What are Bossier City Public Records?
According to the Louisiana Public Records Law, Bossier City public records are records used, prepared, retained, or held by government agencies to transact or perform any official function. Public records may be books, writings, letters, drawings, photographs, recordings, memoranda, tapes, duplicates, and other types of documentary materials, regardless of characteristics or physical form.
The Louisiana Public Records law states that agencies must maintain public records and provide access to requestors. According to the law, no custodian should deny access unless the record is confidential or disclosure is against the public interest. However, some information contained in government records is exempt from public disclosure. The following are examples of exempt public records:
- Records created by agencies that manage, liquidate, or investigate firms, private businesses, or corporations
- Certain law enforcement records maintained by intelligence agencies, investigators, correctional agencies, public health investigators, or law enforcement officials
- Records used for investigations conducted by the legislature
- Security or investigative techniques or procedures, vulnerability or threat assessments, terrorist-related criminal intelligence information
- Arrest records before the arrestee pleads guilty or receives adjudication. However, information such as booking records, citation records, summons, bills of information, and initial investigative reports are not exempt from public disclosure
- Records maintained or received by the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification. However, some governmental entities and criminal justice agencies may obtain these records to the extent specified by law
- Records of tax returns, excluding the names and addresses of persons who obtain occupational licenses, and the details on the licenses
- Records with licensing bodies such as the Louisiana State Board of Nursing or the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, containing details of a person's eligibility to practice the professions they oversee
- A public employee's home address and phone number if the person requests confidentiality
- Records that contain a student's personally-identifying information
- Certain medical records
- All records considered confidential by law
In addition to official sources, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Bossier City Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes crime statistics for Bossier City as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In 2019, the UCR revealed that Bossier City reported 546 violent crimes, 3,225 property crimes, and one arson. Reported property crimes were 461 burglary offenses, 382 motor vehicle thefts, and 2,382 cases of larceny-theft, the city's most common offense. For violent crimes, the UCR's report showed 420 aggravated assaults, 72 robberies, 52 rape incidents, and 2 cases of murder and manslaughter. Compared with the UCR's 2018 figures, the 2019 crime statistics report shows that crime activity increased by 5.4%.
Are Bossier City Criminal Records Public?
According to Louisiana law (RS 15:587), eligible requestors may obtain copies of criminal records, including the parties named on the records and certain government agencies. Authorized persons may submit requests to the Louisiana State Police (LSP). The LSP provides Bossier criminal records online and via mail. Interested requestors may register on the LSP's Internet Background Check website to conduct online searches. Each record costs $26, payable by cards from American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa cards. However, searchers should note that the website is unavailable on Sundays, from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Eligible persons can also submit requests via mail. Each mail request requires an Authorization Form and a Rap Disclosure Form, completed with the record subject's full name and address. The request should also include a set of fingerprints, and a $26 cashier's check, money order, or business check made out to the Department of Public Safety. Applicants should submit requests to:
Louisiana State Police
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
P.O. Box 66614
Mail Slip A-6
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
How to Obtain Bossier City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Bossier City Police Department makes police reports and arrest records available to the general public through its Records Division. Interested members of the public may submit requests by mail or in person. A mail request should contain the following information:
- The complainant or victim's name
- Incident location
- Incident date and location
- Incident description
- Requestor's email address, fax number, or address
Residents may also provide the required information in person by visiting the Records Department. The division charges $5 for incident reports and $20 for accident reports. In-person requestors may pay with credit or debit cards (Mastercard or Visa), business checks, or money orders. Mail requestors may only use money orders or checks. The Records Division does not accept personal checks. All applicants should submit requests for Bossier City arrest records and police reports to the following addresses:
In-Person Requests
Bossier City Police Department
Records Division
620 Benton Road
Bossier City, LA 71111
Phone: (318) 741-8687
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Mailing Requests
Bossier City Police Department
Records Division
P.O. Box 6216
Bossier City, LA 71171
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bossier City
The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office provides public access to information on registered sex offenders via a sex offender locator. Anyone may find offender records by providing details such as an address, full name, internet name, email address, phone number, and non-compliance status. Information available on each offender includes a full name, aliases, registration number, level, status, photograph, and last verification date. The online database also contains a physical description, offense description, address, warrant details, and vehicle information.
How to Find Bossier City Inmate Records
Members of the general public can find inmate records online via the inmate search provided by the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office. Residents may find inmate records by entering the inmate's first name, last name, booking date range, and city. From the search results, record seekers can view inmates' names, booking numbers, address information, and physical descriptors. Other information includes charges and applicable bond amounts.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Bossier City Jail?
