How to Search Louisiana Public Records

Louisiana's court, criminal, vital, property, voter, and licensing records are maintained across state agencies and the 64 parishes listed below. Use the tabs to filter by record type, or jump directly to any source.

  • Courts: The Louisiana Supreme Court sits at the top of the system; trial-court business is handled by the District Court (each of 64 parishes), Parish & City Courts. Most courts publish dockets and case lookups online.
  • Criminal history: The state's criminal-history repository handles official background checks. Fees and procedures are set by the state agency — see the linked official source.
  • Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the state Department of Health (or equivalent) and may also be available locally.
  • Property & recorded documents: Maintained at the parish level by the Assessor, Recorder, or Clerk's office.
  • Business filings: The Secretary of State (or equivalent) operates the official business-entity search.
Population
4,597,740
Households
1,779,100
Median Income
$57,852
Median Home Value
$198,100

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2024 Population Estimates Program; 2022 ACS 5-year)

Vital Records Databases

22 official Louisiana vital records sources.

Vital Records

Births | 1819-1913
Official Free
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Calcasieu Parish Marriages
Official Free
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court marriages from 1987 to present. Archived records cover 1911-1986. Registration required.
Death Records
Official Free
Louisiana Secretary of State death records filed since 1911. Does not include records that were filed less than 50 years ago.
Orleans Parish Divorces
Official Free
Paid subscribers may search the Orleans Parish Civil District Court's recorded documents database for conveyance, mortgage or court records;.
Orleans Parish Marriages
Official Free
Orleans Parish marriage records since 1831 from the Louisiana Secretary of State. Louisiana does not include records filed less than 50 years ago.
St. Tammany Parish | Marriages
Official Free
St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court marriage records by groom or bride name.
Caddo Parish Marriages
Official Free
Search the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court marriage records by name, date or book and page. Online indexes go back to 2/6/1919.
St. Bernard Parish Marriages
Official Free
Use this service from the St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana Clerk of Court to search for marriage records by name, book/page, file number, date range, etc.
Deaths | Cemetery Records
Official Free
Louisiana cemetery and interment records listed by Parish.
Jefferson Parish Obituaries 1972-1978
Official Free
Search this Jefferson Parish Library database for obituaries that appeared in the Times-Picayune newspaper between 1972 and 1978.
Orleans Parish | Births 1796-1900
Official Free
Louisiana GenWeb database of Orleans Parish births between 1796 and 1900.
Caddo Parish Divorces
Official Free
Search the Caddo Parish recorded documents database (mortgages, deeds, liens, judgments, etc.) to view mortgage, conveyance, chattel, civil, criminal and marriage documents. Requires registration and fee.
Orleans Parish Vital Records
Official Free
Orleans Parish vital records, including bible, birth, business, cemetery, courts, death certificates, divorces, marriages, and obituaries.
New Orleans Death Index | 1804-1972
Official Free
Browse New Orleans, Louisiana deceased by name or search by name or date of death.
New Orleans Marriages Index 1837-1857
Official Free
Browse New Orleans marriages appearing in the Daily Picayune by name. Gives name of spouse, date of marriage, and date/page number of the article.
New Orleans Marriages | 1846-1880
Official Free
Browse this New Orleans Public Library City Archives database by bride or groom name for New Orleans Justices of the Peace marriages between 1846.
New Orleans Obituary Index 1994-2004
Official Free
Browse New Orleans obituaries by date and name. Gives date published in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Louisiana Counties

All 64 Louisiana counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisiana's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. Parish-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.

Louisiana's court system is headed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the District Court (each of 64 parishes), Parish & City Courts. Many Louisiana courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.

The Louisiana Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.

The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some parish offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific parish page for details.

Louisiana vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the state Department of Health (or equivalent) and, in many cases, by local parish clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.

Most parish-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.

The Louisiana sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.

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