How to Search Louisiana Recorded Documents (Start Here)

Recorded documents in Louisiana — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the Clerk of Court (Conveyance Office) in each parish.

What this page covers: Louisiana recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).

Where to start: Go to the Clerk of Court (Conveyance Office) in the parish where the property is located. Many parish clerk of court (conveyance office)s offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.

Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.

County equivalent
Parish (64 parishes)
Recorder of deeds
Parish Clerk of Court (Custodian of Notarial Records in Orleans)
Indexed in
Mortgage Records + Conveyance Records (two parallel books)
UCC-1 (non-real-estate)
Louisiana Secretary of State
Legal system
Civil law (Napoleonic Code), not common law
Number of parishes
64

How Louisiana Recorded Documents Work — Deep Dive

Parish Clerks of Court — Louisiana's recorder of deeds

Each of Louisiana's 64 parishes elects a Clerk of Court who serves as the recorder of real-property and related documents. Jefferson Parish's Mortgage & Conveyance/UCC division publishes a full description of the document types handled — sales, mortgages, building contracts, judgments, oil-and-gas leases — and the indexing scheme [jpclerkofcourt.us]. Calcasieu Parish maintains a UCC records portal showing the typical fee schedule and how to request certified copies [calcasieuclerk.gov]. Smaller parishes (e.g., Natchitoches, Bienville) provide in-person and limited online access to their indexes.

Two parallel indexes — Mortgages and Conveyances

Unlike most states' single grantor/grantee index, Louisiana law preserves the historic French-civil-law division between the Mortgage Records (covering mortgages, judicial liens, building-contract bonds, and other security devices) and the Conveyance Records (covering sales, donations, exchanges, leases over 90 days, and other transfers of ownership). A title examiner must search both books in the parish where the property is located. Each book is independently indexed by name, instrument type and date.

UCC and business filings — Secretary of State

While mortgages on real property and fixture filings are recorded with the parish Clerk of Court, freestanding UCC-1 financing statements on personal property (equipment, inventory, accounts) are filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State through the File UCC Online portal. Searches of pending and lapsed UCCs are available there as well — this is the same office that handles corporate, LLC and nonprofit filings.

Which Louisiana parishes publish deed and recording indexes online

10 of Louisiana's 64 parishes run their own online source for deed and recording indexes, based on what this directory indexes. Every other parish is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a parish for its full records page.

Frequently Asked Questions: Louisiana Recorded Documents

Parishes. Louisiana is the only U.S. state that does not use the term "county" — its 64 subdivisions are called parishes, a legacy of its French/Spanish colonial church-parish boundaries.

The elected Clerk of Court in each of Louisiana's 64 parishes is the recorder of deeds and mortgages. In Orleans Parish the function is split with the Custodian of Notarial Records and the Land Records Division [jpclerkofcourt.us].

Conveyance Records hold transfers of ownership (sales, donations, exchanges, long leases). Mortgage Records hold encumbrances and security interests (mortgages, judicial liens, surety bonds). Louisiana title examiners must check both — the indexes are independent.

Statewide UCC-1 financing statements (non-real-estate) are filed and searched at the Louisiana Secretary of State File UCC Online portal.

Larger parishes (Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, Lafayette, Calcasieu, Orleans) publish online indexes; many require a paid subscription to view document images. Smaller parishes are typically search-in-person at the Clerk of Court office.

Last reviewed:
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Louisiana recorded documents URL verified against the official state publisher at www.sos.la.gov on the review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

Louisiana Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)

Deeds, mortgages, UCC filings, liens, military discharges in Louisiana — what gets recorded and where in 2026.
County
Where deeds live
Permanent record
SoS
Where UCC live
Secretary of State
Article 9
UCC governs
Secured transactions
Public
Most recorded docs
With redaction
Federal
DD-214 / IRS liens
National-level
Common recorded document types — typical volume
Deeds
100
Mortgages
95
Liens (property)
70
UCC (business)
55
Powers of attorney
25
Military DD-214
10
Unit: relative volume (deeds=100).

What Changed in 2026 — Louisiana Recorded Documents

2026
Louisiana recorded documents portal active
The official Louisiana portal at www.sos.la.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for recorded documents in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for recorded documents
The NASS UCC Filings overview at www.nass.org provides federal-level context that complements Louisiana state records.
2026
Louisiana access in 2026
For 2026, Louisiana continues to publish recorded documents information through state-authorized portals; check www.sos.la.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Louisiana's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 5-Type Louisiana Recorded Documents Map

1
Type 1 — Real property (Deeds, Mortgages)
Louisiana County Recorder / Register of Deeds. Permanent record.
2
Type 2 — UCC (business collateral)
Most filed with Louisiana Secretary of State. Some real-estate UCCs are county.
3
Type 3 — Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
Property liens at the county. IRS federal tax liens may file at county OR state.
4
Type 4 — Personal documents (POA, military DD-214)
Often optional county recording in Louisiana for safekeeping. Originals at federal NPRC.
5
Type 5 — Maps & subdivisions
Louisiana county recorder; some at state mapping office.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Louisiana Recorded Documents

