About Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish (commonly referred to as Caddo Parish in informal contexts) is located in the northwest corner of Louisiana, bordering Texas and Arkansas. The parish seat is Shreveport, Louisiana's third-largest city, which serves as the economic and cultural hub of the region. Caddo Parish encompasses approximately 937 square miles and has a population of around 237,000 residents, making it one of the most populous parishes in Louisiana. The parish was established in 1838 and named after the Caddo Native American tribe that historically inhabited the region.
Major landmarks include the Red River, Cross Lake, Caddo Lake (shared with Texas), the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, and the historic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium where Elvis Presley performed. The parish is home to Barksdale Air Force Base, a major military installation that significantly impacts the local economy. Public records in Caddo Parish are maintained by several agencies: the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court, located at 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, handles court records, marriage licenses, and mortgages; the Caddo Parish Assessor's Office at 501 Texas Street manages property assessments and tax records; and the Caddo Parish Recorder of Mortgages, also at 501 Texas Street, maintains real property conveyance records.
The parish operates under Louisiana's public records laws, which generally provide broad access to government documents. What makes Caddo Parish unique is its position as a tri-state area hub, its rich oil and gas history, its significant military presence, and its role as a regional center for healthcare, education, and commerce in the Ark-La-Tex region.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout the parish, particularly in unincorporated areas. This office oversees the Caddo Correctional Center, manages criminal records, and processes arrests. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community outreach programs and operates specialized divisions such as narcotics, investigations, and a K-9 unit. The office is committed to ensuring public safety and works closely with other local law enforcement agencies to address crime and enhance community relations.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Caddo Parish is provided by both the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Shreveport Police Department is the largest municipal force, responsible for policing the city of Shreveport. Other city departments include the Vivian Police Department and the Blanchard Police Department, each serving their respective communities. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and joint operations, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage across the parish. They work together on initiatives such as crime prevention and emergency response.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement and arrest records in Caddo Parish are primarily handled by the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Jr. oversees operations including patrol, criminal investigations, and detention services. The Sheriff's Office operates the Caddo Correctional Center, the parish's main detention facility, which houses both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.
- Inmates can be located through the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office website at caddo.org, which provides an online inmate roster with booking information, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates.
- Citizens can request arrest records by contacting the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division at 318-681-0700 or by submitting a written public records request.
- Booking photos and mugshots are typically available through the online inmate roster on the Sheriff's website and may also be obtained through formal public records requests.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documents.
- Booking information is generally updated within hours of an arrest, though full incident reports may take several days to process and become available for public inspection.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Shreveport Police Department for the city of Shreveport, and smaller departments serve communities like Blanchard, Greenwood, Mooringsport, Rodessa, Vivian, and Oil City. Arrest records in Caddo Parish are public records under Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statutes 44:1 through 44:41, which establish the presumption that all governmental records are public unless specifically exempted. The Shreveport Police Department maintains its own records division at 1234 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101, phone 318-673-7000, for arrests made by city officers.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Caddo Parish encompasses felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and sex offender registry records. The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records, while the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Sheriff's Office or directly from the state bureau. The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation offers statewide criminal history reports, which include information from Caddo Parish.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Caddo Parish are maintained by the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, either in person or through their official website. The records provide essential information such as the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency. The process is governed by the Louisiana Public Records Act, which ensures transparency and public access to governmental records.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Caddo Correctional Center, located in Shreveport, is the primary detention facility for Caddo Parish. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the parish, where they are fingerprinted, photographed, and processed. Inmate information, including charges and bond details, can be accessed online through the Sheriff's Office website. Visitation at the facility is governed by specific rules, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to dress codes. The bond process follows Louisiana state laws, allowing for cash bonds or bail bonds through licensed agents.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Caddo Parish are taken and retained by the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office during the booking process at the Caddo Correctional Center. These images are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. While Louisiana does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals seeking to have their mugshots removed from online databases may need to pursue legal avenues or contact the hosting websites directly. The availability of mugshots is subject to the guidelines set by the Louisiana Public Records Act.
Courts & Case Records
The court system in Caddo Parish operates under Louisiana's judicial framework with multiple levels of jurisdiction. The First Judicial District Court, located at 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, serves as the general jurisdiction trial court handling civil cases exceeding $50,000, felony criminal cases, family law matters including divorces and custody disputes, successions (probate), and juvenile cases. The District Court has thirteen divisions with judges elected to six-year terms.
