How to Find Owners of Properties
in Louisiana
If you need to do a property owner search in Louisiana, you'll be happy to know that the process is easy via the Louisiana Public Records Act (LPRA). The LPRA gives individuals the right to examine public documents, including property records, held by the state and parishes. In addition to searching through public records, you can tap third-party online resources to do a Louisiana house owner lookup.
Let's go over in detail the different ways to find a property owner by address in Louisiana.
Start With the Office of State Lands
The Office of State Lands in Louisiana allows you to search historical land documents, tax documents, and SLABs (or the State Lands and Buildings System database).
To explore historical land documents, go to the Historical Records Search section on the website. These records offer a wealth of U.S. and Louisiana land title information, including:
- Land grants
- Documents detailing the transfer of public lands to private ownership
- Official township survey plans and field notes
- U.S. and State tract books
- State patents
Together, these records form the foundation of title ownership for every acre of land in Louisiana.
The Tax Records Search covers property tax documents, including adjudications, redemptions, cancellations, and sales, for properties seized due to unpaid state taxes from 1880 to 1973. For properties adjudicated from 1974 onward, the responsibility falls to the individual parishes.
Access the SLABS Records Search to explore documents from the State Lands and Buildings System database. SLABS stores real estate records for properties owned or leased by state agencies under the SLABS real estate inventory program. This database provides the most current real estate information for state agencies.
Use the Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority Portal
Are you looking to find the owner of a property free? The Louisiana Statewide Portal offers free access to land records. The Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) was established in 2014 by the Louisiana Legislature at the request of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association.
LCRAA maintains a statewide portal that provides online access to records held by parish clerks of court. The portal features land record indices from participating parishes, enabling users to search across multiple parishes.
Through the portal, you can search for a range of documents, including:
- Mortgage and conveyance land records
- Commercial land records
- Residential land records
- Civil, family, and probate court records
This platform provides a streamlined way to access property and legal records across the state.
Visit the Parish Clerk's Office
The mortgage and conveyance index books are housed in the record room of the parish clerk's office. These books serve as key resources for attorneys, title examiners, and the public when conducting land research.
The records are organized by name and chronologically by filing date. Each index entry points to the book and page number in the Mortgage or Conveyance Book, where a copy of the original document is stored.
Every copy includes a stamped date, time, and instrument number, which is used to request the original document. Common instruments filed in the clerk's office include deeds, mortgages, right-of-way, powers of attorney, judgments, and tax liens.
Check the Real Estate and Records Division
If you are looking to find a property owner by address in New Orleans, the Real Estate and Records (RER) Division can help. RER serves as a historical repository for select real estate records within the City of New Orleans. It plays a key role in supporting government agencies at the city, state, and federal levels by providing essential property information.
Using historical records, the RER Division serves as a primary source of information for many abstractors seeking hard-to-find legal instruments before delving into land records. Copies of documents are available upon request for a small fee.
Go to Your Parish Assessor
The tax assessor's records hold crucial information, including the current and previous deeds of a property. These records are maintained at the tax assessor's office in the parish or city where the property is located.
While some areas offer online access to this information, it's often necessary to call and request the records needed for a title search. In some cases, a title searcher may need to visit the tax assessor's office in person.
Outsource to a Title Search Company
Louisiana house owner lookup can be much more complex, especially when searching for multiple properties spread across parishes. This can involve sifting through various online databases. In some instances, the documents aren't available online at all.
The benefits of working with a title search company go beyond just easing the burden of the search. A common frustration with traditional title searches is the lack of standardized reports, leading to numerous variations. Title search companies provide clear, easy-to-read reports, making the process much smoother.
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Try Commercial Search Providers
Searching for property owners in Louisiana can be time-consuming and challenging, especially if you're doing it for the first time or from out of state. Third-party real estate websites like PropertyCheckers.com can help you quickly locate property owners by address and expedite your property transactions.
Wondering how to find the owner of a property by address? PropertyCheckers.com provides access to property ownership history, including details such as the names of past and present owners, addresses, transfer dates, legal documents, and contracts. You can also find information on the property's assessed value, tax history, and any liens or encumbrances.
Additionally, the site may offer property descriptions that include size, dimensions, and any structures or improvements on the land. A property owner search in Louisiana can also yield maps, surveys, and other relevant documents for a comprehensive overview of the property.
What Are the Different Types of Property Ownership in Louisiana?
When multiple individuals purchase real estate together in Louisiana, they must determine how they wish to hold ownership of the property. Other than sole ownership, the most prevalent types of property ownership in Louisiana are community property, separate property, and tenancy in common.
Understanding the distinctions between these types of ownership is crucial, particularly concerning the implications for the property in the event of an owner's death.
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Sole Ownership
Sole ownership refers to ownership held by one individual or entity. This is most commonly seen when a single person or a married individual chooses to hold property separately from their spouse.
Sole ownership can also include ownership by a business or trust. Having a will in place is important for transferring property after death, as sole ownership does not provide for the right of survivorship.
