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Bank Records

• Q. What if my bank has lost my records?
• A. Banks are required to have emergency plans for all disasters. They have back-up systems for records, kept in safe locations so that records can be reconstructed/restored. If you need more information about banks, call the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) hotline: 1-877-ASK- FDIC (275-3342).

Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

• Q. How can I replace birth, marriage, and death certificates from Louisiana?
• A. The Louisiana Vital Records Registry - Office of Public Health - Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals can give you certified copies of birth/death certificates.  The main office in New Orleans is closed. You can go to the office in Baton Rouge. It can only help people who actually come to its office. The office is located at 353 N. 12th Street, Baton Rouge. Open: 8 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday.  Phone: (225) 342-1930. The Clerk of the Court in the parish where your marriage license was issued can give you a certified copy of a marriage license.  You can read more at:  www.oph.dhh.state.la.us/recordsstatistics/vitalrecords/
• Q .What if I don't need a certified copy right now?
• A. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is offering free birth cards (smaller versions of birth certificates) to evacuees. You can get the birth cards from parish health units in the following regions: Alexandria, East Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. You can get the birth cards from Clerk of Court offices in Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Bienville, Catahoula, Claiborne, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, Lafayette, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Plaquemines, Richland, Sabine, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Tammany, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Carroll and West Feliciana. Go to www.lafayetteparishclerk.com, and click on Louisiana Clerks of Court for a complete listing of Louisiana Clerk of Court offices and phone numbers.

Car Title

• Q. How do I replace the title to my car/truck?
• A. If the title was issued by the State of Louisiana, Department of Motor Vehicles, you should be able to obtain a replacement from the Office of Motor Vehicles. Go to www.dps.state.la.us and click on Office of Motor Vehicles, Frequently Asked Questions, Title and Registration.

Credit Cards

• Q. I do not have my credit cards --how can I get new ones?
• A. Call the bank that issued the card to get a new one. It is a good idea to call the bank, even if you do not need a new card.  Many banks may be willing to waive some fees and payments due to disasters.

Family Law Court Papers

• Q. How do I replace my divorce decree?
• A. Contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted.
• Q. How do I replace my child custody order?
• A. Contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the order was issued.

Deeds and Mortgage Paperwork

• Q. How can  I replace my deed and mortgage papers?
• A. Contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where your property is located. If your deed or mortgage was filed with the parish, you should be able to get a copy of it there.

Federal Employment Documents

• Q. How do I replace my DD214 (separation document) from military service?
• A. The national Personnel Records Center can replace your DD214 in about 6 days. Go t www.vetrecs.archives.gov to request one. If you need to expedite the process, write "Katrina victim" on the bottom of the signature page, then fax the signature page to (314) 801-0763 or (314) 801-0764. If you do not have internet access to download the forms, you can fax a plain sheet of paper with the following information to (314) 801-0763 or (314) 801-0764.

1. The documents or information you need.

2. All the identification of the veteran available (full name, Social Security / Service number, birth date, branch, and approximate dates of service.)

3. The fax number or mailing address where the information should be sent.

4. Your name and your relationship to the veteran.

5. Your signature.

6. The veteran's signature or the signature of the deceased veteran's next of kin (if it is different than yours).

7. Your deadline for needing this information.

8. The nature of the emergency (ex. burial, medical care, VA loan, etc.) .

• Q. How do I get about information from my federal civil service records?
• A. If you are a former employee and need information about your federal civil service records, you may fax your request to (314) 801-9269. Include your full name, Social Security number, name of agency, and dates of service. Sign your request and include the fax number or mailing address where the information should be sent. Current federal employees should contact the Office of Personnel Management at www.opm.gov for information concerning your benefits and employment.

Identification, Louisiana Replacement Driver's License or Identification Cards

• Q. I have lost my Louisiana driver's license or Identification card. How do I get a new one?
• A. If you currently have a Louisiana driver's license or identification card, you can apply for a free reconstructed Louisiana card from the Office of Motor Vehicles. Download the application from www.expresslane.org or call 1-877-DMV-LINE (1-877-368-5463) to have an application faxed to you.
• Q. What information will I need to request a replacement ID? Is the state taking any precautions to guard against identity theft in this process?
• A. You will need to include your full name, birth date, race, sex, Social Security number, a "mail to" address and a telephone number, if possible. Your signature will need to be on your application. To guard against identity theft, the Office of Motor Vehicles will compare the signature on your application to your signature in the office database.
• Q. How long will it take for me to receive my reconstructed Louisiana ID?
• A. The Office of Motor Vehicles hopes to process and mail the reconstructed ID within 72 hours.

