Metairie Death Records

Metairie death records are handled through the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. Metairie is an unincorporated community with no city government of its own, so all death certificate requests go through Jefferson Parish offices. The Jefferson Parish Clerk operates a location in Metairie that serves residents directly.

Metairie Death Records - Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court

Metairie is the largest unincorporated community in Louisiana. Because it has no city government, all vital records services for Metairie residents come through Jefferson Parish. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court partners with the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records to issue death certificates at the parish level.

The Metairie location is the First Parish Court at 924 David Drive, Metairie, LA 70003. Phone: (504) 736-8972. You must appear in person. No appointments are needed. Payment is by cash, check, or money order only -- the Metairie location does not accept credit cards, so plan accordingly.

The fee for a death certificate is $26 per certified copy. Each additional copy costs the same. Death certificates are only available for deaths that occurred after July 2012. If you need a certificate for an older death, you must contact Louisiana Vital Records directly.

One thing to note: if the deceased was born before 1983, there may be a longer wait at the Metairie office. The clerk's office notes that records from before 1983 sometimes need electronic updating from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. That update can add up to an hour to the process. Applications requiring that update must be submitted before 3:00 PM to be processed the same day.

The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court official website has current information about vital records services, office locations, fees, and what to bring for a death certificate request in Metairie.

The Jefferson Parish Clerk website covers the vital records process for Metairie residents, including office locations, hours, fees, and required documents.

Who Can Request Metairie Death Records

Louisiana is a closed-record state. Under R.S. 40:41, death certificates are not open to the general public. Only specific people can request them. Those who qualify include the surviving spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, and grandparents of the person who died.

A surviving spouse must present a marriage certificate to prove the relationship. An adult child must show a birth certificate that names them as the child of the deceased. A legal guardian may also request records, but must bring a court judgment of custody -- a notarized document alone is not enough. Beneficiaries on life insurance policies and succession representatives may also qualify.

Bring a valid photo ID when you go to the First Parish Court in Metairie. You will complete an application at the counter and declare your relationship to the deceased. Making a false statement on that form is a criminal offense under R.S. 40:61. Penalties include fines up to $10,000 and up to five years in prison. The Clerk's office enforces these rules.

Find Older Metairie Death Records - Louisiana Vital Records

For deaths before July 2012, the Jefferson Parish Clerk cannot help. Those records are held by the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. Because Metairie is close to New Orleans, this is an easy trip for most Metairie residents.

You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com or call (877) 605-8562. Mail orders take about 8 to 10 weeks. Walk-in or online orders are faster. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the base $7 cost from the state.

Metairie Death Records - Historical Sources

For deaths 50 or more years old, the Louisiana State Archives holds microfilmed death certificates for the statewide collection, including Jefferson Parish records. The Archives is in Baton Rouge.

Metairie Death Records - Statutes and Privacy

Three statutes govern death records in Metairie and across Louisiana. R.S. 40:40 sets fees for certified copies. R.S. 40:41 defines who qualifies to receive records and sets the 50-year confidentiality period. R.S. 40:32 defines what a vital record is under Louisiana law.

Death records are closed for 50 years from the date of death. After that period, they become part of the public historical record and can be accessed through the Louisiana State Archives. These rules apply everywhere in Jefferson Parish, including Metairie. There are no exceptions for unincorporated areas.

For online ordering through the state's authorized partner, visit VitalChek or call (877) 605-8562. VitalChek processes orders faster than mail requests sent directly to the state, though a service fee applies.

Jefferson Parish Death Records Page

Metairie is part of Jefferson Parish. For more detail on how death records work across the full parish, see the Jefferson Parish death records page.

Nearby Cities

Other Louisiana cities with death records pages:

• New Orleans
• Kenner
• Baton Rouge