Birth, death, and marriage certificates are often among the first records genealogists seek in building family lines. Louisiana is a “closed record state,” meaning that birth and death records are not considered public records until they reach a certain age. Birth certificates become public record 100 after the record is issued, and death certificates 50 years after issued. Birth certificates less than 100 years old and death certificates less than 50 years old can be obtained only by relatives or descendants from the Louisiana Department of Health. Marriage records are public records from the time of creation and not subject to this restriction.