About Union Parish
Union Parish, Louisiana is located in the northern part of the state, bordered by Arkansas to the north and Ouachita Parish to the south. The parish seat is Farmerville, a small city that serves as the administrative and judicial center for the parish. As of the 2020 Census, Union Parish has a population of approximately 21,107 residents spread across 877 square miles of primarily rural landscape. The parish was established on March 13, 1839, making it one of Louisiana's older parishes.
Major landmarks include Lake D'Arbonne State Park, a popular recreation area covering over 600 acres with camping, fishing, and boating facilities, and the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum honoring General Claire Lee Chennault, a Waterproof native who led the Flying Tigers in World War II. The economy historically centered on agriculture, particularly cotton, timber, and livestock, though natural gas production has become increasingly important. The Union Parish Clerk of Court, located at 100 East Bayou Street in Farmerville, maintains vital records, land records, and court filings.
The Union Parish Assessor's Office at the courthouse complex handles property assessments and tax rolls. The Union Parish Police Jury serves as the governing body, functioning similarly to a parish commission in other states. The parish maintains a strong rural character with small communities including Marion, Bernice, Downsville, and Spearsville dotting the landscape alongside extensive forests and agricultural lands.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Union Parish Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining peace and order in the parish. It patrols the unincorporated areas, manages the Union Parish Detention Center, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community outreach programs and has specialized divisions such as the narcotics unit and the K-9 unit, which are crucial in tackling drug-related crimes and other offenses in the parish.
Police Departments
In addition to the Union Parish Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the parish includes municipal police departments such as the Farmerville Police Department and the Bernice Police Department. These agencies are responsible for maintaining law and order within their respective city limits. They coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations that extend beyond municipal boundaries, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage across the parish.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Union Parish Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 203 Boeuf Street in Farmerville, Louisiana 71241, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the parish. The Sheriff's Office phone number is (318) 368-3124, and the agency maintains responsibility for patrol operations, criminal investigations, civil process service, and operation of the Union Parish Detention Center. Inmates housed at the Union Parish jail can be searched through the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections website or by contacting the detention center directly at (318) 368-9601.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the detention center or by public records request to the Sheriff's Office.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and booking documents.
The facility maintains a roster of current inmates with booking information, charges, and bond amounts. Municipal police departments operate in the incorporated towns within Union Parish, including the Farmerville Police Department serving the parish seat and the Marion Police Department providing law enforcement within Marion town limits. Arrest records in Union Parish are public records under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 44:1 through 44:41, the Louisiana Public Records Law.
Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Union Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division, though some information may be redacted under exemptions for ongoing investigations or juvenile records. The Sheriff's Office also maintains sex offender registry information as required by state and federal law, accessible through the Louisiana State Police Sex Offender Registry online database. No tribal police agencies operate within Union Parish boundaries.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Union Parish includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Union Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records, while the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Sheriff's Office or directly from the state bureau. The records provide detailed information about an individual's criminal history, including convictions and ongoing cases, which are crucial for legal proceedings and employment checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Union Parish are maintained by the Union Parish Sheriff's Office. These records detail the circumstances of an individual's arrest, including charges, booking information, and court dates. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Louisiana Public Records Act, these records are accessible to the public, although certain information may be redacted for privacy reasons. Arrest records provide a comprehensive view of an individual's interactions with law enforcement in the parish.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Union Parish Detention Center is the main correctional facility in the parish. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested in the area, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. The facility offers an inmate lookup service through the Sheriff's Office website, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance.
- The bond and bail process in Louisiana allows arrested individuals to be released pending trial, and bail can be posted at the detention center or through a bail bondsman.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Union Parish are taken and retained by the Union Parish Sheriff's Office during the booking process at the detention center. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. Louisiana does not have specific mugshot removal laws, meaning that once a mugshot is part of the public record, it remains accessible unless expunged by court order. Individuals seeking to remove their mugshots must go through the legal process of expungement.
Courts & Case Records
The Third Judicial District Court serves Union Parish and is located at 100 East Bayou Street, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241. This district court has general jurisdiction over civil matters exceeding $10,000, criminal felony cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, successions, and appeals from lower courts. The court can be reached at (318) 368-3055. Union Parish also has jurisdiction under Justice of the Peace courts for small claims matters under $5,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases.
- While some Louisiana parishes offer online case search portals, Union Parish primarily requires in-person or phone requests for docket information.
