St. Landry County Public Records

What Are Public Records in St. Landry County?

Public records in St. Landry Parish (county) are defined under the Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1, which states that public records include "all books, records, writings, accounts, letters and letter books, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers...prepared, possessed, or retained for use in the conduct of public business." These records are maintained by various parish offices and are generally accessible to the public.

St. Landry Parish maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the St. Landry Parish Tax Assessor
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of parish council meetings, board meetings, and commission proceedings
Budget and Financial Documents: Parish financial statements, budgets, and expenditure reports
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans

The St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly court and property records. Other records are maintained by specific parish departments, such as the Assessor's Office for property assessments and the Registrar of Voters for election records.

Is St. Landry County an Open Records County?

St. Landry Parish adheres to the Louisiana Public Records Law, which establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the state. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record," establishing a presumption of openness for government records.

The law specifically states in § 44:31(B)(1) that "any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce or obtain a reproduction of any public record," except as otherwise provided by law. This provision underscores Louisiana's commitment to government transparency and public access to information.

St. Landry Parish complies with these state requirements and does not maintain separate parish-specific ordinances that would further restrict or expand access beyond state law. The parish also adheres to Louisiana's Open Meetings Law (R.S. § 42:11-28), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public.

Parish officials are bound by the statutory timelines established in the Public Records Law, which generally requires that records be produced immediately if they are in active use or otherwise within three business days of the request. Any denial of access must be in writing and must cite the specific legal authority for withholding the records.

How to Find Public Records in St. Landry County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from St. Landry Parish may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:

Identify the Appropriate Office: Determine which parish office maintains the records you seek. The St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court maintains court records, property records, and marriage licenses. The Assessor's Office maintains property tax records, while the Registrar of Voters maintains voter registration information.
Submit a Written Request: While verbal requests are permitted under Louisiana law, a written request is recommended for documentation purposes. Include specific details about the records sought, including names, dates, and case numbers if applicable.
Visit in Person: Many records can be accessed by visiting the appropriate office during regular business hours. The Clerk of Court's office provides public access terminals for searching court and property records.
Check Online Resources: Some records are available through the parish's online portals. The Clerk of Court offers subscription-based access to certain court records, while property tax information may be searchable through the Assessor's website.
Submit a Formal Public Records Request: For records not readily available, submit a formal public records request to the custodian of the records. Under Louisiana law, the custodian must respond promptly, typically within three business days.
Pay Applicable Fees: Be prepared to pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents. Fee schedules are typically posted at each office.
Appeal if Necessary: If a request is denied, the requester may appeal the decision through legal channels, including filing a writ of mandamus in district court as provided by Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:35.

For court records, the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court maintains a public access system at their office in Opelousas. Property records can be searched through the Clerk's land records division, and vital records such as marriage licenses are also available through this office.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Landry County?

St. Landry Parish offices charge fees for copies of public records in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, which permits reasonable fees for copies of public records. The current fee structure for various records includes:

Standard Paper Copies: $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the office and record type
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 to $10.00 certification fee
Marriage Licenses: $27.50 for a certified copy
Property Records: $1.00 per page for copies of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
Court Records: $0.50 per page for copies of court documents, with additional fees for certified copies
Research Fees: Some offices charge research fees of $15.00 to $25.00 per hour if extensive staff time is required

Payment methods accepted by most parish offices include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Money orders
Cashier's checks
Personal checks (from local banks, with proper identification)
Credit/debit cards (at some offices, with a processing fee)

Louisiana law (R.S. § 44:32(C)) specifies that fees must be reasonable and cannot exceed the actual cost of providing the copies. The law also states that examination of records must be free of charge, and any person shall have the right to examine public records during regular office hours.

For electronic records that can be transmitted electronically, some offices may waive copying fees if the records can be emailed. However, this practice varies by department and record type.

Does St. Landry County Have Free Public Records?

St. Landry Parish provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, which states that "the custodian shall present any public record to any person of the age of majority who so requests." This means that while copies may incur fees, the public has the right to examine records at no cost during regular business hours.

The following free public record services are available:

In-Person Inspection: All public records may be inspected free of charge at the office where they are maintained during regular business hours
Online Access: Some basic information is available at no cost through the St. Landry Parish government website
Public Meeting Minutes: Minutes of parish council meetings and other public bodies are typically available for review at no cost
Voter Registration Verification: Basic voter registration status can be checked for free through the Secretary of State's website
Property Ownership Verification: Basic property ownership information may be viewed for free at the Assessor's Office

The Louisiana Secretary of State also provides free access to certain records, including corporation and business entity filings, through their online database. Additionally, the parish library system offers free public computer access where residents can search various online government resources.

It's important to note that while inspection is free, any copies or certified documents will incur the standard fees as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, if a request requires extensive research or preparation time, the parish may charge for the staff time required to fulfill the request.

Who Can Request Public Records in St. Landry County?

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority" may request public records in St. Landry Parish. This broad eligibility requirement means that:

Louisiana residency is not required to request public records
Requesters do not need to state a reason or purpose for their request
Identification is generally not required for basic record requests, though it may be needed for certain sensitive records
Non-citizens of the United States have the same rights to access public records as citizens

However, certain limitations apply to specific record types:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates have restricted access. Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a legitimate legal interest may obtain these records.
Juvenile Court Records: These records are confidential under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412 and are only accessible to specific parties to the proceedings, parents, and legal representatives.
Medical Records: Protected by federal HIPAA regulations and state privacy laws.
Ongoing Criminal Investigations: Access may be restricted while investigations are active.

When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on the record type and applicable privacy laws.

Government agencies, researchers, attorneys, and media representatives have the same basic rights of access as individual members of the public, though certain professional categories may have enhanced access rights to specific record types under various provisions of state law.

What Records Are Confidential in St. Landry County?

St. Landry Parish maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:4 and other applicable state and federal laws. These confidential records are exempt from public disclosure and include:

Juvenile Court Records: Protected under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412, these records are confidential with limited exceptions for parties to the proceedings.
Adoption Records: Sealed by court order and accessible only through court proceedings.
Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations: Confidential under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 615.
Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected by HIPAA and state privacy laws.
Social Security Numbers and Personal Financial Information: Redacted from public records to prevent identity theft.
Active Criminal Investigation Records: Temporarily exempt while investigations are ongoing.
Attorney-Client Communications: Protected by legal privilege.
Personnel Records: Certain aspects of employee files, including medical information, home addresses, and personal phone numbers.
Student Records: Protected under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
Library Patron Records: Reading histories and borrowing records are confidential under state law.
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Business Information: When submitted to government agencies.
Security Plans and Infrastructure Details: Information that could compromise public safety if disclosed.

Louisiana law requires agencies to apply a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3.1, if the custodian determines that the requested record contains confidential information, they may separate or redact that information and make the remainder of the record available for inspection.

When records contain both public and confidential information, the parish will typically redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, rather than withholding the entire document.

St. Landry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court
118 S. Court Street, Suite 101
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 942-5606
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

St. Landry Parish Assessor's Office
118 S. Court Street, Suite 103
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 942-2477
Official Website: St. Landry Parish Assessor

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

St. Landry Parish Registrar of Voters
118 S. Court Street, Suite 114
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 948-0572
Official Website: St. Landry Parish Registrar of Voters

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office
108 S. Market Street
Opelousas, LA 70571
Phone: (337) 948-5804
St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office

Hours of Operation:
Administrative Offices: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Records Division: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
24-hour emergency services available

Lookup Public Records in St. Landry County

St. Landry Parish - The official website of Louisiana

Louisiana Secretary of State

St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office

Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature