Orleans Parish, Louisiana Court Records

Orleans Parish court records are generated when matters like civil disputes, criminal prosecutions, and domestic cases move through the judiciary system in Orleans Parish. These records are maintained by the Clerk of the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish. When looking up court records, it is also important to consider other public records that may be related to the case. For example, a warrant can lead to an arrest, which may end up as a criminal court case; however, arrests and police records are separately maintained by law enforcement. Likewise, birth, death, and marriage records in Orleans Parish are maintained by the Louisiana Vital Records Registry rather than the court clerk.

Are Orleans Parish Court Records Public?

Yes. According to Louisiana's Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:31, the public has the right to inspect, copy, or reproduce public records unless an exception applies to that particular record. This right of access also extends to court records, where Louisiana law provides specific rules for their examination and copying under La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 251. Regardless of the statutory provisions, information may be withheld or restricted by law or court order if it will compromise privacy or active proceedings. Examples include sealed or expunged cases, certain juvenile matters, and personal or health information.

What Information is Available in Orleans Parish, Louisiana Court Records?

The information available in Orleans Parish court records depends on the court where the case was filed and the case type. Examples include:

Case number
Case type
Filing date
Names of the parties
Court orders and judgments
Motions and pleadings
Hearing and trial dates
Docket entries
Attorney information
Sentencing or disposition information

Orleans Parish, Louisiana Court Records Search

Orleans Parish court records are maintained by different courts and clerk's offices depending on the type of case. The Clerk of Civil District Court maintains records for civil, domestic, and succession cases, while the Criminal District Court handles criminal cases. Juvenile cases are handled by the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court; municipal and traffic cases are handled by the Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans.

Online Access: Requesters can search for Orleans Parish court records online using the Civil District Court Clerk's Remote Access system, which provides access to civil case information and available scanned pleadings. Criminal case records can be searched through the Clerk Connect portal. Juvenile Court records are confidential by rule and are therefore unavailable through a public online search. Though court records in Orleans Parish are generally public, access varies by case type, and some records or documents may not be available online because of confidentiality or other restrictions.
In-Person Access: Requesters can also obtain records in person by visiting the appropriate court or clerk's office during business hours. The Civil District Court maintains records on civil, domestic, and succession cases, while the Criminal District Court handles criminal records.

Orleans Parish Civil District Court

421 Loyola Avenue, Room 402

New Orleans, LA 70112

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court

2700 Tulane Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70119

Orleans Parish Juvenile Court

1100 A Milton St,

New Orleans, LA 70122

Mail and Phone Requests: Records can also be requested from the appropriate clerk's office by mail or phone. The Clerk of Civil District Court can be reached at (504) 407-0000, while the Record Room can be reached at (504) 407-0036. The Criminal District Court Clerk's Office can be contacted at (504) 658-9100. Processing times and payment methods may vary depending on the type of record requested, so contacting the appropriate office beforehand can help confirm the requirements.

Fees for Court Records in Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Under Louisiana Public Records Law (La.R.S. 44:32), inspecting public records in Louisiana is generally free for examination or review, and custodians cannot charge a fee for public viewing or for determining whether a record is subject to disclosure. However, custodians may charge reasonable fees for making copies or reproductions of case files, including electronic copies.

According to the court fees schedule, plain copies of court records cost $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost $3.00 per page for documents requested from the Record Room. Parties may also receive up to three free copies of a dispositive judgment upon request when it is signed. These fees vary by record type and court, so contact the clerk's office before ordering copies.

Orleans Parish, Louisiana Courthouse Locations

Orleans Parish has several courts that handle different types of cases, like the Civil District Court, Criminal District Court, Juvenile Court, the Municipal, Traffic Court of New Orleans, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which handles federal cases from Orleans Parish.

Courthouse/Office	Address	Phone Number	Divisions/Case Type	Office Hours
Civil District Court	421 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112	(504) 407-0000	Civil, domestic, succession/probate, and related matters	Mon - Fri; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Criminal District Court	2700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119	(504) 658-9100	Criminal matters	Mon - Fri; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Juvenile Court	1100-B Milton Street, New Orleans, LA 70122	(504) 658-9500	Juvenile delinquency and child welfare matters	Mon - Fri; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Municipal and Traffic Court	727 South Broad Street, New Orleans, LA 70119	(504) 658-8500	Municipal and traffic matters	Mon-Fri; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana	500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130	(504) 589-7650	Federal civil and criminal cases and other federal matters	Mon-Fri; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Criminal Records Access in Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Official statewide criminal-history records in Louisiana are handled by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, not the parish court. Authorized criminal-history checks and a "Right to Review" process are provided by the Louisiana State Police for individuals seeking their own criminal-history information. The Orleans Parish Criminal District, however, maintains court records for local criminal cases. Requesters can check both Case status and docket information through the Clerk Connect Portal, which replaced the court's former Docket Master system. Certified documents, dispositions, and other records can be requested from the Clerk of Criminal District Court.

Orleans Parish, Louisiana Probate Records

Probate records in Orleans Parish document the legal process for handling a person's estate after death. They may include wills, successions, tutorships, interdictions, and other probate matters. These records are handled through the Successions section of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, rather than a separate probate court. The Clerk of Civil District Court makes records available for public inspection. Requesters can find information from 1985 to the present on the Online Records System. Some records or portions of cases may have access restrictions when confidentiality is required by law.

Orleans Parish, Louisiana Family Court Records

Orleans Parish does not have a separate Family Court. Family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and child support, are handled through the Domestic section of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, while adoption is handled separately by the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court.

Under Louisiana law, adoption records are confidential and accessible to the record subjects. Third parties must show good cause and obtain a court order to get access to an adoption record. The Clerk of Civil District Court provides online access to case information and scanned pleadings through its Remote Access System. Individuals can also request records in person at the Record Room counter or the appropriate section-head station at the Civil District Court, located at 421 Loyola Avenue, Room 402, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. Certified copies cost $3 per page, while uncertified copies cost $1 per page.

Federal Court Records in Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Federal cases, like federal criminal cases, civil disputes involving federal law, bankruptcy matters, and other federal proceedings, arising in Orleans Parish fall under the purview of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Records for these cases are maintained by the court's Clerk's Office.

Requesters can access federal court records, including filings and docket information, online through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), by searching by party name, case number, or filing date. PACER requires account registration and may charge fees for accessing certain records. Some federal court records may be restricted or sealed under federal law and, therefore, may not be publicly accessible.