St. John the Baptist Parish Birth Records
St. John the Baptist Parish birth records are issued by the Clerk of Court, which operates two office locations serving residents in the parish. This page explains how to get St. John the Baptist Parish birth records, who is eligible, what identification is required, current fees, processing times, and alternative options if you cannot visit either office location in person.
St. John the Baptist Parish Quick Facts
St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court
The St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court is Hon. Felicia C. Feist, who was sworn in on June 30, 2024, becoming the first African-American elected to the position in the parish. The clerk's office operates two locations. Birth certificates are issued at both offices Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Note that birth certificate service ends at 4:00 PM, not 4:30 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.
| Clerk | Hon. Felicia C. Feist |
|---|---|
| Edgard Office | 2393 Highway 18 Edgard, LA 70049 |
| LaPlace Office | 1811 W. Airline Hwy LaPlace, LA 70068 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 280 Edgard, LA 70049 |
| Edgard Phone | (985) 497-3331 |
| LaPlace Phone | (985) 652-8041 |
| Fax | (985) 497-3972 |
| Birth Cert Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | sjbparishclerk.gov |
The LaPlace office on West Airline Highway is often more convenient for residents in the eastern part of the parish. Both locations offer the same birth certificate service. Call ahead to confirm wait times or any temporary closures at either location before you go.
The screenshot below shows the official website of the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court, which is the government agency responsible for keeping official records in the parish.
The clerk's website at sjbparishclerk.gov provides details on birth certificate services, office locations, and hours, and is worth reviewing before your visit.
How to Get St. John the Baptist Parish Birth Certificates
Birth certificates in St. John the Baptist Parish are printed directly from the Louisiana Vital Records database. The clerk's office accesses the state system when you submit your application. Service is available at both the Edgard and LaPlace offices. Walk-in only. No appointment is needed, and there is no mail or phone ordering through the parish clerk.
The typical processing time is 30 minutes to one hour after you submit your application. If the record is older, particularly for births before 1983, the wait may be longer because the state may need to update the record before it can be printed. For newer records, the process is usually faster. Because birth certificate service ends at 4:00 PM, arriving by mid-afternoon gives you the best chance of getting in and out the same day.
The fee is $34.00 and must be paid in cash. Exact cash is preferred. Neither personal checks nor credit cards are accepted at the parish clerk level for birth certificates. Bring the right amount so you do not have to leave and come back.
If you find an error on your birth certificate, the clerk cannot correct it. All amendments must go through the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Statistics in New Orleans. Contact the state office at (504) 593-5100 to start that process. The parish office can only print what is in the state system.
Louisiana births from 1915 to the present are available through the parish clerk system. For births before statewide registration began in 1911, records may exist only in older civil documents or church registries, not in the state's electronic system.
Eligibility for St. John the Baptist Parish Birth Records
Louisiana birth records are closed to the general public for 100 years from the date of birth. This state treats birth certificates as confidential documents. Only specific people are authorized to request a certified copy.
Eligible requestors for St. John the Baptist Parish birth records include the person named on the document, their current legal spouse, the mother or father of the person named, an adult child, a sibling, a grandparent, a grandchild, a licensed attorney representing one of these parties, and a legal guardian who has an actual court judgment of custody. A notarized letter of guardianship is not accepted. You need the court order itself. Extended family members such as aunts, uncles, and cousins do not qualify unless they fall into one of the categories above.
When you apply, you must show valid identification. One primary document is enough. Primary IDs include a current state driver's license, a state picture ID, a military ID, a U.S. or foreign passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship. If you do not have a primary document, bring two secondary documents. Call either office location to confirm what secondary documents are accepted before your visit.
Under LSA R.S. 40:41, access to birth records is limited to registrants and their authorized family members. Providing false information on a birth certificate application can result in serious penalties. Under LSA R.S. 40:61, that includes a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to five years. The clerk verifies identification for every request.
Newborns and the 90-Day Rule
Parents of newborns in St. John the Baptist Parish should be aware of the 90-day waiting period. Birth certificates for infants cannot be issued until at least 90 days after the date of birth. The state needs this time to register the newborn's record in the system.
Louisiana does provide a complimentary certified birth certificate to the parents of newborns free of charge, issued shortly after the birth record is registered. If you did not receive the complimentary certificate within four months of your child's birth, contact the Louisiana Vital Records office at (504) 593-5100 to follow up. More information is available at ldh.la.gov/vital-records.
Most births are now filed electronically. Once the physician electronically certifies the birth record, it becomes available through the state Vital Records system, which then feeds into the parish clerk's database.
Other Ways to Get St. John the Baptist Parish Birth Records
If visiting either parish office is not possible, there are two other options. The Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records in New Orleans handles statewide birth certificate requests directly. Their office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans. Walk-in hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Their phone is (504) 593-5100 and the call center line is 504-219-4500. State fees are lower than parish fees: $15.00 for a long-form certificate, $9.00 for a birth card, and $24.00 for both. Mail orders to the state office take 8 to 10 weeks on average.
VitalChek is the state-authorized third-party service for ordering Louisiana birth certificates online or by phone. Visit vitalchek.com or call 1-877-605-8562. Added processing fees apply for remote orders. This is a practical option if you live far from either St. John the Baptist Parish office location or cannot get there during business hours.
For historical records or births from more than 100 years ago, the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge at 3851 Essen Lane is the right resource. Their phone is (225) 922-1208. Pre-1911 records are not part of the state digital system and may need to be sought in church or civil records from that era.
Note: The Louisiana Department of Health maintains a complete list of authorized parish offices. The LDH directory is a useful starting point if you want to confirm services, find a nearby office, or look up a different parish.
Nearby Parishes
St. John the Baptist Parish sits between New Orleans and Baton Rouge along the Mississippi River. If you need records from a neighboring parish, those offices can assist.