Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals: Services, Phone & Records
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is an older name that many residents still search online. The current official state agency is the Louisiana Department of Health, often called LDH. This guide helps Louisiana residents find the right official route for phone numbers, Medicaid, birth certificates, death certificates, Orleans Parish marriage records, vaccination records, parish health units, public records, provider directories, complaints and facility records.
Use this page as a plain-English task guide before you call, pay, mail forms, visit Baton Rouge, visit New Orleans Vital Records, request records, renew Medicaid or file a complaint. Final forms, payments, eligibility decisions and records must be completed on official Louisiana government or approved service pages.
Quick answer: what the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals helps with today
The current Louisiana Department of Health handles statewide health programs, Medicaid, public health, vital records, parish health unit services, vaccination records, health standards, licensed facility directories, public records, aging and adult services, behavioral health, developmental disability services and public health emergency information. The old phrase “Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals” usually points to LDH pages today.
| What you need | Best official route | Prepare first | Senior-friendly tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals phone number | LDH Contact Us page | Your topic, parish, callback number and any case or order number | Ask staff which program handles your issue before giving a long explanation. |
| Louisiana birth certificate or death certificate | LDH Vital Records / Center for Vital Records and Statistics | Full name, date, place, valid ID, relationship or eligibility proof, payment method | Check the current LDH fee page before paying any outside website. |
| Orleans Parish marriage certificate or marriage license | LDH Vital Records Central Office or Orleans Parish marriage records page | Names, marriage date, identification, payment and whether you need certificate or license help | Other parishes usually route marriage records through the parish Clerk of Court. |
| Louisiana Medicaid, Healthy Louisiana or LaCHIP | Healthy Louisiana, Medicaid, Renew Medicaid or Self-Service Portal | Member ID if available, household changes, income details, address, phone, documents | Use official Medicaid phone 1-888-342-6207 if a message looks suspicious. |
| Vaccination record or school immunization record | Request Vaccination Records / MyIR / LINKS / provider / parish health unit | Name, date of birth, school or employer requirement, provider history | Old records may need a provider or parish health unit if they are not easy to find online. |
| Parish health unit near me | LDH Statewide Service Locations or Parish Health Units directory | Your parish, city, ZIP code, service need and appointment question | Louisiana uses parishes, not counties. Search by parish name first. |
| Healthcare facility complaint or abuse report | LDH Health Standards Section File a Complaint / Report Abuse | Facility name, address, dates, staff names, facts, photos, documents | LDH Health Standards generally handles licensed facilities, not every doctor billing dispute. |
| Public records, health standards records, data request or subpoena | LDH Public Records Request or Health Standards Public Records route | Record type, program, date range, provider or facility name, parish and subject | Narrow requests are easier to process than “send me everything.” |
If the issue is about your health coverage, start with Medicaid. If it is about a certificate, start with Vital Records. If it is about a local clinic, immunization, WIC, TB, STI service or environmental health service, start with a parish health unit. If it is about a licensed facility complaint, start with Health Standards.
Louisiana LDH route finder: choose the right service before calling, paying or visiting
Use this quick route finder for common searches like Louisiana department of health and hospitals phone number, LDH vital records, Louisiana Medicaid login, Louisiana birth certificate, Louisiana death certificate, immunization records, parish health unit near me and health facility complaints.
Louisiana service route finder
Select your task. The safest next step appears below.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals vs Louisiana Department of Health: why the name changed
Many older documents, search results, facility forms and residents still use “Department of Health and Hospitals” or “DHH.” Current official pages generally use Louisiana Department of Health or LDH. The old name is still useful as a search phrase, but you should confirm final actions on current LDH pages.
Department of Health and Hospitals
This wording appears in older documents, older facility licensing packets, older Medicaid materials and older complaint forms. It can still lead users to LDH content.
Louisiana Department of Health
LDH is the current agency name used on the official website for Medicaid, Vital Records, Office of Public Health, Health Standards, behavioral health and related services.
Use current LDH pages for forms and payments
Do not rely on an old “DHH” PDF if it involves payment, mailing address, license packet, complaint routing or eligibility. Open the current LDH page first and download the latest form from there.
