Terrebonne County Property Records
What Is Terrebonne County Property Records
Property records in Terrebonne Parish (commonly referred to as Terrebonne County) are official documents that establish and track the legal ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property within parish boundaries. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the parish. The primary purpose of maintaining comprehensive property records is to establish clear chains of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate transparent real estate transactions.
In Louisiana, property records are governed by the Louisiana Civil Code, which establishes the legal framework for property ownership, transfers, and recording requirements. Specifically, under Louisiana Civil Code § 3338, all written instruments affecting immovable property must be recorded to be effective against third parties. This includes:
- Deeds and conveyances
- Mortgages and liens
- Servitudes (easements)
- Judgments affecting title to immovable property
- Other documents that create, transfer, or terminate real property rights
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court serves as the official custodian of property records for the parish. This office maintains and provides access to the comprehensive collection of property documents dating back to the parish's establishment. Property records provide essential information for property owners, potential buyers, real estate professionals, lenders, and government agencies.
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
7856 Main Street, Suite 100
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 868-5660
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
Are Property Records Public Information In Terrebonne County?
Property records in Terrebonne Parish are public information and accessible to all citizens pursuant to Louisiana's Public Records Law (La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq.). This law establishes that all records used in the conduct of public business are presumed to be public and available for inspection unless specifically exempted by law. Property records fall squarely within this definition as they document the official ownership and interests in real property within the parish.
The public nature of property records serves several important functions:
- Establishes transparency in land ownership and transfers
- Provides notice to the public of property interests and encumbrances
- Protects property rights by creating an official record of ownership
- Facilitates real estate transactions by providing reliable ownership information
- Enables proper assessment and collection of property taxes
Under Louisiana law, any person may access and inspect property records without demonstrating a specific interest in the property or providing a reason for the request. The Louisiana Secretary of State maintains that public access to government records, including property records, is fundamental to the democratic process and transparent governance.
While property records are public, certain personal information contained within these records may be redacted or protected under privacy laws. For example, social security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers may be removed from public versions of documents to protect individual privacy while still maintaining the public nature of the property records themselves.
How To Search Property Records in Terrebonne County in 2026
Searching property records in Terrebonne Parish requires knowledge of the appropriate offices and search methods. The parish maintains multiple systems for accessing different types of property information. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures to locate property records:
In-Person Searches:
- Visit the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court's office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM).
- Complete a records request form available at the public counter.
- Provide specific information about the property, such as:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $0.50 per page for copies).
- Staff will assist in locating the requested records.
Mail or Email Requests:
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court's office including:
- Specific property information
- Contact information for response
- Payment for applicable fees
- Mail requests to:
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
7856 Main Street, Suite 100
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 868-5660
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
For property tax and assessment records, individuals should contact the Terrebonne Parish Assessor's Office, which maintains separate records related to property valuation and taxation.
Terrebonne Parish Assessor's Office
7856 Main Street, Suite 100
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 876-6620
Terrebonne Parish Assessor
Currently, the parish is implementing enhanced digital access systems to improve public access to property records. These systems are expected to be fully operational by 2026, providing more streamlined search capabilities.
How To Find Property Records in Terrebonne County Online?
Terrebonne Parish offers several online resources for accessing property records digitally. These online systems provide convenient access to property information without requiring an in-person visit to parish offices. The following online resources are available for property record searches:
-
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court Online Records Portal
- Access deed records, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents
- Search by name, property address, or document type
- View document images and print unofficial copies
- Create an account for enhanced search features
- Access available at the Clerk of Court's official website
-
Terrebonne Parish Assessor's Property Database
- Search property assessment records
- View property tax information
- Access property characteristics and valuation data
- Generate property record cards
- Available through the Terrebonne Parish Assessor's website
-
Terrebonne Parish GIS Mapping System
- View interactive property maps
- Identify property boundaries and dimensions
- Access basic property information
- Link to related property records
- Available through the parish government website
-
Louisiana Tax Commission Online Portal
- Access parish tax roll information
- View property tax assessments
- Search by owner name or property address
- Available through the Louisiana Tax Commission website
To conduct an online search, users should:
- Navigate to the appropriate website based on the type of record needed
- Create an account if required (some basic searches may be available without registration)
- Enter search criteria (owner name, property address, parcel number)
- Review search results and select the relevant property
- Access available document images or property information
- Print or save electronic copies as needed
Online access to property records is subject to system availability and may require payment of fees for certain document types or enhanced search features. The Parish E-File system also provides access to tax-related property information for Terrebonne Parish.
