About New Orleans

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is the primary law enforcement agency serving the city, dedicated to maintaining public safety and community relations. For people seeking to obtain criminal records, the process generally begins with the NOPD's Records Division, where requests for arrest records, mugshots, and booking records can be initiated. To access full criminal history information, individuals can contact the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, which is the state’s central repository for criminal records. Online portals such as the Louisiana State Police’s website provide convenient access to certain criminal history reports, allowing for an efficient lookup process without the need for in-person visits. The court system serving New Orleans is the 24th Judicial District Court, which handles a variety of civil and criminal cases. To request court records, individuals can use the online case management system available through the court’s website, or they may visit the court clerk's office in person to file requests for specific documents. For vital records, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, residents can turn to the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court or the Louisiana Department of Health’s Vital Records office, both of which help with the retrieval of these essential documents. Property records are managed by the Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office and are also accessible through the county recorder’s office. Louisiana’s Public Records Law allows citizens to request general public records from governmental bodies, typically requiring a response within 5 to 10 business days. This law aims to ensure transparency within the local government, building community trust and accountability.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in New Orleans

New Orleans Police Department

The New Orleans Police Department stands with you to create a safer city for everyone. We're dedicated to protecting your life, property, and neighborhood through professional, responsive police services.

https://nola.gov/next/nopd/home/

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in New Orleans

Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court

An Online Records subscription will give the user access to all records systems maintained by the Clerk of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans.

🔗 https://www.orleanscivilclerk.com/onlinerecords.html

🏠 Property & Public Records in New Orleans

Orleans Parish Clerk of Court

Property records for New Orleans, Louisiana are maintained by the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Orleans Parish, including New Orleans.

🔗 https://orleansclerk.com

Public Records & Services in New Orleans

About New Orleans — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

The Orleans Justice Center is the parish's primary detention facility, processing all individuals arrested locally. The booking process follows standard procedures, fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal details. Residents searching for information about current inmates can use the searchable database on the Sheriff's Office website. Visitation requires advance scheduling, with specific rules and guidelines posted online. The facility follows Louisiana state law for bond and bail procedures, allowing pretrial release upon payment of the set amount.

Arrest Records

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for all apprehensions made within the parish. Residents and attorneys can request these records through formal applications under the Louisiana Public Records Act. Each arrest record contains the individual's personal information, arrest details, charges filed, and the name of the arresting agency. Access to certain records may be restricted to protect privacy rights and preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Orleans Parish covers a variety of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the Sheriff's Office or the state bureau, which provides criminal history reports.

Vital Records

Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates for New Orleans and Orleans Parish can be obtained through the Louisiana Office of Vital Records at https://ldh.la.gov/page/VitalRecords. The New Orleans Coroner's Office also maintains records related to deaths within the city.

Business & Licensing Records

The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce at http://www.neworleanschamber.org/ is a central resource for business related public records, including licenses, permits, and zoning documentation. Commercial property data and business tax records are also accessible through the city's online portal, providing transparency for entrepreneurs and researchers alike.

Economy & Demographics

Economic and employment data for New Orleans and the surrounding region can be accessed through the New Orleans Mayor's Office at https://nola.gov/next/mayor/home/. This includes information on local business development, tourism, and workforce statistics.

Elections & Voter Records

The Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 1300 Perdido Street, Room 1E09, New Orleans, LA 70112 (phone: 504-658-8300, website: voterportal.sos.la.gov), manages all aspects of voter registration and election administration in coordination with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Residents can register online through the GeauxVote portal at voterportal.sos.la.gov, by mail using the Louisiana Voter Registration Application, or in person at the Registrar's office.
Registration must be completed 30 days before any election, with online registration closing at midnight and in-person registration accepted during business hours. Municipal elections in the city follow Louisiana's distinctive jungle primary system. Races for Mayor, the seven-member City Council, and other local offices typically occur on the first Saturday of November in odd-numbered years. All candidates appear on one ballot regardless of party affiliation, with a runoff scheduled if no candidate clears 50 percent. The next municipal elections are set for fall 2026. Candidate details, sample ballots, and results are available through the Secretary of State's website at sos.la.gov/elections. Voters can locate their polling place by entering their address at geauxvote.com or calling the Registrar directly. Public election records include voter registration lists, available for purchase by qualified requesters under La. R.S. 18:154. Campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics can be searched at ethics.la.gov, while precinct-level results are published by the Secretary of State. Louisiana's absentee voting process requires specific qualifying reasons, being away from the parish on election day, age 65 or older, disability, or hospitalization. Early voting runs for 14 days before election day, excluding Sundays, from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM at designated locations, offering convenient access without requiring an excuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vital records for New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available through the Louisiana Department of Health. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Orleans Parish Clerk's office may also process vital record requests. You will need valid photo identification and proof of eligibility. Processing times and fees vary by office and request method.
Public schools in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Orleans Parish school administration or the Louisiana Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.
Crime data for New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the New Orleans police department or the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.
The New Orleans Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Orleans Parish library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.
Fingerprinting services for New Orleans, Louisiana residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Orleans Parish. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact the New Orleans Police Department or the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Louisiana Department of Justice or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.
To register to vote in New Orleans, Louisiana, residents can register online through the Louisiana Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Orleans Parish elections office. Louisiana requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Louisiana Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in New Orleans, contact the Orleans Parish Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for New Orleans, Louisiana are maintained by the Jefferson Parish Assessor's Office and the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Jefferson Parish, including parcels in New Orleans. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Louisiana parishes provide online property record searches through their parish websites. For in-person requests, visit the Jefferson Parish offices at the parish courthouse. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (ex officio Tax Collector) handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for New Orleans, Louisiana residents are available through both county and state offices. The Louisiana Department of Health, Vital Records Registry, located in Baton Rouge, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Louisiana. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Jefferson Parish Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Jefferson Parish. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.