Hi everyone, I have had a lot of questions about the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit now handling vital records, so I will try and answer everyone in this email. This office is pretty much like the one in Alexandria and New Orleans (and I am sure there are other locations). If a death record is older than 50 years or the birth record is older than 100 years, then it has to come from the State Archives in Baton Rouge. I have a web site that has the form that you can print. It is <http://usersa.usunwired.net/mmoore/other/phs520a.htm>. This form has been up a while and the prices have changed....so be sure and refer to my first email, until I have a chance to update the form. The form has all of the information including both the New Orleans address and the Baton Rouge address, if you going to mail in a request. They do not want mail in requests sent to the Lake Charles office. The Lake Charles Vital records office does not have a web site nor do they have email. It is for walk in traffic only and the hours are from 8am to...oh gosh I forgot! It was either closing at 3pm or 4pm...now I really cannot remember! If an out of 'towner' needs to know, just email me and I will call them and let you know. It is for all of Louisiana and not just for Calcasieu. I went by there Friday and picked up a couple of death records that I have been wanting and just never sent for them....so it is convenient to have them around. They tell you the wait is about 30 minutes, but it actually only took about 15 minutes. The State Archives also has a web site at <http://www.sec.state.la.us/arch-1.htm> On their site is a link to "Birth and death records" that is more specific on dates and other information. I cut and 'pasted' the following from that page, but there is more info there. The Louisiana State Archives has acquired the following: Birth Certificates (Orleans Parish only) - over 100 years beginning with 1790-1898 Death Certificates (Orleans Parish only) - 1804-1948 Death Certificates (Statewide) - 1912-1948 Marriage Certificates (Orleans Parish only) - 1870-1948 (Index only 1831-1869) Hope this helps.... Have a great day! Margaret