- Written requests for records can be mailed to the Clerk of Court with appropriate fees.
The Union Parish Clerk of Court, located at the same courthouse address, serves as the official record keeper for all court proceedings and maintains an extensive archive of civil judgments, criminal convictions, probate matters, and marriage records. Court records are public under Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:754 and the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S.
44:1 et seq.), with certain exceptions for sealed records, juvenile matters, and adoption proceedings. Searches of court records can be conducted in person at the Clerk of Court's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office charges fees for certified copies of judgments, court orders, and other documents according to the fee schedule established by Louisiana statute, typically $2.00 per page for certified copies plus a $5.00 certification fee.
The district court also handles involuntary commitments, interdictions, and other proceedings requiring judicial oversight of vulnerable individuals.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records in Union Parish are maintained by the Union Parish Clerk of Court, which serves the function of Recorder of Deeds, located at 100 East Bayou Street, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241, phone (318) 368-3055. The Clerk's office maintains a comprehensive conveyance records system dating back to the parish's founding, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, acts of sale, mortgages, liens, privileges, easements, rights of way, mineral leases, and plat maps.
- Recording fees are established by Louisiana Revised Statutes and vary based on document type and page count.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Clerk of Court for statutory fees, typically $2.00 per page plus certification charges.
Louisiana operates under a conveyance recording system rather than the title recording system used in many states, meaning that property transactions are recorded in the order received with indexed references to property descriptions. Researchers can access these records in person at the Clerk of Court's office, where staff can assist with locating documents using grantor-grantee indices, legal descriptions, or modern computerized indexing systems. The Union Parish Assessor's Office, located at 100 East Bayou Street, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241, phone (318) 368-9259, maintains property tax assessment records, including ownership information, assessed values, property characteristics, and tax payment history.
The Assessor's office offers limited online access to property information through the Louisiana Tax Commission's website, though comprehensive searches may require in-person visits. The Union Parish Tax Collector handles property tax collection and can provide payment history and current tax due information. The parish does not currently offer a comprehensive online GIS parcel viewer, though this technology continues to expand across Louisiana parishes.
Oil and gas records, mineral rights documentation, and related leases are also recorded with the Clerk of Court and are searchable by legal description or party name.
Vital Records
Vital records for Union Parish, Louisiana are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Union Parish are available through the Louisiana Department of Health, Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, Louisiana 70160. Birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for additional copies ordered simultaneously, while death certificates cost $7.00 each. Processing time for mail-in requests typically ranges from four to six weeks, though expedited service is available for additional fees.
- Death certificates less than 50 years old require the requester to demonstrate direct and tangible interest under Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:31-40:39, the Louisiana Vital Records Law.
- VitalChek offers online ordering services for Louisiana vital records at an additional convenience fee through www.vitalchek.com.
- The fee is $27.50, and both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and Social Security numbers.
- Divorce records are maintained by the Union Parish Clerk of Court as part of the district court proceedings and can be accessed under the same provisions as other court records.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees are available from the Clerk's office for statutory fees.
Louisiana birth records are restricted for 100 years from the date of birth, accessible only to the registrant, immediate family members, or legal representatives with proper identification. The Union Parish Clerk of Court, located at 100 East Bayou Street, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241, phone (318) 368-3055, issues marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Union Parish. There is no waiting period or blood test requirement in Louisiana.
Marriage ceremonies can be performed by clergy, judges, or authorized officiants, and the signed license must be returned to the Clerk of Court for recording.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Union Parish, Louisiana are maintained by multiple agencies at the local and state level. The Union Parish Clerk of Court at 100 East Bayou Street, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241, maintains records of trade names, DBAs (doing business as), and assumed name certificates filed by businesses operating in the parish. These filings provide public notice of business ownership and can be searched at the Clerk's office during regular business hours.
- This database includes Union Parish businesses that have registered at the state level.
- The Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, though not a government agency, provides business resources and networking opportunities for local enterprises.
The primary source for business entity information in Louisiana is the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division, which maintains the official registry of corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other business entities. The Secretary of State's online business search portal at https://coraweb.sos.la.gov provides free access to entity names, registered agents, formation dates, and status information for businesses registered in Louisiana. Professional licenses such as contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, and other regulated professions are issued by respective Louisiana state licensing boards rather than at the parish level.
