DeSoto Parish Death Records
DeSoto Parish death records and certified death certificates are available from two courthouse locations in the parish: the main office in Mansfield and a satellite location in Stonewall. Both can issue certified death certificates for deaths that occurred on or after July 2012. If you need a certificate for a death before that date, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans or the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge are the right resources. This page covers everything you need to know to get the record you are looking for.
DeSoto Parish Death Records Quick Facts
DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court
The Honorable Jeremy M. Evans serves as DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court. The main office is at 101 Texas Street in Mansfield, Louisiana. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1206, Mansfield, LA 71052. The phone number is (318) 872-3110 and the fax is (318) 872-4202. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk's website is at www.desotoparishclerk.org.
DeSoto Parish has made access to death certificates notably convenient by offering them at two locations. The main courthouse in Mansfield handles the bulk of requests. The satellite office in Stonewall is a second option for residents in that part of the parish. The Clerk notes on its site: "Birth Certificates, Birth Cards & Death Certificates are now available in the Desoto Parish Clerk of Court's office, in Mansfield and Stonewall." This dual-location setup is less common among Louisiana parishes and makes things more convenient for those who live closer to Stonewall.
Death certificates issued by the DeSoto Parish Clerk are available for deaths that occurred on or after July 2012 and at least six weeks after the date of death. The six-week waiting period allows time for the death record to be registered in the state system before the Clerk can issue a copy. If you are requesting a certificate for a very recent death, call ahead to confirm it is available before making the trip.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 101 Texas Street, Mansfield, LA 71052 |
| Satellite Office | Stonewall, LA (contact main office for address) |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1206, Mansfield, LA 71052 |
| Phone | (318) 872-3110 |
| Fax | (318) 872-4202 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Clerk | Honorable Jeremy M. Evans |
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records page is where DeSoto Parish residents who need records from before July 2012 can start their request.
The Louisiana death certificate request page at LDH explains the process for ordering a certified copy by walk-in, mail, or through the online ordering system.
The page lists all required documentation and payment options, so you can prepare your request before submitting it to the state office.
For deaths more than 50 years old, the Louisiana State Archives research library is a key resource for historical DeSoto Parish death records.
The Louisiana State Archives research library in Baton Rouge holds statewide death records from 1911 to 1974 and is open to in-person researchers during regular library hours.
Staff at the research library can help you locate records and explain how to submit copy requests for historical DeSoto Parish deaths.
What You Need to Get a DeSoto Parish Death Certificate
When you go to either Clerk location, bring a picture ID. The Clerk specifies that acceptable forms of identification include a state driver's license, a state ID card, a school ID, a defender's card, a social security card, or a tax form that shows your social security number. This is a slightly broader list than some other parishes, which may help if you don't have a standard driver's license available.
The $26 fee covers one certified copy. Pay by cash, check, or money order, depending on what the Clerk's office accepts; call ahead to confirm payment methods if you are unsure. Bring enough to cover your request, especially if you need more than one copy, since each additional copy also costs $26.
The Clerk notes that death certificates are available back to July 2012 and at least six weeks after the date of death. For very recent deaths, give it time before requesting. If you need the certificate quickly and cannot wait, the Louisiana Vital Records office in New Orleans can also assist, though their fee is lower at $7 and the record may be available there as well once it has been registered statewide.
Who Is Eligible to Request DeSoto Death Records
The DeSoto Parish Clerk specifies clearly who can get a death certificate in person. The eligible list includes: yourself (if you are the person named), your mother, your father (if listed on the record), your child, your grandparent, your grandchild, your sister or brother, your current spouse, and your legal guardian. A legal guardian must bring a certified copy of the judgment of custody. The list also allows insurance beneficiaries with documentation and attorneys with proper credentials.
The state law backing this restriction is R.S. 40:41, which makes death records from the past 50 years confidential. Step-parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-siblings, and godparents generally cannot request a certificate unless they fall into one of the eligible categories above. This is worth knowing before you make a trip to the Clerk's office, as staff cannot issue the record to an ineligible requester even if you have a good reason for needing it.
Fees for DeSoto Parish Death Certificates
Death certificates at the DeSoto Parish Clerk cost $26 per certified copy. This is the parish-level fee set under R.S. 40:40. At the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans, the fee is $7 per copy. The State Archives in Baton Rouge charges $5 for a photocopy or $10 for a certified copy that includes a 3-year surname search. Online orders through VitalChek carry additional service fees on top of the state amount.
Online and Historical DeSoto Parish Death Records
For deaths more than 50 years old, the Louisiana State Archives offers a free online index. The Louisiana State Archives Online Vital Records Index covers statewide deaths from 1911 through 1974. You can search by name at no cost and then request a physical copy from the Archives once you locate the entry. The Archives are at 3851 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. Call the research library at (225) 922-1208 to ask about records or plan a visit.
For deaths within the past 50 years, online access is not available through a free public database. The DeSoto Parish Clerk does not maintain a public online search for death certificates. VitalChek is the only authorized online option, and it requires you to qualify as an eligible requester and provide proof of identity during the order process.
Louisiana Vital Records: Backup Option for All DeSoto Deaths
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry serves as the statewide repository for all Louisiana death records. Even if you would normally go to the DeSoto Parish Clerk, LDH can also issue certificates for deaths in DeSoto Parish. This is especially important for deaths before July 2012. The LDH office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans. Phone is (504) 593-5100. Walk-in hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks, and the LDH Vital Records website has downloadable forms to help you prepare your request.
Parishes Near DeSoto Parish
If a death may have been recorded in a neighboring parish, the parishes bordering DeSoto Parish include: