Search Shreveport Birth Records

Shreveport birth records are not issued by the city itself. The City of Shreveport officially does not issue birth certificates, birth records, or death certificates. Shreveport residents get certified copies through the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court at 501 Texas Street or through the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. Both offices serve the area, and each has its own fees, hours, and eligibility rules to know before you go.

Where Shreveport Residents Get Birth Certificates

The City of Shreveport's vital records page is clear: the city does not issue birth certificates. It directs residents to the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court and the Louisiana Department of Health. This means your first call or visit should go to the Caddo Parish Clerk, not any city office.

The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court is located at 501 Texas Street, Room 103, in downtown Shreveport. The phone number is (318) 226-6780 for general inquiries and (318) 226-6642 for the records department. Birth and death certificates are issued from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Requests made after 4:00 p.m. may require you to return the next business day depending on system availability.

The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court partners with the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and has direct access to the state's vital records database. This means you get a state-issued certified copy, not a locally created document. The clerk prints directly from the state system.

Shreveport Birth Certificate Requests

When you visit the Caddo Parish Clerk for a birth certificate, you need to bring your ID and payment in cash or by credit card. The office does not accept checks or money orders. You fill out an application and staff look up the record in the state database. If found, they print the certificate on the spot. Plan to arrive before 4:00 p.m. to be sure you get served that day.

Note: There is also a Vital Records kiosk at the Caddo Parish Health Unit at 1035 Creswell Avenue in Shreveport. The kiosk offers an alternative route for ordering certificates without visiting the courthouse.

Fees for Shreveport Birth Records

At the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court, the fee for a birth certificate is $34.00. If you want a birth card paired with the certificate, the total is $48.00 for both. The birth card cannot be purchased on its own under Louisiana law. Death certificates are $26.00 each, available for deaths registered in Louisiana from July 9, 2012 to the present only.

If you prefer to order directly through the state at a lower cost, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry charges $15.00 for a long-form birth certificate and $9.00 for a birth card. The combined fee for both is $24.00. You can walk in to the state office in New Orleans, mail your request, or use VitalChek online at vitalchek.com or by calling 1-877-605-8562. VitalChek adds a processing fee.

Shreveport Vital Records Sources

The Shreveport city vital records page points residents to the right offices. It lists the Caddo Parish Clerk and the Louisiana Department of Health as the two places to go for birth records.

This city page makes it simple to find where to go without guessing which office handles what.

The Caddo Parish Clerk's birth certificate page shows exact fees, payment methods, and eligibility requirements. Check it before visiting to avoid surprises.

The Caddo Clerk's site includes a note about after-hours access and what to do if the state system is unavailable when you arrive.

Who Can Get a Shreveport Birth Certificate

Louisiana birth records are confidential for 100 years under LSA R.S. 40:36. This means not everyone can request a certified copy. The law under LSA R.S. 40:41 lists who qualifies.

Eligible requestors include the person named on the record, their current legal spouse, mother, father, adult child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild. An attorney who has a signed contract from one of these people can also request a copy. A legal guardian with a court-issued judgment of custody qualifies as well. Notarized custody papers are not accepted in place of an actual court order.

Step-parents, in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, and ex-spouses do not qualify. The clerk cannot make exceptions to these rules regardless of the reason for the request. If you are not sure whether you qualify, call the Caddo Parish Clerk at (318) 226-6642 before you visit.

You need valid photo ID to request a birth certificate. One primary document is enough. Primary ID includes a driver's license, state-issued ID card, military ID, or passport. If you do not have primary ID, bring two secondary documents such as a W-2 plus Social Security card, voter registration card, or insurance policy.

Ordering Shreveport Birth Records Through VitalChek

Shreveport residents who cannot visit the Caddo Parish Clerk in person can order a certified birth certificate online through VitalChek. This service connects to the Louisiana Vital Records Registry and lets you order from anywhere with an internet connection.

To use VitalChek, go to vitalchek.com and fill out the order form with the person's full name, date of birth, and place of birth. You pay online with a credit card. VitalChek adds a processing fee on top of the state fee. Processing times vary but tend to be faster than mailing a paper application directly to the state. You can also call VitalChek at 1-877-605-8562 if you prefer to order by phone.

The Louisiana Vital Records Registry also accepts mail orders. Send your application, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Mail processing takes 8-10 weeks. If you need the record sooner, the parish clerk or VitalChek are better options.

Caddo Parish Birth Records

Shreveport sits in Caddo Parish, and all birth certificate requests go through the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court or the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. For full details about Caddo Parish birth records including eligibility, hours, fees, and nearby office locations, see the parish page.

View Caddo Parish Birth Records