MYTH"Recording a deed is what makes it valid."
FACTRecording gives the world notice — it doesn't make the deed good or bad. An unrecorded deed can still bind the people who signed it.
MYTH"Everything about a property is recorded."
FACTOnly what someone chose to file. Unrecorded agreements, family handshakes, and old paper deeds exist everywhere — the index shows filings, not the whole story.
MYTH"E-recording is a public search tool."
FACTE-recording is the submission pipe for title companies and lenders. The public searches the index — the two systems just meet at the recorder's desk.
MYTH"If the index shows it, the image is free."
FACTPlenty of counties show the index for free and charge per page for the document image. Budget for the image, not the search.
MYTH"The online index goes back forever."
FACTMost Louisiana counties' online indexes reach back a few decades at best. Before that it's microfilm and deed books, and often a trip to the courthouse.

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Recorded Documents Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Recorded docs
Sample Louisiana counties: Acadia · Allen · Ascension · Assumption · Avoyelles

Recorded Documents Databases

17 official Louisiana recorded documents sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Recorded Documents

Filing & Recording | DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court
Official Paid
This is the court-records channel for DeSoto Parish: case searches and docket details. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 desotoparishclerk.org
Recording | Departments - Jackson Parish Clerk of Court
Official Paid
This is the court-records channel for Jackson Parish: case searches and docket details. Confirm details with the official recorded document office before relying on them.
🌐 jacksonparishclerk.org
Mortgage & Conveyance/UCC « Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court
Official Free
The office records all real estate transfers, mortgages, liens, judgments, releases, etc. affecting all immovable property located in Jefferson Parish. Additionally, the office records military discharges, medical certificates, corporation charters, partnerships, business trade name affidavits, and documents concerning oil and gas or other mineral leases, interest transfers, and liens.
🌐 jpclerkofcourt.us
Lincoln Parish Louisiana Home Page | Lincoln Parish Louisiana
Official Paid
The land-records trail for Lincoln Parish runs through here: recorded deeds, liens, and related filings. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 lincolnparish.org
Mortgages - Conveyances - Documents - Livingston Parish
Official Paid
This office maintains the official recorded-document index for Livingston Parish. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 livclerk.org
First City Court Clerk Online Court — Orleans Civil District Court Online Court
Official Paid
The First City Court for the Parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana is a court of limited jurisdiction. The territorial jurisdiction of First City Court is the Eastbank of Orleans Parish. The First City Court Clerk's Office is the clerical and processing branch of the First City Court. The Clerk's Office is the initial step when filing lawsuits within the jurisdiction of First City Court. The office is charged with the responsibility of recording, filing, and maintaining the proceedings of First City Court and is the repository of the court’s case files, dockets, and other journals relating…
🌐 orleanscivildistrictcourt.org
Introduction - STPCC Recording Activity Alerts
Official Free
We strongly encourage all residents to sign up for eClerksLA Alerts, which offers the ability to receive recording alerts across all 64 Louisiana parishes with a single account. ... Monitor recording activity on your property and identity with Recording Activity Alerts from the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court.
🌐 ssl.sttammanyclerk.org
Bossier Clerk of Court - Home
Official Paid
For your benefit, you will find ... transaction or recording will be located on the fees page. Please Note: We cannot respond to specific or general legal questions or issues. We can only respond to specific questions about the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court...
🌐 bossierclerk.com
Iberia Parish Clerk Of Court - 16th Judicial District Court of Louisiana
Official Paid
Welcome to the Clerk of Court Office where we provide timely access to those in need of records, information, and documents. Know where to Vote Check Your Court Date Fraud Alerts Public Notices · The Clerk of Court’s office does not receive ad valorem taxes. Our office operates through fees collected for the services we provide. The fee schedules are set by the Louisiana Legislature. "The Iberia Parish Clerk of Court Office is dedicated to serving those within the court and legal system.
🌐 iberiaclerk.com
records.stbclerk.com
Official Free
Welcome to the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court Public Records Search · Subscription Pricing
🌐 records.stbclerk.com
Online Access – Sabine Parish Clerk of Court
Official Paid
Yes, even our oldest indices and record book images are online. Click the tab “Index Prior to 1964” to search and view: Conveyance Indices and Images from 1843–1963 & Mortgage Indices and Images from 1843–1968. The following address is a link to the Louisiana Clerks of Court Statewide Portal to access Conveyance & Mortgage Indices and Marriage Indices for participating parishes. Document ...
🌐 sabineparishclerk.com
state of louisiana - parish of caddo - first judicial district court
Official Paid
Court case information for Louisiana — dockets, hearing dates, and case lookups. Confirm details with the official recorded document office before relying on them.
🌐 caddoclerk.com
Login — cotthosting.com
Official Paid
It is our goal to bring the information you need to your office thus saving you the time and expense of visiting ours. We are delighted to provide this new and improved service to users of our office. If we can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.
🌐 cotthosting.com
Addresses & Directions | Find Directions Easily — Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court
Official Paid
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court is located in the parish seat of Lafayette. Lafayette Parish is one of the three parishes of the Fifteenth Judicial District of Louisiana .
🌐 lpclerk.com