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A baby’s birth certificate is their first official document.

Woman’s Health Information Management Department assists parents by completing the application for their newborn’s birth certificate.

While in the hospital, parents are contacted by a clerk who gathers required information for the birth certificate. Parents also receive a packet of important information about their baby’s birth certificate and Social Security number.

Health Information Management Department, located in the Support Services Building
225-924-8128
Parking Lot H

How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Louisiana Birth Certificate
How to Obtain a Copy by Mail
How to Change a Louisiana Birth Certificate
How to Obtain Certified Copies of Birth Certificates from Other States
Birth Verification (Proof of Birth)
Your Child's Social Security Number

How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Louisiana Birth Certificate

A birth certificate is a certified copy of a birth record that provides legal proof of a birth registered with the State of Louisiana.

Birth certificates are available at Louisiana Vital Records throughout the state. There is a charge for each copy. Please contact the Vital Records Registry.

The Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans will mail you a complimentary certified copy of your baby's birth certificate. It can take six to 10 months to receive this copy.

To check on the status of your birth certificate, please contact the Louisiana Vital Records or call 1-504-593-5100. If they are unable to answer questions regarding your certificate, contact Woman's at 225-924-8753 or the East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit at 225-242-4863.

You can also visit the Vital Records office nearest you and request a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate.

How to Obtain a Copy by Mail

To get a birth certificate by mail, complete an Application for Certified Copy of Birth/Death Certificate form [pdf] (also on the Louisiana Vital Records website) and send it to:

Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160

If you don't have a form, send a letter to the Vital Records Registry in New Orleans at the address above with the following information:

Your full name and mailing address (include apartment number and/or lot number, as appropriate)
A telephone number where you may be reached during the day
Your relationship to the child
A personal check or money order payable to the Vital Records Registry
The full name of the child at birth
The date of birth
The sex of the child
The city and parish of birth
The full maiden name of the mother
The name of the father
The number of certified copies you are ordering

Allow approximately three weeks for delivery.

For additional information, please visit the Louisiana Vital Records.

How to Change a Louisiana Birth Certificate

If you need to make a correction on the birth certificate (i.e. incorrect date or time of birth, misspelled name, etc.), contact Woman’s at 225-924-8753.

If you would like to make a change to the birth certificate (i.e. adding the father's name, changing the baby’s name), contact Louisiana Vital Records or call 1-504-593-5100.

There may be a fee to make changes.

How to Obtain Certified Copies of Birth Certificates from Other States

If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate from another state, send their Vital Records Office a letter with the following information:

Your full name and mailing address (include apartment number and/or lot number, as appropriate)
A telephone number where you may be reached during the day
Your relationship to the child
A personal check or money order payable to the Vital Records Registry
The full name of the child at birth
The date of birth
The sex of the child
The city and county of birth
The full maiden name of the mother
The name of the father
The number of certified copies required

You can find the address for the Vital Records Offices throughout the country at the Louisiana Vital Records website.

Birth Verification (Proof of Birth)

A birth verification is a letter that states whether or not a birth was registered with the State of Louisiana. If you need proof of birth to receive your child’s birth certificate, the Health Information Management department can prepare a birth verification for you. This document contains the baby’s name, date and time of birth, place of birth and parents’ names.

To receive a birth verification, contact the Woman’s Birth Certificate Department at 225-924-8753. It can be picked up in the Health Information Management Department, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

Birth verifications can be obtained:

In person by one of the baby’s parents, if he or she is listed on the birth certificate and has a picture ID.
By mail to the address listed on the birth certificate.

If someone other than the parents is picking up the birth verification:

One of the parents must either obtain or have an authorization form faxed to them from the Health Information Management Department.
The form must be completed and signed by a parent listed on the birth certificate.
The completed form must be either carried or faxed back to Woman’s Birth Certificate Department at 225-924-8735.
The person picking up the birth verification must present a picture ID.

Your Child's Social Security Number

It typically takes two to four months to receive your child's social security number if you apply for it on your child's birth certificate request form. If you need a social security number sooner, you may apply in person at the Social Security Administration’s offices.

The Baton Rouge office is located at:

5455 Bankers Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Please call them in advance at 1-866-613-3070 to find out what documents will be needed when you apply. You may also visit the Social Security Administration for additional information.

Birth Certificates

A baby’s birth certificate is their first official document.

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