About St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana (referred to as a parish rather than parish in Louisiana's political structure) is located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain in the southeastern portion of the state. The parish seat is Covington, a historic city established in 1813. St. Tammany Parish encompasses approximately 1,124 square miles and has a population exceeding 260,000 residents, making it one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana. Major municipalities include Mandeville, Slidell, Abita Springs, and Madisonville.
The parish is named after Tamanend, a chief of the Lenape Native American nation. Geographically, St. Tammany Parish features diverse terrain including pine forests, wetlands, and waterways such as the Bogue Chitto River and Tchefuncte River.
The parish is home to significant landmarks including Fontainebleau State Park, the Tammany Trace rails-to-trails project, and historic downtown areas that attract tourists year-round. The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court, located at 701 North Columbia Street in Covington, maintains court records and vital statistics.
The St. Tammany Parish Assessor's Office, situated at 21454 Koop Drive in Mandeville, handles property assessments and tax rolls. The parish's unique character stems from its blend of New Orleans metropolitan influence, small-town Southern charm, and thriving arts communities, particularly in Abita Springs and Covington.
Post-Hurricane Katrina, St. Tammany experienced substantial population growth as residents relocated from Orleans and Jefferson parishes.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the parish. The office oversees patrol operations, criminal investigations, and community policing initiatives. It also manages the St. Tammany Parish Jail, where individuals arrested in the parish are detained. The sheriff's office is known for its proactive approach to crime prevention and community engagement, offering programs such as neighborhood watch and youth outreach initiatives to foster public safety and trust.
Police Departments
In addition to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within the parish. These include the Covington Police Department, Slidell Police Department, and Mandeville Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, handling local crimes, traffic enforcement, and community policing. The sheriff's office and municipal police departments often collaborate on major crime investigations and emergency response efforts, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage across the parish.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office (STPSO), headquartered at 701 North Columbia Street in Covington, Louisiana, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides regional services countywide. Sheriff Randy Smith leads the department, which operates a modern detention facility known as the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center located at 102 Jail Drive in Covington.
- Requests for arrest records should be submitted in writing to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, with fees typically charged for copying and certification.
Citizens can conduct inmate searches and view booking information through the STPSO website at www.stpso.com, which features a jail roster with current detainees, booking dates, charges, and bond information. Mugshot photographs are typically included in online booking records. Municipal police departments operate independently in incorporated areas: Slidell Police Department, Mandeville Police Department, Covington Police Department, Abita Springs Police Department, and Madisonville Police Department.
Arrest records and incident reports are considered public records under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1 et seq., which grants citizens the right to inspect and copy public records with certain exemptions for ongoing investigations and confidential informant information.
The STPSO also maintains specialized divisions including narcotics, marine patrol for waterway enforcement, and K-9 units. Booking photos and arrest logs are updated regularly on the sheriff's office website, providing transparency in law enforcement operations throughout St. Tammany Parish.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in St. Tammany Parish encompasses various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, along with local police departments, maintains these records. To conduct a background check in Louisiana, individuals can request information from the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, which provides comprehensive criminal history reports. The bureau's services are available to St.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in St. Tammany Parish are maintained by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the sheriff's office, adhering to the Louisiana Public Records Act, which governs the accessibility of such documents. A typical arrest record in St. Tammany Parish will contain the individual's personal information, arrest date, charges, and any court proceedings related to the arrest.
Jail & Inmate Records
The St. Tammany Parish Jail, also known as the St. Tammany Parish Detention Center, is located in Covington. The facility handles the booking and detention of individuals arrested within the parish. Inmates can be searched through an online inmate lookup tool provided by the sheriff's office. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows Louisiana's legal framework, allowing for the release of detainees upon meeting set conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in St. Tammany Parish are taken and retained by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos can be accessed through the sheriff's office website, where they may be available as part of the inmate lookup tool. Louisiana does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, meaning that once a mugshot is public, it remains accessible unless removed by the hosting agency. Individuals seeking mugshots can also explore third-party websites that aggregate such data, although the accuracy and currency of these sources can vary.
Courts & Case Records
St. Tammany Parish operates under Louisiana's judicial district system as part of the 22nd Judicial District Court, with the main courthouse located at 701 North Columbia Street in Covington, Louisiana. The District Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $50,000, family law including divorce and child custody, successions (probate), and appeals from lower courts. Judges preside over divisions handling specific case types. The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court maintains all court records and provides public access to case filings, judgments, and dockets.
- Court records can be searched online through the Clerk of Court's website, though full document access may require in-person visits or written requests with applicable fees.
- City Courts operate in Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell, handling misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters under $50,000.
- The Clerk of Court charges fees for certified copies, typically $2.00 per page plus certification fees.
- Online case searches are available at no charge for basic information, though downloading documents may incur costs.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for St. Tammany Parish are maintained by multiple offices. The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court serves as the ex-officio Recorder of Mortgages and Conveyances, with the main office at 701 North Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70434, phone (985) 809-8700. This office maintains recorded documents including property deeds, mortgages, liens, lis pendens, judgments, UCC filings, and subdivision plats dating back to the parish's formation.
- The Clerk of Court offers online access to land records through their website, allowing users to search by name, instrument number, or legal description.
- Conveyance and mortgage records can be viewed online, with document images available for download at fees established by Louisiana statute.
