St. Bernard Parish Death Records
Death records in St. Bernard Parish are issued by the Clerk of Court, which operates out of the historic courthouse on St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. The office handles certified death certificates for deaths that occurred after July 2012. For older records or those that fall outside the clerk's scope, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry and the State Archives provide statewide access. Only eligible individuals defined by Louisiana law may receive certified copies during the 50-year confidential period.
St. Bernard Parish Death Records Quick Facts
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court is led by Randy Nunez, with Chief Deputy Connie Spencer. The office is at the Historic Courthouse, 1101 W. St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA 70043. Mail goes to P.O. Box 1746, Chalmette, LA 70044. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST. Phone: (504) 271-3434. Fax: (504) 278-4380. The official website is stbclerk.com.
Death certificate information is posted directly on the clerk's site at stbclerk.com/death-certificate/. The page outlines the process, eligibility requirements, and what to bring when you visit. The clerk's office motto of "Welcome to your office" reflects a focus on public service, and the staff can answer questions about your specific situation when you call or visit.
St. Bernard Parish is a small parish located just southeast of New Orleans, along the Mississippi River. The courthouse on St. Bernard Highway has served as the center of parish government for decades. The clerk's office is currently in the process of implementing the acceptance of civil e-filings, which will allow attorneys to submit certain documents electronically. For now, in-person and traditional filing methods remain standard for most matters.
Requesting a Death Certificate in St. Bernard Parish
Certified death certificates are available at the clerk's office for deaths that occurred after July 2012. Each copy costs $26. You must be an eligible requestor under Louisiana R.S. 40:41 to receive a certified copy during the 50-year confidential period. Bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or state-issued identification card, when you visit.
Eligible requestors include the surviving spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of the deceased. Beyond immediate family, those who qualify also include legal guardians holding a certified custody judgment, insurance beneficiaries, succession representatives, licensed attorneys active on the Louisiana State Bar roll, and funeral directors within one year of the date of death. If you do not meet one of these categories, you will need to wait until the 50-year confidential period has passed.
For deaths in St. Bernard Parish that occurred before July 2012, the parish clerk does not hold those records. The Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans serves as the statewide repository and can issue certified copies for a fee of $7 each. Their walk-in office is at 1450 Poydras St Suite 400, and you can also order by mail or through VitalChek online.
What the Clerk's Website Shows
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court website at stbclerk.com provides an overview of services and links to the death certificate information page.
The death certificate page on the clerk's site outlines eligibility, costs, and what you need to bring to request a certified copy at the Chalmette courthouse.
Louisiana Vital Records Registry
The Louisiana Vital Records Registry is the statewide office that manages death records for all 64 parishes. Located at 1450 Poydras St Suite 400 in New Orleans, it serves as the central repository for deaths registered since statewide recording began in 1914. Phone: (504) 593-5100. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Walk-in hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The fee for a certified copy from the state is $7.
For online ordering, the state uses VitalChek as its authorized third-party platform. VitalChek lets you submit a request from home. Fees include the base $7 certificate cost plus a service charge. If you need the certificate quickly, check current processing times on the VitalChek site before submitting.
Searching Historical Death Records
Death records more than 50 years old are no longer confidential under Louisiana law. They become part of the public archive. The Louisiana State Archives online index provides a searchable database of historical vital records. The Archives Research Library is at 3851 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge and can be reached at (225) 922-1208. Photocopy fees are $5.00, and certified copies cost $10.00.
St. Bernard Parish has deep historical roots. For records that predate statewide registration in 1914, you may find useful information in Catholic church records, local cemetery transcriptions, and historical collections. The Archives library staff can help point you toward the right sources if you visit in person or call ahead.
Louisiana Death Records Law
Death record access in Louisiana is governed by two statutes. R.S. 40:40 defines vital records and outlines the registration process, specifying what information a death record must contain and how it is submitted to the state system. R.S. 40:41 sets the access rules, including the 50-year confidential period and the list of eligible requestors. The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court follows these statutes in the same way every other parish clerk does across Louisiana.
Nearby Parishes
St. Bernard Parish is bordered by a small number of other parishes in southeast Louisiana. Follow the links below for information on death records in each.