About St. Bernard Parish
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana (often referred to as a parish equivalent in other states) is located in the southeastern portion of Louisiana, directly southeast of New Orleans along the Gulf of Mexico. The parish seat is Chalmette, which is also the largest parish in the parish. As of the 2020 Census, St. Bernard Parish has a population of approximately 43,764 residents, covering an area of 465 square miles, including significant wetlands and waterways. The parish is bounded by Lake Borgne to the east and the Mississippi River to the west. St.
Bernard Parish is home to the Chalmette Battlefield, the site of the famous Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, now preserved as part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The parish economy has historically centered on fishing, oil and gas, and shipbuilding. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 devastated St.
Bernard Parish, with the entire parish flooded and nearly all structures damaged or destroyed, but the community has since made remarkable recovery efforts. The parish government is located at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, Louisiana 70043. Key parish offices include the St.
Bernard Parish Assessor's Office, the Clerk of Court (which serves recorder functions), and various departmental offices. The parish is unique for its strong Isleño heritage, descended from Canary Island settlers who arrived in the 18th century, and maintains cultural traditions including the annual Los Isleños Festival. The community is tightly knit, with strong seafood industry roots and resilience demonstrated through post-disaster recovery.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the parish, responsible for patrolling unincorporated areas, managing the parish jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The office is known for its community policing efforts and various outreach programs aimed at crime prevention and public safety education. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office operates specialized divisions such as narcotics, investigations, and a marine division due to the parish's extensive waterways.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in St. Bernard Parish is primarily provided by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office, which covers the entire parish. Additionally, the Chalmette Police Department serves the city of Chalmette, handling local law enforcement duties within city limits. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, often working together on task forces and joint operations to ensure comprehensive public safety coverage throughout the parish.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office, located at 8101 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA 70043, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for St. Bernard Parish. The Sheriff's Office operates under the authority of the elected Sheriff and provides patrol services, criminal investigations, civil process, and detention operations throughout the parish. The main phone number is (504) 271-2501, and the agency maintains a website at sbpso.com with information on services, press releases, and community programs. The St.
- Mugshots and booking information are typically available through the online inmate search system, showing current custody status, charges, bond amounts, and booking photos.
- Arrest records and incident reports can be requested under Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 44, which governs public access to government records.
- Written requests for arrest records should be submitted to the Sheriff's Office Records Division, and requesters may be required to pay reasonable copying fees.
- Citizens can request records in person at the Sheriff's Office administrative building or submit written requests via mail or fax.
Bernard Parish Prison, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates arrested in the parish and maintains an inmate roster that can be searched online through the Sheriff's Office website or by calling the detention center directly at (504) 278-7628. In addition to the Sheriff's Office, there is no separate municipal police department, as law enforcement services are consolidated under the parish Sheriff. The parish does not have tribal law enforcement, but coordinates with federal agencies including the U.S.
Coast Guard for maritime enforcement in coastal waters. Booking logs, arrest reports, and criminal history information are considered public records, though certain juvenile and sensitive records may be restricted under state law.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in St. Bernard Parish encompasses felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry records. The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Bureau, which includes a comprehensive search of criminal history across Louisiana. The system ensures that residents have access to necessary information while maintaining privacy protections.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in St. Bernard Parish are maintained by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, in compliance with the Louisiana Public Records Act. Arrest records typically include the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting officer's information. The process ensures transparency while protecting sensitive information as required by state law.
Jail & Inmate Records
The St. Bernard Parish Detention Center is the main correctional facility in the parish. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the parish, providing an inmate lookup service through the Sheriff's Office website. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows Louisiana state law, allowing for cash bonds, surety bonds, and property bonds.
- Information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or by contacting the detention center directly.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in St. Bernard Parish are taken and retained by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos can be searched through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a request for public records. Louisiana does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances, such as expungement of charges.
Courts & Case Records
St. Bernard Parish is served by the 34th Judicial District Court, located at 1101 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA 70043. The District Court has jurisdiction over all civil matters exceeding $10,000, felony criminal cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, successions (probate), and appeals from lower courts. The Clerk of Court for St. Bernard Parish, housed in the same building, maintains all court records and can be reached at (504) 271-3434.
- The Clerk's office website at sbpclerkofcourt.com provides information on filing procedures, court dockets, and record searches.