Prospective visitors must contact the Bossier City Jail to schedule visits. Visitors must be on inmates' approved visitation lists and may visit the jail according to the inmates' last names. Inmates with last names that start from A to L may receive visitors on Tuesdays, while others may receive visitors on Thursdays. On both days, visitation is between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. All intending visitors must arrive at the jail by 6:30 pm at the latest.
Members of the general public should note that the visitation schedule does not apply to attorneys and ministers. These persons may visit the jail at any time during regular business hours. However, their visitations cannot interfere with regular jail activities, such as meals. Inmates may receive two visitors each week. All visitors must present valid identification and submit to a search before entry. An intending visitor is not eligible if released from the Bossier City Jail within 30 days of their scheduled appointment.
Visitors must adhere to all jail rules. For instance, no one should appear intoxicated or smoke within the premises. The Bossier City Jail may withdraw visitation privileges from violators.
What are Bossier City Vital Records?
Bossier City vital records contain details of life events in the city. These records are government-generated documents that serve as evidence of events such as divorces, marriages, births, and deaths. Most Bossier vital records are available at the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court's office or the Louisiana Vital Records Office.
Where and How to Obtain Bossier City Divorce Records?
Interested persons must contact the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court to obtain Bossier City divorce records. Requestors may submit mail requests containing descriptions of the desired records. Each request should list the full names of each party to the divorce and the divorce date. The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court charges $1 per page and $5 per certified document. All interested parties should submit requests for Bossier City divorce decrees using the following information:
Bossier City Parish Clerk of Court
204 Burt Boulevard
Third Floor
P.O. Box 430
Benton, LA 71006
Phone: (318) 965-2336
Email: clerk@bossierclerk.com
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Where and How to Get Public Bossier City Marriage Records?
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court maintains Bossier City marriage records and provides copies to interested requestors. Interested parties can contact the Clerk's Office for a certified copy of a Bossier marriage license by submitting the names of the parties to the marriage, the marriage date, and other known details. Each request for a certified copy costs $5. Applicants may submit in-person or mail requests to the address below:
Bossier City Parish Clerk of Court
204 Burt Boulevard
Third Floor
P.O. Box 430
Benton, LA 71006
Phone: (318) 965-2336
Email: clerk@bossierclerk.com
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Where and How to Find Bossier City Birth Records
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court provides copies of Bossier City birth records to interested persons. However, Louisiana law restricts access to the person named on the record and a few other authorized persons. Eligible requestors include:
- The record's subject
- The record subject's current spouse, parent, adult child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild
- An attorney representing any of the above persons, with a signed authorization or representation contract
Each eligible person must provide details of the record, including the subject's full name, birth date, sex, and parents' full names. The requestor must also specify their relationship with the person named on the record, and submit a valid photo ID. Applicants should visit the Clerk of Court at the following address:
Bossier Parish Clerk of Court
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006
Phone: (318) 965-2336
Email: clerk@bossierclerk.com
Alternatively, applicants may send requests to the state's Vital Records Office. Each eligible person should complete an Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate with all the required details. Each certificate costs $15, payable by money orders or checks made out to Louisiana Vital Records. Applicants should also include a mailing address for the certificates, personal information, and a copy of a valid state or federal photo ID. All parties should mail requests to:
Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
Persons requesting birth records more than 100 years old should submit requests to the Secretary of State at the following address:
Louisiana State Archives
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
Where and How to Find Bossier City Death Records
Bossier City death records are available at the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court's office. Under Louisiana law, only the following persons may obtain these records:
- The decedent's surviving spouse as listed on the record
- The decedent's parent, sibling, adult child, grandchild, or grandparent
- A person named in court as a member of the decedent's immediate or surviving family
- A beneficiary of a trust or an insurance policy with a supporting document
- A succession representative with a Letter of Administration certified by the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court, or a certified Letter of Testamentary
Trust or insurance policy beneficiaries and family members named in court must submit requests to the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics central office.
Eligible requesters can visit the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court to submit information on the death records. Required details include the decedent's full name, death date, city of death, sex, parish of death, and both parents' full names. Submitted information should also include proof of a relationship with the decedent. Applicants should enclose completed forms with copies of photo identification and submit to:
Bossier Parish Clerk of Court
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006
Phone: (318) 965-2336
Email: clerk@bossierclerk.com
Bossier City death certificates are also requestable from the Louisiana Vital Records Office. Eligible persons should complete the Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate. Each request requires a completed application, state or federal photo ID, and a $7 check or money order made out to Louisiana Vital Records. Applicants should mail requests to:
Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
For Bossier death certificates more than 50 years old, record seekers should mail requests to the Secretary of State using the following details:
Louisiana State Archives
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
