What are Rapides Parish Public Records?
Rapides Parish public records are documents created by public agencies. These documents contain information on government activities, which should be open to the public unless containing sensitive information.
According to Title 44 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, public records can be in the form of photographs, tapes, maps, papers, drawings, memos, recordings, or documentary materials. Generally, an approved record custodian is responsible for maintaining and disseminating each public record in Rapides Parish. A record custodian in Rapides Parish can refuse to disclose a record if:
- It contains information involving legislative investigations according to (LRS §44:2).
- It contains records created by correctional agencies, law enforcement officials, and other 911 agencies (LRS §44:3).
- It contains information related to terrorist activity (LRS §44:3.1).
- It contains trade secrets or confidential, proprietary information (LRS §44:3.2).
- It contains information related to tax returns (LRS §44:4).
- It contains records of hospital patients in public facilities (LRS §44:7).
- It contains sensitive and private information about public personnel (LRS §44:11).
Rapides Parish Crime Statistics
The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, together with the Louisiana Incident-Based Reporting System (LIBRS), is responsible for publishing reports on crime statistics in Rapides Parish and other areas in the state.
According to the 2019 report, law enforcement agencies in Rapides Parish reported 1838 total index crimes. The total index crime includes 326 violent crimes and 1512 property crimes. Predominant crimes in Rapides Parish include larceny thefts (850 cases), burglaries (554 cases), and aggravated assaults (260 cases). Criminal activities like murder and arson recorded the least cases. Generally, crime in Rapides Parish appears to have reduced by 7.1% when compared to the crime statistics in 2017.
Are Rapides Parish Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records are open to the public in Rapides Parish. Rapides Parish criminal records, also known as rap sheets, reveal information on all persons convicted by local courts in the parish. Generally, the Rapides Parish Sheriff Office is the authorized record custodian of criminal records at the county level. However, residents can also obtain these records at the nearest court clerk's office. Requestors seeking to obtain criminal records at the sheriff's department should call the Criminal Records Supervisor on (318) 473-6858 or send an email to the supervisor. Alternatively, record seekers can send a written request to:
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office
Attn: Criminal Records
2005 Vandevelde Avenue
Alexandria, LA 71303
Criminal records are also available at the statewide repository maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. Requestors may choose to complete and send an authorization form to the department using the address below:
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
P.O. Box 66614,
Suite A-6
Baton Rouge, LA 70896-6614
Phone: (225) 925-6095
Another way to obtain criminal records at the state level is to use the Internet Background Check (IBC). Note that the IBC is only open to individuals who have successfully registered on the platform. Also, state background checks cost $26, while county checks cost $5.
How to Obtain Rapides Parish Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The sheriff's department of Rapides Parish allows residents to obtain police reports, arrest records, incident/case reports, and traffic records. Requestors can access these reports by phone, mail, or email using the address details below:
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office
Attn: Criminal Records
2005 Vandevelde Avenue
Alexandria, LA 71303
Phone: (318) 473-6858
Email: kdivers@rpso.la.gov
Each police department located in Rapides Parish also provides crash, traffic, incident, and other police reports. Interested persons should locate any of the nearest police departments below:
Alexandria Police Department
1000 Bolton Avenue
Alexandria, LA
Ball Police Department
100 Municipal Drive
Ball, LA
Boyce Police Department
404 Ulster Avenue
Boyce, LA
Cheneyville Police Department
201 Derboune Street
Cheneyville, LA
Forest Hill Police Department
4300 Louisiana 112
Forest Hill, LA
Glenmora Police Department
1000 7th Avenue
Glenmora, LA
Lecompte Police Department
1103 Wall
Lecompte, LA
Pineville Police Department
910 Main Street
Pineville, LA
Woodworth Police Department
27 Castor Plunge Road
Woodworth, LA
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Rapides Parish
Sex offender information in Rapides Parish is available via an online platform maintained by the Sheriff's Office. Generally, Rapides Parish sex offender information is available online for free. Furthermore, concerned persons can register their emails or telephone numbers on the sex offender information database. Rapides Parish sex offender information is also available on the central online database known as the Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry. The online statewide platform provides information on names and residences of convicted child predators and sex offenders.
