, a birth card cannot be bought separately. It must be ordered together with a birth certificate. This rule applies whether you order at the parish clerk or through the state.
Who Can Request Houma Birth Records
Louisiana birth records are restricted under LSA R.S. 40:36 and LSA R.S. 40:41. Only the person named on the certificate, their current legal spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, or an attorney representing one of those people may request a certified copy. A legal guardian can request a record for someone in their custody, but must show a judgment of custody that is signed by a judge. A notarized letter or informal guardianship document is not accepted.
Everyone must show valid photo ID when requesting a birth certificate at the Terrebonne Clerk's office. One primary document is required: a current driver's license, state ID, military ID, or U.S. passport. Two secondary documents may be used if no primary document is available. Contact the Terrebonne Clerk at (985) 868-5660 to ask about accepted secondary ID options before your visit.
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government
Houma and the surrounding area operate under the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government (TPCG). The TPCG handles many local services, but vital records are not among them. Birth certificates are a state function, handled through the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry and the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court as the local authorized agent.
The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government website at tpcg.org covers local government services for Houma but directs residents to the Clerk of Court for birth certificate requests.
Ordering Houma Birth Records from the State
Houma residents can bypass the local Clerk's office and order directly from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. The state office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. Walk-in hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays, excluding state holidays. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.
Mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks to process. That is much longer than the same-day service available at the Terrebonne Clerk's Church Street office. The Louisiana Vital Records website has the application form and complete instructions for mail requests. You can also download and print the form before mailing it with your ID copy and payment.
The state Vital Records page covers all ordering options for Houma and Terrebonne Parish residents, including walk-in, mail, and VitalChek online ordering.
Terrebonne Parish Birth Records
Houma is the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish. All birth certificates for Houma residents are issued through the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. For full details on the Terrebonne Parish birth records system, location, fees, and hours, visit the parish page.