If Google or Bing shows both DHH and LDH results, choose the current LDH page with an ldh.la.gov or official louisiana.gov route for final instructions.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals phone number, address, hours and call script
The main LDH contact page lists the Louisiana Department of Health physical address at 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, mailing address at P.O. Box 629, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0629, regular hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., main phone 225-342-9500 and fax 225-342-5568.
Call with a one-sentence topic
Say: “I need help with Louisiana Medicaid, a birth certificate, a death certificate, an immunization record, a parish health unit appointment, a public records request, or a health facility complaint. My parish is _____. Which LDH office should I contact?”
Use direct program numbers when you know the service
Use 504-593-5100 for Vital Records questions and 1-888-342-6207 for Louisiana Medicaid / Healthy Louisiana questions. Direct program routing is usually faster than the general office line.
Write your topic, parish, phone number and any order or Medicaid case number on paper before calling. Ask the person to repeat the official website page name slowly, then write it down.
Louisiana vital records: birth certificates, death certificates, fetal death and Orleans Parish marriage records
LDH Vital Records is the main route for Louisiana birth certificates, birth cards, death certificates, fetal death records and Orleans Parish marriage records. The Vital Records Central Office also provides walk-in services for certified copies and certain amendment, adoption or delayed certificate cases.
Birth and death records
Use for certified Louisiana birth certificates, birth cards and death certificates.
Open certificate routeVital Records Central Office
1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. Walk-in service hours are listed as 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding state holidays.
Open vital recordsCheck current fees first
LDH lists fees such as birth certificate, birth certificate plus birth card, death certificate and Orleans Parish marriage certificate fees.
Check fee page| Record type | What to prepare | Common wrong route |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana birth certificate | Full name on record, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names, valid photo ID, eligibility proof and payment | Using an old DHH form or a third-party page without checking LDH first |
| Louisiana death certificate | Decedent name, date of death, parish or city, requestor information, ID and intended use | Ordering before asking the receiving agency which version it accepts |
| Orleans Parish marriage certificate | Names, date, ID, fee, certificate need and whether the record is Orleans Parish | Assuming LDH holds every Louisiana parish marriage record |
| Amendment, paternity, adoption or delayed certificate | Court order, certified judgment, application, ID and case-specific evidence | Mailing documents without checking current amendment instructions |
Birth records are confidential for a long period under Louisiana law, and death records also have confidentiality rules. Always check eligibility, ID and proof requirements before paying.
Louisiana birth certificate and death certificate: order checklist for families, seniors and caregivers
Use this checklist before ordering a Louisiana birth or death certificate for Social Security, passport, school, driver license, probate, insurance, benefits, banking, estate, genealogy or family paperwork.
Start on the official LDH request page
The LDH birth and death certificate page explains online, mail, walk-in and related service routes. It also lists Vital Records customer service at 504-593-5100.
Check the “How to order” pages for current details
LDH has separate guidance for ordering birth records and death records. Use the correct page because fees, applications, walk-in location details, mailing rules and processing notes can differ.
Confirm whether in-person service is better for you
Vital Records Central Office walk-in service is in New Orleans at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400. Some records may also be available through kiosks, Clerks of Court or parish-specific routes, depending on the record and current LDH instructions.
If you are helping a parent, spouse, grandparent or relative, confirm that you are eligible to request the record before mailing ID or paying. Have your relationship proof ready.
Louisiana marriage records, Orleans Parish marriage licenses and divorce record confusion
Louisiana marriage and divorce records are a common confusion point. LDH Vital Records provides Orleans Parish marriage certificate and license services, but marriage records for other parishes and divorce decrees often involve the Clerk of Court in the parish where the event was filed.
Orleans Parish marriage certificate or license
Use LDH Vital Records when the question is specifically about Orleans Parish marriage certificates or marriage licenses handled through the Vital Records Central Office.
Open Orleans marriage routeOther parish marriage or divorce decree
For many other parish marriage records or divorce judgments, the parish Clerk of Court is usually the route. Confirm before ordering.
Find parish routeA “certificate” and a “court judgment” are not the same document. Ask the receiving agency whether it needs a marriage certificate, marriage license copy, divorce certificate, divorce decree or full court file.
