St. Bernard County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in St. Bernard County in 2026
StBernardParishRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in St. Bernard County, Louisiana. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded instruments, tax information, and encumbrances such as liens and mortgages. Record categories available through official and third-party sources include deeds, property tax assessments, mortgage records, judgment liens, plat maps, and building permit records. Information presented through these resources reflects what is available in public databases and may not capture every recorded instrument or recent transaction.
Records may be searched through several official channels maintained by St. Bernard Parish government agencies. The primary resources include the St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office, the Clerk of Court for St. Bernard Parish, and the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office Tax Division. Each office maintains distinct categories of property-related records, and members of the public are encouraged to consult multiple sources for a complete picture of any given property.
Multiple Access Methods:
- Online searches — The most convenient method; available through parish and state agency portals at no cost for basic information
- In-person visits — Required for certified copies, older records not yet digitized, and complex title research
- By mail — Written requests submitted to the appropriate office with applicable fees and identifying information
- Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors provide comprehensive searches for transactional purposes
1. Property Appraiser Website
The St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. The Louisiana Parish E-File system and the Assessor's own portal provide free public access without registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID or assessment number
- By subdivision name
- By map or GIS location
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics: square footage, year built, lot size, building type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Assessed value (land and improvements separately)
- Taxable value and applicable exemptions
- Sales history
- GIS map location and aerial imagery
How to Search:
- Navigate to the St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office website
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the specific property to view the full property card
- Review ownership details, valuation history, and sales records
- Print or save the property card for reference
2. Clerk of Court Official Records Search
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court maintains the official records index for all instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Basic search access is available at no cost through the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association's statewide portal.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller or transferor)
- Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number or book and page reference
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and acts of mortgage
- Releases and satisfactions of mortgage
- Judgment liens and tax liens
- Servitudes and easements
- Declarations of restrictions and covenants
- Subdivision plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
- Condominium declarations
How to Search:
- Access the Clerk of Court's official records portal
- Select the search type (grantor/grantee name, document type, or date range)
- Enter the relevant search criteria
- Review the index results returned
- Select a document to view the image, if available online
- Note the instrument number or book and page reference for certified copy requests
- Pay any applicable per-document viewing or download fees
3. Tax Collector (Sheriff's Office Tax Division) Website
The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office administers property tax collection. Tax records are publicly accessible through the Louisiana Tax Commission and the Sheriff's Office portal.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel or assessment number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and amount due
- Payment history and outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied and millage rates
- Tax certificate information for delinquent properties
- Installment plan status and payment options
4. GIS / Mapping System
St. Bernard Parish maintains a geographic information system that allows visual property searches through interactive mapping tools.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the property location
- Click on a parcel to retrieve linked property information
- View property boundaries, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and aerial photography
- Access linked assessment and recorded document data
- Measure distances and view multiple map layers simultaneously
In-Person Searches:
St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office 2118 Jackson Blvd., Suite 100 Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 279-6379 St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 271-3434 St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office – Tax Division 2 Courthouse Square Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 271-2504 St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office
By Mail Requests:
Members of the public may submit written requests to the Clerk of Court by mail. Requests should specify the instrument by book and page number, instrument number, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the applicable certification fee included.
Through Professionals:
Title companies licensed in Louisiana conduct comprehensive title searches and issue title insurance commitments identifying all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes. Licensed abstractors compile abstracts of title tracing the full chain of ownership. Costs for professional services vary by scope and provider.
