Louisiana apostille services for records used abroad
Louisiana record requests often depend on the parish and the office that issued the document. Miami Dade Apostille can review the document type, destination and required preparation, then coordinate the appropriate process. We assist with vital records, court records, powers of attorney, affidavits, school records and corporate documents. We are a private coordinator, not a government issuing office or law firm.
Before you start
- Identify the document type and the office that issued it.
- Confirm the destination country's treaty relationship and the receiving authority's requirements.
- Send us a scan for preparation review before committing originals.
Louisiana signatures and document preparation
- The Secretary of State authenticates Louisiana officials' signatures.
- Clerk-of-court and Vital Records documents do not need added notarization, and their photocopies are not accepted.
- Other documents may need a Louisiana notary when the certifier is not on file. The notary's printed name and identification number must appear beneath the signature.
- Eligible Louisiana state-accredited university officials' signatures can also be authenticated; ask your registrar which version to obtain.
Marriage records depend on the license parish
- For a license purchased outside Orleans Parish, request the certified marriage record from that parish's Clerk of Court.
- The Louisiana Vital Records Registry only holds marriage records for licenses purchased in Orleans Parish.
- Check the license location rather than assuming the state office holds every Louisiana marriage.
Older Orleans records and divorce decrees
- Vital Records maintains Orleans Parish marriage records for 50 years; older records are available through Louisiana State Archives.
- Divorce decrees are different: request the certified decree from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted.
- Vital Records cannot issue a divorce decree.
Business documents on file with the state
- For documents recorded with the Secretary of State's Commercial Division, that division offers apostille and authentication services.
- Identify the precise filing or instrument needed before requesting it.
- This route is distinct from preparing a privately signed affidavit or power of attorney.
Mail and courier addresses differ
- Submit the original document, destination information and current fee.
- Supply prepaid arrangements for courier return. Check current walk-in hours before traveling.
Louisiana document routing
| Document | Start here |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Louisiana Vital Records Registry. |
| Death certificate | Louisiana Vital Records Registry. |
| Marriage record (Orleans Parish license) | Louisiana Vital Records Registry (records up to 50 years); older records through Louisiana State Archives. |
| Marriage record (license outside Orleans Parish) | Clerk of Court in the parish where the license was purchased. |
| Divorce decree | Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted. Vital Records cannot issue this document. |
| Court document (clerk of court) | Certified copy from the relevant Clerk of Court; no added notarization required. |
| Notarized document (POA, affidavit, etc.) | Louisiana notary with printed name and ID number beneath signature → Louisiana Secretary of State. |
| University / school record | Ask registrar which certified version to obtain; eligible state-accredited university official signatures can be authenticated. |
| Business / corporate document (state-filed) | Secretary of State Commercial Division apostille and authentication service. |
| FBI background check | Federal document — U.S. Department of State route, not Louisiana. See our FBI apostille guide. |
Plan the full overseas package
- Send your document type, issuing office, destination and deadline for review. We can help identify missing certifications, coordinate submission and discuss translation needs with qualified translators.
- FBI background checks follow the federal U.S. Department of State route. A destination where the Apostille Convention does not apply with the United States may require additional legalization.
- Confirm the recipient's document-age, translation and content requirements separately.
- Florida remote online notarization may be available for eligible private documents, subject to identity, witness, document and recipient requirements. It follows the applicable Florida route and does not replace Louisiana public-record certification.
Working toward a deadline? Send us a scan before committing originals — we can review requirements and help coordinate the correct process.
Frequently asked questions
Louisiana locations served
Miami Dade Apostille serves clients throughout Louisiana by mail. Documents can be sent from anywhere in the state — no in-person visit to our office is required.
- New Orleans
- Baton Rouge
- Shreveport
- Metairie
- Lafayette
- Lake Charles
- Kenner
- Bossier City
- Monroe
- Alexandria
- Houma
- Slidell
Sources
MIAMI DADE APOSTILLE IS NOT A LAW FIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. WE ARE A PRIVATE DOCUMENT COORDINATION SERVICE. THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. FOR LEGAL QUESTIONS, CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY.
Ready to start your Louisiana apostille?
Send us your documents by mail from anywhere in Louisiana. We review, coordinate the appropriate authentication process and return your documents.
Submissions are accepted 24/7, 365 days a year. We typically reply within approximately two hours during regular business hours.
If you're working toward a deadline, message us before sending your documents. We can review requirements, help avoid preventable delays and coordinate the correct process.
State documents: same day to 4 days. Federal documents (FBI, U.S. Department of State): 7–14 days. Contact us with your document type and deadline to confirm availability.
Miami Dade Apostille is a private document coordination service. We are not the Louisiana Secretary of State, a government agency, or a law firm. We do not issue apostilles or government records.