The Webster Parish Clerk of Court’s Office is now issuing death certificates at their office.
In 2014, Clerk of Court Holli Vining says they began issuing birth certificates for those born in Louisiana. As of Aug. 1, they are now issuing the death certificates, but the death certificate requested must have died in Louisiana.
“We are actually a satellite office for the Bureau of Vital Records for the State of Louisiana,” she said. “When we issue them, they are actually printed out of the state system. It’s something that’s optional for clerks of court to do, and I just thought it would be of service to the public.”
To get a death certificate, Vining says an immediate family member, such as parents, a child, or sibling, must be the one to get it, and if it is a child, it must be the parent or legal guardian with court documentation showing guardianship.
The cost is $26 and wait time is usually about 15 minutes, she said. A portion of the fee goes to the state and the other portion stays in the parish.
“They just have to come into our office and fill out a form and present their ID,” she said. “There are very strict ID requirements on who can obtain a birth certificate or a death certificate. Those guidelines are all set by the state.”
To get a death certificate online through the clerk’s office, they must have been issued from 2012 to current. If it goes any farther back, Vining says people will have to contact the Bureau of Vital Records in New Orleans.
With school starting Tuesday, Vining is reminding parents they can obtain a copy of their child’s birth certificate at the clerk of court’s office if they do not already have one.
For questions, call the clerk’s office at 371-0366.