Search Tips:
- When searching by address, attempt variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W) and check spelling alternatives
- When searching by owner name, try last name first, then full name, and consider maiden name or business entity variations
- For historical records not yet digitized, an in-person visit to the Clerk of Court is required; staff can assist with microfilm and bound record books
- Very recent transactions may not appear immediately due to recording processing delays
What Is St. Bernard County Property Records
Property records in St. Bernard Parish are official legal documents related to real property — land and any improvements affixed to it — maintained by parish government agencies pursuant to Louisiana law. These records constitute the legal foundation for establishing ownership, documenting transfers, recording encumbrances, and assessing property for taxation. Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:1, public records include all documents made or received in connection with the transaction of public business, and property records fall squarely within this definition.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and acts of cash sale
- Chain of title documents tracing ownership history
- Life estate deeds and trust instruments affecting property
- Transfer records and conveyance documents
Encumbrance Records:
- Acts of mortgage and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens
- Servitudes and predial easements
- Homeowner association documents and declarations of restrictions
- Lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Annual property tax assessments and assessment rolls
- Tax bills and payment history
- Homestead exemptions, senior exemptions, and veteran exemptions
- Special assessments and millage rate information
- Tax delinquency records and tax sale certificates
Legal Descriptions:
- Subdivision plats and re-plats
- Survey plats and metes and bounds descriptions
- Lot and block information
- Condominium declarations and unit descriptions
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violation notices
- Zoning designations and land use classifications
Who Maintains Property Records:
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court records, indexes, and maintains all instruments affecting title to real property. The St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office maintains valuation records, property characteristics data, and exemption information. The Sheriff's Office Tax Division administers tax billing and collection records. The Parish Planning and Zoning Department maintains permit, zoning, and land use records.
Louisiana's property recording framework is governed by Louisiana Civil Code Article 3338, which establishes that instruments affecting immovable property must be recorded in the parish where the property is located to be effective against third parties. This principle of constructive notice underpins the entire public records system for real property in Louisiana.
Are Property Records Public Information in St. Bernard County?
Property records in St. Bernard Parish are public information. Louisiana law affirmatively establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records, and property records maintained by the Clerk of Court, Assessor's Office, and Sheriff's Tax Division are accessible to any member of the public without requiring a stated purpose, residency, or ownership interest.
As stated by the Louisiana Secretary of State's office: "The right to examine public records is a fundamental right of citizenship in Louisiana, and public bodies are required to make records available for inspection and copying."
Legal Basis for Public Access:
The public right of access to property records in Louisiana is grounded in multiple legal authorities:
- Louisiana Public Records Law, R.S. 44:1 et seq., which guarantees the right of any person to inspect, copy, or reproduce public records
- Louisiana Civil Code Article 3338, establishing the recording requirement and constructive notice doctrine
- The centuries-old common law tradition of open land records in American jurisprudence
- Louisiana Constitution Article XII, Section 3, which provides that no person shall be denied the right to observe the deliberations of public bodies or examine public documents
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency: Public access to ownership information prevents secret transfers and fraudulent conveyances
- Commercial necessity: Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisals all depend on open access to recorded instruments
- Legal protection: Recording provides constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and creditors, protecting the integrity of the title system
- Public interest: Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on open property records
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical ownership names
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens, encumbrances, and their amounts
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics and building data
- Plat maps and survey documents
Privacy Considerations:
Louisiana law requires that Social Security numbers and financial account numbers be redacted from documents before public release. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may qualify for address confidentiality protections under applicable state statutes. Homestead exemption applications may contain personal financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Assessor's Office administers these policies on a case-by-case basis.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any person may access property records in St. Bernard Parish. There is no residency requirement, ownership requirement, or business purpose requirement. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in St. Bernard County?
The cost to obtain property records in St. Bernard Parish depends on the type of record requested, the format in which it is provided, and the office from which it is obtained. Viewing records online through the Assessor's portal or the Clerk of Court's index is available at no charge for basic searches.
Standard Fee Schedule — Clerk of Court (Recorded Documents):
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of recorded instrument | $5.00 for the first page + $1.00 per additional page |
| Non-certified copy (paper) | $1.00 per page |
| Electronic copy / document image download | Varies by system; basic viewing often free |
| Recording a new instrument | $125.00 for the first page + $25.00 per additional page (standard) |
| Mortgage certificate (mortgage research) | $25.00 per name searched |
| Cancellation certificate | $25.00 |
Fees for recording instruments in Louisiana are governed by Louisiana Revised Statute § 13:844, which sets the schedule of fees applicable to Clerks of Court statewide. Individual parishes may have minor variations for specific services.