How To Look Up Terrebonne County Property Records for Free?
Terrebonne Parish provides several options for accessing property records at no cost to the public. While some enhanced services may require payment of fees, basic property information is available without charge through the following methods:
Free In-Person Access:
- Visit the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court's office during regular business hours
- Use public access terminals to search property records
- View documents on-site without charge (copying fees apply for printed documents)
- Staff assistance is available for basic search guidance
Free Online Resources:
- Terrebonne Parish Assessor's public access website provides free basic property information
- Parish GIS mapping system offers free property boundary and basic ownership information
- Louisiana Tax Commission website provides free access to basic tax assessment data
- Terrebonne Parish government website offers links to free property information resources
Public Libraries:
- Terrebonne Parish Library branches provide free internet access
- Library staff can assist with navigating to free property record resources
- Public computers are available for conducting online property searches
Mobile Applications:
- Terrebonne Parish property information app (available for iOS and Android)
- Free download with basic property search functionality
- Map-based property identification features
While basic property information is available at no cost, users should be aware that certain limitations apply to free access:
- Document images may not be available through free services
- Search capabilities may be limited compared to subscription services
- Historical records may require in-person research or paid access
- Certified copies always require payment of statutory fees
For comprehensive property research, particularly for legal or commercial purposes, users may need to utilize paid services or request certified copies from the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court.
What's Included in a Terrebonne County Property Record?
Property records in Terrebonne Parish contain comprehensive information about real property within the parish boundaries. These records are maintained by multiple parish offices, each responsible for different aspects of property documentation. The content of property records varies by document type but typically includes the following information:
Deed Records:
- Names of grantors (sellers) and grantees (buyers)
- Legal description of the property
- Date of property transfer
- Sale price or consideration
- Restrictions or reservations on the property
- Signatures of parties and notarization
- Recording information (book, page, instrument number)
Mortgage Records:
- Names of borrowers and lenders
- Property legal description
- Loan amount and terms
- Maturity date
- Interest rate
- Special conditions or covenants
Tax Assessment Records:
- Property owner information
- Parcel identification number
- Property classification (residential, commercial, agricultural)
- Assessed value
- Tax exemptions
- Property characteristics (square footage, number of rooms, etc.)
- Improvement details
- Land value and building value
Plat Maps and Surveys:
- Property boundaries and dimensions
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision information
- Adjacent property information
- Surveyor certification
- Filing date and reference numbers
Liens and Judgments:
- Names of debtors and creditors
- Amount of lien or judgment
- Date of filing
- Property affected
- Satisfaction or release information
Louisiana Civil Code § 3352 specifies the required content for property records to be legally effective. According to this statute, instruments affecting immovable property must contain a sufficient description of the property to be identifiable, the names of the parties, and proper execution formalities.
The distinction between real property (immovable property) and personal property (movable property) is significant in Louisiana law. Real property records pertain to land and permanently attached structures, while personal property records relate to movable items. The Document Access Division of the Louisiana Division of Administration provides guidance on distinguishing between these property types.
How Long Does Terrebonne County Keep Property Records?
Terrebonne Parish maintains property records in perpetuity for most document types related to real property ownership and interests. The retention of these records is governed by Louisiana's Public Records Law (La. R.S. § 44:36) and specific retention schedules established by the Secretary of State's Records Management Program.