Sales tax permits for businesses operating in Union Parish are obtained through the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and businesses may be required to collect both state and local sales taxes depending on their location and business type. Building permits and zoning matters in unincorporated Union Parish are handled by the Union Parish Police Jury, the governing authority for the parish. Incorporated municipalities such as Farmerville and Marion maintain their own building inspection and zoning departments.
Occupational licenses for certain business types may be required by municipal governments within Union Parish, and businesses should contact local town halls for specific requirements applicable to their operations.
Elections & Voter Records
Election administration in Union Parish, Louisiana is managed by the Union Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 203 Boeuf Street, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241, phone (318) 368-3124. The Registrar's office handles voter registration, maintenance of voter rolls, and coordination with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Elections Division for all federal, state, and local elections.
- In the 2024 general election, Union Parish recorded approximately 58% turnout of registered voters.
- Citizens can request copies of election results, voter turnout data, and other public election records under the Louisiana Public Records Law by submitting requests to the Registrar of Voters office.
- The Louisiana Secretary of State's website provides comprehensive election results, historical voting data, and candidate information for all Louisiana parishes including Union Parish.
Louisiana residents can register to vote online through the Louisiana Secretary of State's GeauxVote system at https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting, which provides secure online registration for eligible citizens. Voter registration deadlines in Louisiana require registration at least 30 days before any election, with online registration closing at midnight on the 30th day and mail registration requiring postmark by that date. In-person registration at the Registrar's office is also available during regular business hours.
Voters can find their assigned polling place by visiting the GeauxVote portal and entering their name and birth date, or by calling the Registrar's office. Union Parish operates approximately 15 polling locations throughout the parish on election day, with locations assigned based on voter residence within designated precincts. Early voting is conducted at the Union Parish Registrar of Voters office for a period specified by Louisiana law, typically 14 days before an election excluding Sundays.
Election records that are public under Louisiana law include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted), precinct-level election results, candidate qualifying information, and campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Union Parish typically experiences voter turnout of 55% to 65% in presidential election years, with lower turnout of 30% to 45% in non-presidential cycles. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and Senate midterm races along with various Louisiana state offices. Absentee by mail voting in Louisiana is available for specific categories of voters including those over 65, physically disabled individuals, overseas military and citizens, and election day workers. Applications for absentee ballots must be submitted to the Registrar of Voters and approved under Louisiana Revised Statutes 18:1303 and 18:1307.
Louisiana does not offer universal mail-in voting or no-excuse absentee voting.
Economy & Demographics
Union Parish, Louisiana maintains a diverse economy rooted in traditional agricultural production, natural resource extraction, and growing service sectors. Historically dependent on cotton, soybeans, corn, and timber production, the parish's agricultural sector remains significant with numerous family farms and commercial operations throughout the rural landscape. Cattle ranching provides important agricultural income, and the forestry industry supports timber harvesting and processing operations.
- The median household income in Union Parish is approximately $38,000 to $42,000, below both state and national averages, reflecting the rural character and limited industrial base.
- The healthcare sector provides stable employment through medical facilities and nursing homes serving the aging population.
Natural gas production has become increasingly important to the parish economy over the past two decades, with the Haynesville Shale formation underlying portions of Union Parish generating substantial mineral production and royalty income for landowners. Major employers include Union Parish School Board, Union General Hospital in Farmerville, retail operations along Highway 167, and various small manufacturing facilities. Retail and service businesses concentrated in Farmerville serve residents throughout the parish and surrounding areas.
Louisiana Economic Development has designated portions of Union Parish as opportunity zones to encourage investment in underserved areas. The unemployment rate in Union Parish typically runs slightly higher than state averages, ranging from 5% to 7% depending on economic conditions and seasonal factors. Lake D'Arbonne State Park attracts tourists and recreational visitors, supporting local hospitality and service businesses.
The parish lacks major interstate highway access, with US Highway 167 and US Highway 15 serving as primary transportation corridors. Economic development efforts focus on supporting existing businesses, attracting light manufacturing, and promoting the parish's quality of life and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Union Parish Police Jury works with the Louisiana Economic Development office to market available industrial sites and provide information to prospective businesses considering location in the parish.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ In-Person Required | Property: ⚠️ Limited Online | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Office Required | Business: ✅ Online (State Level) | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 5/10 — Union Parish offers limited digital access to local records, requiring most requests in person at the courthouse, though state-level databases provide some business and election information online.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Union Parish
Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in Union Parish, Louisiana.
Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border Union Parish.