Louisiana Will and Living Will Registries: How They Work
By Perkins Road Notary
Signing your documents is only part of the plan. The people who need them must be able to find them. Louisiana’s Secretary of State offers two different registries for wills and living will declarations.
The will registry records the location
The will registry records information about where your will is kept or who knows its location. The Secretary of State does not store the actual will through this program. Keep the original secure and tell your executor where to find it.
Registration information is confidential until death. The Secretary of State explains how someone can request it after providing satisfactory evidence of death.
The living will registry holds the declaration
The living will registry accepts an original, multiple original, or certified copy of the declaration. The Secretary of State can provide copies to an attending physician or healthcare facility on request. The program also provides identification items showing that the declaration is registered.
Use the current forms and fees
Visit the Secretary of State’s End of Life Registry Programs page for forms, filing instructions, and current fees. The two programs have different submissions and charges.
Make an access plan beyond registration
Give healthcare documents to your chosen healthcare agent and providers. Tell your executor where the original will is stored. Keep a record of whom you have given copies to, and replace outdated copies when you revise the documents.
Registration does not correct an invalid document, guarantee a medical outcome, or replace a separate medical order that your treatment plan may require. Discuss resuscitation preferences and any needed medical orders with your healthcare provider.
For the distinction between healthcare documents, read Healthcare Power of Attorney vs. Living Will in Louisiana. For creating the plan, see our getting-started guide.
Get help in Baton Rouge
Call Perkins Road Notary at (225) 341-3828 or visit 6161 Perkins Road, Suite 1C, Baton Rouge. See our notary services. Curbside service is available at our office; call when you arrive. We do not provide mobile visits.
Updated October 8, 2026: This article was revised to reflect current Louisiana law, agency procedures, and Perkins Road Notary service information, as applicable.