Louisiana vaccination records, MyIR, LINKS and parish health units
If you searched for Louisiana Department of Health records because you need shot records, school immunization proof, college vaccine records, employer proof or travel vaccination history, use the LDH vaccination records route first. Louisiana uses the LINKS immunization information system, and residents may access records through MyIR or by contacting a provider or parish health unit.
Try the official vaccination record page
LDH explains that residents can request vaccination records through MyIR or ask a healthcare provider or parish health unit. This is usually faster than filing a public records request.
Use provider or parish health unit help for older records
If a record is missing online, ask the doctor, clinic, pharmacy or parish health unit that gave the vaccine. Very old records, out-of-state shots or paper records may need extra follow-up.
Ask the school, college, employer or program exactly what immunization form it accepts before printing or submitting records. This avoids repeating the request.
Louisiana Medicaid, Healthy Louisiana, LaCHIP, renewals, login and phone help
Many people searching for Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals are really looking for Louisiana Medicaid. LDH Medicaid pages cover Healthy Louisiana, applying for coverage, renewing coverage, updating your information, plan choice, provider help and member rights.
Get Covered
Use this route if you want to find out whether you qualify for Louisiana Medicaid or related health coverage.
Open Get CoveredRenew Medicaid
Use this route for renewal steps, information requests, regional Medicaid office help and phone renewal support.
Open renewalSelf-Service Portal
Use the official portal to apply, check application status, report household changes, request a new card or renew benefits.
Open portalCall the right Medicaid number
Louisiana Medicaid / Healthy Louisiana customer service commonly routes through 1-888-342-6207, Monday through Friday during posted business hours. Use this number if you receive a suspicious Medicaid text, letter or call and want to verify safely.
Keep your address and phone number updated
Renewal mail, information requests and coverage notices can be missed if your mailing address, phone number or email is outdated. Update your information as soon as something changes.
Do not give your Social Security number, Medicaid ID, bank card or login details to an unexpected caller or text message. Go to official LDH pages or call the published Medicaid number yourself.
Louisiana parish health unit near me: clinics, immunizations, WIC, STI, TB, vital records and local services
Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties. Parish health units may help with immunizations, WIC, reproductive health, pregnancy testing, STD/STI testing, TB testing, children’s special health services, vital records, environmental health and local public health services. Availability depends on the parish location.
Appointments and services
Check your parish location for clinic hours, appointment rules and available public health services.
Vital records and vaccines
Some parish health units list vital records or vaccination support. Confirm service before driving.
Women, Infants and Children
Many parish health unit listings include WIC service information or local WIC routing.
Search by parish or ZIP
Use the LDH Statewide Service Locations directory to search by region, parish, city or ZIP code.
For New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, Alexandria, Houma, Hammond, Slidell, Kenner, Bossier City and rural Louisiana, verify the parish first. Service hours and phone numbers can differ by parish health unit.
LDH provider directories, Health Standards Section and Louisiana facility records
The LDH Health Standards Section licenses and certifies many healthcare facilities and providers for participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Use this route for facility provider directories, Health Standards data requests, nursing facilities, hospitals, adult residential care providers, behavioral health service providers and other LDH-regulated provider types.
Use Health Standards for licensed facility directories
Do not confuse a licensed facility directory with an individual doctor license lookup. Individual clinicians may be licensed by separate Louisiana boards, while LDH Health Standards focuses on facility and provider categories under its authority.
| User need | Likely route | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing facility, hospital, home health, hospice or residential provider | LDH Health Standards provider directories or provider category pages | Provider name, city, parish, facility type and any license or provider number |
| Compare nursing homes | LDH nursing facility page and federal comparison resources where linked | Location, care needs, Medicare/Medicaid question and facility names |
| Doctor, dentist, therapist or professional license | Usually the profession’s licensing board, not the LDH facility directory | Name, license number, profession and board name |
| Health Standards public data request | Health Standards data or public records route | Facility type, provider name, date range, record type and requested format |
If you are checking a facility for a loved one, save the facility name, address, parish, provider type and source page date. Then call the facility and confirm current services, beds, costs, insurance, visiting rules and complaint history questions.
Louisiana health care facility complaints, abuse reports and wrong-agency warnings
LDH Health Standards investigates complaints against health care facilities licensed by the Department of Health. Complaint routing can be different for physicians, insurance billing, Medicare billing, Medicaid billing, professional boards, food safety, law enforcement or emergency danger.
