Tangipahoa Parish Birth Records

Tangipahoa Parish birth records are handled by the Clerk of Court in Amite, the parish seat, which serves as the local access point for certified birth certificates in the parish. This page explains how to request Tangipahoa Parish birth records in person, who qualifies to make a request, what documents and fees are required, and how to reach the state office in New Orleans if you cannot visit Amite.

Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court

The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court, Gary Stanga, manages vital records for the parish from the office at 110 N. Bay Street in Amite. The office offers birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses as part of its standard services. Walk-in service is available during regular office hours. There is no appointment required for birth certificate requests at this location.

The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court website lists current services and contact details. It is worth a quick check before you head to Amite, especially to confirm office hours have not changed.

The clerk's website shows the full list of services available at the Amite office, including vital records, marriage licenses, and passport services.

Requesting Birth Certificates in Tangipahoa Parish

Tangipahoa Parish birth certificates are printed directly from the Louisiana Vital Records database. The clerk cannot alter or amend any information on the record. If there is an error on your birth certificate, corrections must go through the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Statistics in New Orleans, not through the Amite office. The parish clerk is a print location, not a records editing location.

Residents of Hammond and other parts of Tangipahoa Parish who need a birth certificate can visit the Amite office directly. For residents of Hammond specifically, there is also a kiosk option at the Tangipahoa Parish Health Unit located at 15481 W. Club Deluxe Road in Hammond, with a phone number of (985) 543-4165. The kiosk is part of the statewide health unit program and provides access to vital records without the trip to Amite.

Note: Newborn records require time to process through the state system. If a child was just born, wait at least 90 days before requesting a birth certificate. Most births are filed electronically, and the state notifies the Vital Records Registry once the physician certifies the record. The state does provide a complimentary first copy to parents of newborns, but if you have not received it within four months of the birth, call (504) 593-5100.

Birth Records Eligibility in Tangipahoa Parish

Louisiana does not treat birth records as public documents. They are closed records under LSA R.S. 40:36, which keeps them confidential for 100 years. Only individuals who meet the state's eligibility criteria can receive a certified copy. You cannot simply walk in and request any birth record you want.

The people who may request a Tangipahoa Parish birth certificate include the person named on the record, their current legal spouse, the mother or father, an adult child, a sibling, a grandparent, a grandchild, a licensed attorney representing one of the above, and a legal guardian who holds a court judgment of custody. A notarized statement of guardianship does not qualify. You need the actual court order. Step-parents, cousins, in-laws, and ex-spouses do not meet the eligibility requirements under Louisiana law.

When you apply, you must show valid identification. One primary document is sufficient. Primary ID includes a current state driver's license, a state picture ID, a U.S. military ID, a U.S. or foreign passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship. If you only have secondary documents, you need two. Secondary ID options include a W-2 form and Social Security card together, a payroll stub with a Social Security number, a voter registration card, property deeds, or an insurance policy.

Under LSA R.S. 40:61, making a false statement on a vital records application is a criminal offense. Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. The person who signs the application is the one who is prosecuted if false information is provided.

Fees for Tangipahoa Parish Birth Records

A certified birth certificate at the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court costs $34.00. A death certificate is $26.00. These fees are set by state statute and are standard across most participating parish clerk offices in Louisiana. The office does not set its own independent fee schedule.

The LDH directory lists the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court as an authorized vital records issuance location.

The LDH directory is a good resource to confirm the Amite office is active and to verify contact information before your visit.

Call (985) 748-4146 to confirm the current payment methods accepted at the office. Some clerks in Louisiana require cash only. Knowing this in advance saves you a wasted trip. Also note that the LDH directory page at ldh.la.gov/directory/detail/7274 has specific contact and location details for the Tangipahoa Parish office within the state system.

State and Online Birth Certificate Options

If visiting the Amite office is not practical, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans processes statewide birth certificate requests. Their address is 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. The phone number is (504) 593-5100. Walk-in hours run from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Mail-in orders take approximately 8 to 10 weeks. The state charges $15.00 for a long-form birth certificate, $9.00 for a birth card, and $24.00 for the pair, which is lower than the parish clerk fee.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by calling 1-877-605-8562. This is the authorized third-party service for Louisiana vital records. Processing fees apply in addition to the certificate cost. A full guide to ordering is at ldh.la.gov/page/how-to-order-birth-records.

For historical records older than 100 years, the Louisiana State Archives at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge handles requests. Phone is (225) 922-1208. Their website is sos.la.gov. Records past the 100-year window are open and available for genealogical use.

Nearby Parishes

Tangipahoa Parish sits in southeastern Louisiana between the Florida Parishes and the New Orleans metro area. Neighboring parishes have their own clerk offices.