Assessor's Office:
- Online property record searches: Free
- Printed property record cards: Nominal copying fee (typically $0.25–$1.00 per page)
- Certified assessment records: Contact the office for current fees
Sheriff's Office Tax Division:
- Online tax record searches: Free
- Copies of tax bills: Nominal copying fee
- Tax certificate information: Available at no charge online
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person)
- Check or money order (mail requests, payable to the Clerk of Court)
- Credit or debit card (accepted at most offices and online portals)
Fee Waivers: Louisiana law provides that indigent persons and certain nonprofit organizations may qualify for reduced or waived fees for public records. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request to the applicable office with supporting documentation.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online viewing of property assessment data through the Assessor's portal
- Basic index searches through the Clerk of Court's online system
- Tax payment status and history through the Sheriff's Tax Division portal
- GIS mapping and aerial imagery through the parish mapping system
What's Included in a St. Bernard County Property Record?
A complete property record in St. Bernard Parish draws from multiple official sources and encompasses a broad range of legal, physical, financial, and regulatory information.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership data includes the legal name(s) of the owner(s) as recorded on the most recent deed, the form of ownership (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, community property, trust, LLC, or corporation), the acquisition date, the deed instrument number or book and page reference, and the mailing address on file with the Assessor's Office. Historical ownership data provides the chain of title, listing prior owners, transfer dates, and references to historical deed instruments.
Property Identification:
- Site address and mailing address (if different)
- Legal description: lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, section/township/range where applicable, and metes and bounds description
- Parcel ID or assessment number
- Tax account number and any alternate parcel numbers
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, and land use and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area, year built, effective year, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features documented include attached or detached garage, pool, porch or patio square footage, fireplace, central air conditioning, heating type, water source, and sewer system.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, market (just) value, and taxable value after exemptions. Louisiana's assessment system values residential property at 10% of fair market value for homestead-exempt properties. Historical assessed values for prior years are maintained in the Assessor's records and are accessible online for recent years.
Tax Information:
Current year tax records include the total tax amount, a breakdown by taxing authority (parish general fund, school board, levee district, and other special districts), applicable millage rates, exemptions applied, due dates, and payment status. Tax history shows prior years' payments, payment dates, and any delinquency history.
Exemptions Applied:
Louisiana provides a homestead exemption of up to $75,000 of assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences, as well as additional exemptions for certain disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and other qualifying individuals. Exemption information is reflected in the Assessor's property record.
Sales History:
Sales history includes transfer dates, sale prices, deed types (cash sale, quitclaim, donation, succession, foreclosure, or tax deed), grantor and grantee names, and instrument references for the most recent transactions. Documentary tax (transfer tax) amounts paid at recording are also reflected.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded mortgages show the original mortgage amount, lender name, recording date, and instrument reference. Lien records include tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens with amounts, recording dates, and lienholder names. Other encumbrances include servitudes, predial easements, declarations of restrictions, and lis pendens notices.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use designation, flood zone designation (FEMA), school district assignment, fire district, and special taxing district memberships are all components of a comprehensive property record. Code violation notices and building permit records, maintained by the Parish Building Department, provide additional regulatory history.
Maps and Images:
Visual components include exterior property photographs, aerial imagery, GIS parcel boundary maps, plat maps, and property sketches or floor plan diagrams where available through the Assessor's system.
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
- Interior photographs
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
- Unrecorded agreements between parties
How Long Does St. Bernard County Keep Property Records?
Property records in St. Bernard Parish are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to immovable property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention requirement reflects both the legal necessity of an unbroken chain of title and the historical importance of land records to the community.