Use LDH Health Standards complaint route
Use this for complaints about a health care facility licensed by LDH, such as certain nursing facilities, hospitals or other regulated providers.
Open complaint pagePhysicians and billing may route elsewhere
LDH complaint forms explain that some issues, such as physician practice complaints or billing issues, may need another agency or program.
Open Health Standards| Prepare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Facility name and full address | Helps LDH identify the correct licensed provider and parish. |
| Dates, times and department involved | Creates a clear investigation timeline. |
| Staff names or roles if known | Useful if the incident involved a specific nurse, aide, unit, department or service. |
| What happened and what harm occurred | Facts are easier to review than broad opinions. |
| Documents, photos or prior facility complaint | Helps support the complaint and shows whether the facility already responded. |
If someone is in immediate danger, needs urgent medical care, has life-threatening symptoms, is being abused right now or needs law enforcement, call emergency services first. Do not wait for an online complaint review.
Louisiana Department of Health public records request, health standards records and data requests
A public records request is not the same as ordering a birth certificate, death certificate, vaccination record or Medicaid card. Public records requests are for agency records, public information, health standards records, data requests, medical records requests routed through LDH systems and subpoenas when applicable.
Use the public records portal route when you need agency records
Make your request narrow. Include the LDH program, record type, topic, date range, facility or provider name, parish and preferred contact method.
Use Health Standards records for licensed facility records
If your request is about a licensed healthcare facility, provider directory, survey, complaint history, licensure or health standards document, the Health Standards public records route may be more relevant.
Use data request forms for public health data
Aggregate or de-identified public health data requests may route through Bureau of Health Informatics or public records steps. Do not request personal medical files through a broad data request.
For your own hospital or clinic medical chart, contact the provider or facility medical records office first. LDH public records is not always the fastest route for personal patient records.
Louisiana behavioral health, 988 crisis support and substance-use help
LDH includes the Office of Behavioral Health. For crisis support, Louisiana residents can call, text or chat 988. For alcohol or drug addiction resources, LDH behavioral health pages also list statewide support routes.
Call or text 988
Use 988 for mental health-related distress, suicide concerns or crisis support. Support is available 24/7.
Open 988 pageOffice of Behavioral Health
Use this route for behavioral health programs, crisis response and related LDH support information.
Open OBHImmediate danger
If there is immediate physical danger, medical emergency or active overdose risk, call emergency services first.
Open behavioral healthIf you or someone nearby may act on suicidal thoughts, has overdosed, cannot breathe, is unconscious, is violent, or is in immediate danger, call emergency services now. Use 988 for crisis support and connection to care.
Louisiana Department of Health maps: Baton Rouge main office and New Orleans Vital Records
Do not drive to a state office just because a search result shows an address. Many LDH services are handled online, by phone, by mail, through parish health units, through Medicaid offices or through specific Vital Records routes. Always check the official page before visiting.
| Location | Use it for | Check before visiting |
|---|---|---|
| LDH main office, 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 | State office contact, general department routing, administrative location | Call 225-342-9500 and confirm your program before visiting. |
| Vital Records Central Office, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112 | Birth certificates, birth cards, death certificates, Orleans Parish marriage certificates and certain walk-in vital records services | Check walk-in hours, state holidays, ID requirements, fees and whether your case needs an appointment or documents. |
LDH Baton Rouge main office
Vital Records Central Office New Orleans
Bring valid photo ID, printed confirmation, payment method, case number and required proof documents only after the official page confirms your service is available in person.
Official Louisiana Department of Health links used in this guide
Use these official pages for final instructions, forms, payments, phone numbers, eligibility, complaints and records. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is independent and does not collect records, process Medicaid, verify facilities or file complaints.
People also search for: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Google and Bing intent guide
These search-style phrases match common Louisiana user intent. Use the matching route below rather than opening random third-party pages.
Louisiana department of health and hospitals phone number
Use LDH Contact Us for the main Baton Rouge phone and program directory.
Phone routeLouisiana department of health and hospitals vital records
Use LDH Vital Records for birth, death, fetal death and Orleans Parish marriage services.
