About Concordia Parish
Concordia Parish, Louisiana (often mistakenly called Concordia Parish, as Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties) is located in eastern Louisiana along the Mississippi River, directly across from Natchez, Mississippi. The parish seat is Vidalia, a small city connected to Natchez by the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge. Concordia Parish covers approximately 749 square miles and has a population of around 19,000 residents according to recent U.S. Census estimates. The parish was established in 1807 and named after the Concordia plantation.
- Major landmarks include Lake Concordia, a former oxbow lake of the Mississippi River, and the Frogmore Cotton Plantation & Gins, a historic site that provides insight into antebellum agricultural life.
The parish economy has historically been driven by agriculture, particularly cotton, soybeans, and corn production, along with timber harvesting. The Concordia Parish Courthouse, located at 4001 Carter Street in Vidalia, houses the Clerk of Court's office. The Concordia Parish Assessor's office, responsible for property assessments, is located at 4001 Carter Street, Suite 100, Vidalia, LA 71373.
The parish is unique for its rich Civil War history, its position as a gateway between Louisiana and Mississippi, and its significant African American heritage sites related to the antebellum and Reconstruction eras.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order within the parish. It patrols the unincorporated areas, operates the parish jail, and processes arrests. The office also maintains criminal records and provides community programs aimed at crime prevention and public safety. Notable divisions within the sheriff's office include the Criminal Investigations Division and the Narcotics Unit, which focus on major crimes and drug-related offenses.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Concordia Parish is provided by the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Vidalia and Ferriday. The Vidalia Police Department and Ferriday Police Department handle law enforcement within their respective city limits, while the sheriff's office covers the broader unincorporated areas. These agencies collaborate on major investigations and emergencies to ensure comprehensive public safety across the parish.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office, located at 4001 Carter Street, Vidalia, LA 71373, is the primary law enforcement agency serving the parish. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (318) 336-5231 and operates the Concordia Parish Correctional Facility. Inmates housed in the parish jail can be located through the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours by calling the main number or visiting in person. The facility maintains current inmate rosters including booking information, charges, and bond amounts.
- The Town of Vidalia operates the Vidalia Police Department, located at 200 Vernon Stevens Boulevard, Vidalia, LA 71373, phone (318) 336-5254, which provides municipal law enforcement services within town limits.
- Written requests for arrest records should be directed to the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and booking photographs.
Ferriday, the second-largest parish in the parish, maintains the Ferriday Police Department at 509 EE Wallace Boulevard, Ferriday, LA 71334, phone (318) 757-3935. Arrest records in Concordia Parish are public records subject to Louisiana's Public Records Law, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 44, Section 1 et seq., which establishes the right of citizens to inspect and copy public records with limited exceptions. Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the Sheriff's Office, though availability may vary depending on the timing of the arrest and whether the individual is currently incarcerated.
The parish does not have tribal jurisdiction or specialized police agencies.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Concordia Parish includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records, while the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the sheriff's office or the state bureau, which provides comprehensive criminal history information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Concordia Parish are maintained by the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office. These records are accessible to residents and attorneys through formal requests, adhering to the Louisiana Public Records Act. An arrest record typically includes the individual's name, charges, arresting agency, and date of arrest. Requests for these records can be made in person or through written applications to the sheriff's office.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Concordia Parish Correctional Facility is the main detention center in the parish. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the parish, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate lookup services are available through the sheriff's office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information on detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and security protocols in place.
- The bond and bail process follows Louisiana state guidelines, and recently arrested individuals can be located through the sheriff's office resources.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Concordia Parish are taken and retained by the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office website or by request. Louisiana does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, so availability depends on the policies of the sheriff's office and applicable state laws.
Courts & Case Records
Concordia Parish is served by the Seventh Judicial District Court of Louisiana, which has jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters. The Concordia Parish Courthouse is located at 4001 Carter Street, Vidalia, LA 71373, and the Clerk of Court can be reached at (318) 336-4204. The Clerk of Court maintains records including civil suits, criminal cases, probate matters, successions, and marriage licenses.
