Beauregard Parish Birth Records

Beauregard Parish birth records are available through the Clerk of Court in DeRidder, which serves as the official source for certified birth certificates in the parish. This page covers how to request Beauregard Parish birth records in person, what payment the office accepts, who qualifies to receive a copy, and key timing rules that affect every visit.

Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court

The Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court in DeRidder handles birth records and vital records for the parish. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. However, birth and death certificates are not processed after 3:30 PM. Due to the research and verification steps involved, the clerk needs time before the close of business to complete each request. If you arrive after 3:30 PM and want a birth certificate, you will need to come back the next business day.

Another important detail: the Beauregard Parish clerk accepts only cash and credit cards. Checks and money orders are not accepted. If you pay by credit card, there is a minimum processing fee of $2.95. Also, the office does not accept bills larger than $20, so bring small bills or exact change if you plan to pay cash. These payment rules are firm, so come prepared to avoid any delays.

The birth and death certificates page on the Beauregard Parish Clerk's website covers these details and more.

The certificates page lays out the key rules for getting a birth record in Beauregard Parish, including payment requirements and timing restrictions.

Getting Birth Records in Beauregard Parish

Beauregard Parish birth records are printed from the Louisiana Vital Records database, which the clerk's office accesses directly. This is the same system used by all Louisiana parish clerks. Because the certificate comes from the state database, the parish office cannot change or correct what is on the record. If there is an error, it must be addressed through the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Statistics in New Orleans.

The average wait time for a birth certificate in Beauregard Parish is about 30 minutes, depending on how many other customers are ahead of you. If the birth occurred before 1983, the record may need to be updated by the state Vital Records office before printing, which can add up to an hour to the process. That is why arriving early in the day is a smart move. Coming close to the 3:30 PM cutoff on a day with a pre-1983 record could result in not being able to finish the request before the deadline.

Newborns must wait 90 days from the date of birth before a certificate can be issued. Louisiana requires that time for the registration to be processed at the state level. This applies to all parishes, and Beauregard is no exception.

Under LSA R.S. 40:39.1, birth cards can only be purchased along with a full birth certificate. If you need a birth card, ask for both at the same time. The combined cost is $48.00, versus $34.00 for the birth certificate alone.

The office hours and holidays page on the Beauregard clerk's site lists office closures that could affect when you can get a birth record.

Checking the hours page before you go helps you avoid a wasted trip, especially around state holidays when the office may be closed.

Who Can Request Beauregard Parish Birth Records

Louisiana birth records are confidential under LSA R.S. 40:36, which restricts access for 100 years. Only certain people have the right to request a certified copy. The Beauregard Parish clerk follows state eligibility rules and requires ID from everyone who applies.

Eligible requestors include the person named on the birth certificate, their current legal spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, an attorney working on behalf of someone who qualifies, and a legal guardian with a court-issued custody order. Notarized papers claiming guardianship are not sufficient. The office needs a court judgment.

You must present valid identification. One primary document or two secondary documents are required. Primary ID options are a current state driver's license, a state-issued picture ID, a military ID, a U.S. or foreign passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship. If you are unsure whether your secondary documents qualify, call the office before your visit at (337) 463-8595.

Under LSA R.S. 40:61, providing false information to obtain a birth record can result in a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years. Eligibility and ID are checked at the counter, and the office takes this seriously.

The Louisiana Department of Health directory for vital records offices includes the Beauregard Parish entry and provides statewide context for how these rules apply.

The LDH directory is a useful reference for verifying contact details and confirming that the Beauregard Parish clerk participates in the state vital records system.

Birth Certificate Fees in Beauregard Parish

Fees for Beauregard Parish birth records follow the state fee schedule. A certified birth certificate costs $34.00. A birth certificate and birth card together cost $48.00. A death certificate costs $26.00. Payment must be in cash or by credit card. No bills over $20 are accepted for cash payments, and credit card transactions carry a minimum $2.95 processing fee. Checks and money orders are not accepted under any circumstances at this office.

These payment rules are unusual compared to other Louisiana parishes, so make sure you plan ahead. If you need to pay by card and want to keep the fee down, paying cash with exact change in small bills avoids the credit card processing fee entirely.

Note: Fees are set by state statute and cannot be waived or adjusted by the Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court.

State and Alternative Resources for Beauregard Parish

If you cannot visit the DeRidder office, the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records in New Orleans handles birth certificate requests from all parishes. Their address is 1450 Poydras St., Suite 400, New Orleans, LA, and the phone number is (504) 593-5100. Visit ldh.la.gov/vital-records for more information on the process.

VitalChek processes online and phone orders for Louisiana birth certificates. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-877-605-8562. Keep in mind that mail orders through the state take approximately 8 to 10 weeks. For anything time-sensitive, visiting the Beauregard Parish clerk in person is the fastest route.

For older records and genealogical research, the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge may have materials not available through the standard vital records system. The archives are at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, and can be reached at (225) 922-1208. Their website is sos.la.gov.

Nearby Parishes

Beauregard Parish is in southwest Louisiana and shares borders with several other parishes. Use the links below to find birth records for neighboring areas.