How to Find Rapides Parish Inmate Records
The sheriff department in Rapides Parish provides an online search to interested parties seeking inmates in the local detention centers. Rapides Parish inmates records contain a list of current inmates found guilty of a crime or arrested by a law enforcement agency. The updated list contains names, subject numbers, races, genders, and detention centers of inmates in Rapides Parish. There is more information on each inmate listed on the platform, accessible by clicking on the inmate's name. The following are some details available on each inmate:
- Booking history of an inmate
- Personal details like ages and address of the inmate
- Bond number and amount
- Type of charges
- Date of offense etc.
Note that the local inmate search tool is not available for finding inmates serving time in a state correctional facility - only local jails. Persons looking for inmates serving time in state prisons must use the Louisiana State Department of Corrections inmate locator.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Rapides Parish Jail?
In Rapides Parish, the Corrections Division, a department under the Sheriff's Office, manages local jail centers, including three detention centers and one transitional facility.
Each facility has its sets of rules, visiting hours, and warden. As a rule of thumb, look up the general visitation rules and confirm the inmate's presence at the facility using the jail search tool. Then, contact the detention center's warden to schedule a visit. The contact details of each local prison are available below:
Rapides Parish Detention Center I
701 Murray Street
Suite 303
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 449-5465
Email: gcarmouche@rpso.la.gov
Rapides Parish Detention Center II
400 B John Allison Drive
Alexandria, LA 71303
Phone: (318) 449-4360
Email: kferrell@rpso.la.gov
Rapides Parish Detention Center III
7400 Academy Drive
Alexandria, LA 71303
Phone: (318) 449-4383
Email: pfunchess@rpso.la.gov
Rapides Parish Transitional Work Program
400-C John Allison Drive
Alexandria, LA 71303
Phone: (318) 449-4360
Email: wileyb@rpso.la.gov
Rapides Parish Court Records
Rapides Parish court records are documents containing details of events and materials submitted or created during court proceedings. These include court transcripts, affidavits, statements, and documentary evidence. Persons looking to obtain court records must first identify the court where the trial happened or where the case was filed:
- District courts
- City courts
- Justice of peace courts
- Mayor's courts
There is only one district court with general jurisdiction over criminal and civil court cases and exclusive jurisdiction over felony cases in the parish. Criminal and civil cases taken to the Rapides Parish district court are filed and recorded at the Clerk of Court's office. These court records are obtainable at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court's office or online. Other court records are available at the offices of each court clerk located in each local court.
Locations of Courts in Rapides Parish
Rapides 9th Judicial District Court
701 Murray Street
P.O. Box 952
Alexandria, LA 71309
Phone: (318) 473-8153
Fax: (318) 473-4667
Alexandria City Court
515 Washington Street
P.O. Box 30
Alexandria, LA 71309
Phone: (318) 449-5146
Pineville City Court
904 Main Street
P.O. Box 3671
Pineville, LA 71361
Phone: (318) 449-5656
Justice of the Peace Ward 2
3870 Highway 457
Alexandria, LA 71302
Phone: (318) 563-8421
Justice of the Peace Ward 3, 1st Just. Court
P.O. Box 106
Cheneyville, LA 71325
Phone: (318) 201-6891
Justice of the Peace Ward 3, 2nd Just. Court
P.O. Box 766
Lecompte, LA 71346
Phone: (318) 623-2035
Justice of the Peace Ward 4, 1st Just. Court
P.O. Box 194
Woodworth, LA 71485
Phone: (318) 201-1989
Justice of the Peace Ward 4, 2nd Just. Court
21 Science Hill Cemetery Road
Glenmora, LA 71433
Phone: (318) 748-4382
Justice of the Peace Ward 5, 1st Just. Court
157 Dixie Church Road
Sieper, LA 71472
Phone: (318) 793-4815
Justice of the Peace Ward 5, 2nd Just. Court
36 Ed Miller Road
Elmer, LA 71424
Phone: (318) 659-4357 (home)
Justice of the Peace Ward 6
257 West River Road
Glenmora, LA 71433
Phone: (318) 748-4493
Justice of the Peace Ward 7, 1st Just. Court
1681 Lena Flatwoods Road
Lena, LA 71477
Phone: (318) 793-4891
Justice of the Peace Ward 7, 2nd Just. Court
P.O. Box 45
Boyce, LA 71409
Phone: (318) 880-8341
Justice of the Peace Ward 8
3530 England Drive
Alexandria, LA 71303
Justice of the Peace Ward 10
4221 Aspen Court
Pineville, LA 71360
Phone: (318) 640-5073
Justice of the Peace Ward 11
88 Daisy Bell Lane
