Beauregard Parish Obituary Records

Beauregard Parish obituary records and death certificates are available through local and state offices in Louisiana. The Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court in DeRidder holds court-related death records including probate and succession filings, while the state Vital Records Registry issues certified death certificates. Historical records from 1911 to 1974 are accessible through the Louisiana State Archives, and the Secretary of State's online index covers deaths older than 50 years. This page covers how to search and request Beauregard Parish death records from each source.

Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court

The Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court is located at 200 W. 2nd Street in the courthouse in DeRidder. Clerk Brian S. Lestage heads the office, which maintains marriage, divorce, probate, land, and court records for the parish. This is the right office for locating succession filings, probate records, and other court documents connected to a death in Beauregard Parish. The Clerk is part of the 36th Judicial District Court.

The Louisiana Secretary of State clerk portal lists current contact information for the Beauregard Parish Clerk and all other parish clerks in the state. If hours or contact details have changed, this portal reflects the most current data available.

Succession records filed with the Clerk are public and can help trace a death even when no certified death certificate is available. Probate files often include the date of death, the names of heirs, and a list of assets, all of which help confirm identity and family relationships when researching Beauregard Parish deaths.

Searching Beauregard Parish Death Records

The screenshot below is from the Louisiana SOS Clerk Portal, confirming the Beauregard Parish Clerk's address and contact details. Use this source to verify clerk information before visiting or calling.

The SOS clerk portal is updated regularly and is the best source for confirming the current clerk's name, mailing address, phone, and fax for Beauregard Parish.

The screenshot below shows the Louisiana Department of Health's death records ordering page. The LDH site covers the rules, fees, and required documents for requesting certified death certificates in Beauregard Parish.

This state page applies to all Beauregard Parish death certificate requests and outlines who can request a copy and what they need to include with their application.

Louisiana Death Records and RS 40:41

Louisiana keeps death records confidential for 50 years under RS 40:41. Deaths from the past 50 years require proof of eligibility. The people who qualify are: surviving spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Additionally, succession representatives with certified Letters of Testamentary, insurance beneficiaries with signed policy documentation, and attorneys acting on behalf of eligible family members can also request records.

Certified death certificates cost $7.00 plus $0.50 per copy. Requests go to the Vital Records Registry at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, or by mail to PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Walk-in hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. Mail requests take around 8 to 10 weeks. VitalChek at 1-877-605-8562 handles expedited orders for extra fees.

For deaths on or after July 7, 2012, the Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court may be able to issue certified copies locally for approximately $26 each. Contact the Clerk's office in DeRidder to confirm participation. This local option can be much faster than waiting for the state office to process a mail request.

Note: Under RS 44:19, fact of death letters are public records and can be requested without proving eligibility. They confirm a death occurred but do not include the full details found on a certified certificate.

Historical Beauregard Parish Obituary Records

Death records from 1911 to 1974 for Beauregard Parish are held at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge. The Archives are at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Call (225) 922-1206 to ask about specific records and how to request certified copies. Deaths older than 50 years are now public records, so anyone can request pre-1976 Beauregard Parish deaths without proving family connection.

The Secretary of State's online death index at vitalrecords.sos.la.gov lets you search deaths from more than 50 years ago at no charge. Copies cost $5 for a photocopy and $10 for a certified copy, both sent by mail. The full explanation is at the SOS historical records page. This is a useful first step before ordering copies, since the search is free.

Genealogy resources for Beauregard Parish include FamilySearch, which has transcribed some Louisiana death records and church burial records from the DeRidder area. Local libraries and the Beauregard Parish Police Jury archives may hold older newspaper obituaries and local death notices that predate the statewide record system.

Requesting Records Under Louisiana Administrative Code

The procedures for requesting certified Louisiana death records are in La. Admin. Code tit. 48, Section V-11707. Written requests must include your relationship to the deceased, identifying details about the record, and a check or money order for payment. Do not send cash. The registry processes only complete requests; missing information results in the request being returned.

If you are requesting on behalf of an estate, attach certified Letters of Testamentary. If you are an attorney, submit on letterhead with your bar roll number included. These requirements apply to all Beauregard Parish death certificate requests regardless of how the request is submitted.

Cities in Beauregard Parish

Beauregard Parish residents access obituary records and death documents through the Clerk of Court office in DeRidder. DeRidder is the parish seat and is where all court-related death filings and succession records for the parish are maintained.

Nearby Parishes

Death records are filed in the parish where the death occurred. If you're not finding a Beauregard Parish record, check these neighboring parishes.