Tangipahoa Parish Obituary Records

Tangipahoa Parish obituary records and death certificates are available through the Clerk of Court's office in Amite for deaths occurring on or after July 7, 2012. One important rule for this parish: death certificate applications are accepted at the Amite office only, not at the Hammond branch. For deaths before 2012, contact the Louisiana Vital Records Registry in New Orleans. This guide explains how to find and request death records in Tangipahoa Parish and where to look for older historical records.

Death Record Access Rules for Tangipahoa Parish

Louisiana classifies death certificates as confidential records under RS 40:41. Death records stay closed for 50 years after the year of death. This rule applies across all 64 parishes, including Tangipahoa. A death from 2016 won't be a public record until 2067. Only eligible persons can get a copy during that period.

The law allows the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren to request a death certificate. Insurance beneficiaries with a signed copy of the policy, succession representatives with certified Letters of Testamentary, and attorneys acting for eligible relatives also qualify. Anyone outside these groups needs a court order. The Clerk verifies eligibility before releasing any document.

There is one public option. Under RS 44:19, a fact of death letter is a public record. It confirms that a death occurred. Anyone can request one. It does not carry the same detail as a certified death certificate, but it can be useful when someone can't prove family eligibility. Louisiana's general public records law under RS 44:31 covers most government documents but does not override the 50-year confidentiality rule for death records.

Note: The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk only issues death certificates for deaths that occurred in Louisiana on or after July 7, 2012. Deaths in other states or before that date must go through different channels.

Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court in Amite

The main office of the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court is in Amite City. This is where all death certificate applications must be submitted. The Hammond branch office handles other court records but does not process death certificate applications. If you go to Hammond looking for a death certificate, you will be directed to Amite. Plan accordingly. More information is available at tangiclerk.org/Services/Death-Certificates.

Death certificate applications are accepted only at the Amite office from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays. The Clerk issues certified copies of Louisiana death certificates for deaths occurring on or after July 7, 2012. For deaths before that date, contact the Louisiana Vital Records Registry at (504) 593-5100. The Tangipahoa Clerk also handles court records, succession filings, and other civil documents through both offices.

The Hammond branch at 318-A NW Railroad Avenue handles other court-related records for residents in the larger Hammond area. But for death certificates specifically, Amite is the only option. The Clerk's website has an eSearch tool for online records access.

Succession and Probate Records in Tangipahoa

Succession and probate cases for Tangipahoa Parish are filed through the Clerk of Court. When someone dies with property or debts, a succession is typically opened. These filings list the deceased, name heirs, and reference the death. They are court records and are generally public. The 50-year confidentiality rule that applies to death certificates does not apply to probate filings.

Both the Amite and Hammond offices hold succession and court records. For a probate search, provide the deceased's full name and approximate year of death. The Clerk's eSearch tool may have electronic versions of more recent filings. Older records may only be available in paper form at the Amite office. Call (985) 748-4146 to confirm before making the trip.

Louisiana Vital Records Registry

The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry holds death records for all Louisiana parishes, including Tangipahoa. For deaths before July 7, 2012, or for any death where the Clerk's office cannot help, the Vital Records Registry is the right contact. Walk-in service is at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM weekdays. Phone: (504) 593-5100. Mail requests go to PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160, with an 8 to 10 week turnaround. VitalChek at 1-877-605-8562 handles phone orders.

The state charges $7.00 per death certificate plus a $0.50 state charge. Mail orders require a check or money order; the Registry does not accept credit cards directly. The administrative requirements for ordering by mail are set out in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Section V-11707. For deaths more than 50 years ago, no eligibility proof is needed and anyone can request them through the Registry or the State Archives.

Historical Death Records for Tangipahoa Parish

The Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge holds microfilmed death records from 1911 to 1974 for all Louisiana parishes, including Tangipahoa. All of these are public records since they are more than 50 years old. The Archives are at 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge. Phone: (225) 922-1206.

The online Louisiana Vital Records Index lets you search for deaths more than 50 years ago and order certified copies by mail for $10 or photocopies for $5. The searchable database at vitalrecords.sos.la.gov is a practical first step for Tangipahoa Parish family history research. For deaths before 1911, some older civil records may exist. The Archives staff can advise on what survives for this north-shore parish area.

Tangipahoa Parish is notable as the home of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, and its records reflect a mix of rural and growing suburban communities along the I-12 corridor. This growth means recent death records are more numerous and more likely to be found in the Clerk's electronic system. Older records from the more rural periods of the parish's history are best sought through the State Archives.

Note: The eSearch tool at tangiclerk.org provides online access to some Tangipahoa Parish court records, which can help narrow searches before contacting the Amite office directly.

Cities in Tangipahoa Parish

Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish and has a dedicated city page on this site. Other communities include Amite City, Ponchatoula, Kentwood, and Independence. For death certificates specifically, use the Amite office at 110 North Bay Street regardless of which community the death occurred in. Hammond's branch does not process death certificate applications.

Nearby Parishes

Tangipahoa Parish is in southeast Louisiana, bordering the Florida Parishes and Mississippi state line. Deaths near parish lines may have records held in adjacent jurisdictions.