Caddo County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Caddo County?
Public records in Caddo Parish, Louisiana are defined under the Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1 et seq. According to this statute, public records include all books, records, writings, accounts, letters, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers prepared, possessed, or retained for use in the conduct of public business by any public body, office, or official.
Caddo Parish maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Caddo Parish Tax Assessor
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Caddo Parish Commission meetings and other governmental boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: Parish financial records, audits, and budgetary information
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning and zoning documents, permits, and applications
The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court maintains court records, property records, marriage licenses, and other legal documents. The Caddo Parish Health Unit maintains vital records such as birth and death certificates. The Caddo Parish Commission maintains records related to parish governance, including meeting minutes, ordinances, and financial records.
Is Caddo County an Open Records County?
Caddo Parish adheres to the Louisiana Public Records Law, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, and except as otherwise provided by law."
The law specifically states that "providing access to public records is a responsibility and duty of the appointive or elective office of a custodian and his employees." This provision underscores the obligation of government officials to facilitate public access to records.
Caddo Parish has established specific public records request procedures in compliance with state law. These procedures outline how members of the public can submit requests, applicable fees, and expected response times.
The parish also complies with Louisiana's Open Meetings Law (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 42:11 et seq.), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions. This law works in conjunction with the Public Records Law to ensure transparency in government operations.
How to Find Public Records in Caddo County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Caddo Parish may follow these steps to access the information they need:
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Identify the appropriate custodian: Determine which agency or department maintains the records you seek. Different types of records are maintained by different offices:
- Court records: Caddo Parish Clerk of Court
- Vital records: Caddo Parish Health Unit
- Property records: Caddo Parish Clerk of Court or Tax Assessor
- Parish government records: Caddo Parish Commission
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Submit a formal request: While requests may be made in any manner (by phone, in writing, through email), written requests are recommended for documentation purposes. The Caddo Parish website provides information on submitting requests.
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Provide specific information: Include detailed information about the records you seek, including names, dates, case numbers, or property descriptions when applicable.
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Pay applicable fees: Be prepared to pay any required fees for copying or certification of records.
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Allow processing time: Under Louisiana law, custodians must respond to requests within three business days. However, more complex requests may require additional time.
For court records, the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court offers online access to certain records through their website. Property records, marriage licenses, and other legal documents can be searched and viewed online, though some may require registration or payment of fees.
For vital records such as birth and death certificates, individuals may visit the Caddo Parish Health Unit or request records through the Louisiana Department of Health's vital records service.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Caddo County?
Caddo Parish follows fee structures established under Louisiana law for public records. According to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, custodians may establish and collect reasonable fees for making copies of public records.
Current standard fees in Caddo Parish include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 per document for certification
- Electronic Records: Fees may apply for electronic copies, typically based on the cost of the storage medium
- Research Fees: For requests requiring extensive research, fees may be charged based on actual cost of the custodian's time
Specific fees for common record types include:
- Court Records: $0.50 per page for copies from the Clerk of Court
- Birth Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy
- Death Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage Licenses: $27.50 for application, $5.00 for certified copies
Accepted payment methods typically include cash, check, money order, and in some cases, credit cards. Some offices may require payment in advance before processing requests.
It is important to note that under Louisiana law, fees may not be charged for the inspection of public records, only for copies or certifications. Additionally, custodians may waive or reduce fees if the request is made in the public interest, such as by journalists or nonprofit organizations.
Does Caddo County Have Free Public Records?
Caddo Parish provides free access to certain public records in accordance with Louisiana law. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, all persons have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. Only when copies are requested may fees be assessed.
Free public records services in Caddo Parish include:
- In-person inspection: Members of the public may examine records at no cost at the office of the custodian during regular business hours
- Online access: Some records are available for free viewing through the parish's online portals
- Meeting minutes and agendas: The Caddo Parish Commission provides free access to meeting minutes and agendas on their website
- Voter registration verification: Basic voter registration information can be accessed at no cost
- Property ownership verification: Basic property ownership information can be viewed online without charge
The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court offers free online access to certain court record indexes, though fees may apply for viewing complete documents or obtaining copies. Similarly, the Caddo Parish Tax Assessor provides free online access to basic property assessment information.
The Caddo Parish Commission website offers free access to parish ordinances, meeting minutes, and other public documents. These resources allow citizens to stay informed about parish government activities without incurring costs.
Who Can Request Public Records in Caddo County?
Under Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority" may request public records. This broad eligibility means:
- Requestors do not need to be residents of Caddo Parish or Louisiana
- Requestors do not need to state a reason or purpose for their request
- Requestors do not need to provide identification for most record types
- Non-citizens of the United States may request records
However, certain limitations and requirements do exist:
- Requestors must be at least 18 years of age (the age of majority in Louisiana)
- For certain sensitive records, such as vital records, requestors may need to demonstrate a legitimate interest or relationship to the subject of the record
- For vital records (birth, death certificates), requestors must provide identification and may need to demonstrate their relationship to the person named in the record
- For certain court records that have been sealed or expunged, access is restricted by law
When requesting records about oneself versus records about others, different rules may apply. For example, individuals have broader access rights to their own vital records than to those of others. Similarly, parties to a court case have greater access to case records than members of the general public in certain circumstances.
Government agencies, law enforcement, and authorized researchers may have enhanced access to certain records that are otherwise restricted from public view.
What Records Are Confidential in Caddo County?
While Louisiana law favors transparency, certain records in Caddo Parish are exempt from disclosure under various state and federal laws. According to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:4 and other statutes, the following records are generally confidential:
- Juvenile records: Court records involving minors, except in limited circumstances
- Sealed court records: Records that have been sealed by court order
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records related to pending investigations
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal data
- Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Adoption records: Records related to adoption proceedings
- Child welfare records: Records maintained by child protective services
- Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information of public employees
- Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and communications between government agencies and their attorneys
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial information submitted to government agencies
- Security information: Records related to security procedures, emergency response plans, and critical infrastructure
- Certain tax records: Individual income tax returns and other confidential tax information
- Voting records: The specific votes cast by individual voters
Louisiana law employs a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3.1, records may be withheld if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Additionally, federal laws such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protect student records, and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects medical information, even when such records are held by parish agencies.
Caddo County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court
501 Texas Street, Room 103
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 226-6780
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
- Marriage licenses
- Court records
- Notary services
- Certified copies of recorded documents
Caddo Parish Tax Assessor
501 Texas Street, Room 101
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 226-6701
Caddo Parish Tax Assessor
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Caddo Parish Health Unit (Vital Records)
1035 Creswell Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 676-5222
Caddo Parish Health Unit
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Caddo Parish Commission
505 Travis Street, Suite 110
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 226-6900
Caddo Parish Commission
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Lookup Public Records in Caddo County
City Courts records and payment system
Public Records Requests information and procedures
Vital Records request information and resources