As the Louisiana Secretary of State's Records Management Division has stated: "Instruments affecting title to immovable property are among the most critical public records maintained by parish government and are subject to permanent retention under Louisiana law."
Legal Basis for Retention:
Louisiana's records retention requirements for Clerks of Court are established under the Louisiana Secretary of State's Records Retention Schedules, which classify recorded instruments affecting immovable property as permanent records. The recording statutes under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3338 and related provisions further reinforce the obligation to preserve these records indefinitely.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds and conveyance instruments, dating back to the parish's formation
- All recorded mortgages, acts of mortgage, and releases or satisfactions thereof
- All recorded liens, including tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens, along with their releases
- All subdivision plats, re-plats, and survey plats
- All recorded easements, servitudes, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- Condominium declarations and related instruments
- Powers of attorney affecting immovable property
- Court-ordered instruments and lis pendens notices
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the 19th and early 20th centuries exist in handwritten or typed bound ledger books maintained in the Clerk of Court's vault. Mid-20th century records are available on microfilm. More recent records have been scanned and are maintained in electronic document management systems with off-site digital backups. The Clerk of Court's office maintains climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm records and employs redundant digital backup systems for electronic records.
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Time Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20–30 years) | Fully online; immediate access |
| Moderate age (30–50 years) | Partially online; microfilm available in-person |
| Historical (50–100 years) | In-person access; bound books or microfilm |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser (Assessor) Records:
Assessment rolls and property cards are maintained permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years following the applicable assessment year, consistent with the Secretary of State's retention schedule. Online access to historical assessment data typically covers the most recent ten to twenty years; older records are available at the Assessor's office.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years. Tax certificates remain on file until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution.
Accessing Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking records older than those available online should contact the Clerk of Court directly. Staff can retrieve records from bound books, microfilm, or archive storage. For very old records, advance notice is recommended to allow for retrieval. The same public access rights and fee schedules apply to historical records as to current records.
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court — Records and Archives 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 271-3434 St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office — Historical Assessment Records 2118 Jackson Blvd., Suite 100 Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 279-6379 St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office
How To Find Liens on Property in St. Bernard County?
Liens on property in St. Bernard Parish are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the Clerk of Court's official records index. Any lien that has been properly recorded against a parcel is part of the public record and may be located by any member of the public.
Types of Liens Recorded Against Property:
- Judgment liens — Arising from court judgments against a property owner, recorded in the parish where the debtor owns immovable property
- Federal and state tax liens — Filed by the IRS or Louisiana Department of Revenue for unpaid taxes
- Parish property tax liens — Arising from delinquent ad valorem property taxes administered by the Sheriff's Tax Division
- Mechanic's liens (Materialman's liens) — Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers for unpaid construction work under Louisiana's Private Works Act
- HOA liens — Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Child support liens — Recorded pursuant to court order
- Code enforcement liens — Filed by the parish for unresolved code violations
Step-by-Step Search Process:
- Access the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court official records portal
- Select the grantor/grantee name search option
- Enter the property owner's full legal name as it appears on the deed
- Filter results by document type, selecting lien-related categories (judgment, tax lien, materialman's lien, etc.)
- Review all results for the relevant time period
- Note instrument numbers and recording dates for any liens identified
- Request certified copies of lien documents if needed for transactional purposes
Searching for Federal Tax Liens:
Federal tax liens filed by the IRS are recorded with the Clerk of Court in the parish where the taxpayer owns property. These appear in the same grantor/grantee index as other recorded instruments. Members of the public may also search the IRS Centralized Lien Operation for federal tax lien information.
Searching for State Tax Liens:
Louisiana state tax liens filed by the Department of Revenue are recorded with the Clerk of Court and are searchable through the same official records index. The Louisiana Department of Revenue maintains additional information on state tax lien procedures.
Searching for Delinquent Property Tax Liens:
Delinquent property tax information is maintained by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office Tax Division. Properties with outstanding tax obligations may be subject to tax sale certificates. This information is accessible through the Sheriff's Office portal and through the Louisiana Tax Commission.
