Jackson Parish Birth Records

Jackson Parish birth records are available through the Jackson Parish Clerk of Court office in Jonesboro, where you can request a certified copy of a birth certificate or birth card for anyone born in Louisiana. The clerk works with the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records to print certified copies, and you can also order through VitalChek online if an in-person visit is not possible.

Jackson Parish Clerk of Court

The Jackson Parish Clerk of Court is located at 500 E. Court St., Room 103, in Jonesboro. Clerk Hon. Rachel Shively and staff handle requests for certified birth records from Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office can issue birth certificates and birth cards for anyone who was born in Louisiana, not just those born in Jackson Parish specifically.

The office is closed on state and federal holidays. If you are not sure whether the office will be open on a specific date, call ahead at (318) 259-2424 or email rshively@jacksonparishclerk.org before you make the trip to Jonesboro. Mailing address is P.O. Box 730, Jonesboro, LA 71251 for written correspondence, though all birth record requests must be made in person.

The birth certificates page on the clerk's site explains the process clearly. The screenshot below shows what you'll find when you visit the office's online resource for birth records.

For a look at the birth certificates section, visit jacksonparishclerk.org/departments/Birth-Certificates.

This page outlines the ID requirements and fees you'll need to know before you go in.

The clerk's main homepage also has links to departments and services. You can check jacksonparishclerk.org for updates.

The homepage lists all clerk services, including birth and death certificates, conveyances, and more.

The Louisiana Department of Health also keeps a directory of parish-level vital records offices. You can find Jackson Parish listed at ldh.la.gov/directory/category/279.

This state directory is useful if you need to compare parish offices or want contact info for multiple locations.

Getting Birth Records in Jackson Parish

Anyone who was issued a birth certificate by the State of Louisiana may apply in person for a certified copy at the Jackson Parish Clerk of Court office. The clerk has access to the statewide Vital Records database, so you do not need to visit the parish where you were actually born. If you were born in Shreveport or New Orleans, you can still walk into the Jackson Parish office and get your record there.

Requests must be made in person. The office does not take requests by phone or mail. Walk in during business hours, fill out the application, show your ID, and pay the fee. Staff will print the certificate from the state system. For most records, you get it the same day.

Records from before 1983 may need updating by the Bureau of Vital Statistics before a certificate can be printed. If your birth was before 1983, plan to arrive by 4:00 PM at the latest, since the update process can add 30 minutes to an hour. If you are not sure whether your record has been updated, arrive early in the day to allow time.

Newborns have a 90-day wait period after birth before a certificate can be issued. If the birth happened in the last 90 days, contact the Louisiana Vital Records office in New Orleans for guidance on next steps.

If you prefer not to visit in person, you can order Louisiana birth records online through VitalChek. Birth certificates and birth cards can be ordered through their site. Processing times vary and fees may be higher when ordering through a third-party service.

Who Can Request Birth Records in Jackson Parish

Louisiana is a closed record state under LSA R.S. 40:36, which means birth certificates are not open public records. Only people with a direct and tangible interest in the record can request a certified copy. The list of eligible people is set by state law and applies in every parish, including Jackson.

People who may request a certified copy of a Jackson Parish birth record include: the person named on the certificate; that person's current spouse; parents listed on the certificate; an adult child; a sibling; a grandparent; a grandchild; an attorney representing the person named; or a legal guardian who holds a court judgment (notarized papers alone are not accepted by the state). If you do not fall into one of these categories, you may need a court order to access the record.

You must show ID at the time of your request. The clerk requires one primary document or two secondary documents. Primary ID options include a state driver's license, state picture ID, military ID, U.S. or foreign passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization. If you cannot produce primary ID, bring two secondary documents such as a utility bill, insurance card, or voter registration card combined with another approved form.

The state takes false statements seriously. Under LSA R.S. 40:61, giving false information on a birth certificate application is a crime that can result in a fine of up to $10,000 or up to five years in prison. The person who signs the application is the person prosecuted. The clerk's office makes this point clearly: if you provide or attest to false information, you are the one held responsible.

Birth Certificate Fees in Jackson Parish

The fees charged at the Jackson Parish Clerk of Court follow standard Louisiana state rates. A single certified birth certificate costs $34.00. If you want both a birth certificate and a birth card together, the combined cost is $48.00.

Note that under LSA R.S. 40:39.1, a birth card cannot be sold on its own. It is only available as part of the combined package with the birth certificate. You cannot buy just the birth card for $14. If you only need the card, you must purchase the full bundle.

Death certificates are also available at the Jackson Parish office. The fee for a certified death certificate is $26.00 per copy.

Confirm accepted payment methods with the office before your visit by calling (318) 259-2424. Some parish offices accept only cash; others accept checks or money orders. Having exact change or a money order ready can speed up your visit.

Nearby Parishes

Jackson Parish borders several other north Louisiana parishes. If you need birth records from a neighboring parish or want to compare office information, visit the pages below.