LaSalle Parish Birth Records

LaSalle Parish birth records are primarily handled through the Louisiana Office of Vital Records in New Orleans, rather than at a local parish clerk's office, and residents of Jena and surrounding areas who need a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate should contact the state office directly or use the online VitalChek service to submit their request. The LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court maintains court and land records from 1910 but has limited direct capacity to issue birth certificates.

LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court

The LaSalle Parish Courthouse is located at 1050 Courthouse St., Jena, LA 71342. You can reach the clerk's office by phone at 318-992-2158. The clerk maintains marriage records, divorce records, probate records, court records, and land records dating back to 1910. These are important local records for LaSalle Parish residents who need documentation of historical events in the parish.

However, for birth certificates specifically, the LaSalle Parish Clerk has limited capacity compared to many other Louisiana parishes. The primary source for LaSalle Parish birth records is the Louisiana Office of Vital Records. If you need a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate and you live in LaSalle Parish, your best path is to contact the state office directly, visit in person in New Orleans, or use the VitalChek online service to submit a request from wherever you are.

For birth certificates, the Louisiana Department of Health maintains the statewide vital records directory. Visit ldh.la.gov/directory/category/279 for a full list of offices across the state.

The state directory lists every parish-level office in Louisiana and shows which ones are authorized to issue certified copies of birth and death records.

Louisiana State Vital Records - Primary Source for LaSalle Birth Records

For LaSalle Parish residents, the Louisiana Office of Vital Records is the main place to get a certified birth certificate. This office is part of the Louisiana Department of Health and maintains the statewide birth records database. You can request a record in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.

The state office is located at 1450 Poydras St., Suite 400, New Orleans, LA. The phone number is (504) 593-5100. The website is ldh.la.gov/vital-records. In-person requests at the state office can often be completed the same day if you arrive during business hours with proper ID and payment.

For a look at the state Vital Records office and its services, visit ldh.la.gov/vital-records.

The state site outlines eligibility, ID requirements, fees, and how to submit a request by mail, in person, or online.

Mail orders to the state office typically take 8 to 10 weeks to process. If you need a record faster, either visit the New Orleans office in person or order through VitalChek, which offers expedited shipping options for an additional fee.

Getting Birth Records in LaSalle Parish

The two main paths for LaSalle Parish residents are in-person at the state office in New Orleans or online through VitalChek. Mail requests are also accepted by the state office but take the longest to complete, generally 8 to 10 weeks from the time the request is received.

If you go in person to the New Orleans office, bring proper ID and payment. Same-day service is typically available. If you send a mail request, follow the instructions on the state website carefully. Include a copy of your ID, a completed application form, and the correct fee. The state accepts personal checks or money orders for mailed requests.

VitalChek is the third-party service the Louisiana Department of Health uses for online orders. You can visit vitalchek.com to start a request. Online orders come with an additional VitalChek service fee on top of the state fee, and shipping costs apply depending on how fast you need the record. Standard shipping takes longer; expedited options cost more.

Louisiana birth records from before 1983 may require an update by the Bureau of Vital Statistics before a certificate can be issued. Pre-1983 records should be requested with extra lead time built in. The update process can add 30 minutes to an hour at the state level. Very old records, those over 100 years old, may also be held by the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge. Call the Archives at (225) 922-1207 if you are researching a historical birth record from the early 1900s or earlier.

Newborns must wait 90 days from birth before a certificate can be issued. For new parents in LaSalle Parish, contact the Louisiana Vital Records office directly for guidance on the earliest possible date to request a certificate.

Who Can Request Birth Records in LaSalle Parish

Louisiana is a closed record state under LSA R.S. 40:36. Birth certificates are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth. Not every person can request a certified copy. The state defines exactly who qualifies, and this rule applies whether you are requesting at the state office in New Orleans or through a parish clerk in any other parish.

Eligible people include the person named on the birth record; that person's current spouse; parents listed on the certificate; an adult child; a sibling; a grandparent; a grandchild; a licensed attorney acting on behalf of the named person; or a legal guardian with a valid court judgment. Notarized papers are not accepted as proof of guardianship. A court order is required by state law.

You must present ID when you make your request. One primary document or two secondary documents are needed. Primary ID options include a state driver's license, a state picture ID card, a military ID, a U.S. or foreign passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization. If you only have secondary documents, bring two of them. The state office and VitalChek will both ask for a copy of your ID with any request.

Under LSA R.S. 40:61, providing false information on a birth certificate application is a serious offense. Penalties include fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment up to five years. The person who signs the application is the one held responsible. Make sure every piece of information you give is accurate before submitting your request.

Birth Certificate Fees in LaSalle Parish

The standard Louisiana state fee for a certified birth certificate is $34.00 per copy. If you also want a birth card, the combined cost is $48.00. Under LSA R.S. 40:39.1, a birth card cannot be purchased separately. It must be bundled with the full birth certificate. This rule applies at the state level and at every authorized parish clerk's office in Louisiana.

Death certificates cost $26.00 each from the Louisiana Office of Vital Records. If you order through VitalChek, you will pay the state fee plus a service charge from VitalChek, plus any shipping costs. For most LaSalle Parish residents, going in person to the New Orleans office is the most cost-effective option if you can make the trip. Mail and online options are convenient but come with extra costs and longer wait times.

The state office accepts various payment forms including money orders and personal checks. VitalChek accepts major credit and debit cards. If you are unsure of the total before submitting, check the state website at ldh.la.gov/vital-records or call (504) 593-5100 for a current fee breakdown.

Nearby Parishes

LaSalle Parish is in central Louisiana. The parishes below share borders with LaSalle and have their own clerk offices with varying levels of birth records access.