In-Person Lien Searches:
Members of the public may conduct in-person lien searches at the Clerk of Court's office using public access terminals. Staff can assist with searches of the grantor/grantee index and retrieval of specific instruments. Mortgage certificates — official certifications of all recorded mortgages and liens against a named party — are available from the Clerk of Court for a fee of $25.00 per name searched and provide a reliable summary of recorded encumbrances.
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 271-3434 St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office – Tax Division 2 Courthouse Square Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 271-2504 St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office
What Is Property Owner Rule in St. Bernard County?
The property owner rule in Louisiana, as applied in St. Bernard Parish, refers to the legal principle that a property owner is competent to testify to the value of their own property without being qualified as an expert witness. This rule is well established in Louisiana jurisprudence and has significant practical implications in property tax assessment disputes, expropriation (eminent domain) proceedings, and property damage litigation.
Under Louisiana law, a property owner's testimony regarding the value of their immovable property is admissible as lay opinion evidence. The Louisiana Supreme Court and courts of appeal have consistently held that ownership of property, standing alone, qualifies an individual to offer an opinion as to its value. This principle is grounded in the presumption that an owner has sufficient familiarity with their property — its condition, location, improvements, and market context — to offer a reasonable value estimate.
Application in Property Tax Assessment Disputes:
Property owners in St. Bernard Parish who disagree with the Assessor's valuation of their property have the right to contest the assessment through the formal appeal process. The property owner rule supports the owner's ability to present their own value opinion before the Louisiana Tax Commission without retaining a licensed appraiser, though professional appraisal evidence is generally given greater weight. The appeal process is governed by Louisiana Revised Statute § 47:1992, which establishes the timeline and procedures for contesting assessments.
Assessment Appeal Process:
- Property owners must first discuss the disputed assessment with the Assessor's Office during the open roll period, which occurs annually in August
- If unresolved, the owner may file a formal appeal with the Louisiana Tax Commission
- The Tax Commission conducts hearings at which the property owner may present evidence of value, including their own testimony under the property owner rule
- Further appeals may be taken to the district court
Application in Expropriation Proceedings:
When St. Bernard Parish or the State of Louisiana exercises the power of eminent domain to acquire private property, the property owner is entitled to just compensation under both the Louisiana Constitution and the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In expropriation proceedings, the property owner rule permits the owner to testify as to the value of the property being taken. Louisiana courts have applied this rule in numerous expropriation cases, recognizing that the owner's familiarity with the property provides a legitimate basis for value testimony.
Ownership Rights and Restrictions:
Property ownership in St. Bernard Parish is subject to the full framework of Louisiana property law, which is rooted in the Civil Law tradition rather than the Common Law tradition followed by most other states. Key principles include:
- Community property: Property acquired during marriage is presumed to be community property owned equally by both spouses, unless acquired by gift, inheritance, or with separate funds
- Usufruct: Louisiana law recognizes the usufruct, a real right allowing one person to use and enjoy property owned by another, commonly arising in succession contexts
- Predial servitudes: Obligations imposed on one parcel of land for the benefit of another, including access servitudes and utility servitudes, run with the land and bind subsequent owners
- Forced heirship: Louisiana's forced heirship laws may affect the transfer of property at death, reserving a portion of the estate for certain descendants
Zoning and Land Use Restrictions:
Property ownership in St. Bernard Parish is subject to the parish's Unified Development Code, which establishes zoning classifications, permitted uses, setback requirements, and development standards. Property owners must comply with applicable zoning regulations, and any proposed change in use or development requires review and approval by the St. Bernard Parish Planning and Zoning Department.
St. Bernard Parish Planning and Zoning Department 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 278-4264 St. Bernard Parish Government
St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office 2118 Jackson Blvd., Suite 100 Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 279-6379 St. Bernard Parish Assessor's Office