- The Assessor provides a comprehensive online GIS mapping system and property search portal at www.stpao.org, offering free access to property characteristics, assessed values, sales history, and parcel maps.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Clerk of Court for fees of $2.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification.
Vital Records
Vital records for St. Tammany Parish residents are managed through both parish and state offices. The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court, located at 701 North Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70434, issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring within the parish. Birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for additional copies ordered simultaneously, while death certificates cost $7.00 per certified copy. Processing typically takes 3-5 business days for in-person requests.
- The marriage license fee is $27.50, with an optional $25 fee waiver available for couples who complete premarital counseling.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional service fees.
Applicants must present valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest as defined by Louisiana law. Marriage licenses are issued by the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court, requiring both parties to appear in person with identification and Social Security cards.
Divorce records and judgments are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of court records. For vital records older than several years or for centralized ordering, the Louisiana State Registrar of Vital Records in New Orleans provides statewide access to birth certificates (100 years), death certificates (50 years), and marriage records. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, specifically La.
R.S. 40:31-40:42, governs vital records creation, maintenance, and access. Only eligible parties including the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and individuals with court orders may obtain certified vital records under Louisiana law.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in St. Tammany Parish are accessible through multiple governmental entities depending on the record type. The Louisiana Secretary of State maintains the statewide business entity database accessible at www.sos.la.gov, where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other registered business entities. The Commercial Division provides free online access to entity status, registered agents, formation dates, and annual report filings. Doing Business As (DBA) names and trade name registrations in St.
- Tammany Parish Economic Development Foundation provides business support services.
- Alcohol beverage licenses are processed through the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control with local approval requirements.
Tammany Parish are filed with the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court at 701 North Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70434, phone (985) 809-8700. These fictitious name filings are public records searchable through the Clerk's office.
Professional and occupational licenses are primarily issued by state boards and commissions rather than parish government, including the Louisiana State Board of Contractors, Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board, and Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Sales tax permits and registrations are handled through the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Local business licenses and permits vary by parish: Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, and other incorporated cities maintain their own licensing requirements administered through city halls.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are issued by the St. Tammany Parish Department of Planning and Development. The St.
The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, located in Covington with a website at www.sttammanychamber.org, offers networking and business resources.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in St. Tammany Parish are administered by the St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 1000 North Causeway Boulevard, Suite 900, Mandeville, LA 70471, phone (985) 809-8400. Voter registration in Louisiana can be completed online through the Louisiana Secretary of State's GeauxVote portal at www.sos.la.gov/geauxvote, by mail, or in person at the Registrar's office. The voter registration deadline is 30 days before any election, with online registration closing at midnight on that date.
- Tammany Parish typically experiences higher voter turnout than the state average, with the 2024 general election seeing approximately 72% turnout among registered voters.
Louisiana requires voters to present photo identification at polling places, including Louisiana driver's licenses, Louisiana Special ID cards, or other acceptable forms of photo identification. Voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling location through the GeauxVote website by entering name and date of birth. St.
Public election records include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted under La. R.S. 18:154), campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics, candidate qualifying documents, and precinct-level election results published by the Secretary of State.
The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House races, potential U.S. Senate contests, and Louisiana state legislative positions.
Absentee voting by mail is available for voters who meet specific criteria under Louisiana law, including those age 65 and older, hospitalized or incapacitated, absent from the parish on election day, or ministers assigned away from home. Early voting is offered at multiple locations throughout the parish for 14 days before most elections, excluding Sundays. The Registrar of Voters maintains transparency by publishing election results promptly and providing public access to voting records as permitted under Louisiana Election Code, La.
R.S. 18:1 et seq.
Economy & Demographics
St. Tammany Parish has developed a diverse and robust economy with a median household income exceeding $72,000, significantly above the Louisiana state average. The parish economy benefits from its proximity to New Orleans while maintaining distinct economic sectors. Major employers include Chevron's operations, Ochsner Health System facilities, St. Tammany Parish Public Schools, and numerous healthcare providers including Slidell Memorial Hospital and Lakeview Regional Medical Center. The service sector dominates employment, particularly healthcare, education, retail trade, and hospitality.
Tourism represents a significant economic driver, with visitors attracted to cultural festivals, breweries (especially Abita Brewing Company), antique districts, and outdoor recreation. The Port of Madisonville and maritime industries contribute to the local economy. Advanced manufacturing has grown with companies in aerospace components and specialty manufacturing establishing facilities in the parish.
Technology and professional services sectors have expanded as remote work arrangements and quality-of-life factors attract knowledge workers. Retail development along major corridors including U.S. Highway 190 and Interstate 12 generates substantial sales tax revenue.
The unemployment rate typically tracks below state and national averages, reflecting the parish's economic stability. Economic development initiatives focus on business park development, workforce training partnerships with Northshore Technical Community College, and infrastructure improvements. The parish has avoided heavy industrial development, instead cultivating a business-friendly environment for professional services, healthcare, retail, and light manufacturing that complements residential growth and environmental preservation goals.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online Case Search | Property: ✅ Free Assessor Search & Recorder Index | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Mail Required | Business: ✅ State Online Search | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 8.5/10 — St. Tammany Parish provides excellent digital access to most public records with comprehensive online portals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border St. Tammany Parish.