Vital records routeLouisiana department of health and hospitals birth certificate
Use the LDH Request a Birth or Death Certificate page and check ID requirements first.
Birth routeLouisiana department of health and hospitals death certificate
Use the LDH death records route and ask the receiving agency what version it needs.
Death routeLouisiana department of health and hospitals Medicaid
Use Healthy Louisiana, Renew Medicaid or the Self-Service Portal depending on your task.
Medicaid routeLouisiana parish health unit near me
Use the LDH directory and search by parish, city, region or ZIP code.
Parish unit routeLouisiana immunization records
Use Request Vaccination Records, MyIR, LINKS, provider or parish health unit route.
Vaccine record routeLouisiana health facility complaint
Use LDH Health Standards complaint route when the facility is licensed by LDH.
Complaint routePrivacy, payment and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It is not the official Louisiana Department of Health, not the former Department of Health and Hospitals, not Medicaid, not Vital Records, not VitalChek and not a parish health unit.
Do not send birth certificates, death certificates, driver licenses, Medicaid cards, Social Security numbers, medical records, vaccination records, complaint evidence, court orders or payment card information to an independent guide page. Use only official LDH, Louisiana.gov, Medicaid, Vital Records, parish health unit or approved secure portals.
Phone numbers, fees, walk-in hours, mailing addresses, ID rules, Medicaid renewal steps, complaint forms, provider directories and public records procedures can change. Confirm final instructions on the official page before taking action.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals FAQs
Is Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals the same as Louisiana Department of Health?
“Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals” is the older name many people still use. The current official agency name is Louisiana Department of Health, often called LDH. For final forms, payments and records, use current LDH pages.
What is the Louisiana Department of Health phone number?
The main Louisiana Department of Health contact page lists 225-342-9500 for the Baton Rouge state office. For birth and death certificate questions, LDH Vital Records lists 504-593-5100. For Louisiana Medicaid and Healthy Louisiana help, use 1-888-342-6207.
Where is the Louisiana Department of Health located?
The main LDH physical address is 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. The LDH mailing address is P.O. Box 629, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0629. Check the official page before visiting because many services use online, mail, phone, parish health unit or New Orleans Vital Records routes.
How do I order a Louisiana birth certificate?
Start with the official LDH Request a Birth or Death Certificate page or How to Order Birth Records page. Prepare the full name on the record, date and place of birth, parents’ names, valid photo ID, eligibility proof if required, mailing details and payment method.
How do I order a Louisiana death certificate?
Use the official LDH Request a Birth or Death Certificate page or How to Order Death Records page. Prepare the decedent name, date of death, parish or city, requestor details, valid ID, payment method and the reason the certificate is needed.
Where is Louisiana Vital Records located?
The Vital Records Central Office is listed at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. LDH lists walk-in service hours as 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Always confirm current hours and document requirements before visiting.
How do I get a Louisiana vaccination record?
Use the official LDH Request Vaccination Records page. LDH explains that residents may access records through MyIR or ask a provider or parish health unit. Louisiana’s immunization system is commonly known as LINKS.
How do I renew Louisiana Medicaid?
Use the official Renew Medicaid page, Healthy Louisiana page or Louisiana Medicaid Self-Service Portal. You can also call Medicaid customer service at 1-888-342-6207 during posted business hours for help.
How do I find a parish health unit in Louisiana?
Use the LDH Statewide Service Locations directory or the Parish Health Units directory. Search by parish, city, region or ZIP code, then confirm clinic hours, appointment rules, services and phone number before visiting.
How do I file a complaint about a Louisiana health care facility?
Use the LDH File a Complaint / Report Abuse page when the complaint is about a health care facility licensed by the Louisiana Department of Health. Prepare the facility name, address, dates, staff names or roles if known, facts, documents and your contact information.
How do I request Louisiana Department of Health public records?
Use the LDH Public Records Request route or Health Standards Public Records Request route. Include the program, record type, subject, date range, facility or provider name, parish and preferred contact method. Narrow requests are easier to process.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official Louisiana Department of Health website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide that helps users find the correct official route. It does not process Medicaid, issue certificates, collect payments, verify records, file complaints or replace LDH.la.gov, Louisiana.gov, Vital Records, Healthy Louisiana or parish health units.