St. Bernard Parish Birth Records

St. Bernard Parish birth records are issued by the Clerk of Court in Chalmette, where residents can request certified copies of birth certificates directly through the parish office. This page explains how to obtain St. Bernard Parish birth records, who is eligible, what ID to bring, current fees, and how to use the state-level resources if an in-person visit is not possible.

St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court

The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court is Randy Nunez. The office is located at 1101 W. St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette and serves as the local access point for certified birth certificates in the parish. You can reach the office by phone at (504) 271-3434, by fax at (504) 278-4380, or by email at info@stbclerk.com. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court website provides information about office services, office hours, and contact details. It is a good place to check if you want to confirm anything before your visit to Chalmette.

The screenshot below shows the official St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court website, which serves as the primary online resource for residents needing birth certificates and other vital records services.

Checking the site before you visit helps you confirm current office hours and any notices about wait times or service changes in Chalmette.

Requesting Birth Records in St. Bernard Parish

When you visit the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court in Chalmette, the staff accesses the Louisiana Vital Records database to print your certified birth certificate. The clerk's office cannot alter, amend, or correct information on the certificate. If there is an error on your record, you must contact the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Statistics in New Orleans directly to request a correction.

Service is walk-in only. The clerk does not accept mail or phone requests for birth certificates. Bring your identification and the fee, and plan to wait. For records from 1983 to the present, the process is usually fast. If the record is older, there may be additional time needed for the state system to update it before printing. Arriving well before closing time is recommended if you know the record is from before 1983.

Infants born in Louisiana cannot have their birth certificates issued until 90 days after birth. The state needs this time to register the newborn record properly. If you try to request a birth certificate too early, the record may not yet be in the system.

The 34th Judicial District Court serves St. Bernard Parish. Information about court operations can be found at 34thjdc.org. While the district court handles civil and criminal proceedings rather than birth certificates directly, it is a useful reference for the judicial structure of the parish.

The 34th JDC site gives context on the court structure that supports the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court's work.

Who May Request St. Bernard Parish Birth Certificates

Louisiana is a closed-record state for birth certificates. Birth records are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth under state law. Only specific people are authorized to request a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate, including those in St. Bernard Parish.

Eligible requestors include the person named on the birth record, their current legal spouse, the mother or father listed on the document, an adult child, a brother or sister, a grandparent, a grandchild, a licensed attorney acting for one of these parties, and a legal guardian who holds a formal court judgment of custody. A notarized guardianship letter does not qualify. You need the actual court order. Step-parents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and former spouses are not eligible to request another person's birth certificate.

Identification is required at the time of application. One primary document is enough. Primary IDs include a current state driver's license, a state picture ID, a military ID, or a U.S. or foreign passport. Students at the high school level or below can use a current school yearbook or school ID with a photo. If you only have secondary documents, you need two of them. Call the office at (504) 271-3434 to ask what secondary documents they accept.

Under LSA R.S. 40:61, knowingly making false statements to obtain a birth certificate can result in a fine of up to $10,000 or up to five years in prison. The clerk's office verifies identification for every request.

Birth Certificate Fees in St. Bernard Parish

The fee for a certified birth certificate at the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court is $34.00. Infants born in the parish cannot have their certificate issued until the 90-day waiting period has passed after the date of birth.

The Louisiana Secretary of State voter portal also lists clerk of court contact information for all Louisiana parishes, including St. Bernard. You can check the clerk portal if you need to verify current contact details before visiting Chalmette.

The Secretary of State portal is a reliable way to confirm that the contact details for the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court are current before you make the trip.

If you prefer to use the state office in New Orleans, the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records charges $15.00 for a long-form birth certificate, $9.00 for a birth card, and $24.00 for both together. Their address is 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, and their phone is (504) 593-5100. Walk-in hours at the state office run from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Mail orders through the state can take 8 to 10 weeks. Full ordering information is at ldh.la.gov/vital-records.

Note: Always confirm accepted payment methods before your visit. Some offices accept only cash, while others take credit cards or money orders.

State Resources for St. Bernard Parish Residents

If visiting Chalmette is not an option, there are several other ways to get a St. Bernard Parish birth certificate. VitalChek, the state's authorized third-party service, lets you order online at vitalchek.com or by phone at 1-877-605-8562. Extra processing fees apply, and delivery takes longer than a walk-in request at the clerk's office, but it is a convenient choice if you cannot make the trip.

For records older than 100 years, the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge is the right resource. They are at 3851 Essen Lane and can be reached at (225) 922-1208. Pre-1911 records may be found in church registries, civil documents, or historical archives. The Louisiana Department of Health also maintains a statewide directory of authorized birth certificate offices. You can browse the LDH parish directory to find offices across Louisiana and confirm service details before visiting.

Nearby Parishes

St. Bernard Parish is located southeast of New Orleans. If you need records from neighboring areas, the clerks in those parishes can help.