Access Terrytown Death Records
Terrytown death records are handled through Jefferson Parish, since Terrytown is an unincorporated community on the west bank of Jefferson Parish with no city-level vital records office. Anyone looking for certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in Terrytown must go through the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, with the Second Parish Court in Gretna being the most convenient location for west bank residents.
Terrytown Death Records Quick Facts
Terrytown Death Records - Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court
Terrytown is an unincorporated community in Jefferson Parish. It sits on the west bank, south of New Orleans. There is no city government, no city clerk, and no local vital records office in Terrytown. Death records for the area are kept at the Jefferson Parish level, just like they are for Marrero, Harvey, and other west bank communities in the parish.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court Second Parish Court in Gretna is the most convenient office for Terrytown residents. Gretna is just a few miles north and is the closest clerk's office to Terrytown. For deaths that occurred in Terrytown after July 2012, the clerk's office can issue a certified death certificate in most cases the same day you request it.
| Second Parish Court (Gretna) | 100 Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna, LA 70053 |
|---|---|
| Fee | $26 per certified death certificate |
| Website | jpclerkofcourt.us |
Visit the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website for full details on vital records, office locations, hours, and required documents.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court handles all vital records for Terrytown and other unincorporated west bank communities within the parish.
Terrytown Death Records - Who Can Request Them
Louisiana death records are not open to the public. Under R.S. 40:41, these records are confidential for 50 years from the year of death. The Jefferson Parish Clerk follows the same state-mandated eligibility rules as every other parish clerk in Louisiana.
To request a certified Terrytown death record, you must fall into one of these categories:
- The surviving spouse (with a marriage certificate)
- An adult child of the deceased
- A parent of the deceased
- A sibling of the deceased
- A grandparent or grandchild of the deceased
- A legal guardian with a court-issued custody judgment
- A named beneficiary on a life insurance policy
- A succession representative with legal standing
A notarized document is not sufficient to prove legal guardianship -- you need an actual court judgment. Bring your photo ID and any supporting documents that show your relationship to the deceased. The clerk's staff will review your paperwork before processing the request.
Terrytown Death Records - LDH Jefferson Parish Health Unit Option
Terrytown residents also have access to the Louisiana Department of Health's Jefferson Parish Health Unit in nearby Marrero at 1855 Ames Boulevard, (504) 349-8855. The LDH location issues certified death certificates at $7 per copy, which is significantly cheaper than the $26 fee at the parish clerk's office. The tradeoff is that the LDH process can take up to two weeks.
The LDH location accepts applications in person, by mail, or through their online system. If you are not in a hurry, this can be a cost-effective option. If you need the certificate quickly, going in person to the Gretna clerk's office is the faster choice. The LDH vital records portal at ldh.la.gov/vital-records has more information about how to apply.
Older Terrytown Death Records - Pre-2012
For deaths that occurred before July 2012, the Jefferson Parish Clerk does not hold those records. You need to contact the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans for deaths between 1914 and 2012.
| Address | 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112 |
|---|---|
| P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160 | |
| Phone | (504) 593-5100 |
| Walk-in Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM |
| Fee | $7 per certified copy |
| Website | ldh.la.gov/vital-records |
Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For faster service, go in person or use VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by phone at (877) 605-8562. VitalChek adds a service fee but is faster than the mail process.
Historical Terrytown Death Records - Louisiana State Archives
For deaths more than 50 years old, the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge holds the statewide collection. Once the 50-year confidentiality window under R.S. 40:41 has passed, the records become publicly accessible. The Archives holds Louisiana death records from 1911 through 1974.
| Address | 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (225) 922-1000 |
| Research Library | (225) 922-1208 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM (Research Library closes 4PM) |
| Fee | $5 photocopy / $10 certified copy |
| Website | sos.la.gov - Historical Records |
The Archives has a free online index you can check before visiting. This helps confirm that a record exists and saves a wasted trip if it is not in their collection.
Louisiana Death Record Laws - What Applies in Terrytown
Three statutes govern all Louisiana death records, including those for Terrytown. R.S. 40:32 defines what a vital record is. R.S. 40:40 sets the fees for certified copies at the parish clerk level ($26) and the state level ($7). R.S. 40:41 closes records for 50 years and makes it a criminal offense to use false information to obtain a death certificate. The penalty is up to $10,000 in fines, up to five years in prison, or both.
Jefferson Parish - Death Records for Terrytown
All Terrytown death records fall under Jefferson Parish. The parish page has complete information on the clerk's office locations, fees, procedures, and resources for requesting death records in Jefferson Parish.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Louisiana cities near Terrytown with pages on this site: