Livingston Parish Court records are created to ensure the public has continued access to the judiciary. Record custodians allow individuals to view case details, such as party names, case titles, docket entries, and case outcomes. The public can also inspect and obtain documents like judgements, orders, motions, complaints, subpoenas, and transcripts. These data and materials are part of Louisiana Court records but are generally maintained by the Livingston Parish clerk of court and clerks of city and municipal courts.
People looking to obtain such records for legal research, payment of fines, background checks, and case updates can use each clerk's online and physical methods. They must pay the required fees to reproduce copies and access certain paid online resources.
Are Court Records Public in Livingston Parish?
Yes. Louisiana law (La R.S. 44:31) allows access to most Livingston court records. However, access will be restricted when individuals attempt to view or obtain records considered confidential by law.
Confidential records are usually exempt because disclosing them would constitute a serious violation of privacy, reveal national security secrets, scuttle active investigations, and expose children and young adults to unfair public scrutiny.
To that end, ongoing investigations, personal information like social security and credit card numbers, juvenile records, birth and death documents, and some family-related proceedings are not part of Livingston Parish public records. Only people authorized by law have access to these case data and documents.
Livingston Parish Court Records Search
As mentioned, Livingston Parish court records are managed by theparish clerkand clerks of city courts. Knowing the adjudicating court, the type of case record one wants to access, or where the incident or lawsuit occurred can help an interested party locate the right custodian. Individuals should also determine whether certain Livingston arrest records have entered the court system. They may have to visit arresting law enforcement agencies for new cases that have not been filed with the clerk.
Third-party public records websites can also provide arrest, civil, and criminal records generated by Livingston Parish law enforcement agencies and courts.
Livingston Parish Court Records Search by Name
While third-party websites are generally the preferred option for name-based searches, people can also use resources provided by clerks of courts. These include using online resources and performing in-person searches at the courthouse.
Livingston Parish Courts
Civil and criminal legal actions in Livingston Parish are adjudicated by the 21st Judicial District Court and various city and municipal courts. Individual can visit these court locations or contact court administrations using the following details:
Livingston Parish Courthouse
P20300 Government Boulevard
P.O. Box 639
Livingston, LA 70754
Phone: (225) 686-7461
Fax: (225) 686-0603
Denham Springs City Court
116 North Range Avenue
Denham Springs, LA 70726
Phone: (225) 665-5505
Fax: (225) 664-2648
Livingston Mayor’s Court
20550 Circle Drive
P.O. Box 430
Livingston, LA 70754
Phone: (225) 686-7153
Fax: (225) 686-0688
Walker Municipal Court
Walker Municipal Building
13600 Aydell Lane
Walker, LA 70785
Phone: (225) 664-7692
Fax: (225) 664-6457
Livingston Parish Superior Court Case Search
There are no superior courts in Livingston Parish. However, the parish's district court performs the same traditional duties of superior courts in other U.S. regions.
Livingston Parish District Court Records
As mentioned, Livingston Parish is under Louisiana's21st judicial district, which also serves St. Helena and Tangipahoa Parish. It has divisions for civil and criminal cases in each parish.
Livingston’s criminal and civil courts have original jurisdiction over legal prosecutions and civil matters occurring within the parish's boundaries. Records produced during these proceedings are managed by theLivingston Parish Clerk of Court.
People can visit the office in person or use its online option to access these records. Deputy clerks at the office can assist members of the public to search for documents and prepare copies.
While individuals can inspect copies for free in person, they must pay the following fees to reproduce records:
- Copies: $1 per page
- Certified copies: $10 each
- Criminal records check: $20
People can also go through the 21st Judicial District's court administration's website to request transcripts of court cases. The process involves completing theTranscript Request Formand submitted by mail,email, or fax using the following details:
Transcript Request
P.O. Box 788
Amite, LA 70422
Fax: (985) 747-6869
People can alsofill out the formon the district court's website to request transcripts online.
Livingston Parish Criminal Records
When a person is taken into custody, the arresting agency documents the incident and books the suspect. These activities create Livingston Parish arrest records that contain the cause, location, and time of arrest. They also include the individual's name, photograph, and other personal information.
Arrest records only become a part of the person's Livingston Parish criminal records if they are arraigned and prosecuted for their alleged offense.
Be that as it may, the first point of contact for obtaining Livingston arrest records is the arresting agency. For example, if the individual was arrested by theDenham Springs Police Department, they can visit the agency's records department at447 Lamm Street, Denham Springs, LA 70726.
TheLivingston Parish Sheriff's Officealso maintains most of the parish's arrest records. These include arrest incidents and inmate information. The office'sonline inmate listshows booking details of individuals arrested in the parish. These details include inmate name, date of birth, booking date, charges, and bond details. The office also operates amost wanted webpagewhere the public can view a list of suspects whose warrants have been issued in connection to violent crimes.
Livingston Parish Criminal Court Case Lookup
Livingston criminal records are collections of arrest, prosecution, incarceration, and post-conviction information. They are largely created in the parish's district and city courts. Interested parties usually request these records as part of background checks when evaluating candidates for employment in sensitive positions like childcare, finance, and security. The records are also used by people looking to expunge their criminal history or confirming how much fines they owe.
Criminal records custodians include the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court and clerks of city courts.
The parish clerk maintains records created during criminal matters filed by theDistrict Attorney. These cases include all felony charges within the parish and traffic and misdemeanor cases outside the territorial boundaries of city courts. People can visit the clerk's office to inspect and order these records. They can also sendcriminal records check requeststo the clerk's office. The request provides defendant docket numbers, offenses, and disposition descriptions for cases heard in the district court. It costs $20 per name.
The District Attorney's office also publishescriminal docketsfor various court divisions on its website. It shows case details such as defendant name, charges, bail information, defense attorney, and arrest date.
For other records not maintained by the parish clerk's office, one must go through the clerk of the city or municipal court that handled the matter. For instance, people looking for records pertaining to ordinance and traffic violations in the City of Walker can approach theWalker Clerk of Court.
Get Livingston Parish Civil Court Records
The parish's civil records are also created at the district and municipal levels. They document cases initiated by private and public individuals, not district or city attorneys. Financial damages are usually awarded when courts find in favor of plaintiffs. Civil cases can also be filed to force the defending party to make specific restitutions or discontinue activities like restoring an individual’s property ownership status.
Per Louisiana'sCode of Civil Procedure § 4843, city courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in matters where the disputed amount or property is worth up to $15,000. The city courts will typically handle cases that fall within their boundaries. People can contact the clerk of the city court to obtain such records.
Every other case record can be accessed through the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court's office in person or online. The clerk operates a paid online system where intending users must set up accounts and purchase the following subscriptions:
- 48-hour access to civil records: $100
- Annual subscription for land and civil records: $450
People can view civil records for free at the clerk's office with assistance from deputy clerks. However, they must pay the required $1 per copy for copies of documents and $10 for each certified copy.
Livingston Parish Family Court Records
The district court’s civil division adjudicates matters involving children and spouses. These include divorce, adoption, parental rights, child support and custody, and juvenile proceedings. The resulting records are managed by the clerk's office.
Only eligible parties are allowed to approach the office regarding court records generated during certain family law matters. These typically include child-related actions like custody, support, and adoption.
Livingston Dissolution of Marriage Records
Couples initiate dissolution of marriage proceedings in the civil division of the parish's judicial district to end their marriages. These cases produce divorce and annulment documents, which are part of Livingston Parish marriage records. They include court filings, agreements, and the judgment detailing the terms of the divorce or annulment. These records can be used for things like change of name and marriage applications.
People can visit the clerk's office to request copies of their divorce decrees, whether certified or plain.
Livingston Parish Marriage and Divorce Records
Other Livingston Parish marriage records include copies of marriage licenses, and can also be obtained through the office of theClerk of Courtlike divorce records. These documents can be used to add a person's spouse to their health insurance, apply for change of name, file joint tax returns, and establish legal rights to certain benefits and inheritance.
Any individual looking for a Livingston Parish marriage certificate is interested in obtaining a certified copy of a marriage license, which is the document dispensed by the parish clerk. These parties can alsocontact the officein person or by phone for more inquiries regarding the document.
Livingston Birth and Death Records
The Louisiana Department of Health issues Livingston Parish birth records to people born in the county. The department also produces death certificates for residents that pass on in the Parish and other parts of the state. A birth certificate can be used to apply for social security benefits, prove that one is an eligibleforced heirorintestate successorpursuant to Louisiana law, enroll in schools, and register for driver’s licenses and passports, among others. Death certificates are required (sometimes alongside birth certificates), when claiming inheritance or benefits owed to the deceased person, such as insurance and retirement payments.
Birth and death certificates are not part of Livingston Parish public records because access is restricted to the following parties:
- Subject of the record: The person whose birth was recorded in Louisiana
- Family members: Spouse (must be named as surviving spouse in a death record), parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and legal guardians of the subject.
- Legal representatives: Attorneys and other entities such as court-approved estate executors and agents of sureties.
- Beneficiaries in probate matters: These include beneficiaries listed on financial documents, like bank accounts, public pension plans, and individual retirement accounts.
- Law enforcement: State and federal law enforcement bodies are also allowed to access birth and death certificates.
These entities must prove, with legally accepted documentation, that they are eligible to request the birth or death record. People other than those listed will require valid court orders and other documents pursuant toL.R.S. 40:41.
People who want to purchase these Livingston Parish vital records may contact the clerk of court or the Louisiana State Registrar and Vital Records division under the Department of Health.
The cost for a Livingston Parish birth certificate varies depending on the type of record one wants to purchase and the issuing office. Each short-form birth certificate from the LDH costs $15 while the long-form certificate from the clerk of court is $34 per copy. However, each short-form birth certificate and birth card pair costs $24 while the long-form version issued by the Parish clerk costs $48 per pair. Death certificates purchased from the clerk are $26 per copy while death records sold by the LDH cost $7 per copy.
Ordering from the parish clerk's officeinvolves filling out and submitting theBirth/Death Certificate Request Form. Requesters must indicate and prove their relationship with the subject of the record or state other reasons for eligibility. While the clerk issues birth certificates for every one born in the state, it only provides Louisiana death certificates recorded after July 7, 2012. People seeking earlier death certificates must contact theLDH State Registrar and Vital Records office.
The vital records office of the LDH offers mail-in, walk-in, fax, telephone, and online request options. People who want to use the phone, fax, and online options can go through the office's authorized service provider. Mail-in requesterss must complete thebirth or death certificate application form, attache proof of identification and fees, and submitting at:
Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
In-person requesters can go to the Vital Records Central Office at the following address with their completed application forms, photo identification, and fees:
1450 Poydras Street
Suite 400
New Orleans, LA 70112
Livingston Parish Probate Court Records
Probate court documents are created when a deceased individual leaves property behind and there is a need for court action. Such cases are generally intended to ensure succession follows the state's order of inheritance when wills and beneficiaries are unavailable. However, they can also be initiated to settle estate disputes.
These case records are generated in the 21st Judicial District's civil division, and can be obtained through the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court's office like other civil records.
Livingston Parish Property Records
Property records are legal paperwork that contain real estate details such as ownership information, property transactions, government assessments, tax histories, and outstanding debt. People refer to them when buying and selling property, confirming unpaid tax bills, challenging assessment values, verifying ownership information, and checking for other liabilities like liens.
The records are created when people file papers with the clerk’s office to finalize things like financial transactions (such as mortgages), conveyances, and lien documentations. Individuals can approach the parish clerk and assessor to find and review these documents and information in person and online.
Livingston Parish Clerk Options
The clerk’s office has various divisions where different property records are maintained and dispensed. For example, themortgage sectionissues clear lien (non-lien) and mortgage certificates and the conveyance section provides research assistance for every property record filed in the office and issues UCC (uniform commercial code) certificates.
The clerk’s eSearch online allows the public to view land records for a fee. Intending users must create an account and purchase a subscription. 24 hours access for land records cost $20 while the annual subscription costs $125.
Parish Assessor Methods
TheParish Assessorevaluates real estate parcels in Livingston to determine the right tax to be levied on each property. People can contact the office to request ownership, assessment, and tax calculation information and documents. They can also use its online map to find any property and check details like owner name and address, property subdivision and parcel number, legal description, and GIS (Geographic information system) area.
Livingston Parish Court Records Online
Third-party websites are more convenient when finding various Livingston Parish public records. The parish clerk may provide court, land, and vital records, but lacks certain arrest information and records from city clerks. Private vendors likeLouisianacourtrecords.ususually pool these records from various public agencies to make them available to customers from a central database.
These services are generally not in partnership with any public office. They collect records from government agencies and courts and resell to customers.
