Ascension County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Ascension County?
Public records in Ascension County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public according to Louisiana Public Records Law § 44:1. These records document the business of government and belong to the citizens of Louisiana.
The Louisiana Public Records Law defines public records as:
"All books, records, writings, accounts, letters and letter books, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers, and all copies, duplicates, photographs, including microfilm, or other reproductions thereof, or any other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, including information contained in electronic data processing equipment, having been used, being in use, or prepared, possessed, or retained for use in the conduct, transaction, or performance of any business, transaction, work, duty, or function which was conducted, transacted, or performed by or under the authority of the constitution or laws of this state."
Ascension County maintains a variety of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and agendas (parish council, boards)
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed)
- Land use and zoning records
The Ascension Parish Clerk of Court maintains court records, property records, marriage licenses, and other official documents. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Ascension Parish Health Unit. Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Ascension Parish Assessor's Office, while voting records are maintained by the Registrar of Voters.
Is Ascension County an Open Records County?
Ascension Parish fully complies with the Louisiana Public Records Law § 44:1-44, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this law, all records used in the conduct of public business are presumed to be public and must be made available for inspection or copying upon request, unless specifically exempted by law.
The Louisiana Constitution, Article XII, Section 3, further reinforces this commitment to transparency by stating: "No person shall be denied the right to observe the deliberations of public bodies and examine public documents, except in cases established by law."
Ascension Parish adheres to these principles by maintaining accessible records and providing reasonable accommodations for public inspection. The parish follows the state-mandated response timelines, requiring custodians to produce requested records 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 policies to facilitate public access while protecting sensitive information as required by law. These policies align with the state's commitment to government transparency and accountability as outlined in Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:31, which states that "providing access to public records is a responsibility and duty of the appointive or elective office of a custodian and his employees."
How to Find Public Records in Ascension County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Ascension Parish may follow these procedures to access the information they need:
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Identify the specific records needed and the agency that maintains them.
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Submit a public records request to the appropriate custodian:
- For court records: Contact the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
- For vital records: Contact the Ascension Parish Health Unit
- For property records: Contact the Ascension Parish Assessor's Office
- For other parish records: Contact the specific department or the Parish President's Office
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Submit requests in writing using the agency's preferred method (in-person, mail, email, or online portal where available).
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Include specific details about the records sought, including names, dates, case numbers, or property information when applicable.
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Provide contact information for follow-up questions or to arrange inspection.
The Ascension Parish Clerk of Court offers online access to certain records through their website, including court records and land records. The parish also provides public records request forms for various departments to streamline the process.
For records not available online, requestors may visit the appropriate office during regular business hours to inspect records in person. Some records may require staff assistance to locate and retrieve.
Pursuant to Louisiana law, agencies must respond to requests promptly. If immediate production is not possible, the custodian must provide the records within three business days or provide a written estimate of when the records will be available if additional time is needed.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Ascension County?
Ascension Parish charges fees for public records in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:32, which allows custodians to establish and collect reasonable fees for copying public records. Current standard fees include:
- Paper copies: $0.25-$1.00 per page, depending on the department and document type
- Certified copies: Additional $5.00-$15.00 certification fee
- Electronic records: Varies by department and volume
- Research fees: May apply for extensive searches requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time
Specific fee schedules by record type:
- Court records: $0.50 per page for regular copies; $10.00 for certified copies
- Property records: $1.00 per page; $15.00 for certified copies
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): $15.00 for first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage licenses: $25.00 application fee; $15.00 for certified copies
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Money orders
- Cashier's checks
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
- Personal checks (for some departments)
The law permits inspection of records at no charge, though custodians may charge reasonable fees for providing copies. Fees must reflect actual costs of reproduction and cannot be used as a means to discourage requests.
Some departments may require payment in advance, particularly for large requests or when mailing copies. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances for requests that primarily benefit the public interest, though these are granted at the custodian's discretion.
Does Ascension County Have Free Public Records?
Ascension Parish provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Louisiana Public Records Law § 44:32, which states that "the custodian shall present any public record to any person of the age of majority who so requests." No fees may be charged for the right to inspect or examine public records during regular business hours.
The following free public record services are available:
- In-person inspection of non-exempt records during regular business hours
- Access to online records through the Ascension Parish website
- Public terminals at the Clerk of Court's office for searching court and land records
- Parish Council meeting minutes and agendas available online
- Public notices and announcements
The Ascension Parish Clerk of Court provides free online access to certain indices, though viewing complete documents may require payment. The Assessor's Office offers free online property record searches, and the Registrar of Voters provides free voter registration verification.
Parish libraries also offer free public computer access where residents can search online public records. While inspection is free, fees apply for copies as outlined in the previous section.
Certain records may be available at no cost through the Louisiana Department of Health and other state agencies that maintain records relevant to Ascension Parish residents.
Who Can Request Public Records in Ascension County?
Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:31, any person of the age of majority (18 years or older) may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record. The law specifically states that "any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record" and "any person may obtain a copy or reproduction of any public record."
Key eligibility requirements and considerations include:
- No residency requirement exists; non-Louisiana residents have the same rights to access public records as residents
- Requestors do not need to state a reason or purpose for their request
- Requestors do not need to identify themselves, though some records may require identification to access
- Custodians cannot inquire about the requestor's motives
Exceptions to these general rules apply in certain circumstances:
- Requests for vital records (birth, death certificates) require proper identification and may be restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives
- Court records that have been sealed or expunged are not available to the general public
- Juvenile court records have restricted access
- Medical records require authorization from the patient or legal representative
- Certain property records may require proof of interest in the property
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and protect privacy. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on the type of record and applicable privacy laws.
What Records Are Confidential in Ascension County?
While Louisiana's Public Records Law favors transparency, Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:4.1 establishes numerous exceptions to protect privacy, security, and other important interests. The following records are generally exempt from disclosure in Ascension Parish:
- Juvenile court records, except in limited circumstances
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations (law enforcement exception)
- Grand jury proceedings and records
- Records containing personally identifying information such as:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Medical and health information protected under HIPAA
- Personnel records containing private information (though general employment information is public)
- Records related to security procedures, emergency response plans, and critical infrastructure
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Adoption records and child welfare case files
- Records related to sexual assault victims
- Certain educational records protected under FERPA
- Records specifically exempted by other state or federal laws
The law requires custodians to separate exempt information from non-exempt information whenever possible, rather than withholding entire records. This process, known as redaction, allows for maximum disclosure while protecting sensitive information.
When a record is withheld or redacted, the custodian must provide the legal basis for the denial, citing the specific exemption that applies. Requestors have the right to challenge denials through administrative appeals or judicial review.
Louisiana courts apply a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests or other protected values. This approach recognizes that transparency must sometimes be balanced with other important societal interests.
Ascension County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
300 Houmas Street, Suite B
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
(225) 473-9866
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Satellite Office:
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court - Gonzales Branch
815 E. Worthey Street
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-8400
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Ascension Parish Health Unit (Vital Records)
1024 SE Ascension Complex Blvd
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 450-4117
Ascension Parish Health Unit
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Ascension Parish Assessor's Office
300 Houmas Street
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
(225) 473-9239
Ascension Parish Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Lookup Public Records in Ascension County
Ascension Parish official website
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court records
Ascension Parish Health Unit vital records