Identification, Permanent Texas Driver's License or Identification Cards

• Q. I plan to stay in Texas. How can I obtain a Texas driver's license or ID?
• A. In Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety is responsible for issuing Texas ID's and driver's licenses. If you have a valid Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama license or identification card, you may covert it to a Texas card at any Department of Public Safety driver's license office.
• Q. My license or ID has expired. What will I need to do?
• A. You must take and pass all required testing, as required by Texas law, to be issued a Texas driver's license. But if it has been less than 60 days since your license expired, you will be issued a Texas license without being tested.
• Q. It has been more than 60 days since my license expired, and I do not want to take a test right now, is there anything else I can do?
• A. You could request a temporary ID card, valid in Texas through January 1, 2006.
• Q. Is Texas doing anything to guard against identity theft in this process?
• A. Yes. Your identity will be electronically verified by comparing information from driver's license records from your home state, including your photograph and social security number.
• Q. Is there a fee to receive a Texas driver's license or ID?
• A. Yes. The cost is $24 for a six-year driver's license. Temporary ID cards are free.
• Q. I did not have a driver's license or ID before Hurricane Katrina. Can I get one now?
• A. You must have proper documentation, including a Social Security card and birth certificate, to be issued a Texas driver's license or identification card if you did not have one before Hurricane Katrina.

Identification, Temporary Texas Identification Cards

• Q. Can I get a temporary photo ID in Texas?
• A. Yes. The temporary ID will only be valid through January 1, 2006.
• Q. Can I get the temporary ID at any Texas Department of Public Safety location?
• A. No. At this time, only the following locations are able to issue temporary ID cards to Hurricane Katrina victims:
  Houston: 12220 S. Gessner Blvd. Mondays through Fridays: 7 am to 6 pm.
  Dallas/Fort Worth: Reunion Arena, Dallas Convention Center, Will Rogers Coliseum Exhibit Hall (Fort Worth), and Hurst Driver License Office (624 NE Loop 820). Mondays: 7:30 am to 6 pm; Tuesdays through Fridays: 7:30 am to 5 pm.
  San Antonio: 6502 New Braunfels. Mondays: 8 am to 5 pm; Wednesdays: 8 am to 7 pm.
  Austin: 108 Denson Drive.  Mondays through Fridays: 8 am to 5 pm.

Identity Theft

• Q. Should I worry about identity theft?
• A. Unfortunately, identity theft is possible during this chaotic time. You may want to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Contact TransUnion (800-888-4213), Equifax (800-525-6285), and Experian (888-397-3742). Placing a fraud alert on your credit report may slow down or deter criminals, but it may also slow down your ability to obtain credit, should you need to. The fraud alert will prevent you from applying for credit unless they are able to get in touch with you and confirm your identity.
• Q. Are there any other steps I can take to protect myself from identity theft?
• A. Yes. Protect your personal information like your Social Security number, bank account and credit card numbers. Be very careful about sharing this information with anyone, especially strangers who ask for it.

Immigration Documentation

• Q. How do I replace my immigration documentation?
• A. You can ask for replacement documentation forms. They are available in local US Citizenship and Immigration Services Offices. The forms to request replacement documents can also be downloaded from: www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/NewOrleans/aboutus.htm.

Insurance Documents

• Q. Can I replace my insurance documents?
• A. Yes. Contact your insurance agency. For flood insurance issued by the National Flood Insurance Program, go to http://www.floodsmart.gov, click on Help with Claims.   If you cannot reach your agent or your insurance company, or if you have problems with your claim, contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300, or (225) 342-5950 in Baton Rouge. An updated phone list of insurance companies is available at www.ldi.state.la.us.

Mail

• Q. Where is my mail?
• A. New Orleans mail has been sent to Houston. It is being held in trailers and vans in Houston. You can restart your mail service at the post office closest to where you are staying. Simply fill out a change of address form. For more information, call (800)ASK-USPS ( 275-8777), or go to www.usps.com to view your options under "Receiving Your Mail."

Medicare and Medicaid Cards

• Q. How do I replace my Medicare or Medicaid cards?
• A. You can ask for a replacement card at the Medicaid office in the state where it was issued. You can also request a new card at: https://S044a90.ssa.gov/apps6a/IMRC/main.html. If you need immediate proof of your coverage, visit your nearest Social Security office. Call 1-800-722-1213 for the office nearest you.

Shot Records

• Q. How do I get copies of my children's immunization records?
• A. Contact the local public health unit in the parish where the child lived. A listing of phone numbers and addresses can be found at: www.oph.dhh.louisiana.gov/ophregions.

Social Security Cards

• Q. How do I replace my lost Social Security card?
• A. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5. It can be downloaded at: www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html. You can also call 1-800-722-1213, or visit your local Social Security office.
• Q. I was receiving a Social Security check. How do I get it now?
• A. Go to the nearest Social Security office. To find a location near you, call 1-800-772- 1213. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency.

United States Passport

• Q. Who do I contact to replace my United States Passport?
• A. Call 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 , or go to www.travel.state.gov/passport .

Wills

• Q. My loved one has died, and the original will has been lost or destroyed due to the disaster. What can I do?
• A. If you have a copy of the will, the copy can be submitted to probate, if you are able to show that the original will was lost and the deceased person did not intend to destroy it. If a person dies and his or her will cannot be found, Louisiana law considers the person to have died without a will. If you do not have a copy of the will, you may try contacting the attorney who prepared the will.
• Q. I had prepared a will for myself. The original has been destroyed, but I have a copy of it. What should I do?
• A. It is best to replace the copy of your will with an original. Contact the lawyer who originally prepared your will about making a new one. It may be a simple process for your attorney to prepare a duplicate of your original will for you to sign. Your old copies should then be destroyed.