Amendments To Death Records

The process to make changes to a death certificate vary depending on the type of legal change needed and how recently the record was filed. Amendments to vital records are governed by Louisiana statutes and administrative codes. The Vital Records Registry must work within these laws when making amendments to records.

AMENDMENT TO DEMOGRAPHIC PORTION OF DEATH CERTIFICATE

Items 1 and 3-23
This portion of the death certificate is amended by a request made to the Vital Records Registry by the funeral home listed on the death certificate within one year of the date of death. The funeral home must submit an amendment letter on funeral home letterhead and include the following:

• Name and date of death of the deceased
• Item number(s) to be amended
• Incorrect information currently contained in the item(s)
• Information as it should appear in the item(s)
• Original signature of the funeral director

AMENDMENT TO MEDICAL PORTION OF DEATH CERTIFICATE

Items 2 and 27-32
This portion of the death certificate is amended by a request made to the Vital Records Registry by the attending physician or coroner. The attending physician or coroner must submit an amendment letter on letterhead that includes the following:

• Name and date of death of the deceased
• Item number(s) to be amended
• Incorrect information currently contained in the item(s)
• Information as it should appear in the item(s)
• Original signature of the attending physician or coroner

Notice: Death certificates are amended using the interlinear method. A line is drawn through the old information and the new information is entered. The line shall not obscure the old information.