Find Orleans Parish Court Records

Orleans Parish court records are maintained by two separate clerk offices in New Orleans: the Civil District Court Clerk handles civil cases, land records, family law matters, and historical notarial archives, while the Criminal District Court manages criminal case filings and proceedings. Because Orleans Parish and the City of New Orleans are the same jurisdiction, all court records for the city are held through these two distinct offices.

Orleans Parish Civil District Court Records

The Orleans Parish Civil District Court Clerk's office is located at 1340 Poydras Street in New Orleans. This office is the primary keeper of civil court records for the parish and operates two main divisions: Land Records and Civil. The Civil Division handles all civil case filings, including personal injury suits, contract disputes, foreclosures, successions, and domestic matters such as divorce and child support. If a case is civil in nature and was filed in Orleans Parish, this is where the record lives.

The Land Records Division manages all property-related filings, including conveyance documents, mortgages, liens, and other real estate instruments. This division also houses the Notarial Archives Research Center, which is one of the most historically significant record collections in the United States. The notarial archives contain documents dating back to the 1700s, representing centuries of New Orleans legal and commercial history. Researchers, genealogists, and historians use this collection regularly.

Filing fee increases went into effect on January 1, 2026. If you are filing new documents or requesting copies, confirm the current fee schedule with the clerk's office before submitting payment.

The image below shows the Orleans Parish Civil District Court clerk portal, the primary online resource for civil case records and land filings in New Orleans.

The Civil District Court's website provides information on filing procedures, fee schedules, and the types of records available through each division.

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Records

Criminal case records for Orleans Parish are held by the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, located at 2700 Tulane Avenue in New Orleans. This court handles felony charges and serious criminal matters filed in the parish. The clerk's office at the criminal court maintains all dockets, filings, judgments, and related records for criminal proceedings in Orleans Parish.

If you need records related to an arrest, charge, plea, or criminal judgment in New Orleans, you will need to contact the Criminal District Court directly, not the Civil District Court. These are two separate offices with distinct records systems. Misdemeanor cases may be handled by the Orleans Parish Municipal Court or the First City Court, depending on the nature of the offense and when it was filed.

Note: Always confirm which court handled a specific case before contacting an office. Civil and criminal records are held separately in Orleans Parish, and the wrong office cannot access the other's records.

Types of Records Available in Orleans Parish

Orleans Parish has one of the most diverse and historically rich records collections in the Gulf South. Through the Civil District Court, you can access civil case files, divorce and custody records, succession (probate) files, personal injury case records, foreclosure filings, and land documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Notarial Archives Research Center adds a layer of historical depth unavailable in most other parishes, with records tracing back to the colonial and antebellum eras.

Through the Criminal District Court, records include felony indictments and bills of information, plea records, trial transcripts (held separately by the court), and criminal judgments. Sentencing records, probation orders, and records of dismissals are also kept at this office. Some older criminal records may be stored in archives and require advance notice or a specific request process to retrieve.

Under La. R.S. 44:1, public records in Louisiana include any document made or received in connection with public business. Most records at both Orleans Parish court offices fall within this definition and are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted.

How to Access Orleans Parish Court Records

For civil records, visit the Civil District Court at 1340 Poydras Street or call (504) 407-0005. Bring party names, case numbers, and the approximate year of filing. Staff will help locate the record and provide copies for the applicable fee. Certified copies are available for legal and official use and carry the court's official seal.

For criminal records, visit the Criminal District Court at 2700 Tulane Avenue or call (504) 658-9000. The same approach applies: bring as much identifying information as possible. Criminal case records are public under Louisiana law, though certain records such as juvenile files and sealed cases are restricted.

Mail requests are accepted at both offices. Write a clear description of the records you need, include party names and dates, and enclose payment for estimated copy costs. Response times vary based on office workload and the complexity of your request.

Under La. R.S. 44:31, any person has the right to examine and copy public records during regular business hours. You do not need to state a reason for your request, and the custodian may not require you to identify yourself in order to access a public record.

Land Records and the Notarial Archives in Orleans Parish

Orleans Parish land records are some of the oldest in the United States. The Notarial Archives Research Center, housed within the Civil District Court's Land Records Division, contains notarial acts, property transactions, and other legal documents dating to the 1700s. This collection is particularly valuable for genealogical research, historical property chains, and research into the legal and social history of New Orleans and Louisiana.

Current land records, including recent deeds, mortgages, and liens, are indexed and can be searched at the clerk's office or through online tools offered by the Civil District Court. All property instruments affecting title to land in Orleans Parish must be recorded with the clerk's Land Records Division to be enforceable against parties who did not have prior notice.

Under La. R.S. 44:32, custodians of public records must provide copies upon request and charge fees that do not exceed actual costs. This applies to land records as well as court case records held by the clerk.

E-recording services may be available for certain types of land documents. Check with the Civil District Court's office for current options and any requirements for electronic submission of recording documents.

Privacy and Restricted Records in Orleans Parish

Not all court records in Orleans Parish are open to the public. Juvenile court proceedings are confidential under Louisiana law and require a court order to access. Sealed cases are not available in public index searches. Expunged criminal records are restricted from public view by order of the court. Adoption records and certain family law matters may also carry confidentiality protections.

The Orleans Parish Juvenile Court, a separate court from the Criminal and Civil District Courts, handles matters involving minors. Its records are kept separately and have their own access rules. If you need records related to a juvenile proceeding, contact that court directly for guidance on what, if anything, can be released.

Under La. R.S. 44:33.1, any person who believes a public records request has been wrongly denied can seek judicial review of the denial. Both clerk offices must provide written reasons if they deny access to a record, and those reasons are subject to challenge.

Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from copies provided to the public, even when the underlying record is otherwise accessible.

State and Federal Court Resources Relevant to Orleans Parish

The Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal hears appeals from Orleans Parish and several surrounding parishes. Its decisions and dockets are accessible through the Louisiana Courts system. If a case from Orleans Parish was appealed, records of that appeal are at the Fourth Circuit.

The Louisiana Supreme Court, also based in New Orleans, hears further appeals and has its own records system accessible through the Louisiana Supreme Court's website. Federal cases involving Orleans Parish residents or entities are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and those records are available through the PACER system.

The statewide ClerkConnect and eClerks Louisiana portals provide search tools for parishes that participate in those systems. Check whether the Orleans Parish clerk offices are enrolled in either platform for expanded online access options.

Nearby Parishes

Records must be requested from the parish where the case or document was filed.