How to Find Louisiana Death Records: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:34, 28 April 2016

United States US Vital Records How to Find United States Deaths Louisiana Vital Records Louisiana Deaths

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1911 in Louisiana. Parishes have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the death occur? [edit | edit source]

Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:

Deaths before 1911[edit | edit source]

Before 1911, no deaths were recorded by the state, but some were recorded by parishes, such as Orleans Parish (beginning in 1804) and Jefferson Parish (beginning in 1850). For further information on parish death records, see Louisiana Death Records. In most cases, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Louisiana, Deaths Index, 1850-1875, 1894-1956 Index only.
Louisiana, Orleans Parish Vital Records, 1910, 1960 Images only. Includes death records and indexes for 1960.
Louisiana, Statewide Death Index, 1900-1949 ($)
http://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/ResearchHistoricalRecords/LocateHistoricalRecords/Pages/LouisianaDeathRecords.aspx Louisiana Death Records].
United States Social Security Death Index.
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($)
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete, ($).
Online Louisiana Death Records Indexes

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc)	Church Records Census Bible Records

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Louisiana Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only
Try 1st:
	1850-1875, 1894-1956 - At FamilySearch.org	Free
Next try:
	1911-1964 - At LA Sec. of State	Free; Includes Orleans Parish deaths 1804-1960

	Can't search the index listed above?	Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the Louisiana Department of Public Health.
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

Death records from 1900 to 1954 (including an index) are available on microfilm through the Family History Library: FHL film 1575614 (1st of 661 films). To find additional records, search the FamilySearch Catalog for the name of the parish and look under "Vital Records."

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1911 thru the present[edit | edit source]

The state of Louisiana began recording deaths in 1911.

Louisiana, Deaths Index, 1850-1875, 1894-1956 Index only.
Louisiana, Orleans Parish Vital Records, 1910, 1960 Images only. Includes death records and indexes for 1960.
Louisiana, Statewide Death Index, 1900-1949 ($)
http://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/ResearchHistoricalRecords/LocateHistoricalRecords/Pages/LouisianaDeathRecords.aspx Louisiana Death Records].
United States Social Security Death Index.
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($)
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete, ($).
Online Louisiana Death Records Indexes

STEP ONE: Find Death Information[edit | edit source]

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Louisiana Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only
Try 1st:
	1850-1875, 1894-1956 - At FamilySearch.org	Free
Next try:
	1911-1964 - At LA Sec. of State	Free
Next try:
Choose one of the following:
	1900-1949 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center

	1900-1949 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free

	Can't search the index listed above?	Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the Louisiana Department of Health.
United States Social Security Death Index U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($) U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete,] ($).
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Death Certificates
From Parish of Death		From LA Dept. of Health office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	Parish websites can be more difficult to use		May be more expensive than ordering from the parish

Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:

The spouse of the person on the certificate
The adult child of the person on the certificate
The siblings of the person on the certificate
The parent of the person on the certificate
The grandparent of the person on the certificate
The adult grandchild of the person on the certificate
Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

Death records from 1900 to 1954 (including an index) are available on microfilm through the Family History Library: FHL film 1575614 (1st of 661 films).

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.