Deville, LA 71328
Phone: (318) 466-5329
Ball Mayor's Court
100 Municipal Lane
P.O. Box 800
Ball, LA 71405
Phone: (318) 640-9604
Boyce Mayor's Court
807 Londonderry Avenue
P.O. Box 146
Boyce, LA 71409
Phone: (318) 793-2175
Cheneyville Mayor's Court
802 Klock Street
P.O. Box 322
Cheneyville, LA 71325
Phone: (318) 279-2155
Fax: (318) 279-2266
Forest Hill Mayor's Court
4300 Highway 112
P.O. Box 309
Forest Hill, LA 71430
Phone: (318) 748-6300
Fax: (318) 748-8850
Glenmora Mayor's Court
1000 7th Street
P.O. Box 265
Glenmora, LA 71433
Phone: (318) 748-4885
Fax: (318) 748-4649
Lecompte Mayor's Court
1302 Weems Street
P.O. Box 649
Lecompte, LA 71346
Phone: (318) 776-5488
Fax: (318) 776-0004
McNary Mayor's Court
53 West Cady Avenue
P.O. Box 1197
Glenmora, LA 71433
Phone: (318) 748-8264
Fax: (318) 748-8524
Woodworth Mayor's Court
9363 Highway 165 South
P.O. Box 228
Woodworth, LA 71485
Phone: (318) 442-1198
Fax: (318) 487-6110
Are Rapides Parish Court Records Public?
Yes, Rapides Parish court records are open to the public, per the Public Records Law in Louisiana. Interested parties can request the records by contacting the clerk of court in person, by mail, or on the phone. It is also easy to look up Rapides Parish court records online.
Generally, court records contain details, evidence, documents, and other things linked to a trial or court action. Deeds, schedules, orders, judgments, and indexes, among other things, are examples of these records. Requestors should note that not all court records are open to the public.
These exemptions include patient or personal student information, some inquiry materials, and staff information. Note, however, that the Public Record Law prohibits the public from accessing any court records restricted by court order, state law, or federal law as confidential.
How to Obtain Rapides Parish Civil Court Case Records
In Rapides Parish, the district court, city court, or justice of peace court may resolve civil court cases depending on the nature of dispute and settlement amount. The court clerk at each local court is the approved record custodian of civil court records in Rapides Parish. Interested persons in search of civil court case records can visit the clerk of court in person, send a mail or email to:
Rapides Parish Clerk of Court
701 Murray Street
Suite 102
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 473-8153
Fax: (318) 473-4667
Email: info@rapidesclerk.org
The court clerk of the 9th district court in Rapides Parish also provides an easy online search for obtaining civil court records. Known as the Rapid E-search, the online platform is only available to registered users. Record seekers can use the rapid e-search to find civil court records created from October 1984 till date.
It is also possible to order civil court records via the online search tool. Interested persons can register on the Rapid E-search by choosing daily, monthly, or yearly subscription fees. Daily subscription costs $20.00 with a printing charge of $1.00 per page. A monthly subscription costs $60.00, while yearly subscribers pay $600.00. The printing charge of both monthly and yearly subscriptions is $0.75. After successful registration, requestors can search or print civil court records once they log in with user IDs and passwords.
How to Obtain Rapides Parish Criminal Court Records
In Rapides Parish, the district court, city court, or mayor's court, or justice of peace court may resolve criminal court cases depending on the nature of the crime. The district court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony cases, while misdemeanors and other violations of the ordinance are taken to smaller courts. The court clerk at each local court is the approved record custodian of criminal court records in Rapides Parish. Requestors in search of criminal court case records can visit the clerk of court in person, send a mail or email to:
Rapides Parish Clerk of Court
701 Murray Street
Suite 102
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 473-8153
Fax: (318) 473-4667
Email: info@rapidesclerk.org
The court clerk of the 9th district court in Rapides Parish also provides an easy online search for obtaining criminal court records. Only registered persons can use the Rapid E-search platform to find or order criminal court records. Record seekers can use the rapid e-search to find criminal court records created from January 1984 till date. Interested persons can register on the Rapid E-search by choosing daily, monthly, or yearly subscription fees. After successful registration, requestors can search or print criminal court records once they log in with user IDs and passwords.
