About Start
Start, Louisiana is a community in Richland Parish, Louisiana. This page consolidates verified public records resources for Start, including law enforcement, court, vital, property, and government records.
Read more about public records in Start
Start is located in Richland Parish, Louisiana and had a recorded population of approximately 941 at the last census. Parish and state agencies serving Richland Parish are the primary source for most government records affecting Start residents.
Court case records for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters in Richland Parish are maintained by the parish trial court of general jurisdiction and, where applicable, by municipal or district courts. Statewide court case search tools published by the Louisiana Judicial Branch can also be used to locate cases.
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates for Start residents are issued through the Louisiana Department of Health (Vital Records Registry), with local copies often available through the Richland Parish Clerk's office. Real-property records (deeds, mortgages, liens) and parcel assessments are recorded with the parish Clerk of Court (recorder) and the parish Assessor.
Most government records held by Louisiana agencies are accessible under the Louisiana Public Records Law, which sets a response window of 3 business days and requires agencies to publish procedures for written records requests. Certain records (juvenile, sealed, victim, and active investigation records) may be withheld or redacted under statutory exemptions.
Public Records & Services in Start
About Start — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Richland Parish Detention Center is the main booking and housing facility for arrestees in the parish. When someone is booked at the detention center, staff photograph and fingerprint them while recording their personal information. An online inmate lookup tool allows family members and attorneys to search for inmates and view details about charges and bond status. Visitation follows specific rules with scheduled times and guidelines that visitors must follow carefully.
Arrest Records
The Richland Parish Sheriff's Office maintains all arrest records for the area. These records document the circumstances of each arrest, the charges filed, and personal information about the arrestee. Residents and attorneys who need copies can request them by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Louisiana Public Records Law grants individuals the right to access most arrest records unless a specific exemption applies. A typical arrest record includes the date of arrest, specific charges, and which agency made the arrest.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Richland Parish includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. To run a background check in Louisiana, individuals can contact the Louisiana State Police, which provides statewide criminal history information. Richland Parish residents can access criminal records through the parish's law enforcement agencies, subject to the provisions of the Louisiana Public Records Law.
Vital Records
The Richland Parish Registrar of Vital Records is responsible for maintaining birth, death, and marriage certificates for the town of Start, Louisiana. These records can be obtained by submitting a request form and providing the necessary information. The Registrar's office is located at 211 Julia Street, Rayville, LA 71269, and the online request form can be found at https://richlandparishcoc.com/vital records/.
Business & Licensing Records
Business and personal property tax records for Start flow through the Richland Parish Assessor's Office. Business owners can search property information, review tax assessments, and obtain copies of relevant documents at the Assessor's office located at 211 Julia Street, Rayville, LA 71269. The office also provides online access to these public records through its website at https://richlandparishassessor.com/.
Economy & Demographics
The Richland Parish Economic Development Office tracks business and economic data for the town of Start, Louisiana. This includes information on local industries, employment statistics, and economic development initiatives. Residents and businesses can access this data by visiting the Richland Parish Economic Development website at https://richlandparishedc.com/ or by contacting the office directly at 211 Julia Street, Rayville, LA 71269.
Elections & Voter Records
Voters in Start, Louisiana rely on the Richland Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 708 Julia Street, Rayville, LA 71269, phone (318) 728-5727. This office maintains voter registration rolls, processes applications, and administers elections for all parish residents. Louisiana residents can register online through the GeauxVote system at www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting, submit an application by mail, or register in person at the Registrar's office. Registration deadlines require voters to register 30 days before any election, or 20 days for online registration.
A Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana Special ID number is required during registration. As a small incorporated village, Start holds municipal elections for mayor and board of aldermen every four years. The next municipal elections are scheduled for 2026, with qualifying typically occurring in July and elections in November if needed, though the timing may shift to March of odd-numbered years depending on the election cycle established by village ordinance. Village election details are available through the Richland Parish Clerk of Court and posted at Start Town Hall. Residents can find their polling place assignments through the GeauxVote portal at www.sos.la.gov by entering name and date of birth. The village typically operates one designated polling location. Louisiana maintains extensive public election records. Voter registration lists are available for political purposes. Campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics can be accessed at www.ethics.la.gov. Louisiana does not have U.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Start voters are published by the Louisiana Secretary of State (https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/). State legislative races for the Louisiana House of Representatives District 17, which includes Richland Parish, will appear on the ballot. Parish-level offices including Sheriff, Clerk of Court, and Assessor are elected in off-year cycles and are not scheduled for 2026. School board positions for Richland Parish School Board districts may be contested. Louisiana uses a jungle primary system where all candidates regardless of party appear on the same ballot; if no candidate receives 50% in the primary, the top two advance to a runoff. Absentee voting by mail in Louisiana requires an excuse: being away from the parish on election day, age 65 or older, hospitalization or disability, incarceration, or working as an election official. Early voting is available in-person at designated locations, typically the Registrar's office, for 14 days before an election, excluding Sundays. Applications for absentee ballots must be submitted to the Richland Parish Registrar of Voters no later than 4:30 PM on the fourth day before the election.
Public Records Resources for Start, Louisiana
Official government websites for Start, Louisiana and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov,.us, or.mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or.com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Louisiana Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the Louisiana Secretary of State.
- Louisiana Death RecordsOnline resource for finding free death records from the LA Dept of Public Health.
- Louisiana Marriage InformationRequest a copy of a marriage certificates from the LA Office of Public Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain vital records in Start, Louisiana?
Vital records for Start, Richland 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. The Richland Parish Clerk's office may also issue certified copies. Valid identification and proof of eligibility are required.
How do I find public school records in Start, Louisiana?
Public schools in Start, Richland Parish, Louisiana are administered by the local school district. School performance data, enrollment information, and district boundaries are available through the Louisiana Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.
How do I access crime data and statistics for Start, Louisiana?
Crime data for Start, Richland Parish, Louisiana is maintained by local law enforcement agencies and reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime statistics through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office.
How do I access public library records in Start, Louisiana?
The Richland Parish Public Library provides access to public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. The Richland Parish library system may offer additional resources. Contact the library for available databases and research assistance.
Where can I get fingerprinting services in Start, Louisiana?
Fingerprinting services for Start, Louisiana residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized providers in Richland Parish. Services cover background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening. Contact the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office for scheduling and fees.
How do I register to vote in Start, Louisiana?
To register to vote in Start, Louisiana, residents can register online through the Louisiana Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Richland 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 county and state elections (Start is an unincorporated community in Richland Parish and does not hold municipal elections), contact the Richland Parish Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Start, Louisiana?
Property records for Start, Louisiana are maintained by the Richland Parish Assessor's Office and the Richland Parish Clerk of Court. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Richland Parish, including parcels in Start. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Richland 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 Richland Parish offices at the parish courthouse. The Richland Parish Sheriff's Office (ex officio Tax Collector) handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Start, Louisiana?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Start, 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 Richland Parish Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Richland 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.