FOR RELEASE: November 4 , 2005
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

Louisiana-born Hurricane Evacuees Birth Certificate Services Now Available in Louisiana

The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Vital Records Office announced today that effective Monday, Nov. 7, hurricane evacuees from Louisiana can begin making applications for birth certificates directly to the Louisiana Vital Records/Health Statistics Central Office. Applicants should note that fees will be charged.

Oklahoma’s Vital Records Office, in collaboration with the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, has been assisting hurricane evacuees born in Louisiana who relocated to Oklahoma, to obtain their birth certificates from Louisiana at no charge since the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

“We have processed more than 100 requests and will continue to assist people as needed through the close of business today,” said Oklahoma State Registrar John C. Burks Sr. “It has been our pleasure to offer support services for the people of Louisiana during these very trying times.”

The Louisiana Vital Records Office reports that it has made progress towards resuming normal operations and implemented the following procedures:

• On Monday, Nov.7, normal fees are to be applied to all requests for Vital Records documents and all requests must be processed through Louisiana Vital Records.
• The mailing address is Louisiana Vital Records/Health Statistics, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160 for all normal mailing.
• There are no permanent phone numbers or fax numbers available for use. For more information, including fee information, visit this Web site: www.oph.dhh.state.la.us/recordsstatistics/.
• Walk-in services for Metropolitan New Orleans will be established at the Jefferson Parish Health Unit (JPHU) - Metairie and the JPHU - Marrero.
• The JPHU - Marrero office at 1855 Ames Blvd and the JPHU - Metairie office at 111 North Causeway Blvd are open.
• Orleans Parish Marriage Licenses will be issued at the JPHU - Metairie.
• All requests by hurricane evacuees received by out-of-state vital records offices before the close of business Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, will be processed.

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