Passport Offices and Expedited Passports in Louisiana
Louisiana residents usually apply for a first passport at an acceptance facility such as a post office or a parish clerk of court's office. For urgent travel, the New Orleans Passport Center sees applicants by appointment, and a registered courier such as Allstate Passports & Visas is another option. This page lists acceptance facilities in 16 Louisiana cities, explains each option, and covers Louisiana's birth certificate rules, which are stricter than in most states.
Choose your city
New Orleans and the Northshore: New Orleans, Metairie, Laplace, Slidell, Mandeville, Hammond
Baton Rouge area: Baton Rouge, Gonzales
Acadiana and Bayou Country: Lafayette, Houma, Thibodaux
Southwest Louisiana: Lake Charles, Sulphur
North Louisiana: Shreveport, Monroe, Ruston
Your options in Louisiana
Passport acceptance facilities
Use an acceptance facility for a first passport, a child's passport, or a replacement for a lost or stolen one. Many facilities in Louisiana work by appointment. Your city page above lists the facilities nearby.
Bring Form DS-11 without signing it, proof of U.S. citizenship such as a certified long-form birth certificate, a photo ID plus a photocopy, and one passport photo. There are two fees: one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the facility.
The New Orleans Passport Center
The New Orleans Passport Center is the State Department's office for Louisiana. It sees applicants by appointment only, and only if they travel internationally within 14 days or need a foreign visa within 28 days. From Shreveport the Dallas Passport Agency is closer, and from Lake Charles the Houston Passport Agency is closer. Bring proof of travel. How to book an agency appointment.
Allstate Passports & Visas
We are a private courier registered with the U.S. Department of State, not a government office. We review your paperwork and hand-carry your application to a passport agency, which saves North Louisiana residents a long drive. Call (800) 672-1015, text (206) 522-5995, or read about our passport services.
Birth certificates in Louisiana
Louisiana is a closed record state: birth records are confidential for 100 years and are not public. The Louisiana Vital Records Registry, part of the Louisiana Department of Health, issues certified copies. A long-form birth certificate costs $15 from the state, plus a security fee and shipping. You can walk in at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans, order through VitalChek (with a will-call pickup option in New Orleans), or order by mail, which takes about 8 to 10 weeks.
Participating parish clerks of court also issue long-form certificates, for a higher fee of $34. For a passport, order the long form. The short-form birth card does not list your parents, and the State Department needs a birth certificate that shows your parents' names. Details are on the Louisiana Department of Health birth records page.
Louisiana passport questions
Is there a passport office in Louisiana?
Yes, the New Orleans Passport Center. It sees people by appointment only, for travel within 14 days or a visa needed within 28 days. Everyone else applies at an acceptance facility or renews by mail or online.
Can I use a Louisiana birth card for my passport?
No. The short-form birth card does not list your parents' names, so it does not meet State Department requirements. Order the long-form birth certificate instead.
Can I renew my passport online in Louisiana?
The State Department runs online renewal nationally, so Louisiana residents follow the same rules as every other state. It suits adults renewing a regular passport who are not traveling soon. If your trip is close, an agency appointment or a registered courier is faster.
How long does a Louisiana birth certificate take by mail?
About 8 to 10 weeks. If your trip is close, walk in at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans or a participating parish clerk of court instead.
Information checked October 2026. Related pages: passport renewal, new passport, passport for a child, lost or stolen passport.
