Jackson Parish Death Record Search

Jackson Parish obituary records and death certificates can be found through the local Clerk of Court in Jonesboro and the Louisiana Department of Health in New Orleans. Jackson Parish records date back to around 1880, with most earlier records lost in a courthouse fire when the parish seat was still Vernon. Researchers and family members looking for death notices, succession filings, or certified death certificates for Jackson Parish will find this guide useful for navigating the local and state resources available.

Jackson Parish Clerk of Court

The Jackson Parish Clerk of Court is located in Room 103 on the first floor of the Jackson Parish Courthouse at 301 Jimmie Davis Blvd in Jonesboro, LA 71251. Clerk Rachel Shively heads the office, which handles civil and criminal court records, succession documents, mortgage and conveyance records, and marriage records. The clerk also serves as the chief election official and recorder of mortgages and conveyances for the parish.

A courthouse fire that occurred before the parish seat moved from Vernon to Jonesboro in 1911 destroyed most records prior to 1880. The present courthouse was built in 1938 after a near-total destruction by an explosion in 1912. Despite these setbacks, the current office holds records dating back to approximately 1880. Marriage records go back to 1880. Court records are computerized from 1988 forward, and land records are computerized from 1972 forward.

Like other Louisiana clerks of court, the Jackson Parish office operates on fees collected for services rather than tax revenue. Fee schedules are set by the Louisiana Legislature. For specific fee amounts for copies, searches, or succession filings, call the office directly before visiting.

The Jackson Parish Clerk of Court website provides more information about available records and office operations.

The Jackson Parish Clerk's website outlines the office's role as court officer and recorder, and gives researchers a starting point for civil and succession records tied to death-related matters in the parish.

Records History and What Is Available

Jackson Parish was established in 1845 with Vernon as its original parish seat. A courthouse fire in Vernon destroyed most records that predated the seat's move to Jonesboro in 1911. As a result, researchers should expect limited records before 1880 for this parish. For deaths and marriages after 1880, the clerk's office is the best local starting point.

The current courthouse at 301 Jimmie Davis Blvd was built in 1938. Indexes for the clerk's records are computerized for three major categories: land records from 1972 forward, court records from 1988 forward, and marriage records from 1880 forward. Death-related succession filings would appear in court records and can be searched using the computerized index for events after 1988.

The about page of the Jackson Parish Clerk's website explains the office's history, records timeline, and role in maintaining vital documents for the parish.

Note: Records before 1880 are mostly unavailable due to the courthouse fire in Vernon. Do not expect to find pre-1880 death or succession records through the local clerk.

Death Certificates Under Louisiana Law

Louisiana treats death certificates as confidential records under R.S. 40:41. Certified copies can only be issued to eligible parties during the 50-year confidentiality window. These parties include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of the deceased. Others who may qualify include succession representatives with certified Letters of Testamentary, insurance beneficiaries with proper documentation, and attorneys representing eligible persons who request records on official letterhead with their bar roll number.

After 50 years, death records become public. You can search the Louisiana Secretary of State's Online Public Vital Records Index for deaths older than 50 years. Photocopies are $5.00 and certified copies are $10.00, both mailed to the requestor. The online database is searchable by name and does not require proof of eligibility.

Fact-of-death letters are a separate matter. Under RS 44:19, a fact-of-death letter is a public record and can be provided to the spouse, parent, sibling, or child of the deceased person on request.

How to Order Jackson Parish Death Certificates

For certified death certificates, contact the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry. The walk-in office is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mail requests go to Vital Records Registry, PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160, with processing times of 8 to 10 weeks.

The fee is $7.00 per certificate plus a $0.50 state charge. Checks or money orders only for mail requests. Online and phone orders are available through VitalChek at 1-877-605-8562, which charges additional processing fees. For more details on ordering, visit ldh.la.gov/page/how-to-order-death-records.

For deaths on or after July 7, 2012, the Jackson Parish Clerk of Court may also issue certified death certificates. The local clerk option can be more practical for Jackson Parish residents than a trip to New Orleans. Confirm fees and availability by calling the clerk's office in Jonesboro before visiting.

Under Louisiana Administrative Code tit. 48, Section V-11707, all requests must state the requestor's relationship to the deceased and include enough identifying data to locate the record in the state's files.

Historical Jackson Parish Death Records

The Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge holds microfilmed death certificates for deaths that occurred statewide between 1911 and 1974. Jackson Parish deaths from this period are included. The Archives are located at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Call (225) 922-1206 or visit sos.la.gov/archives to learn what records are available and how to request them.

For deaths between 1918 and 1948, the Archives is typically the appropriate source. For deaths after 1974, the Vital Records Registry in New Orleans handles requests. For deaths more than 50 years old, the online index at vitalrecords.sos.la.gov is searchable by the public without eligibility requirements.

Cities in Jackson Parish

Jonesboro is the parish seat and main community in Jackson Parish. Other towns include Hodge, Chatham, and Quitman. All Jackson Parish residents should contact the Clerk of Court at 301 Jimmie Davis Blvd in Jonesboro for local death record needs.

Nearby Parishes

Jackson Parish is surrounded by several north Louisiana parishes, each with their own clerk offices and death record resources.