Terrytown Birth Records
Terrytown birth records are managed through Jefferson Parish, not through any local city office. Terrytown is a census-designated place on the west bank of Jefferson Parish with no incorporated city government. Residents who need a birth certificate must use the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. The most convenient location for Terrytown residents is the Second Parish Court in nearby Gretna, which is just a short drive away and handles birth and death certificates for all Jefferson Parish residents on the west bank.
Terrytown Quick Facts
Which Office Handles Terrytown Birth Records
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, led by Clerk Jon A. Gegenheimer, operates three locations that issue birth and death certificates. For Terrytown residents, the closest is the Second Parish Court at 100 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, LA 70053. The Juvenile Court in Harvey at 1546 Gretna Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 is another west bank option. The third location is the First Parish Court at 924 David Dr., Metairie, LA 70003 on the east bank, which is further from Terrytown.
The main phone for the Jefferson Parish Clerk is (504) 364-2900. A direct line for birth certificate questions is (504) 364-2914. All Jefferson Parish Clerk locations are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For older records from before 1983, arrive before 4:00 PM to allow time for the update process.
| Second Parish Court (Gretna) | 100 Huey P. Long Ave. Gretna, LA 70053 |
|---|---|
| Juvenile Court (Harvey) | 1546 Gretna Blvd. Harvey, LA 70058 |
| Main Phone | (504) 364-2900 |
| Birth Cert. Line | (504) 364-2914 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Payment | Cash, check, or money order (no credit cards) |
| Website | jpclerkofcourt.us |
Note: The Jefferson Parish Clerk does not accept credit cards for birth certificate transactions. Bring cash, a check, or a money order when you visit any of the three locations.
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court Birth Certificate Services
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court birth certificate page explains which three locations serve Terrytown and west bank Jefferson Parish residents, along with ID requirements and fee details.
Jefferson Parish Clerk Jon A. Gegenheimer partners with the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records to offer same-day birth certificate service at all three parish court locations, including the Second Parish Court in Gretna that is most convenient for Terrytown residents.
Terrytown Birth Certificate Fees
The Jefferson Parish Clerk charges $34.00 for a birth certificate and $48.00 for a birth certificate paired with a birth card. Louisiana law prohibits purchasing a birth card by itself; it must come with a birth certificate under LSA R.S. 40:39.1. Death certificates cost $26.00. Payment must be cash, check, or money order. Credit cards are not accepted at any Jefferson Parish Clerk location for vital records.
State fees are an alternative for Terrytown residents. 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 together. The state office walk-in address is 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. Walk-in hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM weekdays, excluding holidays. The phone is (504) 593-5100.
Online ordering through VitalChek is available for Terrytown residents who prefer not to visit an office. VitalChek adds service fees. You can also call 1-877-605-8562 to order by phone. Processing time for VitalChek orders varies.
Older Birth Records for Terrytown Residents
Most birth records from before 1983 need updating in the state Vital Records system before the Jefferson Parish Clerk can print a certificate. This update process can take extra time. If you are ordering an older record for yourself or a family member, arrive at the Second Parish Court in Gretna well before 4:00 PM so there is time to complete the update. The Clerk specifically recommends arriving before 4:00 PM for pre-1983 records.
For records more than 100 years old, the Louisiana State Archives handles those documents. Birth records pass the 100-year confidentiality period set by LSA R.S. 40:36 and become public at that point. The Archives are at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, phone (225) 922-1208.
If the Jefferson Parish Clerk cannot find your record in their system, they will refer you to the Louisiana Vital Records central office in New Orleans. The state office has a broader database and can often locate records that the parish system does not immediately find.
Who Can Request Terrytown Birth Records
Louisiana birth records are closed to the public for 100 years. Only certain people are eligible to request a certified copy under LSA R.S. 40:41. The eligible list includes the person named on the certificate, their current legal spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and attorneys representing any of those individuals. Legal guardians can request a record for a minor in their care, but must present a court-signed judgment of custody. A notarized letter does not satisfy this requirement in Louisiana.
Extended family such as aunts, uncles, cousins, step-parents, in-laws, and ex-spouses are not eligible to request another person's birth certificate. All requestors need valid photo ID. 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 you do not have a primary document. Call (504) 364-2914 to ask what secondary documents the Jefferson Parish Clerk accepts.
Louisiana Vital Records Registry
Terrytown residents can order birth certificates from the state Vital Records Registry by mail, in person, or online. The mailing address is P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Include a completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the correct fee payable to "Vital Records Registry." Mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks. Walking into the state office or a Jefferson Parish Clerk location is much faster.
The Louisiana Vital Records website has the current application and instructions for all ordering methods. Since Terrytown is in the New Orleans metro area, the drive to the state office at 1450 Poydras Street is reasonable, especially if the Jefferson Parish Clerk locations are not convenient for your schedule.
The Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains all Louisiana birth records in its centralized database, which Jefferson Parish Clerk offices use to print certified copies locally for Terrytown and all Jefferson Parish residents.
Jefferson Parish Birth Records
Terrytown is part of Jefferson Parish. Birth certificates for all Terrytown residents go through the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. For the complete guide to Jefferson Parish birth records including all three locations, fees, hours, and eligibility rules, visit the parish page.