- The Clerk of Court charges fees for certified copies of judgments, pleadings, and other documents, typically $2.00 per page for copies plus certification fees.
- For historical records and archived case files, researchers may need to submit formal requests to the Clerk's Records Division.
Online case lookup is available through the Louisiana Supreme Court's Case Management/Electronic Filing System at https://www.louisiana.gov/services/court-case-records, though some records may require in-person research. St. Bernard Parish also has jurisdiction for lower-level matters through city courts and justice of the peace courts that handle misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims under $5,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
Court records are generally public under Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 253 and Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), though certain records such as juvenile proceedings, adoption files, and sealed records are confidential.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Court, and marriage records are maintained as part of the court's conveyance records. Civil and criminal dockets can be reviewed at the Clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for St. Bernard Parish are maintained by the Clerk of Court, which functions as the parish's Recorder of Conveyances. The office is located at 1101 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA 70043, phone (504) 271-3434. The Clerk of Court records and indexes all real estate transactions including property deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, UCC filings, easements, rights-of-way, and plat maps. Louisiana operates under a public records system where all conveyance documents are available for public inspection under Louisiana Revised Statutes 44:1 et seq.
- The Clerk's office provides an online conveyance records search through its website at sbpclerkofcourt.com, allowing users to search by name, instrument number, or legal description.
- Some records may be available for free viewing online, while certified copies require payment of statutory fees.
- Certified copies of deeds and mortgages can be obtained from the Clerk of Court for $2.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification.
Property tax records are maintained separately by the St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office, located at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Suite 308, Chalmette, LA 70043, phone (504) 278-4246. The Assessor's website at sbpassessor.com provides a free online property search tool where users can look up parcel information, assessment values, ownership details, property characteristics, and tax history by owner name, address, or parcel number.
The parish maintains a GIS mapping system accessible through the Assessor's website, displaying parcel boundaries, flood zones, and property data layers. Property tax payments and millage information are handled by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office Tax Department, which serves as the parish tax collector.
Historical land records dating back to Spanish and French colonial periods may require research assistance from the Clerk's staff.
Vital Records
Vital records for St. Bernard Parish, including birth and death certificates, are primarily maintained by the Louisiana State Registrar of Vital Records, which is part of the Louisiana Department of Health. Birth certificates for births occurring in St. Bernard Parish can be obtained from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160, or in person at their office at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 1200, New Orleans, LA 70112. The fee for a certified birth certificate is $15.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Death certificates cost $7.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy.
- Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests and same-day for walk-in requests if the record is readily available.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional processing fees.
- Couples must apply in person, provide valid identification, social security numbers, and pay the license fee.
Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest to obtain certified copies, as Louisiana restricts access to immediate family members and legal representatives under Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:32 and 40:34. Marriage licenses are issued by the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court at 1101 West St.
Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA 70043, phone (504) 271-3434. There is a 72-hour waiting period after issuance before the ceremony can be performed, and the license is valid for 30 days. Marriage records and certified copies are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are public records.
Divorce records are also filed with the Clerk of Court as part of civil court proceedings in the 34th Judicial District Court. For records older than 100 years, researchers may need to consult the Louisiana State Archives for historical vital records documentation.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in St. Bernard Parish involves multiple levels of government. Local business licenses and occupational permits are issued by the St. Bernard Parish Permit Department, located at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA 70043, phone (504) 278-4389. Businesses operating in St. Bernard Parish must obtain a parish occupational license, with fees varying by business type and gross receipts. The Clerk of Court, at 1101 West St.
- For formal business entity registration including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, businesses must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State Commercial Division.
Bernard Highway, phone (504) 271-3434, handles the recording of trade names (doing business as or DBA filings) and other business-related documents. The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database of all registered Louisiana business entities at https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/commercialsearch/commercialsearch.aspx, providing free access to entity names, registration status, registered agents, filing dates, and officer information. Sales tax registration is handled by the Louisiana Department of Revenue, with businesses required to obtain a Louisiana Revenue Account Number and collect applicable state and parish sales taxes.
Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, electricians, plumbers, real estate agents, and healthcare providers are issued by their respective Louisiana state licensing boards. Building permits, construction permits, zoning approvals, and code enforcement are administered by the St. Bernard Parish Department of Community Development and Planning, located at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, phone (504) 278-4225.