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Community Property
In Louisiana, property that a spouse possesses during a community regime is generally considered community property. Each spouse holds an undivided half interest in this property and remains in place throughout the marriage unless modified by a marriage contract, such as a prenuptial agreement.
Spouses who relocate to Louisiana can choose to opt out of the default community property rules without needing court approval as long as they make this decision within one year of moving. After a period of one year, those wishing to opt out must seek court approval to do so.
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Separate Property
Separate property consists of all assets that are not classified as community property. To challenge the assumption that property acquired during a community regime is community property, a party must provide evidence that is strict, clear, positive, and legally certain.
Separate property can be converted into community property through a donation between spouses. Similarly, community property can be transformed into separate property if one spouse donates half of the community property to the other spouse.
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Tenancy in Common
Another form of property ownership recognized in Louisiana is tenancy in common. This legal framework allows two or more individuals to own property "in indivision", meaning each person holds an undivided fractional share.
Co-ownership occurs when multiple people own the same property. Unless proven otherwise, it is generally assumed that the co-owners have equal shares, but ownership can be divided into various fractional combinations, such as 60/40, 75/25, 99/1, or even 20/30/50.
Here is a summary of property ownership in Louisiana:
| Ownership Structure | Description | Benefits | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Ownership | Refers to ownership by a single individual. It can also apply to ownership by a business or a trust. | Total control over the property | Sole ownership does not provide for the right of survivorship. |
| Separate Property | Consists of all assets that are not classified as community property | Separate property can be converted into community property through a donation between spouses. | Distinguishing community and separate property can bring legal and family challenges. |
| Community Property | Property that a spouse possesses during a community regime is generally considered community property. | Each spouse holds an undivided half interest in this property. | Spouses who relocate to Louisiana can choose to opt out of the default community property rules without needing court approval. |
| Tenants in Common | Two or more persons hold title to real estate jointly in equal or unequal percentages. | Each person in a tenancy in common holds an undivided fractional share. | Unless proven otherwise, it is generally assumed that the co-owners have equal shares. |
Common Methods of Property Transfer in Louisiana
Title to real property establishes the legal ownership of the property, typically outlined in the deed, which specifies who owns the property and the nature of that ownership. The rights associated with the property are governed by state law and can be influenced by marital status.
Understanding the various ways property can be owned is crucial before deciding how to title it or determining whether a will needs to go through probate.
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Warranty Deed
A warranty deed is the standard document used for transferring real estate in Louisiana. Deeds may also be called Acts of Sales or Cash Sales. However, Louisiana statutes do not specify a formal statutory template for a warranty deed.
In Louisiana, the warranty for property conditions is known as redhibition. This legal action allows a buyer to sue the seller for defects in the property, similar to lemon laws in other states. When using a warranty deed, the grantor guarantees the buyer protection against redhibitory defects or issues with the property.
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Special Warranty Deed
Special warranty deeds transfer fee simple title to the buyer, accompanied by certain covenants from the seller. Typically, a special warranty deed includes a specific warranty covenant. This states that the granting party will defend the title against any claims arising from their actions.
A special warranty deed also includes implied covenants, asserting that the granting party is lawfully seized and possesses the property in fee simple, has the right to convey it, and that the property is free from encumbrances unless otherwise noted on the deed.
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Quitclaim Deed
Louisiana sets forth the minimum requirements for executing a valid quitclaim deed. To be lawful, the deed must be an authentic act recorded in the public records. An authentic act is a written agreement signed in the presence of a notary or authorized official and two witnesses who are not involved in the transaction.
The law specifies that all grantors must sign the deed, and each signer's name must be typed or printed directly beneath their signature. Every sale includes a warranty against eviction, so it's essential to note any lack of title guarantee within the document itself.
Step-by-Step Guide to Property Transfer in Louisiana
Land transfers occur for a variety of reasons, including sales, inheritance, or divorce, with a deed serving as the official legal document for transferring ownership. Here are the steps for property transfer in Louisiana:
- Obtain the deed: Collect information from both the grantor and the grantee involved in the property transfer. Secure a copy of the current owner's deed, as this document includes the property's legal description and verifies the grantor as the current owner.
- Get an attorney: Reach out to an attorney who specializes in real estate transfers to draft the deed for the land transfer. Provide the previous deed to the attorney for reference, as it contains vital information, including the property's legal description, mineral rights, and any exclusions about the property.
- Notarize the deed: Sign and date the deed, making sure it is notarized and stamped as required by law. The attorney will arrange for a notary to be present during the finalization of the deed.
- File the deed: Submit the deed to the Louisiana Clerk and Recorder in the parish where the property is located for filing. Be ready to pay the county's recording or filing fees. Louisiana does not impose a property transfer tax.
Louisiana Homeowner Lookup
- Owner(s)
- Deed Records
- Loans & Liens
- Values
- Taxes
- Building Permits
- Purchase History
- Property Details
- And More!
Louisiana Homeowner Lookup
- Owner(s)
- Deed Records
- Loans & Liens
- Values
- Taxes
- Building Permits
- Purchase History
- Property Details
- And More!