Ascension Parish Public Records /Ascension Parish Property Records

Ascension County Property Records

What Is Ascension County Property Records

Property records in Ascension Parish, Louisiana represent official documentation that establishes legal ownership, transfers, and encumbrances affecting real property within parish boundaries. These records serve as the authoritative source for determining property ownership history, boundary descriptions, and financial interests attached to land and structures. Pursuant to Louisiana Civil Code Article 3338, the recording of instruments affecting immovable property provides public notice of ownership rights and encumbrances.

The primary functions of Ascension Parish property records include:

Establishing legal chain of title and ownership history
Providing public notice of property interests and encumbrances
Protecting property rights through official documentation
Facilitating real estate transactions and property transfers
Supporting property tax assessment and collection

The Ascension Parish Clerk of Court maintains the official property records repository as mandated by Louisiana law. These records document the complete history of ownership and legal interests for all real property parcels within parish boundaries.

Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
300 Houmas Street
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
(225) 473-9866
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court

Are Property Records Public Information In Ascension County?

Property records in Ascension Parish are public information accessible to all citizens under Louisiana law. The Louisiana Public Records Act, codified in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1 et seq., establishes the public's right to inspect and copy public records, including property records. Additionally, Louisiana Civil Code Article 3341 specifically addresses the public nature of the mortgage and conveyance records.

The legal basis for public access to property records includes:

Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
Recording statutes require public accessibility to provide legal notice
Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
Public access facilitates property transactions and prevents fraud

Any member of the public may access Ascension Parish property records without demonstrating a specific interest or providing justification for their request. This open access policy reflects Louisiana's commitment to transparency in government records and property ownership.

The Ascension Parish Assessor's Office and Clerk of Court maintain these public records and provide access through both in-person visits and online platforms.

Ascension Parish Assessor's Office
815 E. Worthey Street
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-8182
Ascension Parish Assessor

How To Search Property Records in Ascension County in 2026

Ascension Parish offers multiple methods for searching property records. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures to access these documents:

Online Search Method:

Visit the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court's official website
Navigate to the "Land Records" or "Property Records" section
Create a user account if required for full access
Enter search criteria such as property owner name, address, or parcel number
Review search results and select desired records
View, download, or request copies of documents as needed

In-Person Search Method:

Visit the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court's office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
Complete a records request form at the public records counter
Provide specific search criteria to the records clerk
Wait while staff retrieves the requested documents
Review records on-site or request copies (fees may apply)

Mail or Email Request Method:

Download the public records request form from the Clerk of Court website
Complete the form with specific search parameters
Submit the request via mail or email to the Clerk's office
Include payment for any applicable fees
Receive requested documents via mail or email

The Ascension Parish Clerk of Court maintains a public access terminal at their office location where citizens may conduct self-service searches of digitized property records. Staff members are available to assist with complex searches or older records that may not be fully digitized.

How To Find Property Records in Ascension County Online?

Ascension Parish provides comprehensive online access to property records through several official platforms. The parish has invested in digital infrastructure to facilitate public access to these important documents. Citizens may utilize the following online resources:

Clerk of Court Land Records Database:

Access the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court website
Select "Land Records" from the main navigation menu
Register for an account or log in to the existing account
Use the search interface to query by:
- Owner name (current or previous)
- Property address
- Legal description
- Document type
- Recording date range
Review search results and select documents for viewing
Download or print documents as needed (fees may apply for certain functions)

Ascension Parish Assessor's Property Database:

Visit the Ascension Parish Assessor's website
Navigate to "Property Search" or "Tax Roll Information"
Search by owner name, address, or parcel identification number
View assessment information, property characteristics, and tax history
Access linked documents such as plat maps or surveys when available

Ascension Parish GIS Mapping Portal:

Access the parish's Geographic Information System (GIS) portal
Navigate using the interactive map interface
Search by address or visually locate the property
View parcel boundaries, dimensions, and basic ownership information
Link to related property records in other parish databases

These online systems are regularly updated to reflect current property transactions and provide historical records dating back several decades. More recent records are typically available immediately, while older documents may have varying levels of digital accessibility.

How To Look Up Ascension County Property Records for Free?

Ascension Parish provides several no-cost options for accessing property records. These free resources ensure that basic property information remains accessible to all citizens regardless of financial means. The following methods allow for free property record searches:

Free Public Access Terminals:

Located at the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court's office
Available during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
Provide complete access to digitized property records
Staff assistance available for navigational help
Basic printing fees may apply for physical copies

Ascension Parish Assessor's Public Website:

Free access to the property search function
No registration or account required for basic searches
Provides ownership information, property characteristics, and assessment values
Includes recent sales data and basic property history
Limited to assessment-related information rather than full deed history

Ascension Parish Library Resources:

Public computers with internet access at all parish library branches
Library staff can assist with navigating official parish websites
Access to historical property information through library archives
Free Wi-Fi for personal device access to online records

Ascension Parish GIS Public Viewer:

Free access to basic parcel information and boundaries
No login required for standard functions
Provides visual representation of property locations
Links to basic ownership information

While these free options provide substantial access to property records, certain advanced functions or document retrieval services may incur nominal fees. The parish maintains a fee schedule for specialized services such as certified copies, extensive research assistance, or bulk data requests.

What's Included in a Ascension County Property Record?