- The Seventh Judicial District Court website provides some case information, though comprehensive online dockets may require in-person or telephone requests to the Clerk's office.
- Certified copies of court documents can be requested from the Clerk of Court's office, with fees typically ranging from $2-5 per page plus certification fees as established by Louisiana statute.
- Record searches may require payment of research fees, particularly for older archived documents.
Court records are generally public under Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 253 and Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:961, though certain sensitive records such as juvenile matters and sealed cases have restricted access. Concordia Parish also falls under the jurisdiction of Justice of the Peace courts for small claims matters and Mayors' Courts in incorporated municipalities for municipal ordinance violations. The Vidalia City Court handles traffic violations and municipal matters within Vidalia city limits.
Online case lookup capabilities are limited compared to larger Louisiana parishes, with most comprehensive searches requiring direct contact with the Clerk of Court during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Concordia Parish are maintained by the Concordia Parish Clerk of Court, which serves as the ex-officio Recorder of Conveyances. The office is located at 4001 Carter Street, Vidalia, LA 71373, phone (318) 336-4204. The Clerk of Court records all documents affecting immovable property including acts of sale, mortgages, donations, servitudes, easements, liens, judgments affecting property, plat maps, and subdivisions.
- Some Louisiana parishes offer online conveyance record searches, but Concordia Parish currently requires in-person or telephone requests for most record searches.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for statutory fees.
- Research fees and copy fees apply according to Louisiana public records law.
Louisiana operates under the Napoleonic Code civil law system, so property transfers are recorded as acts of sale rather than deeds as in common law states. The Concordia Parish Conveyance Records can be searched in person at the Clerk's office during regular business hours. Property tax assessment records are maintained separately by the Concordia Parish Assessor's Office at 4001 Carter Street, Suite 100, Vidalia, LA 71373, phone (318) 336-4301.
The Assessor maintains property ownership information, assessed values, millage rates, and exemption data. Property tax collection is handled by the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office Tax Division. While Concordia Parish does not currently offer a comprehensive online GIS parcel viewer accessible to the public, property information can be obtained by contacting the Assessor's office directly with the property address or assessment number.
Vital Records
Vital records for Concordia Parish are managed at both the parish and state levels. Birth and death certificates occurring in Concordia Parish can be requested from the Louisiana State Registrar, Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160, or the Louisiana Vital Records Office at 628 North Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Death certificates cost $7 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy.
- Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests, though expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at Louisiana.VitalChek.com, though additional service fees apply.
- Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all vital record requests.
- Certified copies of marriage and divorce records are available from the Clerk's office for statutory fees.
Certified copies of birth certificates are only available to eligible applicants as defined by Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:32, including the registrant (if of legal age), parents listed on the certificate, legal representatives, and others with a direct and tangible interest. Marriage licenses are issued by the Concordia Parish Clerk of Court at 4001 Carter Street, Vidalia, LA 71373, phone (318) 336-4204. There is a 24-hour waiting period after issuance before the marriage license becomes valid, and licenses are valid for 30 days.
Divorce records (judgments of divorce) are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of court records.
Business & Licensing
Business records and licensing in Concordia Parish are managed by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Concordia Parish Clerk of Court records trade names (DBAs - doing business as) and certain business-related documents at 4001 Carter Street, Vidalia, LA 71373, phone (318) 336-4204. However, formal business entity formation (corporations, LLCs, partnerships) is handled exclusively by the Louisiana Secretary of State, Corporations Division.
- The Louisiana Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at coraweb.sos.la.gov where citizens can search for registered business entities, view formation documents, registered agents, and business status.
- This free online search tool provides access to information on Louisiana corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other registered entities operating in Concordia Parish.
- The Concordia Parish Chamber of Commerce, though not a governmental records custodian, provides business information and can be contacted for economic development resources.