- Court records can be accessed through the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court, phone 318-226-6781, which maintains all official case files, judgments, and court orders.
- An online case search system is available through the Clerk's website at caddo.org/clerkofcourt, allowing users to search civil, criminal, and family court dockets.
- Fees for certified copies are $2 per page for civil records and $1 per page for criminal records, with a minimum certification fee.
- The Shreveport City Court, located at 1234 Texas Avenue, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and civil matters up to $50,000 in dispute value.
- The City Marshal's Office handles service of process and enforcement of City Court judgments.
Justice of the Peace Courts operate in various wards throughout the parish, handling small claims up to $5,000, eviction proceedings, and minor civil disputes. Louisiana's court records access is governed by Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 253 and Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XXX, which establish that court records are presumptively open to the public unless sealed by court order or protected by specific statutory exemptions. Remote electronic access to some records may require registration and payment of subscription fees, while in-person inspection at the Clerk's office is available during regular business hours without charge for viewing.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Caddo Parish are maintained by the Caddo Parish Recorder of Mortgages and the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court, both located at 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. The Recorder of Mortgages, phone 318-226-6571, is responsible for recording and indexing all real property conveyances including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, acts of sale, mortgages, liens, privileges, easements, rights-of-way, and subdivision plat maps.
- The Caddo Parish Conveyance Office website at caddo.org provides free online access to recorded documents dating back many years, searchable by grantor, grantee, instrument number, or property description.
- Digital images of recorded instruments can be viewed and printed at no charge for research purposes, though certified copies require payment of statutory fees.
- The Assessor's online database at caddoassessor.org provides free parcel searches showing ownership, assessed values, property descriptions, sales history, and tax assessment information.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping is available through the parish's interactive parcel viewer, allowing users to view aerial photography, tax map boundaries, flood zones, and zoning information.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Recorder's office for $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus $5 for certification.
Vital Records
Vital records for Caddo Parish residents are available through multiple channels depending on the type of record and date of occurrence. Birth and death certificates are primarily maintained by the Louisiana Department of Health, Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. However, the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court at 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, phone 318-226-6781, also maintains historical vital records and can assist with requests.
- Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, with processing typically taking 2-4 weeks for mail requests.
- Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Death certificates follow the same fee structure.
- Louisiana law restricts access to birth records for 100 years and death records for 50 years unless the requestor is an immediate family member, legal representative, or has a demonstrable legal interest.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the Clerk's office for $5.
Acceptable identification includes a valid driver's license or state ID. Marriage licenses must be obtained from the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court before the ceremony; the current fee is approximately $27.50 and requires both parties to appear in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers. There is a 72-hour waiting period after issuance before the license becomes valid, and it expires 30 days after issuance.
Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the district court case files and can be accessed through the civil records division. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Sections 31-44 govern vital records, establishing custody, access restrictions, and fee schedules. Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek.com, a state-authorized vendor, though convenience fees apply in addition to state fees.
The state vital records office can be reached at 504-593-5100 for questions about older records or complex requests.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Caddo Parish are maintained at multiple government levels. For local business operations, the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court at 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, phone 318-226-6781, records trade name certificates (DBAs or "doing business as" filings) for businesses operating under assumed names. These filings cost approximately $25 and must be published in the official parish journal and renewed periodically.
- The GeauxBiz system at sos.la.gov provides free online searching of business entity names, registered agents, corporate officers, and filing status.
- License requirements and fees vary by business type and location.
The Louisiana Secretary of State maintains the central business entity database for all corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other formal business structures operating in Louisiana. Formation documents, annual reports, and amendments can be filed electronically through the same portal. Business licenses within the City of Shreveport are issued by the Shreveport Division of Finance, Business License Section, located at 505 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, phone 318-673-5130.
Sales tax permits for collecting and remitting state and local sales taxes are obtained through the Louisiana Department of Revenue at revenue.louisiana.gov. Professional and occupational licenses (contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, etc.) are regulated by various Louisiana state licensing boards rather than at the parish level. Building permits, construction permits, and zoning compliance in unincorporated areas are handled by the Caddo Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission at 501 Texas Street, Suite 525, phone 318-226-6490.
The Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce at shreveportchamber.org provide business development resources and networking opportunities for the local business community.
