About St. John the Baptist Parish
St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana—not a parish but a parish in Louisiana's unique governmental structure—is located in the southeastern portion of the state along the Mississippi River, approximately 25 miles west of New Orleans. The parish seat is Edgard, though the largest community is LaPlace. Spanning approximately 348 square miles, St. John the Baptist Parish has a population of approximately 42,000 residents as of recent census estimates. The parish is named after the Catholic church and mission established in the area in the early colonial period.
Geographically, the parish is divided by the Mississippi River into the East Bank and West Bank regions, connected by the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge. Major landmarks include the San Francisco Plantation House, a National Historic Landmark known for its ornate Steamboat Gothic architecture, and Evergreen Plantation, one of the most intact plantation complexes in the South. The parish economy historically centered on sugarcane cultivation and petrochemical manufacturing.
Key public records offices include the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court at 1801 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace, the St.
John the Baptist Parish Assessor's Office at 1801 W. Airline Highway, and the Recorder of Mortgages division within the Clerk of Court's office. The parish's unique position along the Mississippi River's chemical corridor has shaped both its economic development and its demographic composition, with significant industrial facilities operated by Marathon Petroleum, Shell, and other major corporations.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the parish, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees the operation of the parish jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is known for its community outreach programs and specialized divisions such as narcotics and investigations. These programs aim to enhance public safety and foster community relations.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in St. John the Baptist Parish is provided by the Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, including the LaPlace Police Department and Reserve Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction within its respective city limits, while the Sheriff's Office covers broader areas. These agencies collaborate on major investigations and emergency responses, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage across the parish.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1801 West Airline Highway in LaPlace, Louisiana 70068, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the parish. Sheriff Mike Tregre leads the department, which operates patrol divisions on both the East Bank and West Bank of the parish. The Sheriff's Office phone number is (985) 652-9513, and the agency maintains a website at sjbsheriff.com.
- Inmates housed at the Percy Hebert Detention Center can be searched through the Sheriff's Office website inmate roster, which provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division, though certain exemptions apply for ongoing investigations and juvenile records.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the online inmate roster and can be requested through public records requests.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documentation.
- The Sheriff's Office also operates a Sex Offender Registry accessible through the Louisiana State Police website, providing information on registered offenders residing in the parish.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in St. John the Baptist Parish encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Sheriff's Office, along with the parish courts, maintains these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, which provides statewide criminal history information. The process involves submitting fingerprint cards and paying applicable fees, offering a detailed view of an individual's criminal history.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in St. John the Baptist Parish are maintained by the Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of an individual's arrest, including charges, booking information, and arresting officer details. Residents and attorneys can request copies of arrest records through the Sheriff's Office, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Louisiana Public Records Law. The records provide a comprehensive overview of the arrest but may require formal requests for access.
Jail & Inmate Records
The St. John the Baptist Parish Detention Center is the primary facility for housing inmates within the parish. The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, typically requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. The bond process follows Louisiana's legal framework, where bail can be posted through cash or bond services.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in St. John the Baptist Parish are taken and retained by the 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. While Louisiana does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of records.
Courts & Case Records
St. John the Baptist Parish is served by the 40th Judicial District Court, located at 1801 West Airline Highway in LaPlace, Louisiana 70068. The District Court has general jurisdiction over civil matters exceeding $10,000, felony criminal cases, family law matters including divorce and custody, successions (probate), and juvenile proceedings. Judges for the 40th Judicial District Court are elected to six-year terms. The St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court maintains all court records and can be reached at (985) 652-9797.
- Certified copies of court documents cost $2.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
- The parish also has jurisdiction under Louisiana's Justice of the Peace courts for small claims matters up to $5,000, though these functions are often integrated into the District Court system.
- Marriage licenses are issued through the Clerk of Court's office with a $27.50 fee and a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can be performed.
Court records are accessible through the Clerk of Court's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Online case lookup may be available through the Louisiana Supreme Court's eFiling system, though not all historical records are digitized. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:3661, court records are presumptively public unless sealed by court order or protected by specific statutory exemptions for juvenile matters, adoptions, or mental health proceedings.
Traffic citations and misdemeanor matters are typically handled through the District Court or municipal court divisions.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for St. John the Baptist Parish are maintained by the Clerk of Court's Recorder of Mortgages division at 1801 West Airline Highway, LaPlace, Louisiana 70068, phone (985) 652-9797. The Recorder's office maintains official records of property deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, UCC financing statements, and plat maps for all real property in the parish. These records are indexed by grantor/grantee names and by property description.
- Online property record searches are available through several commercial vendors that partner with the parish, though fees apply for document retrieval.
- Certified copies of recorded documents from the Recorder's office cost $2.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
- The parish maintains a GIS mapping system accessible through the Assessor's website that provides aerial imagery, parcel boundaries, and property data layers.
- Recording fees for new documents are $150 for the first page and $10 for each additional page for most conveyances and mortgages.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in St. John the Baptist Parish are maintained by the Louisiana Department of Health, Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, Louisiana 70160. Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $7 per copy. Certified copies can be requested in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com, though VitalChek charges additional processing fees.
- Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests and 3-5 business days for expedited online orders.
- The marriage license fee is $27.50, and there is a mandatory 72-hour waiting period between issuance and the ceremony, though this can be waived by court order.
Birth records are restricted for 100 years and only eligible applicants (the registrant, parents, legal representatives, or those with court orders) may obtain certified copies under Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:32. Death certificates are public records with fewer restrictions. The St.
John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court at 1801 West Airline Highway in LaPlace issues marriage licenses for ceremonies performed in Louisiana. Divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Court as part of court proceedings in the 40th Judicial District Court. Applicants for vital records must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or eligibility.
Informational (non-certified) copies of some vital records may be available with fewer restrictions for genealogical research purposes.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in St. John the Baptist Parish involves multiple jurisdictions. The St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court maintains registrations of trade names (DBAs - Doing Business As) and fictitious names for businesses operating in the parish. These filings are public records available for inspection at the Clerk's office at 1801 West Airline Highway in LaPlace, phone (985) 652-9797.
- The Louisiana Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity database at geauxbiz.sos.la.gov where anyone can search by business name, charter number, or registered agent.
- License requirements and fees vary by business type and location.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, businesses must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division. Occupational licenses for operating businesses within the parish are issued by the St. John the Baptist Parish Government's Permit and Inspection Department, located at 1801 West Airline Highway, phone (985) 652-9569.
Professional licenses for regulated occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, and others are issued by respective Louisiana state licensing boards. Sales tax permits are obtained through the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Building permits, zoning approvals, and certificates of occupancy are issued by the St.
John the Baptist Parish Department of Planning and Zoning, phone (985) 652-9569. The River Region Chamber of Commerce serves St. John the Baptist Parish and can be reached at riverregionchamber.org, providing business development resources and networking opportunities for local enterprises.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in St. John the Baptist Parish are administered by the St. John the Baptist Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 1801 West Airline Highway in LaPlace, Louisiana 70068, phone (985) 652-2222. The office is responsible for voter registration, maintaining voter rolls, and managing election day operations at polling locations throughout the parish. Voter registration in Louisiana can be completed online through the Louisiana Secretary of State's GeauxVote portal at geauxvote.com, by mail using a paper application, or in person at the Registrar's office.
- The voter registration deadline is 30 days before any election (20 days if registering online).
- Louisiana uses a closed primary system, so voters who wish to participate in party primary elections must register with that political party.
- All of these are available through public records requests or online databases.
Polling place locations can be found by entering your address on the GeauxVote website or by contacting the Registrar's office directly. St. John the Baptist Parish typically operates 15-20 polling locations on election day distributed across the East Bank and West Bank communities.
Public election records in Louisiana include voter registration lists (excluding certain protected personal information), campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics, candidate qualifying documents, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 general election, St. John the Baptist Parish had a voter turnout of approximately 62%, slightly above the statewide average.
The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races for Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District (which includes St. John the Baptist Parish), along with state and local positions.
Absentee voting by mail is available for Louisiana voters who meet specific criteria including age 65+, military service, disability, or being absent from the parish on election day. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Registrar of Voters, with completed ballots returned by election day. Early voting is available at designated locations for 14 days before major elections (excluding Sundays).
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 18, election records including voter rolls and campaign finance reports are public records subject to inspection, though personal information such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth are redacted.
Economy & Demographics
St. John the Baptist Parish's economy is heavily influenced by its location along the Mississippi River chemical corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The petrochemical and petroleum refining industries are the largest employers and economic drivers, with major facilities including the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Garyville (one of the largest refineries in North America), Shell Chemical LP's Norco Manufacturing Complex, and Valero's St. Charles Refinery.
- John the Baptist Parish is approximately $62,000, slightly above the Louisiana state average.
These industrial operations provide high-wage employment but also create environmental justice concerns for nearby residential communities. The median household income in St. Beyond petrochemicals, the parish economy includes healthcare (Ochsner Health Center - LaPlace), retail and service sectors concentrated along Airline Highway, and logistics operations taking advantage of river access and proximity to New Orleans.
Agriculture, historically dominated by sugarcane plantations, continues on a reduced scale with several working sugar operations remaining. Tourism contributes modestly through historic plantation tours at San Francisco Plantation and Evergreen Plantation. The unemployment rate has historically tracked close to state averages, ranging between 4-6% in recent years, though it is sensitive to cyclical downturns in the energy sector.
Recent economic development initiatives have focused on diversifying beyond heavy industry, including the expansion of commercial development in the LaPlace area and improvements to infrastructure including the widening of Interstate 10 through the parish. The parish benefits economically from Port of South Louisiana operations, though the main facilities are in adjacent parishes.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online | Property: ✅ Free Search (Assessor) | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Office Required | Business: ✅ Online (State) | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 7/10 — St. John the Baptist Parish provides good online access for property assessments, jail records, and voter information, but court records require in-person requests and vital records must be obtained through state offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border St. John the Baptist Parish.