Louisiana Property Records

What are Louisiana Property Records?

Louisiana property records are official documents containing detailed information about real property in the state, including ownership histories and details about current owners.

Property records commonly include deed transfers, title dates, mortgage documents, and other related documentation for any parcel of land within the state. The primary custodian of Louisiana property records is typically the Clerk of Court in each parish. However, property records are also maintained by the office of the Parish Assessor, and at the state level, through the Lousiana Division of Administration. Both offices are responsible for keeping a record of all documents relating to the transfer and sale of properties in their jurisdiction. Under the Lousiana Freedom of Information Act, copies of recorded documents can be obtained from custodians upon request.

Louisiana law provides for the formation of public databases that contain information about property transactions. These databases are run by government offices and third-party companies, allowing users to search for records based on various criteria. In many cases, these databases also provide access to digital versions of documents such as deeds and mortgages.

Are Louisiana Property Records Public?

Yes, according to RS 44:1 of the Louisiana state statutes, public record information, including property records, is open to review by interested members of the public. Generally speaking, it is only necessary to obtain permission from the court to access these records if there is an issue involving confidential information or sealed documents. It may be possible to view some non-public portions of a record through a court subpoena.

Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:

• The property’s exact location.
• The property owner’s details.

What Information is Included in Louisiana Property Records?

There are several categories of information included in Louisiana property records. These include:

• Property Identification Information - This includes basic information about the property, such as the street address, owner's name, parcel number, and legal description.
• Real Estate Tax Records - This includes records related to real estate taxes due on a particular property, including assessments and tax payments.
• Sale History - Included here is information regarding past sales of a particular property and associated details such as price, date of purchase, and buyers/sellers involved in the transaction.
• Deed Transactions – This section contains records about deed transactions, including title transfers between parties, mortgage lenders/borrowers, terms of use agreements, etc.
• Property Liens - Here, holders can find information about outstanding liens against a particular property, such as the name of the lien holder, the date of filing, the amount owed, and any legal actions taken to settle the debt.
• Building Permits - This section contains records related to permits issued by local governments for construction or renovation activities on a particular property.
• Zoning Information – Included is information regarding zoning restrictions for a specific parcel of land and any associated regulations or requirements.
• Ownership Records – This includes records about the current owners of a piece of real estate and any previous owners who may have owned it in the past.
• Environmental Records – This contains records related to the environmental condition of a property, including any hazardous conditions, pollutants, or contaminants found.
• Survey Information – This includes details on any surveys conducted on the property, such as boundary lines or topography maps.
• Utility Outages – This includes records related to utility outages in the area that could impact a particular piece of real estate.

On the whole, this information helps provide critical information necessary for making informed decisions regarding the purchase or management of a property.

Where to Search Louisiana Public Property Records?

Louisiana state residents may obtain property records from record custodians in the jurisdiction where the property is located. Typically, these records are held by the office of the County Assessor and may be accessed through their online portal (if available) or by making in-person or mail-in requests to the office. In selected cases, these records may be available through the office of the Parish Clerk, also known as the Recorder.

For instance, East Baton Rouge county residents can obtain property records by conducting an online search using the Assessment Tool of the East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor's Office. Searches may be conducted by parcel, name, property address, section/township/range, subdivision, and legal description.

How to Do a Property Records Search in Louisiana?

Per the Louisiana FOIA, state residents are entitled access to public property record information in the state. To access these records from their custodians, requestors will be required to provide information about the property's location, address, and the full name of the property owner.

Inquirers seeking property records may query the office of the Parish Assessor or use the Property Document Access Tool on the Louisiana Division of Administration website.

In Jefferson Parish, for instance, inquirers may request copies of property records from the Jefferson Parish Assessor's office. Requestors may visit the office during working hours to request these records or use the online index and search for the record of interest by providing the required search queries. For in-person or mail-in requests, the County Assessor's office is located at the following addresses:

West Bank Office
General Govt. Bldg
200 Derbigny St.,
Suite 1100,
Gretna, LA 70053
Phone: (504) 362-4100
Fax: (504) 366-4087

East Bank Office
Yenni Bldg
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd.,
Suite 901,
Harahan, LA 70123
Phone: (504) 736-6370
Fax: (504) 736-6378

How to Find the Owner of a Louisiana Property Using Public Records?

One way to locate a property owner in Louisiana is by searching through public records. Inquirers may search through the Louisiana Secretary of State's website or query record custodians in the county where the property is located. In this case, the requesting party will need to provide selected property-related information to facilitate the record search; this includes - the address of the property, its parcel number, and the tax bill number (if applicable).

What are Louisiana Property Records Used For?

Property records can be used by several entities, including lenders, buyers and sellers, property appraisers, and attorneys, for the following reasons:

1. Tax Records: Property tax records in Louisiana are managed and maintained by the parish assessor's office. These records provide essential information about a property, such as its value, ownership history, and any liens or encumbrances on it. They also help local governments determine how much tax to collect from owners for various real estate types.
2. Land Use Regulation: Property records in Louisiana can be used to enforce zoning laws, restrictive covenants, and other land-use regulations. These documents provide detailed information about the size and shape of parcels of land and what kind of use is allowed on each one. This helps planning officials ensure that residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses are properly separated.
3. Title Searches: Property records can be used to determine the legal ownership of a parcel of land and its title. This is important for buyers and sellers who want to make sure there are no hidden claims on a property before completing a sale or purchase, as well as for attorneys who need to research potential cases.
4. Mortgages and Loans: Many lenders in Louisiana require borrowers to provide documentation about their properties when applying for loans or mortgages. Property records can be used to prove ownership, which helps lenders assess the risk involved in providing financing. These documents also provide detailed information about any existing liens against the property that could affect its value or increase the lender's risk exposure.
5. Litigation: Property records are often used in legal disputes that involve ownership of land or other real estate, boundary disputes, and zoning violations. Attorneys can use these documents to determine which party has the strongest claim on a particular parcel of land or structure.
6. Estate Planning: Property records can provide vital information for individuals creating an estate plan or transferring their property to another person. These documents will help attorneys and families understand where the individual's assets are located and how they should be distributed after death.
7. Historical Research: Finally, property records in Louisiana can be used by historians and genealogists to trace the history of a particular piece of land over time, including its various owners, uses, and values. This type of research can provide valuable insight into the development of a particular community or region.

How to Find Louisiana Property Tax Records?

Property tax records are available from each parish assessor's office in Louisiana. You can contact the local office for more information about how to access these types of documents or use an online search tool to locate the documents you need. Additionally, some third-party providers offer access to property tax information as part of their services.