Bossier Parish Death Records
Bossier Parish death records for deaths after July 2012 are issued by the Clerk of Court in Benton, Louisiana. The clerk's office makes clear that Louisiana is a closed-record state -- death certificates are not open to the general public, and access is limited to specific eligible individuals. For older records, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry and the Louisiana State Archives serve as the main sources for deaths going back to the early 20th century.
Bossier Parish Death Records Quick Facts
Bossier Parish Clerk of Court - Death Certificate Office
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court, currently Jill Sessions, is located on Burt Boulevard in Benton. The parish was created on February 24, 1843, and named for Pierre Bossier, a U.S. senator from Louisiana. The clerk's office holds records going back to the 1830s, including marriage, divorce, probate, land, and court records. Military discharge records are available from 1917.
| Address | 204 Burt Blvd, 3rd Floor, Benton, LA 71006 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Box 430, Benton, LA 71006 |
| Phone | (318) 965-2336 |
| Fax | (318) 965-2713 |
| clerk@bossierclerk.com | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | bossierclerk.com |
The clerk's office notes directly on its website: "Louisiana is a 'closed record' state - birth and death certificates are not accessible to general public." That is important to understand before you request a Bossier Parish death record. Only those who qualify under state law can receive a certified copy.
The office also offers an online indexing system for other court records. Setup costs $85, with a monthly subscription of $35. However, death certificates are explicitly not available through the online system. Certified copies must be requested in person or by mail.
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court website provides office information and details on records services available in Benton.
The Bossier Parish clerk website includes contact details, office hours, and important notes on the closed-record status of Louisiana death records.
Who Can Request Bossier Parish Death Records
Under R.S. 40:41, Bossier Parish death records remain confidential for 50 years from the year of death. The list of eligible requesters is set by state law and includes:
- Surviving spouse listed on the certificate (must present marriage license)
- Parents of the deceased
- Adult children of the deceased
- Siblings of the deceased
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- Legal guardians with a certified judgment of custody from a court
Attorneys may also request records by submitting a request on firm letterhead with their Louisiana bar roll number. Funeral directors can request certificates within one year of the date of death. Beneficiaries named in an insurance policy (who must show the original policy) and succession representatives are also eligible.
Providing false information when requesting a death certificate is a criminal offense. Under state law, someone convicted of making a knowingly false statement on a vital records application can face up to $10,000 in fines or up to five years in prison. Fees are governed by R.S. 40:40. The fee at the clerk's office is $26.00 per certified copy.
Historical Bossier Parish Death Records
Bossier Parish has records going back to 1830, but for genealogical research using death records specifically, the Louisiana State Archives and online genealogy resources are the best starting points for pre-1975 deaths.
The genealogy archives for Bossier Parish vital records include historical data that can help with death records research going back further than official state sources.
The Bossier Parish genealogy archives page provides access to historical vital records data that supplements official death certificate records for the parish.
The Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge holds statewide death records from 1911 through 1974. Only records that are more than 50 years old are accessible to the public. The Archives also hold Orleans Parish death records going back to 1804, which may be relevant for family research with New Orleans connections.
| 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 |
Louisiana Vital Records - Bossier Parish
Deaths before July 2012 that are not old enough for the State Archives fall under the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. The registry processes requests by walk-in, mail, and online ordering through VitalChek.
| 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 orders take approximately 8 to 10 weeks. For faster turnaround, VitalChek at (877) 605-8562 offers online ordering with expedited options. Submit a mail request using the form at LDH's request page. Keep in mind that definitions under R.S. 40:32 govern what qualifies as a vital record under Louisiana law.
Cities in Bossier Parish
Bossier City is the largest city in Bossier Parish and has its own page with information about accessing death records locally.
Nearby Parishes
Bossier Parish is in northwest Louisiana and borders several other parishes. Each has its own clerk of court for death records.