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East Baton Rouge County Public Records

What Are Public Records in East Baton Rouge County?

Public records in East Baton Rouge Parish are defined under the Louisiana Public Records Law, Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1-41, as "all books, records, writings, accounts, letters and letter books, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers...prepared, possessed, or retained for use in the conduct, transaction, or performance of any business" of a public body. East Baton Rouge Parish maintains extensive public records that document government activities and transactions.

The following categories of public records are maintained by various parish offices:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court. These include case filings, judgments, and court proceedings.
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are available through the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court and the Assessor's Office.
  • Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees are maintained by the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court and the Louisiana Department of Health.
  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are available through the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court and the Secretary of State's Office.
  • Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by the East Baton Rouge Parish Tax Assessor's Office.
  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results are available through the East Baton Rouge Parish Registrar of Voters.
  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council, boards, and commissions are maintained by the Parish Clerk.
  • Budget and Financial Documents: Parish financial records, budgets, and expenditure reports are available through the East Baton Rouge Parish Finance Department.
  • Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and certain incident reports are maintained by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and Baton Rouge Police Department.
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning and zoning documents are available through the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning Commission.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court serves as the primary custodian for many parish records, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments.

Is East Baton Rouge County an Open Records County?

East Baton Rouge Parish fully complies with the Louisiana Public Records Law as established in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1-41. This comprehensive statute establishes the public's right to access government records with limited exceptions.

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record" and "any person may obtain a copy or reproduction of any public record" during regular business hours. This provision establishes Louisiana's strong presumption in favor of disclosure.

East Baton Rouge Parish government operates under these transparency requirements and has established procedures for public records requests in accordance with state law. The parish adheres to the state's sunshine laws, which require open meetings and public access to government proceedings.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Attorney's Office oversees compliance with public records laws and provides guidance to parish departments regarding disclosure requirements. The parish has implemented policies to ensure timely responses to public records requests as required by Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, which mandates that custodians provide immediate access to records that are not in active use.

How to Find Public Records in East Baton Rouge County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in East Baton Rouge Parish may follow these procedures to obtain public information:

  1. Identify the Appropriate Office: Determine which parish department maintains the records you seek. The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court maintains most court and property records, while other specialized records are held by specific departments.

  2. Submit a Written Request: While verbal requests are permitted under Louisiana law, written requests are recommended for documentation purposes. Requests should include:

    • Specific description of records sought
    • Requestor's contact information
    • Preferred format for receiving records

  3. Court and Property Records: Visit the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court's office or access their online portal for court cases and property records.

    East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court
    222 St. Louis Street, Room 334
    Baton Rouge, LA 70802
    (225) 389-3950
    East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court

  4. Vital Records: Birth and death certificates can be obtained from the East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit or the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry.

    East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit
    353 N. 12th Street
    Baton Rouge, LA 70802
    (225) 242-4860
    Louisiana Department of Health

  5. Property Tax Records: Access property tax information through the East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor's Office.

    East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor's Office
    222 St. Louis Street, Room 126
    Baton Rouge, LA 70802
    (225) 389-3920
    East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor

  6. Online Access Options: Many records are available through the parish's online portals:

  7. Review Records: Custodians must allow inspection of non-exempt records during regular business hours. Requestors may take notes or request copies.

  8. Receive Copies: If copies are requested, the custodian will provide them upon payment of applicable fees.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in East Baton Rouge County?

East Baton Rouge Parish charges fees for copies of public records in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32(C), which allows custodians to establish and collect reasonable fees for copying public records. Current standard fees include:

  • General Document Copies: $0.25-$1.00 per page, depending on the department and document type
  • Certified Copies: Additional $5.00-$10.00 certification fee
  • Court Records: Vary by document type:
    • Civil case documents: $0.50 per page
    • Criminal case documents: $0.50 per page
    • Certified court documents: $10.00 plus copy fees
  • Property Records:
    • Deed copies: $1.00 per page
    • Mortgage documents: $1.00 per page
    • Certified property records: $10.00 plus copy fees
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth certificates: $15.00 for first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy
    • Death certificates: $15.00 for first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy
    • Marriage licenses: $10.00
  • Research Fees: Some departments charge research fees for requests requiring extensive staff time, typically $25.00 per hour after the first hour

Accepted payment methods include:

  • Cash (in-person requests only)
  • Credit/debit cards (in-person and online requests)
  • Money orders
  • Checks (made payable to the specific department)

Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly for indigent requestors seeking their own records for legal proceedings, as provided in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32(C)(1)(a).