The St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, located at 8151 West Judge Perez Drive, Suite 100, Chalmette, LA 70043, phone (504) 277-5106, website sbchamber.net, provides business resources, networking opportunities, and economic development information for the parish business community.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in St. Bernard Parish are administered by the St. Bernard Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Suite 101, Chalmette, LA 70043, phone (504) 278-4373. The Registrar of Voters is responsible for maintaining voter registration rolls, processing new registrations and updates, providing absentee ballots, and coordinating polling place operations.
- Louisiana requires voters to provide their name, address, date of birth, and Louisiana driver's license or state ID number when registering.
- Bernard Parish reported voter turnout of approximately 62-68% of registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of presidential election years in Louisiana.
- Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded from the Secretary of State website or requested from the Registrar of Voters office.
Voter registration in Louisiana can be completed online at https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/RegisterToVote through the Louisiana Secretary of State's GeauxVote system, in person at the Registrar of Voters office, at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles when obtaining a driver's license, or by mail using a voter registration application. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election, with online registration closing at midnight and in-person registration closing at 4:30 PM on the deadline date. Voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling place by visiting the GeauxVote portal at https://voterportal.sos.la.gov or by contacting the St.
Bernard Parish Registrar of Voters office. Election records that are public include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted for privacy), campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, candidate qualifying documents, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot statistics. Louisiana law under La.
R.S. 18:154 and 18:1491 governs public access to election records. In the November 2024 general election, St.
The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races (Louisiana has six congressional districts), potential U.S. Senate races if applicable, and various state and local offices including parish council, school board, assessor, clerk of court, and sheriff positions depending on term expirations.
Louisiana uses a jungle primary system where all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party, with the top two advancing to a runoff if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. Absentee voting by mail is available for Louisiana voters who meet specific criteria including age 65 or older, hospitalization, absence from the parish on election day, incarceration but with voting rights, or participation as a commissioner or military service member. Early voting is available at designated locations for a period typically beginning 14 days before an election and ending 7 days before election day.
St. Bernard Parish typically operates one or more early voting locations at the Registrar of Voters office or other parish facilities. Election transparency in St.
Bernard Parish is generally strong, with precinct-level results posted on the Louisiana Secretary of State website on election night and detailed results available through the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court's election records.
Economy & Demographics
St. Bernard Parish's economy has traditionally been anchored by the commercial fishing industry, particularly shrimp and oyster harvesting, shipbuilding and maritime services, and oil and gas extraction and support services. The parish's strategic location along the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico has made it a hub for maritime commerce and energy industry operations. Major employers in St.
- Bernard Parish Government, Entergy Louisiana (utility services), fishing and seafood processing companies, and healthcare facilities including St.
- Bernard Parish is approximately $52,000 to $58,000, slightly below the Louisiana state median.
Bernard Parish include Chalmette Refining LLC (a joint venture of ExxonMobil and PDVSA), which operates one of the largest oil refineries in the United States with capacity exceeding 190,000 barrels per day and employs hundreds of workers. The refinery was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina but has been rebuilt and modernized. Other significant employers include St.
Bernard Parish Public Schools, St. Bernard Parish Hospital. According to U.S.
Census Bureau estimates, the median household income in St. The parish unemployment rate has fluctuated but generally tracks close to state averages, ranging between 4% and 6% in recent years. Economic development efforts have focused on disaster recovery, coastal restoration, diversification beyond oil and gas dependence, and leveraging the parish's logistics advantages.
The parish has seen growth in light manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, and marine fabrication sectors. Tourism related to the Chalmette Battlefield National Historical Park, fishing charters, and cultural heritage attracts visitors annually. Ongoing economic challenges include coastal erosion, flood risk management, workforce development, and vulnerability to hurricane impacts and energy sector volatility.
The St. Bernard Economic Development Commission works to attract new businesses and retain existing employers through incentive programs and infrastructure improvements.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Free Search | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Office Required | Business: ✅ Online (State Level) | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 8/10 — St. Bernard Parish provides good digital access to property assessments, inmate rosters, and election information, with court and conveyance records searchable online through the Clerk of Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Explore public records in counties that border St. Bernard Parish.