East Baton Rouge Parish Court Records

East Baton Rouge Parish court records cover civil, criminal, traffic, marriage, and land filings maintained by the Clerk of Court in Baton Rouge. The parish holds one of the most historically rich records collections in Louisiana, with archives dating back to 1782.

East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court

Doug Welborn serves as the Clerk of Court for East Baton Rouge Parish. The clerk's office manages all court records filed in the 19th Judicial District Court, including civil suits, criminal cases, traffic matters, marriage licenses, and mortgage and conveyance documents. You can reach the clerk by email at dwelborn@ebrclerkofcourt.org or by phone at the main office number listed below.

The main courthouse is located at 300 North Boulevard in downtown Baton Rouge. But this is one of the few clerk offices in Louisiana that operates multiple specialized locations within the same parish. Each division handles specific record types, so knowing which room or office to visit saves time.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court maintains several specialized divisions at the main courthouse. Criminal records are handled in Room B116 at (225) 389-3964. Civil processing is in Room 153, reachable at (225) 389-3967. The Mortgage division operates from Room B108 at (225) 389-3975. Suit records are also in Room B108 at (225) 389-3972. Family Court matters are handled on the fourth floor at (225) 388-5485.

The Archives division is located at a separate address: 444 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge. Call (225) 389-3988 to reach that office. This is where the oldest records in the parish are kept, including documents that stretch back to 1782. Few clerks in Louisiana can point to a collection that old, and it makes East Baton Rouge one of the most valuable research destinations in the state.

The clerk's official website at www.ebrclerk.com provides access to online search tools and e-filing services. You can also find forms, contact information for each division, and guidance on requesting copies.

The Clerk of Court website homepage gives a clear overview of the office and its services. The screenshot below was captured from that site.

The homepage links directly to search tools, e-filing portals, and division contacts, making it a useful starting point for any records request.

Note: La. R.S. 44:33.1 requires every clerk of court in Louisiana to publicize the name and contact information of its public records custodian. East Baton Rouge Parish complies with this requirement on its official website.

How to Search East Baton Rouge Court Records

There are several ways to access court records in East Baton Rouge Parish. Online search is the fastest option for most people. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies or older documents not yet digitized.

To search online, the clerk's office uses two systems. The first is Clerk Connect, a subscription-based portal that covers civil, criminal, traffic, and other court records. The second is the clerk's own e-search service available through the main website. Both allow users to look up case information, view filed documents, and in some cases download records. Searching the index is generally free; copies and subscriptions carry fees.

For in-person searches, visit the appropriate division at 300 North Boulevard during business hours. Bring as much identifying information as you can. A party name and a general date range will get you started. A case number is even better. The staff can guide you to the correct room based on the type of record you need.

Mail requests are accepted for certified copies. Send your written request to the mailing address at P.O. Box 1991, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1991. Include the case number or party name, the type of record, and a check or money order for the applicable copy fee. Processing times vary.

For very old records, contact the Archives division at 444 St. Louis Street. Staff there specialize in historical documents and can assist with research going back centuries. Not all pre-digital records are indexed online, so an in-person visit or a direct call to the Archives may be necessary for older cases.

Note: If you are unsure which division handles your record type, call the main line at (225) 389-7642 first. Staff can direct you to the right office and confirm current hours before you make the trip.

Types of Court Records in East Baton Rouge Parish

East Baton Rouge Parish court records span a wide range of civil and criminal matters. The 19th Judicial District Court handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil suits, family law matters, and probate proceedings. The clerk's office is the official custodian for all of these filings.

Civil records include lawsuits, judgments, injunctions, and contract disputes. Criminal records cover charges, arraignments, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing. Traffic records document citations and related court proceedings. Family Court records on the fourth floor deal with divorce, child custody, support orders, and adoption filings. Probate records handle wills, successions, and estate administration.

Land records are a major category in this parish. Mortgage and conveyance documents are filed with the clerk and go back to 1782. These records are used for title searches, property transfers, and lien research. The Mortgage division in Room B108 handles inquiries related to these documents.

Marriage licenses are also issued and recorded through the clerk's office. These are public records in Louisiana and can be accessed by anyone with a legitimate need. The archives hold historical marriage records along with older civil and criminal filings.

Note: Juvenile records and certain sealed court files are not available to the general public. Access to those records requires a court order or other legal authorization.

Online Access to East Baton Rouge Court Records

East Baton Rouge Parish offers two main online portals for searching court records. Understanding how each one works helps you find what you need without unnecessary steps.