Ascension Parish property records encompass a comprehensive collection of documents and information related to real property within parish boundaries. These records are maintained by multiple parish offices according to their respective jurisdictions and responsibilities. Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:36, these records must be preserved according to established retention schedules.

Property records in Ascension Parish typically include:

Ownership Documents:

Warranty deeds
Quitclaim deeds
Sheriff's deeds
Succession documents
Donation instruments
Acts of sale

Financial Encumbrances:

Mortgages and mortgage releases
Tax liens and releases
Judgment liens
Mechanic's liens
Homestead exemption filings

Property Description Documents:

Surveys and plat maps
Legal descriptions
Boundary agreements
Servitude/easement documents
Subdivision declarations

Assessment Information:

Property tax assessments
Millage rates
Tax payment history
Exemption status
Property classification

Additional Documentation:

Restrictions and covenants
Condominium declarations
Timber rights
Mineral rights
Rights-of-way

Each property record contains detailed information including:

Current and historical property owners
Legal description of property boundaries
Purchase price and transaction dates
Mortgage amounts and lender information
Property tax assessment values
Building characteristics (for improved properties)
Zoning classification and restrictions

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 assets. The parish maintains separate recording systems for these different property types.

How Long Does Ascension County Keep Property Records?

Ascension Parish maintains property records according to retention schedules established under Louisiana law. The Louisiana Secretary of State's Records Management program provides guidance on retention periods pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:411, which establishes the state's records management requirements.

Property records in Ascension Parish are subject to the following retention periods:

Permanent Retention:

Deeds and conveyances
Mortgage and conveyance indices
Plat maps and surveys
Subdivision declarations
Servitude/easement documents
Property tax assessment rolls

Extended Retention (30+ years):

Mortgage documents (until canceled plus 30 years)
Tax liens (until satisfied plus 10 years)
Judgment liens (until satisfied plus 10 years)
Building permits and certificates of occupancy (life of structure plus 10 years)

Medium-Term Retention (10-30 years):

Property tax payment records (10 years)
Zoning variance applications (20 years)
Conditional use permits (term of permit plus 10 years)

Shorter-Term Retention (1-10 years):

Temporary construction permits (5 years after expiration)
Routine correspondence regarding property (3 years)
Public information requests for property records (3 years)

The Ascension Parish Clerk of Court has implemented a comprehensive digitization program to preserve historical property records. This initiative ensures the long-term preservation of documents that might otherwise deteriorate due to age or environmental factors. The parish maintains both digital and physical archives of critical property records to ensure redundancy and accessibility.

How To Find Liens on Property In Ascension County?

Ascension Parish maintains comprehensive records of liens and encumbrances affecting real property within its jurisdiction. Members of the public may search for liens through several official channels. The following methods provide access to lien information:

Clerk of Court Lien Search:

Visit the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court's office or website
Access the mortgage and conveyance records database
Search by property owner name or property description
Review results for active liens including:
- Mortgage liens
- Judgment liens
- Tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Homeowners association liens

Parish Tax Collector's Office:

Contact the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office Tax Division
Request information about delinquent property taxes
Verify if tax liens have been filed against specific properties
Obtain tax lien certificates if applicable

Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office Tax Division
828 S. Irma Boulevard
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-8300
Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office

Louisiana Secretary of State:

Access the Secretary of State's business services portal
Search for Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings
Review results for financing statements affecting property
Note that UCC filings typically relate to personal property but may impact fixtures

Federal Tax Lien Search:

Visit the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
Request a search of federal tax lien records
Provide the property owner's name
Review results for active IRS liens

A comprehensive lien search should include all these resources, as different types of liens may be recorded with different agencies. Professional title companies often perform these searches as part of real estate transactions to ensure clear title. The Louisiana Public Records Law guarantees public access to these lien records to promote transparency in property ownership and encumbrances.

What Is Property Owner Rule In Ascension County?

Ascension Parish adheres to Louisiana's property ownership regulations, which are based on civil law traditions rather than common law principles found in most other states. The "property owner rule" in Ascension Parish encompasses several key legal concepts that govern property rights and responsibilities.

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 477, ownership confers direct, immediate, and exclusive authority over a thing. Property owners in Ascension Parish possess the following rights and obligations:

Property Owner Rights:

Right to use, enjoy, and dispose of property within legal limitations
Authority to exclude others from the property
Entitlement to fruits and products of the property
Right to transfer ownership through sale, donation, or succession
Ability to grant servitudes (easements) or other limited rights

Property Owner Responsibilities:

Compliance with parish zoning ordinances and land use regulations
Maintenance of property in accordance with parish health and safety codes
Payment of annual property taxes based on assessed value
Adherence to recorded subdivision restrictions and covenants
Respect for neighboring property rights and boundaries

Ascension Parish has established specific regulations regarding property ownership through its Unified Land Development Code. These regulations address:

Minimum lot sizes in various zoning districts
Building setback requirements
Height restrictions for structures
Permitted land uses by zone
Subdivision development standards

The parish also enforces Louisiana's laws regarding "forced heirship," which may impact property inheritance and transfer. Under this doctrine, certain descendants may have legal claims to portions of a deceased owner's property regardless of testamentary provisions.

Property owners in Ascension Parish should be aware of Louisiana's unique legal framework regarding community property, which affects ownership rights of married couples. Under this system, property acquired during marriage generally belongs equally to both spouses, regardless of which spouse's name appears on the title documents.