Terrebonne County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Terrebonne County?

Public records in Terrebonne Parish (County) are defined under the Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1, as 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. Terrebonne Parish maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens pursuant to state law.

The following types of public records are maintained by various Terrebonne Parish offices:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. These include case filings, judgments, and court proceedings.
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are available through the Clerk of Court's office and the Terrebonne Parish Assessor's Office.
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. While the Clerk of Court maintains marriage licenses and divorce records, birth and death certificates are available through the Louisiana Department of Health's Vital Records Registry.
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Government and the Louisiana Secretary of State.
• Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records are available through the Terrebonne Parish Tax Assessor's Office.
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results are maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters and accessible through the Louisiana Voter Portal.
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Terrebonne Parish Council meetings, board meetings, and commission proceedings are maintained by the Parish Clerk.
• Budget and Financial Documents: Parish financial records, budgets, and expenditure reports are available through the Terrebonne Parish Finance Department.
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and certain incident reports are maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, subject to privacy and investigative exemptions.
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning and zoning documents, permits, and land use regulations are available through the Terrebonne Parish Planning and Zoning Department.

Each type of record is maintained by the corresponding parish office, with the Clerk of Court serving as the primary custodian for many official records.

Is Terrebonne County an Open Records County?

Terrebonne Parish adheres to the Louisiana Public Records Law as established in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1-44, which guarantees the public's right to access government records. This statute explicitly states that "all books, records, writings, accounts, letters and letter books, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers...shall be public records."

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record," establishing a presumption of openness for government records in Terrebonne Parish. The law further specifies that custodians of public records shall present any public record to any person of the age of majority who requests it during regular business hours.

Terrebonne Parish government offices comply with these state sunshine laws and maintain policies for facilitating public access to records. The parish follows the state-mandated response timeline, which requires that records be produced immediately if they are not in active use. If records are in active use, they must be produced within three business days of the request.

The parish has implemented procedures to ensure compliance with state transparency requirements while protecting confidential information as permitted by law. Terrebonne Parish's commitment to open government is reflected in its adherence to these state statutes and its procedures for facilitating public access to government records.

How to Find Public Records in Terrebonne County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Terrebonne Parish may follow these steps to access the information they need:

1. Identify the appropriate custodian: Determine which parish office maintains the records you seek. The Clerk of Court maintains court and property records, while vital records may be held by the Louisiana Department of Health or Clerk of Court depending on the record type.

2. Submit a formal request: While some records can be accessed in person without a written request, submitting a formal written request is recommended for most records. Requests should include:

   • Specific description of records sought
   • Requestor's contact information
   • Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)

3. Visit the appropriate office in person: Many records can be accessed by visiting the relevant office during regular business hours.

   Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
   7856 Main Street, Suite 100
   Houma, LA 70360
   (985) 868-5660
   Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court

4. Access online resources: Certain records are available through online portals:

   • Court records: Available through the Clerk of Court's website
   • Property records: Searchable through the Assessor's online database
   • Voter information: Accessible through the Louisiana Voter Portal

5. Submit payment if required: Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents.

6. Follow up on your request: If records are not immediately available, follow up with the custodian within the three-business-day timeframe established by state law.

7. Appeal if necessary: If a request is denied, requestors may appeal to the custodian's supervisor or pursue legal remedies as outlined in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:35.

For specialized records such as vital records not maintained by the parish, requests should be directed to the Louisiana Department of Health's Vital Records Registry.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Terrebonne County?

Terrebonne Parish charges fees for public records in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, which permits reasonable fees for copies of public records. The current fee structure for Terrebonne Parish public records is as follows:

• Standard Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for letter or legal size documents
• Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
• Large Format Documents (maps, plats, etc.): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
• Electronic Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD or may be emailed at no cost for smaller files
• Court Records:
  • Civil case copies: $0.50 per page
  • Criminal case copies: $0.50 per page
  • Certified court documents: $10.00 per document plus copy fees
• Vital Records:
  • Marriage licenses: $25.00
  • Birth certificates: $15.00 for first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy
  • Death certificates: $15.00 for first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy
• Property Records:
  • Deed copies: $0.50 per page
  • Mortgage copies: $0.50 per page
  • Certified property records: $10.00 certification fee plus copy costs

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards at most offices. Some offices may charge a convenience fee for credit card payments.

It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32(C) states that "no fee shall be charged to any person to examine or review any public records," ensuring that inspection of records remains free of charge.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly for requests that serve the public interest, though these are granted at the discretion of the records custodian.

Does Terrebonne County Have Free Public Records?