Sales tax permits and collection information are administered by the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Professional licenses (medical, legal, engineering, contractors, etc.) are issued by respective state licensing boards rather than parish agencies. Building permits, occupational licenses, and zoning matters within incorporated areas are handled by municipal governments: the Town of Vidalia at (318) 336-5207 and the Town of Ferriday at (318) 757-3935.
Unincorporated areas of Concordia Parish may require permits through the Concordia Parish Police Jury, the parish governing body, located at 4001 Carter Street, Vidalia, LA 71373, phone (318) 336-7151.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Concordia Parish are administered by the Concordia Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 4001 Carter Street, Room 102, Vidalia, LA 71373, phone (318) 336-4228. The Registrar of Voters maintains voter registration rolls, assigns polling places, and coordinates with the Louisiana Secretary of State for election administration. Voter registration in Louisiana requires completion at least 30 days prior to an election (20 days if registering online).
- In the November 2024 general election, Concordia Parish voter turnout was approximately 58-62 percent of registered voters, consistent with typical Louisiana parish turnout in presidential election years.
Online voter registration is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State's GeauxVote system at GeauxVote.com, where residents can register to vote, update their registration, check registration status, and view sample ballots. 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 of Voters office directly. Concordia Parish typically has 8-12 voting precincts depending on population distribution and consolidation.
Election records that are public include the official voter registration list (though with certain personal information redacted under Louisiana law), campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics, candidate qualifying documents, and precinct-level election results. The Louisiana Secretary of State publishes comprehensive election results at sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting. The next major election is November 3, 2026, which will include U.S.
House of Representatives races (Concordia Parish is in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District), potential U.S. Senate races, and state legislative positions. Absentee voting by mail is available for Louisiana residents who meet specific criteria under Louisiana Revised Statutes 18:1303, including those who will be away from the parish on election day, those with disabilities, those 65 and older, and certain other categories.
Early voting is available at the Concordia Parish Courthouse typically 14 days through 7 days before an election. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Registrar of Voters office, with specific deadlines depending on the method of return. Louisiana law (R.S.
18:1 et seq.) governs election administration and public access to election records.
Economy & Demographics
Concordia Parish's economy remains heavily rooted in agriculture, forestry, and natural resources, reflecting its rural character and Mississippi River location. Major economic sectors include row crop agriculture (soybeans, corn, cotton, wheat), timber production, and related agricultural services. The parish contains extensive farmland with some of the most productive agricultural acreage in northeast Louisiana. According to U.S.
- Census data, median household income in Concordia Parish is approximately $36,000-$40,000, significantly below the Louisiana state average, reflecting the parish's rural economy and limited industrial base.
- Tourism related to the parish's connection to historic Natchez across the river provides some economic activity, particularly around Lake Concordia recreation and historic sites like Frogmore Plantation.
- The Vidalia Riverfront provides boat launch facilities and supports recreational tourism.
- Agricultural processing and value-added agricultural industries represent potential growth sectors for the parish economy.
Major employers include the Concordia Parish School Board, parish and municipal governments, healthcare facilities including Riverland Medical Center in Ferriday, retail operations, and agricultural businesses. The unemployment rate has historically been higher than state averages, typically ranging from 6-9 percent depending on seasonal agricultural cycles. The International Paper Company has historically been a significant presence in the region, though operations have fluctuated.
Economic development efforts focus on leveraging the parish's location along the Mississippi River, U.S. Highway 84, and proximity to the Natchez market. The Concordia Parish Industrial District works to attract manufacturing and distribution operations, though competition with other regions and infrastructure limitations present ongoing challenges.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online (requires contact) | Property: ⚠️ In-Person/Phone Required | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ✅ State Online Available | Business: ✅ State Online Search | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 5/10 — Concordia Parish relies heavily on in-person and telephone access for most local records, though state-level systems provide good online access for vital records, business entities, and voter registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Concordia Parish
Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border Concordia Parish.