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How to Find Public Records in Plaquemines County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Plaquemines County, Louisiana, may access publicly available information through PlaqueminesParishRecords.us, which aggregates data related to property, court, and other official records. Plaquemines County — formally designated as Plaquemines Parish under Louisiana's governmental structure — maintains a range of records through its parish offices, state agencies, and court systems. The records available may include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
- Meeting minutes and agendas of parish governing bodies
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and parish agencies.
Online Access:
- The Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court provides online access to court records, conveyance records, and mortgage records through its official portal.
- The Louisiana Secretary of State's office maintains an online business records database for entity filings and registered agents.
- Property assessment data is accessible through the Plaquemines Parish Assessor's Office online search tool.
- Some records require free account registration prior to digital access.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court to inspect records during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form if required by the custodial office.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Louisiana law, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within three business days of receipt.
Phone/Email:
- Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court: (504) 297-5180
- Plaquemines Parish Assessor's Office: (504) 934-6570
Official public records request forms are available through the Louisiana Division of Administration's online forms portal.
What Are Public Records in Plaquemines County?
Public records in Plaquemines Parish are defined under Louisiana law as all books, records, writings, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, and other documentary materials prepared, owned, used, or retained by any public body in the conduct of its official business. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1, a "public record" encompasses any document, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that is used or retained by a public body.
The following record types are currently maintained by Plaquemines Parish offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Clerk of Court |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Clerk of Court (Conveyance/Mortgage Index) |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Louisiana Department of Health / Clerk of Court |
| Tax assessment records | Parish Assessor's Office |
| Business licenses and permits | Parish Government / State agencies |
| Voting and election records | Parish Registrar of Voters |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Plaquemines Parish Government |
| Law enforcement records | Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Parish Planning and Zoning Department |
The Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court serves as the primary custodian for court filings, conveyance records, and mortgage documents. The Parish Assessor's Office maintains property assessment and tax records independently.
Is Plaquemines County an Open Records County?
Plaquemines Parish fully adheres to Louisiana's statewide open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, any person of the age of majority has the right to inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record. The statute provides that "any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record."
Louisiana's Public Records Law operates as a strong presumption in favor of disclosure. As the Louisiana Attorney General's office has stated, "The Public Records Law is to be liberally construed in favor of free and unrestricted access to public records, and any doubt must be resolved in favor of the right of access." Parish agencies are bound by this standard and may not withhold records without a specific statutory exemption.
Plaquemines Parish does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All public records requests submitted to parish offices are processed in accordance with the Louisiana Public Records Law, and the parish's governing body — the Plaquemines Parish Council — conducts its meetings in compliance with Louisiana's Open Meetings Law under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 42:11 et seq.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Plaquemines County?
The cost to obtain public records in Plaquemines Parish is governed by state statute and varies by record type and custodial office. Under Louisiana law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies but may not charge for the inspection of records.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.25 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of court records | Varies by document type |
| Certified copies of vital records | Set by Louisiana Department of Health |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law for standard requests |
- Inspection of records is free of charge at the custodial office.
- Certification fees for court documents are set by the Clerk of Court and vary by document type.
- Vital records certified copies are subject to fees established by the Louisiana Department of Health.
- Accepted payment methods at the Clerk of Court include cash, money order, and credit card (where available).
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for specific legal proceedings; requestors should inquire directly with the custodial office.
- Electronic records provided in digital format are subject to the actual cost of reproduction, including the cost of any storage media used.
Does Plaquemines County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Plaquemines Parish, as Louisiana law prohibits agencies from charging fees for the act of inspection. Members of the public may review records at no cost during regular business hours at the offices of the Clerk of Court, the Parish Assessor, and other custodial agencies.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Plaquemines Parish Assessor's Office provides free online access to property assessment data, including parcel information, assessed values, and ownership records.
- The Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court offers free in-person inspection of court records, conveyance indexes, and mortgage records at its public counter.
- The Louisiana Secretary of State's office provides free online access to business entity records through its commercial division database.
- The Louisiana Legislature's official website provides free access to all enacted statutes and session laws.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain personal records, such as a requestor's own court filings, may be reviewed at no cost during in-person visits.
Who Can Request Public Records in Plaquemines County?
Any person of the age of majority — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may request public records in Plaquemines Parish. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, the right to inspect and copy public records is extended broadly, and requestors are not required to be Louisiana residents or to provide a reason for their request.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Louisiana retain full rights to request public records.
- Identification: Agencies may request identification for certain record types, but identification is not a prerequisite for most standard public records requests.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for the majority of public records.
- Age: Requestors must be of the age of majority (18 years or older) to submit an independent public records request.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal court filings or property records — follow the same process as any other requestor.
- Restrictions: Certain sensitive record categories, such as juvenile records, sealed court files, and law enforcement investigative records, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
Attorneys, journalists, and researchers are subject to the same general access rules as members of the general public, though some agencies maintain expedited processing procedures for media requests.
What Records Are Confidential in Plaquemines County?
Not all government records in Plaquemines Parish are subject to public disclosure. Louisiana law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Law. The following record types are currently withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Louisiana Children's Code provisions.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state medical privacy statutes.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through specific legal processes.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Louisiana Children's Code.
- Personnel records: Employee records are partially exempt, with certain information — such as salary and job title — remaining public.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3 sets forth the primary exemptions applicable to law enforcement and investigative records, providing that records pertaining to pending criminal litigation or ongoing investigations are not required to be disclosed. Agencies applying exemptions bear the burden of demonstrating that the withheld material falls within a recognized statutory exception.
Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court: Contact Information and Hours
Office Name: Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court
Physical Address:
301 Main Street
Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037
Phone: (504) 297-5180
Website: Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Plaquemines Parish Assessor's Office
301 Main Street, Suite 15
Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037
(504) 934-6570
Plaquemines Parish Assessor's Office
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office
301 Main Street
Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037
(504) 433-1500
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office
Plaquemines Parish Registrar of Voters
301 Main Street
Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037
(504) 297-5220
Louisiana Secretary of State – Voter Information
Louisiana Department of Health – Vital Records
617 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
(225) 342-9500
Louisiana Vital Records Registry