Terrebonne Parish provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32(C), which states that "no fee shall be charged to any person to examine or review any public records." This provision ensures that while copies may incur fees, the inspection of public records remains free of charge to all requestors.

The following free public record resources are available in Terrebonne Parish:

• In-Person Inspection: All public records may be inspected free of charge during regular business hours at the office of the custodian. This includes court records, property records, meeting minutes, and other public documents.

• Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by parish and state agencies:

  • The Terrebonne Parish Government website provides access to meeting agendas, minutes, and certain parish documents
  • The Louisiana Secretary of State's website offers free access to business filings, election results, and voter information
  • The Louisiana Voter Portal provides free access to voter registration information and polling locations

• Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Clerk of Court's office and the Terrebonne Parish Library for public use to access certain digital records without charge.

• Public Notices: Legal notices, upcoming meetings, and certain government announcements are published in the parish's official journal and are available for review at no cost.

While inspection is free, requestors should be aware that fees will apply for copies, certified documents, and specialized searches as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, staff time spent on extensive research or compilation of records may incur charges in accordance with state law.

Who Can Request Public Records in Terrebonne County?

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, "any person of the age of majority" may request public records in Terrebonne Parish. This broad eligibility requirement establishes that:

• Requestors must be at least 18 years of age
• Citizenship or Louisiana residency is not required to request most public records
• Requestors do not need to state a purpose or reason for their request for most records
• Identification is generally not required for basic record inspection, though it may be required for certain sensitive records or certified copies

The law specifically states that the custodian shall make no inquiry of any person who applies for a public record, except to establish the identity of the requestor for certain protected records. This provision ensures that access to public records is not contingent upon the requestor's purpose or intended use of the information.

For certain specialized records, additional requirements may apply:

• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates have restricted access. Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a legitimate legal interest may obtain these records. Identification is required.

• Adoption Records: These are confidential and subject to strict access limitations under state law.

• Juvenile Court Records: Access is restricted to parties involved in the case, their attorneys, and certain authorized agencies.

• Medical Records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws, these require proper authorization from the subject of the records.

When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply. For example, criminal history information about oneself is more readily available than criminal history information about others, which may be subject to privacy protections.

Non-residents have the same rights to access public records as Louisiana residents under the state's public records law, with no distinction made based on residency status.

What Records Are Confidential in Terrebonne County?

Certain records in Terrebonne Parish are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:4 and other applicable state and federal laws. These confidential records include:

• Sealed Court Records: Records that have been ordered sealed by a court, including certain expunged criminal records and sealed juvenile proceedings.

• Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors are generally confidential under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412, with limited exceptions for certain agencies and individuals with legitimate interests.

• Ongoing Investigation Records: Law enforcement investigative records for pending or reasonably anticipated criminal litigation are exempt from disclosure until the investigation is complete or prosecution is finalized.

• Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifying information contained within otherwise public records are protected from disclosure.

• Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws, including mental health records and substance abuse treatment information.

• Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are confidential under Louisiana law, with access restricted to parties directly involved and only through court order in most cases.

• Child Welfare Records: Reports and records concerning child abuse investigations and child protective services are confidential under state law.

• Personnel Records: Certain information in public employee personnel files is exempt, including medical information, personal contact details, and performance evaluations, though general employment information remains public.

• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted to government agencies are protected from disclosure.

• Security Plans: Information related to security procedures, emergency response protocols, and critical infrastructure is exempt to protect public safety.

• Attorney-Client Communications: Communications between government agencies and their legal counsel that fall under attorney-client privilege.

• Educational Records: Student records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Louisiana law employs a balancing test in certain cases where the public's right to know must be weighed against individual privacy interests. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3.1, when a request seeks information that may constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, the custodian must determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the individual privacy interest.

Terrebonne County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
7856 Main Street, Suite 100
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 868-5660
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court

Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court serves as the parish recorder and maintains various public records including:

• Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
• Marriage licenses
• Civil and criminal court records
• Notarial archives
• Judgments and liens
• Business records

Terrebonne Parish Assessor's Office
7856 Main Street, Suite 300
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 876-6620
Terrebonne Parish Assessor

Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

The Assessor's Office maintains property assessment records, tax rolls, and homestead exemption information.

Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters
8026 Main Street, Suite 101
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 873-6533
Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters

Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Extended hours during election periods Closed on weekends and state holidays

The Registrar of Voters maintains voter registration records and election information.

Louisiana Department of Health - Vital Records Registry
(For birth and death certificates not available at parish level)
1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 593-5100
Louisiana Vital Records

Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Lookup Public Records in Terrebonne County

Terrebonne Parish official website

Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court records

Louisiana Vital Records information

Louisiana Secretary of State business and election records

Louisiana Voter Portal for election information