After a disaster such as a hurricane, flood, or fire, important papers may be destroyed, lost or damaged. Agencies, web sites and procedures that can help you replace important papers are listed below:
Birth and Death Certificates
To replace a birth or death certificate for U.S. citizens who were born or died in the United States:
Visit http://www.vitalrec.com or call one of these numbers:
| Louisiana |
877-605-8562 |
| Mississippi |
877-295-4229 |
| Alabama |
334-206-5418 |
For birth records of U.S. citizens born abroad, request a copy of Form FS-240 (Consular Report of Birth Abroad). Contact:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Vital Records Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 510
Washington DC 20522-1705
This address is also used to obtain a "Report of the Death of an American Citizen" who died abroad.
Citizenship and Naturalization Papers
Obtain Form N-565 from http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/n-565.htm.
Credit Cards
| American Express |
Call 800-992-3404 |
| Discover |
Call 800-DISCOVER (800-347-2683;
TDD/TTY (800-347-7449) |
| MasterCard |
Contact issuing financial institution |
| Visa |
Contact issuing financial institution |
Driver’s License or State Identification Card
The quickest way to obtain a duplicate driver’s license is to apply in person at any state Office of Motor Vehicle Driver’s License Office. You will need to complete an "Application for
License or Identification Card," which may be accessed at:
http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/forms/2003.pdf.
This form may also be faxed to 225-925-3901. Replacement fees for cards are waived for Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Income Tax Returns
Call the nearest department of the treasury office, IRS office or 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) and request form 4506 (Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form). To find your local office, go to:
http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html.
Insurance Policies
Contact the agent or company providing the coverage. You may be required to complete a form, pay a fee for duplicate copies or both. The policy number will expedite this request. Consumer contact information for major insurance companies doing business in Louisiana may be accessed at:
http://www.ldi.state.la.us/whats_new/HurricaneContactInfo.pdf
Marriage License, Marriage Dissolutions, Adoption Decrees
If the marriage, dissolution or adoption occurred in Orleans Parish, contact:
Office of Public Health
Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
If the marriage, dissolution or adoption occurred in any other parish, contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the marriage occurred or where the dissolution or adoption was filed.
If the marriage or dissolution occurred in another state, contact the National Center for Health Statistics at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm
Military Discharge Papers
Request Standard Form 180 (SF-180) from any office of the Veterans Administration, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Red Cross, a Veterans Association or military recruiter. It may also be downloaded from:
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/
standard_form_180.html.
Send the completed form to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5011
The National Personnel Records Center responds only to mailed or faxed requests. The fax number is 314-801-9195.
In a medical emergency, information from a veteran’s records may be obtained by phoning the appropriate service:
| Army |
314-538-4261 |
| Air Force |
314-538-4243 |
Navy,
Marine Corps,
Coast Guard |
314-538-4141 |
Mortgage Papers
Contact lending institution.
Passports
Complete form DS-64 (Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport) available from http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/us/us_848.html and submit to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington DC 20036
Property Deeds
Contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the property is located.
Savings Bonds/Notes
Complete Form PDF 1048 (Claim for Lost, Stolen or Destroyed U. S. Savings Bonds) available at: http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/forms/sav1048.pdf or by calling 304-480-6112. Mail the completed form to:
Bureau of the Public Debt
P.O. Box 1328
Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328
Social Security Card
Go to a Social Security Administration Office. Complete form SS-5 (Application for Social Security Card). It can be downloaded at:
http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.
Contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 if you need additional help, or write:
Office of Public Inquiries
Social Security Administration
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
Vehicle Title
Complete the "Vehicle Application" form available at:
http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/forms/1799.PDF.
Submit to the address given on the form. The fee is waived for individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Wills
Contact the attorney who prepared it. If circumstances have changed, a new will may be appropriate.
Disclaimer: At the time of this publication all contact information was verified. This information is subject to change.