Clerk Connect is the primary subscription portal for civil and criminal case records. Users can search by party name, case number, or date range. The portal provides access to case dockets, filed documents, and status information. E-filing is also available through Clerk Connect for civil and criminal cases. Subscription plans through Clerk Connect are structured as follows: a 24-hour pass costs $20.00, a 30-day pass is $65.00, and an annual 12-month pass is $780.00.

The Clerk Connect portal screenshot below was captured from the login page for this service.

Once logged in, users can search the index and pull up case documents without needing to visit the courthouse.

The clerk's own e-search service is available through www.ebrclerk.com and provides a separate access point for certain record types. This can be useful for users who prefer the clerk's direct interface over the third-party portal. Viewing record indexes online is generally free. Fees apply when you request copies or download documents.

For mortgage and conveyance records, e-recording is available through the clerk's office. This allows title companies and legal professionals to submit documents electronically rather than in person.

Note: Subscription fees and portal access terms can change. Check the clerk's official website at www.ebrclerk.com for the most current pricing and portal instructions.

Court Record Fees in East Baton Rouge Parish

Viewing court records in person at the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court is free. You do not pay to look at public records in the office. Fees apply when you request copies, whether paper or digital.

Copy fees in Louisiana are governed by La. R.S. 44:1, which sets the framework for public records access statewide. In East Baton Rouge Parish, copies cost $1.00 per page. This rate applies to standard document copies made by the clerk's staff. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee on top of the per-page rate.

For online access, subscription fees through Clerk Connect apply as described in the section above. These fees cover the cost of the portal service, not copies of documents. Some documents can be viewed online as part of a subscription without a separate copy charge, while others may require a download fee.

Mail requests require prepayment. Include a check or money order payable to the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court. Call the relevant division before sending a mail request to confirm the current fee for your specific record type.

Note: Fees for certified copies, exemplified records, or records requiring special handling may differ from standard copy rates. Confirm current fees directly with the clerk's office before submitting payment.

Public Records in East Baton Rouge Parish

Louisiana's public records law gives every person the right to inspect, copy, and reproduce public records held by government agencies. This right is established under La. R.S. 44:1, which defines public records broadly to include documents, data, and information held by any public body in the state.

Under La. R.S. 44:31, the right to inspect and copy records is guaranteed to any person who makes a proper request. The custodian of records must respond promptly. For East Baton Rouge Parish, the Clerk of Court is the designated custodian for all court records filed in the 19th Judicial District.

La. R.S. 44:32 outlines the process for making a public records request. Requests can be made in writing or in person. The custodian is required to provide the record or explain any legal reason for withholding it. In most cases, court records in East Baton Rouge Parish are open to the public without restriction.

The clerk's office confirms on its website that civil, criminal, traffic, marriage license, mortgage, and conveyance records are all available for public examination. This broad availability reflects Louisiana's strong public access policy for court records. Access is free; you pay only when you ask for copies to take with you.

Some records are exempt from public access. Sealed records, juvenile files, and documents protected by court order are not available to the general public. If you believe a record is improperly withheld, you may seek relief in court under the public records statutes.

Note: La. R.S. 44:33.1 requires the clerk to make the custodian's name and contact information publicly available. That information is posted on the clerk's official website.

Historical Court Records and the East Baton Rouge Archives

East Baton Rouge Parish has one of the oldest continuous court records collections in Louisiana. The Archives division, located at 444 St. Louis Street in Baton Rouge, holds documents going back to 1782. That predates Louisiana statehood by three decades. These records capture the legal history of the region under Spanish, French, and early American governance.

Researchers, genealogists, attorneys, and historians use the Archives regularly. The collection includes old civil suits, land transactions, probate matters, and other filings that reflect the legal life of the parish across centuries. Not all of these older records are digitized or accessible online. Many require a physical visit or a written request to the Archives office.

To reach the Archives, call (225) 389-3988. Staff there can help you identify what records exist for a given time period or party name. It helps to come prepared with as much detail as possible: names, dates, and the nature of the legal matter you are researching. The more specific your request, the faster staff can locate the relevant files.

For researchers working on family history or title chains in this parish, the Archives is an essential resource. Few clerks in Louisiana can offer access to records spanning more than 240 years. It sets East Baton Rouge apart from most other parishes in the state.

Note: Hours for the Archives division may differ from the main courthouse schedule. Call ahead to confirm availability before making the trip to 444 St. Louis Street.

Cities in East Baton Rouge Parish

Court records for cases filed in these cities are held by the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court in Baton Rouge.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border East Baton Rouge Parish. Records must be requested from the parish where the case was filed.