Search Houma Obituary Records
Houma obituary and death records are managed through the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, which combines city and parish functions under a single authority. Whether you need a certified death certificate, a historical obituary from the Houma Courier, or access to old microfilmed records at the State Archives, this page walks through every available resource for Houma and Terrebonne Parish death record searches.
Houma Quick Facts
Houma Death Records at Terrebonne Parish Clerk
Houma is the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish and operates under a consolidated city-parish government. The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government sits at 8026 Main Street, Houma, LA 70360, and can be reached at (985) 868-5050. This structure means city and parish services work together, which simplifies most vital records requests for Houma residents compared to other Louisiana cities.
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court is the go-to office for local death records. The main office is at 7856 Main Street, Suite 100, Houma, LA 70360, and the phone number is (985) 868-5660. Birth and death certificate services are handled at the downtown Church Street office at 310 Church Street. For deaths on or after July 7, 2012, the clerk's office can issue certified death certificates directly. Parish-issued copies typically cost around $15 and are often available same day, making this the most efficient option for most Houma residents.
The clerk also handles succession filings, civil records, and other legal documents tied to Houma estates. If you are settling an estate for a Terrebonne Parish resident, the clerk's office is likely your first stop for several types of records at once.
The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government website below is the main hub for city-parish services in Houma, including links to the clerk and vital records offices.
The consolidated government site connects Houma residents to the Clerk of Court, vital records services, and other public offices in the Terrebonne Parish area.
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court Details
| Office | Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 7856 Main Street, Suite 100, Houma, LA 70360 |
| Vital Records | 310 Church Street, Houma, LA 70360 |
| Phone | (985) 868-5660 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| TPCG Main Phone | (985) 868-5050 |
Louisiana Death Records and the 50-Year Access Rule
Louisiana keeps all death records restricted for 50 years under RS 40:41. That rule applies in Houma the same as everywhere else in the state. Recent death records are not public. Only a limited group of people can legally request them.
Eligible requestors include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of the deceased. Attorneys representing the estate, insurance beneficiaries holding a signed policy copy, and succession representatives with certified letters of testamentary also qualify. If you do not fall into one of those groups, you will need to wait until the 50-year window closes before requesting the record.
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry handles statewide requests. Its walk-in office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. Hours run 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The mailing address is PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160, and mail requests take 8-10 weeks. The state charges $7.00 plus $0.50 per certificate. Full details are at ldh.la.gov/page/how-to-order-death-records. VitalChek processes online requests at 1-877-605-8562 with additional service fees.
For recent Houma deaths from July 2012 onward, the Terrebonne Parish Clerk at $15 per certificate is usually the faster and more convenient route compared to ordering from New Orleans.
Houma Courier and Terrebonne Parish Library Resources
The Houma Courier is the city's main local newspaper and has published death notices and obituaries for Houma and the surrounding Terrebonne Parish area for generations. The Courier's archives are a primary source for obituary research outside the official vital records system. Digital access to older issues varies by date, but the Terrebonne Parish Library can help with finding historical Courier content.
The Terrebonne Parish Library's main branch is at 151 Library Dr, Houma, LA 70360, and can be reached at (985) 876-5861. The library's website at mytpl.org outlines available genealogy resources. Library card holders may have access to platforms like Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, and Genealogy Bank, which hold digitized Louisiana death notices and obituary collections going back well into the 19th century. These tools can fill in gaps for dates and names not found in official vital records.
The Terrebonne Parish Library website below shows the genealogy resources and local history collections available to Houma residents and researchers.
The library's local history section covers Houma Courier archives and other sources that supplement official death records for Terrebonne Parish research.
Historical Houma Death Records
For deaths before 1975, the Louisiana State Archives holds microfilmed death certificates covering statewide records from 1911 through 1974. Some older Terrebonne Parish records dating before statewide registration may also be available. The archives are at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Call (225) 922-1206 to confirm access hours and what is available for the Houma area.
Deaths more than 50 years old are public records. The Louisiana Secretary of State Vital Records Index offers online searching of the older death records database. Photocopies are $5 each and certified copies are $10, both sent by mail. Search the portal at vitalrecords.sos.la.gov by name and year. Terrebonne Parish has deep records going back to before statewide registration, making it a strong parish for genealogical research in south Louisiana.
How to Get a Houma Death Certificate
First, check when the death happened. Deaths on or after July 7, 2012, contact the Terrebonne Parish Clerk at (985) 868-5660. Deaths between 1975 and mid-2012 go to the state registry in New Orleans. Deaths before 1975, or those more than 50 years ago, use the State Archives or the SOS online portal.
Bring a valid photo ID, the full name of the deceased, and the approximate date of death. Non-family members must bring supporting documents. Fact of death letters, which confirm a death occurred without listing all certificate details, are public under RS 44:19. Any eligible family member can ask for one at the clerk's office. These are useful for insurance or estate matters when you only need basic confirmation of death rather than a full certified copy.
Nearby Cities
Other south Louisiana cities near Houma share state vital records resources and may have relevant obituary archives.
Terrebonne Parish Obituary Records
Houma residents access death records and vital documents through the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government and the Parish Clerk of Court, which together handle all local vital records services.