New Orleans Court Docket Records
The New Orleans court docket covers civil, criminal, and city court cases filed within Orleans Parish. Because New Orleans and Orleans Parish share the same geographic boundaries, all local court filings go through the parish court system. You can search court docket records online through the clerk's portals or visit the courthouse in person to find case status, filings, and judgments.
New Orleans Quick Facts
Where to Find New Orleans Court Dockets
New Orleans has separate courts for civil and criminal matters. The Civil District Court handles family law, contracts, property disputes, and civil filings. The Criminal District Court handles felonies and serious misdemeanors. Each court has its own clerk office and its own docket system. Knowing which court holds the records you need saves a lot of time.
The Civil District Court sits at 421 Loyola Avenue in the Central Business District. The Criminal District Court is at 2700 Tulane Avenue. Both courts are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Public access to docket records is governed by La. R.S. § 44:32, which requires that court records be made available to any person 18 or older on request.
| Court | Orleans Parish Civil District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 421 Loyola Avenue, Room 402, New Orleans, LA 70112 |
| Phone | (504) 407-0000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | orleanscivilclerk.com |
The Civil District Court clerk is Hon. Chelsey Richard Napoleon. The office handles all civil filings, land records, and the Notarial Archives. These archives include documents dating back to the 1700s and are useful for property, genealogical, and architectural research.
The image below shows the Orleans Civil District Court clerk portal, where you can access case records and land records online.
Source: orleanscivilclerk.com
The online records subscription through the Civil District Court includes clerk data entry and document images from December 2015 forward, with images available back to 2010. Land records index goes back to February 2014, with images from 2005.
| Court | Orleans Parish Criminal District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Phone | (504) 658-9000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | criminalcourt.org |
Source: criminalcourt.org
The Criminal District Court handles felony cases and serious charges filed in Orleans Parish. The court's clerk office maintains the criminal docket and provides public access to case records in line with state law.
How to Search the New Orleans Court Docket
You have a few ways to search court docket records in New Orleans. Online access is the fastest option for finding basic case info. In-person visits let you pull the full case file and get certified copies. The Civil District Court charges a subscription fee for online document access, while the index search may be free.
The online subscription for the Civil District Court costs $20 for 24 hours, $100 for 30 days, or $700 for a full year. These fees apply to document images. Basic case index searches may be available at no cost. Check the clerk's website before you sign up to confirm what is included.
To search in person, go to the clerk's office at the relevant courthouse. Staff can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Bring photo ID. Fees apply for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain paper copies. If you only need to see a file, inspection is free under state public records law.
Key things that help with a court docket search in New Orleans:
- Full name of at least one party to the case
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case number if you have it
- Type of case (civil, criminal, family, probate)
- Which court you believe handled the matter
For land records and notarial archives, contact the Research Center at (504) 407-0106. The archivist, Sally Reeves, can be reached at (504) 407-0113. These records go back centuries and serve property and genealogical research needs.
New Orleans Court Docket Record Types
Orleans Parish courts handle a wide range of case types. Each type has its own docket and its own set of records. Knowing which court filed the case you are looking for is the first step.
The Civil District Court docket includes civil suits, family law cases, probate matters, successions, interdictions, and land records. The court also holds the Notarial Archives and records from three formerly separate offices: the Recorder of Mortgages, the Register of Conveyances, and the Custodian of Notarial Archives. These have been consolidated into one division.
The Criminal District Court docket includes felony charges, serious misdemeanors, and criminal appeals from city and municipal courts. Juvenile records are generally restricted under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412 and are not part of the public docket.
Other court dockets in New Orleans cover city and municipal matters. Each has its own scope and record set.
Online Access to New Orleans Docket Records
The main online tools for New Orleans court docket records are the Civil District Court's own subscription system and the statewide portals. Not all records are free. The Civil District Court manages its own access, while other Louisiana courts use eClerks LA or Clerk Connect.
eClerks LA is a statewide portal that gives free index-level access to records from participating Louisiana clerks. You can search by name or case number. Document images may require a paid subscription. It is worth checking this portal first before paying for a court-specific subscription.
Clerk Connect provides online access to civil, criminal, family, probate, and property records for many Louisiana parishes. Check whether Orleans Parish participates and what records are available through this system before you visit in person.
Source: eclerksla.com
The eClerks LA portal serves as a starting point for statewide court docket searches across Louisiana, including Orleans Parish courts.
New Orleans City Courts and Municipal Court Dockets
New Orleans has several city and municipal courts in addition to the district courts. These courts handle lower-level civil claims, traffic matters, and municipal code violations. Their dockets are separate from the district court docket.
The First City Court of New Orleans is at 421 Loyola Avenue, Room 201, and can be reached at (504) 407-0400. It handles small civil claims and other city-level matters. More information is at orleanscivildistrictcourt.org.
The Second City Court is at 225 Morgan St., New Orleans, LA 70114, and can be reached at (504) 407-0435. It serves the Algiers area on the West Bank of Orleans Parish.
Municipal Court sits at 727 South Broad St., New Orleans, LA 70119, phone (504) 658-9700. Traffic Court is at the same address and can be reached at (504) 827-5091. These courts handle lower-level violations, traffic tickets, and municipal charges. Their records are public but are maintained separately from the district court docket.
Legal Help in New Orleans
If you need help understanding a court docket entry or navigating the New Orleans court system, several organizations offer assistance. Some serve low-income residents at no cost.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to eligible residents in the New Orleans area. They can help you understand court records, filings, and your rights under Louisiana law. The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service. Louisiana Law Help has guides on how the clerk system works and how to access court records on your own.
The Louisiana Supreme Court website also has public resources about court structure and case lookup tools.
Nearby Cities with Court Docket Pages
These nearby cities also have court docket information pages if you need records from surrounding areas.
Orleans Parish Court Docket Records
For more on the parish court system, search tools, and resources, visit the Orleans Parish court docket page.