Access St. Bernard Parish Public Records
St. Bernard Parish public records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Chalmette, Louisiana, and cover civil court cases, criminal filings, land conveyances, mortgage documents, and marriage licenses for this parish just southeast of New Orleans. Under La. R.S. 44:1 and Louisiana Constitution Article XII, Section 3, any person has the right to inspect and copy records held by public bodies in this state. This page explains how to find St. Bernard Parish public records, what is available online, and how to request documents from the Chalmette courthouse.
St. Bernard Parish Quick Facts
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court is the official custodian of public records for this parish. The office is located at the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse, 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA 70043. Phone: (504) 278-4242. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, except on legal holidays. Mail requests may be sent to the same address on West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette.
St. Bernard Parish is served by the 34th Judicial District Court, which covers St. Bernard Parish alone. All civil and criminal cases originating in the parish are filed in the 34th JDC, and the clerk in Chalmette maintains those records. With a population of around 47,000, St. Bernard Parish generates a steady flow of court filings, property records, and marriage licenses each year.
When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, St. Bernard Parish was one of the hardest-hit areas in Louisiana. Significant flooding affected the courthouse and surrounding buildings. Some historical records were damaged or lost. The clerk's office has worked to restore and digitize records where possible, but researchers looking for documents from before 2005 should call (504) 278-4242 first to confirm what is available.
The LCRAA statewide clerks portal at laclerksportal.org includes St. Bernard Parish public records in its free index of filings from all 64 Louisiana parishes.
This portal is a useful first step when searching for St. Bernard Parish records before contacting the Chalmette courthouse directly.
Online Access to St. Bernard Parish Records
St. Bernard Parish public records can be searched online through the LCRAA statewide portal at laclerksportal.org. This free index covers civil filings, criminal case records, and property documents from St. Bernard Parish and every other Louisiana parish. Searches by name, case number, or date are available at no cost.
The ClerkConnect platform provides subscription-based remote access to St. Bernard Parish records for attorneys, title companies, and others who need regular online access. eClerks LA is another platform that covers clerk records from parishes across Louisiana, including St. Bernard. These tools reduce the need to travel to Chalmette for routine searches.
Note: Given the record damage from Hurricane Katrina, some older records may not be available through online systems even if they were later restored. Call (504) 278-4242 to confirm availability of specific pre-2005 records.
Court Records in St. Bernard Parish
Civil and criminal court records for St. Bernard Parish are filed with the clerk of court at the Chalmette courthouse. Civil cases include divorce and family law matters, property disputes, succession proceedings, and contract suits. Criminal records cover felony and misdemeanor cases heard in the 34th JDC. Each case file contains the charging documents, pleadings, court minutes, and final disposition.
These records are public under La. R.S. 44:1. Exceptions are narrow. Juvenile proceedings are closed. Sealed cases are restricted. But Louisiana's default position is openness, and most court records from St. Bernard Parish can be viewed by any person who asks. The right to access is grounded in both state law and the Louisiana Constitution, and government bodies cannot simply decline a valid records request.
For searches, use the LCRAA online portal, call (504) 278-4242, or visit 8201 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette during office hours. For records potentially affected by post-Katrina damage or restoration, a phone call first is the smart approach.
Property and Land Records
Every real estate transaction in St. Bernard Parish must be recorded with the clerk of court to be legally binding. Conveyance records track property sales and transfers. Mortgage records show liens and encumbrances on real estate. Both sets of records are public and open to any person who wants to review them.
Property records in St. Bernard Parish are especially significant given the large-scale rebuilding that occurred after Hurricane Katrina. Many properties changed hands, were subject to federally funded buyouts, or were recorded as part of recovery programs. These transactions are all part of the public conveyance and mortgage record. Researching a property in St. Bernard Parish may involve reviewing post-Katrina records alongside older documents.
Online access to property records is available through the LCRAA portal and ClerkConnect. For certified copies or older records, visit the courthouse at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette during business hours.
Marriage Licenses and Vital Records
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court issues and records marriage licenses. If a marriage took place in St. Bernard Parish, the license and recorded certificate are on file at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette. Copies can be requested in person or by mail during regular office hours.
Birth and death records are maintained at the state level by the Louisiana Department of Health. Historical vital records are accessible through the Louisiana Secretary of State's archives at sos.la.gov/historicalresources/. For records that predated Katrina and may have been damaged or lost in 2005, the Secretary of State's archives may hold copies or index information that survived independently of the parish clerk's records.
The Louisiana Secretary of State's historical records program at sos.la.gov/historicalresources/ provides access to older vital records and archives relevant to St. Bernard Parish.
For researchers dealing with records potentially lost or damaged in Hurricane Katrina, the state archives are a critical alternative source.
Note: For certified copies of recent birth or death records, contact the Louisiana Department of Health rather than the St. Bernard Parish Clerk, since those records are maintained at the state level.
Statewide Public Records Resources
Several statewide tools help residents find public records connected to St. Bernard Parish. The LCRAA statewide portal is free and covers all 64 parishes. The Louisiana Secretary of State at sos.la.gov handles business registrations, notary records, and election filings. Business entities in St. Bernard Parish are searchable through GeauxBiz. The State Archives at sos.la.gov/historicalresources/ hold older materials from parishes across the state.
Louisiana's public records law gives broad access rights. La. R.S. 44:1 defines public records to include nearly every document created or held by a government body. Louisiana Constitution Article XII, Section 3 guarantees that right. Agencies must respond to requests promptly. Exemptions are narrow and specific. Most court filings, land records, and marriage licenses from St. Bernard Parish are open to the public under these rules.
Nearby Parishes
St. Bernard Parish is located southeast of New Orleans. Records involving land, court cases, or family matters may involve clerks in adjacent parishes.