New Orleans Court Records

New Orleans court records are held across several courts in Orleans Parish, including the Civil District Court, Criminal District Court, and city courts. New Orleans is unique in Louisiana because the city and parish share the same boundaries, which means all court filings for New Orleans residents go through the Orleans Parish court system. Whether you need civil case files, criminal case history, or traffic records, this guide covers where to search and how to get copies.

Courts in New Orleans

New Orleans has more courts than most Louisiana cities. The main court for civil cases is the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. It handles personal injury, succession, foreclosure, and contract matters. The Clerk of Civil District Court keeps all civil case files. There are two divisions in the clerk's office: Land Records and Civil. The Land Records division holds notarial archives going back to the 1700s, which is rare for any American city.

Criminal cases go through Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. Traffic and municipal matters have their own courts: New Orleans Municipal Court and Traffic Court. First City Court handles small civil claims and certain misdemeanor matters. Each of these courts keeps its own records, so the court where a case was filed is the right place to ask for copies.

Note: Municipal and Traffic Court temporarily relocated to 1601 Perdido St. after damage from Hurricane Ida; check current hours before visiting.

Orleans Parish Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Civil District Court for Orleans Parish is the official keeper of civil court records in New Orleans. This office records and stores all civil case filings, judgments, and orders. The Land Records Division also keeps property and notarial records. Filing fees increased effective January 1st, 2026, so check current rates before you file anything.

First City Court has its own clerk located at 421 Loyola Avenue, Room 201, New Orleans, LA 70112. You can reach that office at (504) 407-0400 or by email at firstcityclerk@orleanscdc.com. First City Court handles civil claims and certain misdemeanors separately from the main Civil District Court.

For more details on the full range of records kept at the parish level, visit the Orleans Parish court records page.

Types of New Orleans Court Records

New Orleans court records cover a wide range of case types. Civil records include personal injury suits, contract disputes, succession cases, and foreclosures. These are filed at the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. The clerk's civil division keeps these files and can provide copies to the public.

Criminal records in New Orleans are held at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. This includes felony cases, misdemeanor cases handled there, and related filings like bonds and motions. Traffic records and municipal violation records are kept at the respective traffic and municipal courts.

Land records and notarial documents in New Orleans date back centuries. The Notarial Archives Research Center within the Civil District Court clerk's office holds these historical documents. This makes New Orleans court records especially deep compared to most other cities in the state.

Under La. R.S. 44:1, the Louisiana Public Records Law broadly defines public records to include all documents made or received in connection with official government business. Most court records in New Orleans fall under this definition and are open to anyone who asks.

How to Access New Orleans Court Records

You have two main ways to get New Orleans court records: online search or in-person at the courthouse. Both methods work. Which one you choose depends on what you need and how fast you need it.

The Orleans Parish Civil District Court provides an online case search tool on its website. You can search by party name or case number. This gives you basic case information at no cost. For full documents or certified copies, you need to contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person. The online search is a good starting point to confirm a case exists before you make the trip.

In-person visits let you see the entire case file. Staff can pull records, make plain copies, and issue certified copies. Certified copies carry an official seal and are often needed for legal or financial purposes. Bring photo ID and know the name or case number you are looking for. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find the right record.

Under La. R.S. 44:31, every person has the right to examine, copy, and reproduce public records in Louisiana. The custodian of the records must respond to requests promptly. New Orleans court clerks follow this law, so you do not need to explain why you want a record.

The screenshot below shows the Orleans Parish Civil District Court's First City Court clerk portal, one of the access points for New Orleans court records.

The First City Court clerk page lists contact details, hours, and filing information for small civil and misdemeanor cases in New Orleans.

Note: Online access may not cover older records that have not been digitized; visit the clerk in person for files predating the electronic system.

Court Record Fees in New Orleans

Fees for New Orleans court records depend on what you need. Plain paper copies are less expensive than certified copies. The clerk sets fees based on state law and local rules. Filing fees changed effective January 1st, 2026, so call ahead to confirm current amounts if you plan to file something new.

Under La. R.S. 44:32, a custodian of public records may charge reasonable fees for copies. For New Orleans civil records, standard copy fees apply per page. Certified copies cost more because they require a seal and clerk signature. Call (504) 407-0005 to ask about current fees before you visit.

If you have low income and cannot pay court costs, you may ask the court for a fee waiver. The clerk's office can tell you which form to use. Judges review fee waiver requests and decide whether to grant them based on financial need.

Public Records Access in New Orleans

New Orleans follows the same public records rules as the rest of Louisiana. The Louisiana Public Records Law, found at La. R.S. 44:1, gives everyone the right to see public records. Court records are public unless a judge has sealed them. Sealed records require a court order to access and are not available to the general public.

Some New Orleans criminal records may be expunged. An expunged record is removed from public access under Louisiana law. If you search and find nothing, it may mean no record exists, or it may mean the record was expunged. The clerk cannot confirm whether an expunged record ever existed.

For vital records tied to court actions, like birth or death records that may appear in succession cases, contact the Louisiana Office of Vital Records. For property records tied to civil judgments, the Notarial Archives in the Civil District Court clerk's office is the right place.

The Louisiana Supreme Court and its statewide databases also provide access to some New Orleans court records. The eClerks LA portal and ClerkConnect system cover multiple parishes including Orleans. These tools let you search across court systems from one place.

The screenshot below shows the Louisiana eClerks statewide portal, which includes access to New Orleans court filings along with other parishes.

The eClerks LA portal covers civil case records across multiple Louisiana parishes, including Orleans Parish and the New Orleans court system.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also have court records in Louisiana. Each city's records are held by the parish or city court serving that area.