What are Rapides Parish Vital Records?
Rapides Parish vital records are details of important life events created and maintained by the local health department. Vital records include divorce decrees, adoption records, marriage records/certificates, birth records, death records, etc.
Access to these documents is typically restricted to persons named on the document and immediate family members. Generally, residents often require Rapides Parish vital records for insurance, employment, proof of citizenship, government benefits, and school enrollment. Marriage and divorce records in Rapides Parish are available at the Recorder's Office. On the other hand, birth and death records are available through the State Registrar and Vital Records department.
Where and How to Obtain Rapides Parish Divorce Records
Rapides Parish divorce records are available to persons named on the record and immediate family members. Requestors can obtain copies of divorce records from the court clerks by sending written requests in person or via email.
Rapides Parish Recorder's Office
701 Murray Street
Suite 102
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 473-8153
Fax: (318) 473-4667
Email: info@rapidesclerk.org
All requestors must provide a valid means of identification and documents showing their relationship with the persons named on the divorce record. Furthermore, a requestor must provide the following details:
- Names of the divorced persons.
- The divorce date, i.e., when the judge finalized the marriage termination.
- Court location where the case was resolved.
Where and How to Get Public Rapides Parish Marriage Records
Rapides Parish marriage records are available at the recorder's office. The office is also responsible for issuing marriage licenses to intending couples. Rapides Parish marriage records are available at:
Rapides Parish Recorder's Office
701 Murray Street
Suite 102
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 473-8153
Fax: (318) 473-4667
Email: info@rapidesclerk.org
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Marriage Records in Rapides Parish
Marriage records in Rapides Parish and other communities in Louisiana are available to all individuals. As such, there are no confidential marriage records in the parish.
Where and How to Find Rapides Parish Birth Records
Rapides Parish birth certificates contain information like a person's birth date, location of birth, and birth parents. Louisiana laws restrict access to persons named on the birth certificate and immediate family members who can provide identifying documents. Eligible applicants can obtain birth records in person by visiting the Louisiana Vital Statistics department located at:
State Registrar and Bureau Director
628 North 4th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (504) 593-5100
Fax: (504) 568-8716
Email: dhh-vitalweb@la.gov
Available hours: From 8:00 am to 3:30 pm every working days
In-person requestors should come with their valid identification and payment (cash, money order, and credit/debit cards). Requestors may also download, complete, and send their application forms via mails to:
Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
Mail requests should be sent with proper IDs and payment via check or money order only. Eligible requestors should make the money orders or check payable to the "Louisiana Vital Records". Keep in mind that mail requests take between 8 to 10 weeks to complete processing. Also, a copy of the requested birth certificate costs $15.00. Requestors using the third-party agency approved by the Vital Records department to order birth records online or over the phone may pay more.
Where and How to Find Rapides Parish Death Records
Rapides Parish death certificates detail the dates of death, location, and other facts of parish residents when they die. These statistics are often collected by the local health department. In Rapides Parish and other parts of Louisiana, death certificates are only available to the record holder (whose name appears on the record) and all other persons with direct relation to the record holder. As such, eligible persons must provide valid means of identification to obtain Rapides Parish death records. Eligible applicants can obtain death records in person by visiting the Louisiana Vital Statistics department located at:
State Registrar and Bureau Director
628 North 4th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (504) 593-5100
Fax: (504) 568-8716
Email: dhh-vitalweb@la.gov
Available hours: From 8:00 am to 3:30 pm every working days
In-person requestors should come with their valid identification and payment (cash, money order, and credit/debit cards). Requestors may also download, complete, and send their application forms via mails to:
Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
Mail requests should be sent with proper IDs and payment via check or money order only. Eligible requestors should make the money orders or check payable to the "Louisiana Vital Records". Note that mail requests take between 8 to 10 weeks to complete processing. Also, a copy of the requested death certificate costs $7.00. Requestors using the third-party agency approved by the Vital Records department to order death records online or over the phone may pay more.
