Find Death Records in Cameron Parish
Cameron Parish death records are available from two main sources depending on when the death occurred. The Cameron Parish Clerk of Court, located in Cameron, can issue certified death certificates for deaths that took place after July 2012. For older records, the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry and the Louisiana State Archives serve as the primary resources. This page lays out what you need to know to get the right document, whether the death happened last year or many decades ago.
Cameron Parish Death Records Quick Facts
Cameron Parish Clerk of Court
Clerk Susan Racca runs the Cameron Parish Clerk of Court office. The main address is 119 Smith Circle in Cameron, Louisiana. A second address sometimes used is 122 Recreation Center Lane, also in Cameron. If you are unsure which entrance to use, call ahead at (337) 775-5316 before making the drive. The parish seat of Cameron is a small coastal community, and the Clerk office serves the full parish from this location.
The office is open Monday through Friday. It holds a wide set of records going back to 1870, including marriage records, probate files, divorce records, court records, and land documents. Military discharge records are on file from 1918 forward. For death records specifically, the Clerk can issue certified copies for deaths that occurred on or after July 2012. Deaths before that date need to go through the state-level offices.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office Address | 119 Smith Circle, Cameron, LA 70631 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 549, Cameron, LA 70631 |
| Phone | (337) 775-5316 |
| Fax | (337) 775-7172 or (337) 775-2828 |
| cocsr@outlook.com | |
| Clerk | Hon. Susan Racca |
The Cameron Parish Clerk of Court website is a starting point for understanding what records are available and how to request them in person or by mail.
The Cameron Parish Clerk of Court website provides contact information, office hours, and details on the types of records held at the Cameron courthouse.
The site notes that the Louisiana Death Records Index Database, available through the Secretary of State, is searchable online for deaths more than 50 years old.
The Louisiana state government portal also provides helpful links and contact information for Cameron Parish agencies.
The Louisiana state portal for Cameron Parish includes links to parish agencies and resources for residents seeking vital records and government services.
This portal can help you find the right agency when you are unsure where to start your search for Cameron Parish records.
How to Get Death Records in Cameron Parish
For deaths that occurred on or after July 2012, visit the Cameron Parish Clerk of Court at 119 Smith Circle in Cameron. Bring valid photo identification and the $26 fee. The Clerk can issue certified copies during regular office hours. If you cannot visit in person, call the office to ask about mail-in procedures, as some parish clerks accept written requests by mail with a copy of your ID and a check or money order.
Deaths that occurred before July 2012 require a request to the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. That office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400. Walk-in hours run from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The fee is $7 per copy, which is lower than the parish fee. Mail orders to the state office take about 8 to 10 weeks to process. If you need a copy faster, the VitalChek online ordering system is the authorized third-party option and can speed things up somewhat, though service fees apply.
For deaths more than 50 years ago, the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge holds statewide records from 1911 to 1974. Their research library can be reached at (225) 922-1208. Copies cost $5 for a photocopy or $10 for a certified version, and the certified fee includes a 3-year surname search.
Who Can Request Cameron Parish Death Certificates
Death certificates less than 50 years old are closed records in Louisiana. The state law under R.S. 40:41 limits who can get a copy. Eligible people include the surviving spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, legal guardians with a certified court order, insurance beneficiaries named in the policy, succession representatives handling the estate, and attorneys submitting a request on official letterhead with their bar roll number. Funeral directors can request a certificate for up to one year after the death.
People who fall outside these categories generally cannot get a certified copy of a recent death certificate. If you need a record and you are not sure you qualify, speaking with an estate attorney may help clarify your options. For deaths older than 50 years, the records are available to anyone through the State Archives or the online index database.
Cameron Parish Death Certificate Fees
The parish-level fee for a certified death certificate is $26. This applies at the Cameron Parish Clerk of Court. At the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans, the fee drops to $7 per copy. The State Archives charges $5 for a plain photocopy or $10 for a certified copy with a surname search included. These fee amounts are set under Louisiana R.S. 40:40 and apply uniformly across the state at the respective agency levels.
Online Death Records Index for Cameron Parish
The Louisiana Secretary of State runs a free online index of historical death records. The Louisiana State Archives Online Vital Records Index covers deaths from 1911 through 1974. These are deaths that occurred more than 50 years ago and have passed out of the confidential period. You can search by name to find index entries, but you still need to request a physical copy from the Archives if you want a certified document.
The Cameron Parish Clerk's office has noted that this database is available through the Secretary of State and is searchable for deaths over 50 years old. It is a good tool for genealogy research and for confirming whether a historical death record exists before making a formal request. The search is free and available 24 hours a day online.
Historical Cameron Parish Records
Cameron Parish was created in 1870 and named for Simon Cameron, a U.S. senator and former Secretary of War. The Clerk of Court has maintained records since that time. Marriage records go back to 1870, and additional historical files in probate, divorce, land, and court records are available from that same period. Military discharge records start in 1918.
Statewide death registration began in 1914, so deaths before that year may not appear in official vital records. Older records may turn up in church burial registers, cemetery files, or probate documents held at the Clerk's office. The Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge is also a good resource for pre-registration era records. Their staff can help direct you to the right collection. Call the research library at (225) 922-1208 to plan your visit or ask about records available by mail or through their online resources.
Louisiana Vital Records: State-Level Options
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry handles certified death certificates for deaths across the entire state. Their office in New Orleans can issue copies for any Louisiana death on record, regardless of which parish it occurred in. This is the backup option when the parish clerk cannot help, and it is also the only source for deaths that occurred between the start of state registration in 1914 and July 2012 at the parish level.
Contact details for the Louisiana Vital Records Registry: 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112; mailing address P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160; phone (504) 593-5100. Walk-in hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays. Mail requests can take 8 to 10 weeks. Online orders go through VitalChek, which can be reached at vitalchek.com.
Parishes Near Cameron Parish
Deaths that occurred near a parish line may be recorded in an adjacent parish. The parishes bordering Cameron Parish include: