St. Tammany Parish Court Records

St. Tammany Parish court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court, with the main office in Covington and a branch in Slidell, covering all civil, criminal, and land filings for the 22nd Judicial District. The office uses multiple online systems, including Odyssey eFileLA and the reSearchLA portal, to give the public remote access to case records, land document indexes, and court dockets without requiring an in-person visit for every request.

St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court Office

The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court is led by Jessica Jenkins Brewster and operates two public-facing locations: the main courthouse in Covington and the Slidell Annex on the north shore. Both offices handle court record requests and public access to filings. The Covington office is the primary location for civil and criminal case processing, while the Slidell Annex serves the eastern part of the parish. Having two locations is a significant convenience given the size of St. Tammany, which is one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana.

The clerk's office is committed to maintaining professional and responsive service for both in-person visitors and remote requestors. Staff handle a high volume of daily business across many case types and are trained to assist the public in locating records quickly. The office also processes protective orders, though it does not process them after 3:00 PM, so plan accordingly if you need to file or obtain one that day.

Note: Protective orders will not be processed after 3:00 PM. If you need to file or obtain a protective order, arrive well before the close of business.

St. Tammany Parish Court Records Online Access

The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court uses several digital systems to provide online access to court records. The Odyssey eFileLA system handles electronic filing for civil and criminal cases, while the legacy land records system covers older property documents. The reSearchLA portal (also called WebROA) gives public access to the case index and allows you to look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney. Together these systems cover most of what you would need for basic case research in St. Tammany Parish.

There are a few things to know before using the online systems. Sealed cases and sealed documents are not available for online viewing through reSearchLA due to technical limitations. You will need to contact the clerk's office directly if you believe a record exists but cannot find it in the portal. Also, as of January 1, 2026, credit card transactions on the Legacy land records site carry a 2.75% processing fee. Budget for that if you plan to pay by card for land record copies.

The clerk's website is the best starting point for navigating the multiple online systems used in St. Tammany Parish. Check there first to find the right portal for your specific record type.

St. Tammany Parish Court Records Fees

The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court charges fees for searches and copies consistent with state law. Criminal background searches cost $20.00 per name searched. Standard copies are $1.00 per page. Redacted copies, where sensitive information has been removed per court order or statute, are $2.00 per page due to the additional processing required. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal and signature, cost $5.00 each and are needed when submitting records to other courts, agencies, or financial institutions.

For online transactions through the Legacy land records portal, the 2.75% credit card processing fee applies on top of any document or search fees. Cash and check payments at the in-person offices do not carry this surcharge. If you are making a large request and want to avoid the card fee, plan to pay at the counter or send payment by mail with your written request.

Note: Fees can change by legislative action or court rule. Confirm current rates with the clerk's office at (985) 809-8700 before submitting payment for a large records request.

Civil and Criminal Court Records in St. Tammany Parish

Civil court records in St. Tammany Parish cover cases filed in the 22nd Judicial District, including contract disputes, property litigation, family law matters, and succession proceedings. The volume of civil filings is significant given the parish's large population. Family law cases, including divorce, custody, and child support, make up a notable portion of the civil docket. Probate and succession records are also filed with the clerk and are public documents under La. R.S. 44:1.

Criminal records include felony and misdemeanor charges brought before the 22nd JD. The clerk maintains the criminal docket for all such cases, including charging documents, hearing schedules, plea records, and final dispositions. Criminal records are public unless sealed or expunged. The clerk's office criminal background search at $20.00 per name is a direct way to check for district court level case history in St. Tammany Parish.

Vital Records and Birth Certificates in St. Tammany Parish

The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court handles some vital records requests, including birth certificates and marriage licenses. These records require appointments, separate from standard court record requests. For birth and marriage appointments, call the vital records line at 985-873-8376 rather than the main office number. Walk-in service for vital records is not available without a scheduled appointment.

Birth certificates for parties born before 1983 often require electronic updating before a certified copy can be issued. The clerk's office has noted that this update process can take up to an hour or more due to the age and format of older records. Plan accordingly and avoid trying to get a pre-1983 birth certificate at the last minute. The staff will process it as quickly as the system allows, but you may need to wait or return for pickup.

Louisiana public records law under La. R.S. 44:31 and La. R.S. 44:32 governs public access and copy fees for most documents, though vital records have additional privacy protections that limit who can request a certified birth certificate.

Nearby Parishes

Court records must be requested from the parish where the case was filed.