Does East Baton Rouge County Have Free Public Records?

East Baton Rouge Parish provides free inspection of public records during regular business hours in accordance with Louisiana law. While copying fees apply, the following free services are available:

Who Can Request Public Records in East Baton Rouge County?

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority" may request public records in East Baton Rouge Parish. The following eligibility requirements and considerations apply:

  • Age Requirement: Requestors must be at least 18 years of age to make formal requests.

  • Residency: Louisiana law does not restrict access based on residency status. Non-residents have the same rights to access public records as Louisiana residents.

  • Identification: While basic identification may be requested to verify age, custodians cannot generally require detailed personal information or explanation of purpose for most public records requests.

  • Purpose Disclosure: For standard public records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. However, certain specialized records (such as voter registration data for commercial purposes) may require disclosure of intended use.

  • Requesting Records About Oneself: Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify identity, particularly for confidential or restricted records.

  • Requesting Records About Others: Access to records about other individuals may be limited by privacy exemptions, particularly for medical, personnel, or certain personal information.

  • Attorney Requests: Attorneys may request records on behalf of clients with proper authorization.

  • Commercial Requests: Commercial entities may request public records, though certain commercial uses of specific data sets (such as bulk voter information) may be restricted.

  • Media Requests: Members of the media have the same access rights as other requestors, though some agencies may have specific media relations procedures.

The Louisiana Public Records Law establishes a presumption in favor of disclosure, placing the burden on the custodian to justify any denial of access to public records.

What Records Are Confidential in East Baton Rouge County?

While Louisiana law favors transparency, Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:4.1 establishes numerous exceptions to public records disclosure. The following categories of records are generally exempt from disclosure in East Baton Rouge Parish:

  • Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain juvenile proceedings, adoption cases, and expunged criminal records.

  • Juvenile Records: Records related to juvenile court proceedings and juvenile criminal matters are confidential under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412.

  • Law Enforcement Records: Active investigation records, intelligence information, and records that would compromise ongoing investigations or prosecutions.

  • Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifying information contained within otherwise public records.

  • Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws, including mental health records.

  • Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed and confidential.

  • Child Welfare Records: Child abuse investigations, foster care records, and other child protective services information.

  • Personnel Records: Certain employee records including medical information, personal contact details, and performance evaluations (with exceptions for certain employment information).

  • Education Records: Student records protected under FERPA, including academic and disciplinary records.

  • Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted to government agencies.

  • Security Information: Records related to security procedures, emergency response plans, and critical infrastructure.

  • Attorney-Client Communications: Communications between parish attorneys and parish officials protected by attorney-client privilege.

  • Executive Session Minutes: Records of closed executive sessions of public bodies discussing certain confidential matters.

  • Tax Return Information: Individual and business tax return information submitted to parish agencies.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, custodians must redact the confidential information and provide access to the remainder of the record. The parish applies a balancing test when considering whether certain discretionary exemptions apply, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure.

East Baton Rouge County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court
222 St. Louis Street, Room 334
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 389-3950
East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court

Regular Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and parish holidays

Recording Division Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Services Provided:

  • Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
  • Marriage licenses
  • Notarial archives
  • Property records research
  • Civil and criminal court records
  • Certified copies of recorded documents

Satellite Office - Coursey Boulevard Branch:
10500 Coursey Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
(225) 389-8354

Satellite Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Online Services: The Clerk's Office provides online access to certain records through their website. Electronic recording (e-recording) services are available for title companies and legal professionals.

Lookup Public Records in East Baton Rouge County

East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor East Baton Rouge Parish Government East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office Louisiana Secretary of State Business Filings

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