Permanent Retention Records:
- Deed records (all types)
- Mortgage records
- Plat maps and surveys
- Subdivision plats
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Judgments affecting title to real property
- Tax sale certificates
- Property assessment rolls
These records are maintained permanently due to their ongoing legal significance and historical value. The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court has implemented preservation measures to ensure the long-term accessibility of these records, including:
- Climate-controlled storage for original documents
- Microfilming of historical records
- Digital scanning and electronic backup systems
- Off-site backup storage for disaster recovery
Limited Retention Records:
- Property tax payment records (7 years)
- Building permits (life of structure plus 3 years)
- Temporary easements (duration of easement plus 3 years)
- Certain administrative correspondence (3-5 years)
- Working files and drafts (1-3 years)
The retention periods for limited retention records are established by the state-mandated records retention schedule. These schedules specify the minimum time periods for maintaining different record types and the proper procedures for disposition after the retention period expires.
For historical property records dating back to the parish's establishment, the Louisiana State Archives maintains additional resources that may supplement the parish's records, particularly for properties with ownership histories predating current recordkeeping systems.
How To Find Liens on Property In Terrebonne County?
Locating liens on property in Terrebonne Parish requires searching specific records maintained by the Clerk of Court and other parish offices. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied before title can be transferred free and clear. The following procedures enable effective lien searches:
Types of Liens to Search For:
- Tax liens (property tax delinquencies)
- Mortgage liens
- Judgment liens
- Mechanic's and materialmen's liens
- Federal tax liens
- State tax liens
- Homeowners association liens
- Municipal utility liens
Search Methods:
-
Clerk of Court Records Search:
- Visit the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court office
- Request a lien search for the specific property
- Provide property owner name and property description
- Staff will search the lien index and provide results
- Pay applicable search fees
-
Online Lien Search:
- Access the Clerk of Court's online records portal
- Search by property owner name or property address
- Review results for recorded liens
- Print or save lien documents as needed
-
Tax Lien Search:
- Contact the Terrebonne Parish Tax Collector's office
- Request information on delinquent property taxes
- Provide property identification information
- Review tax sale records if applicable
-
Professional Lien Search:
- Hire a title company or attorney to conduct a comprehensive lien search
- Receive a written report of findings
- Obtain professional guidance on addressing discovered liens
Terrebonne Parish Tax Collector
8026 Main Street, Suite 600
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 873-6767
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
For the most comprehensive lien search, it is advisable to check records in all relevant offices, as different types of liens may be recorded in different locations. The Louisiana Tax Commission maintains information about tax liens that may affect property in Terrebonne Parish.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Terrebonne County?
The Property Owner Rule in Terrebonne Parish refers to the legal framework governing property ownership, rights, and responsibilities within the parish. This framework is established by Louisiana state law, parish ordinances, and relevant case law. The following key principles constitute the Property Owner Rule:
Ownership Establishment:
- Property ownership in Terrebonne Parish is established through proper recordation of valid deeds and other instruments of conveyance
- Under Louisiana Civil Code § 3338, unrecorded transfers are not effective against third parties
- All property transfers must be recorded with the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court to establish legal ownership
Property Rights:
- Property owners possess the right to use, enjoy, and dispose of their property
- These rights are subject to limitations imposed by zoning regulations, building codes, and other parish ordinances
- Property owners may create servitudes (easements) and other encumbrances on their property through proper legal instruments
Ownership Responsibilities:
- Property owners must pay annual property taxes assessed by the Terrebonne Parish Assessor
- Maintenance of property in compliance with parish health and safety codes
- Adherence to subdivision restrictions and homeowners association rules where applicable
- Proper disclosure of property conditions during sales transactions
Special Considerations:
- Terrebonne Parish contains significant coastal and wetland areas subject to additional regulations
- Properties in flood zones must comply with elevation and construction requirements
- Historical properties may be subject to preservation requirements
- Agricultural properties may qualify for special assessment classifications
According to Louisiana Revised Statute § 47:2126, the sheriff and ex officio tax collector for Terrebonne Parish is authorized to collect property taxes and conduct tax sales for delinquent properties. This statute establishes the legal framework for property tax enforcement in the parish.
Property owners should be aware that Louisiana follows a civil law system rather than common law, which creates some unique aspects of property ownership compared to other states. The Terrebonne Parish government provides resources to help property owners understand their rights and responsibilities under local regulations.
Lookup Property Records in Terrebonne County
Terrebonne Parish - The official website of Louisiana
Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court Records