Elections & Voter Records
Election administration in Caddo Parish is conducted by the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 501 Texas Street, Suite 125, Shreveport, LA 71101, phone 318-226-6890. The Registrar's office is responsible for voter registration, maintaining accurate voter rolls, administering early voting, coordinating Election Day operations across the parish's precincts, and certifying election results.
- The deadline to register to vote in Louisiana is 30 days before an election, with the option to register in person, by mail, or online.
- To register, applicants must be U.S.
- citizens, at least 17 years old (16 to pre-register), Louisiana residents, and not currently under an order of imprisonment for a felony conviction.
Louisiana offers online voter registration through the Louisiana Secretary of State's GeauxVote portal at geauxvote.com, where eligible citizens can register, update their registration information, and check their registration status. Voters can find their assigned polling place by visiting the GeauxVote website and entering their name and date of birth, or by contacting the Registrar's office directly. Caddo Parish operates numerous precincts throughout the parish, with locations typically assigned based on residential address.
Louisiana conducts elections using paper ballots marked by voters and tabulated by optical scan machines, providing a paper trail for auditing purposes. Public election records available in Caddo Parish include certified voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees (maintained by the Louisiana Board of Ethics), candidate qualifying documents showing who filed to run for office, precinct-level election results showing vote totals by contest and location, and absentee ballot applications and statistics. In the November 2024 general election, Caddo Parish reported voter turnout of approximately 62%, with higher turnout in presidential election years compared to midterm and local elections.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, including Louisiana's 4th Congressional District which includes Caddo Parish, potential U.S. Senate races depending on the election cycle, and various Louisiana state legislative seats.
Louisiana uses a unique "jungle primary" or open primary system where all candidates regardless of party appear on the same ballot, and if no candidate receives over 50%, the top two advance to a runoff. Absentee voting by mail in Louisiana requires an approved excuse such as being away from the parish on Election Day, having a disability, being 65 or older, or being incarcerated but still eligible to vote. Applications for absentee ballots must be submitted to the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters and are available on the GeauxVote website.
Early voting in Louisiana typically begins 14 days before an election and continues through seven days before Election Day, excluding Sundays, at designated early voting locations announced by the Registrar. Election transparency in Louisiana is governed by Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 18 (Election Code), which requires public notice of election dates, public testing of voting equipment, observation rights for candidates and parties, and timely publication of results.
Economy & Demographics
Caddo Parish's economy is diverse and anchored by several key sectors that provide stability and employment opportunities for the region. The parish's largest employer is Barksdale Air Force Base, which employs approximately 13,000 military and civilian personnel and has an annual economic impact exceeding $1.2 billion, making it the cornerstone of the local economy.
- The median household income in Caddo Parish is approximately $45,000, somewhat below the national average, reflecting the region's mixed economic opportunities.
- Manufacturing employers include General Electric, which closed its long-standing facility in recent years, though food processing, metal fabrication, and specialized manufacturing continue.
- The Port of Shreveport-Bossier provides multimodal transportation access connecting the region to global markets via the Red River waterway system.
Healthcare is another major sector, with major employers including Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport (the former LSU Health Sciences Center), Willis-Knighton Health System, and Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System collectively employing over 15,000 healthcare professionals. The casino gaming industry contributes significantly to the economy, with multiple riverboat casinos and resorts generating tax revenue and tourism dollars. Traditional industries including oil and gas extraction, petrochemical manufacturing, and logistics continue to play important roles, though the energy sector has experienced cyclical employment changes.
Education is a significant employment sector with Caddo Parish Public Schools employing over 5,000 staff, and higher education institutions including Louisiana State University Shreveport, Centenary College, Southern University at Shreveport, and Louisiana Tech University (in nearby Ruston) providing educational services and employment. Recent economic development initiatives have focused on technology sector growth, downtown Shreveport revitalization, and leveraging the region's central location in the Ark-La-Tex. Unemployment rates in Caddo Parish typically track slightly higher than Louisiana state averages, ranging from 4-6% in recent years depending on economic conditions.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Free Search Available | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Processing Required | Business: ✅ Online State Database | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 8.5/10 — Caddo Parish provides excellent digital access to most public records with comprehensive online portals for property, court, and election information.
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Cities & Towns in Caddo Parish
Explore public records for 13 cities and communities in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
Nearby Counties
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