Calcasieu County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Calcasieu County?
Public records in Calcasieu County are defined according to the Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1, which states that public records include "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 of public business." The Calcasieu Parish government maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens pursuant to state law.
The following categories of public records are maintained by various Calcasieu Parish offices:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, property assessments, and tax records
- 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, assessment records, and tax sale data
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from Calcasieu Parish Police Jury meetings and other boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: Parish financial statements, budgets, and expenditure reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning and zoning documents, permits, and applications
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly court and property records. Other records are maintained by specific departments such as the Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor, Registrar of Voters, and the Police Jury.
Is Calcasieu County an Open Records County?
Calcasieu Parish fully adheres to the Louisiana Public Records Law as established under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1-41. This comprehensive state statute governs access to public records throughout Louisiana and establishes the presumption that all records are public unless specifically exempted by law.
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, the law explicitly states that "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." This provision establishes the fundamental right of access that applies to all Calcasieu Parish government records.
Calcasieu Parish government agencies comply with the state's "sunshine laws," which include both the Public Records Law and the Open Meetings Law (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 42:11-28). These laws collectively ensure transparency in government operations by requiring that both records and meetings be accessible to the public with limited exceptions.
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court and other parish offices have established procedures for requesting and obtaining public records in compliance with state law. These procedures are designed to facilitate public access while protecting confidential information as required by statute.
How to Find Public Records in Calcasieu County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Calcasieu Parish may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The parish offers both in-person and online options for accessing various types of public records.
For court and property records, individuals may:
- Visit the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court's office in person to request records
- Access the Clerk's online search services for digital records
- Submit a written public records request to the appropriate custodian
- Use public access terminals available at the courthouse
For specific record types, the following procedures apply:
Court Records:
- Civil, criminal, family, and probate case records are available through the Clerk of Court
- Case information can be searched using the party name, case number, or filing date
- Some records may be available online, while others require in-person inspection
Property Records:
- Land records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are maintained by the Clerk of Court
- Property tax and assessment information is available through the Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor
- Property records can be searched by owner name, property address, or parcel number
Vital Records:
- Birth and death certificates from 1911 to present are available from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry
- Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Clerk of Court
- Divorce decrees are maintained as part of court records by the Clerk of Court
Business and Tax Records:
- Business licenses and permits are available through the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
- Tax records can be accessed through the Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor's Office
When submitting a formal public records request, individuals should:
- Clearly identify the specific records being requested
- Provide contact information for response
- Submit the request to the appropriate records custodian
- Allow for the statutory response time (up to 3 business days)
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Calcasieu County?
The Calcasieu Parish government charges fees for copies of public records in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, which permits agencies to establish "reasonable fees" for providing copies of public records. Current standard fees for public records in Calcasieu Parish are as follows:
- Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Certified Copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
- Large Format Documents: $3.00 per page for oversized documents (maps, plats, etc.)
- Digital Records: $5.00 per CD/DVD for electronic copies when available
- Research Fees: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring extensive research (after first 15 minutes)
Specific record types may have statutorily established fees:
- Marriage Licenses: $27.50 for the license, $5.00 for certified copies
- Birth/Death Certificates: $9.00 for the first copy, $7.00 for each additional copy (through Vital Records)
- Court Records: Varies by document type and certification status
- Property Records: $10.00 for first page, $2.00 for each additional page for certified copies
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court and other parish offices accept the following payment methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks (with proper identification)
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
- Electronic payments for online services
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly for indigent persons seeking court records related to their own cases, as provided under Louisiana law. Government agencies requesting records for official purposes may also be exempt from certain fees.
Does Calcasieu Parish Have Free Public Records?
Calcasieu Parish provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32(A), which states that "the custodian shall present any public record to any person of the age of majority who so requests." This provision ensures that while copies may incur fees, the right to inspect records in person is available at no cost.
The following free public record resources are available in Calcasieu Parish:
- In-Person Inspection: All non-exempt public records may be inspected free of charge during regular business hours at the appropriate parish office
- Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals at the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse provide free access to certain court and property records
- Online Resources: The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court offers limited free online access to certain public records
- Police Jury Website: Meeting minutes, agendas, and some financial reports are freely available on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury website
- Voter Information: Basic voter registration verification is available at no cost through the Louisiana Secretary of State
The Calcasieu Parish government website also provides free access to various public documents, including ordinances, regulations, and public notices. Additionally, the Calcasieu Parish Public Library system offers free public computer access that can be used to search for online public records.
It should be noted that while inspection is free, custodians may charge reasonable fees for copies, certified documents, or extensive research as outlined in the fee schedule section above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Calcasieu Parish?
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority" may request public records in Calcasieu Parish. This broad eligibility requirement means that:
- Requestors need not be Louisiana residents
- Citizenship status is not a factor in eligibility
- No statement of purpose is generally required
- Identification is typically only required for specific record types
For most public records requests in Calcasieu Parish, individuals need only:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Submit a clear request identifying the desired records
- Follow established procedures for the specific record type
- Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents
Certain record types do have additional requirements:
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates have restricted access based on relationship to the subject
- Adoption Records: Access is limited to parties to the adoption or by court order
- Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with limited exceptions for parties to the case
- Medical Records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
- Criminal History Information: Complete criminal histories may require fingerprinting and specific authorization
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and protect privacy. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on the record type and applicable confidentiality laws.
Government agencies, law enforcement, and court officials may have expanded access to certain records through official channels as provided by law.
What Records Are Confidential in Calcasieu Parish?
Calcasieu Parish maintains confidentiality for certain records as mandated by Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:4-4.1, which establishes specific exemptions from public records disclosure. The following categories of records are generally not available for public inspection:
- Juvenile Court Records: Protected under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412, except in limited circumstances
- Adoption Records: Sealed by court order and accessible only to parties to the adoption or by court order
- Child Welfare Records: Reports of child abuse or neglect and related investigations
- Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
- Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, medical information, and personal data (with limited exceptions for position, salary, and employment history)
- Active Criminal Investigations: Records that would impair ongoing law enforcement proceedings
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents between parish attorneys and officials
- Social Security Numbers: Redacted from public documents pursuant to federal and state privacy laws
- Financial Account Information: Bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and similar data
- Security Information: Details about critical infrastructure, security systems, or emergency response plans
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to parish agencies
- Certain Tax Information: Individual tax returns and confidential tax data
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by judicial order
Louisiana law also provides for a balancing test under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3.1, which allows records to be withheld when the custodian determines that the public interest in confidentiality outweighs the public interest in disclosure. This provision is applied on a case-by-case basis.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, parish officials will typically redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the document, as required by state law.
Calcasieu Parish Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
1000 Ryan Street, Room 8
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 437-3550
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor
1011 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 101
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 721-3000
Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
1015 Pithon Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 721-3500
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
Calcasieu Parish Health Unit (Vital Records)
3236 Kirkman Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 478-6020
Louisiana Department of Health
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office
5400 E. Broad Street
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 491-3700
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office
Lookup Public Records in Calcasieu Parish
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court