Duties of the Clerk of Court’s Office
The Clerk of Court for each parish in Louisiana performs the functions of more than one office. He is the Clerk of Court, Recorder of Deeds and Mortgages, Jury Commissioner, and Election Official and Custodian of the Voting Machines.
As the Recorder, the office of the Clerk of Court receives, files, records and indexes all mortgages, conveyances and all other instruments recorded in the Public Records for the Parish.
The Clerk’s Office receives and files all pleadings, such as petitions, answers, motions and other filings in Civil and Probate matters, as well as indictments, bills of information and other filings in Criminal matters. The Clerk’s Office also handles special Juvenile matters and Criminal Neglect cases.
Another function of the Clerk’s Office is the issuance of Marriage Licenses and recording their returns after the marriages are performed.
The Clerk of Court also acts as Election Official and Custodian of Voting Machines. He is to deliver the voting machines to their precincts and notify all Commissioners and Deputy Parish Custodians of their duties and responsibilities on election day. He is required by law to open each voting machine used in an election, record the number of votes and report the totals to the Board of Election Supervisors.
The Clerk of Court also serves as member of the Jury Commission of his parish. The duty of this commission is to draw Petit Juries and Grand Juries as required by the Court.
All expenses of the Clerk’s Office are paid out of the fees, as fixed by statute, for recording, copies and services rendered in connection with Civil, Probate and Criminal proceedings. Taxpayers’ dollars are not used for the operation of the office.
The Natchitoches Parish on line records continue to grow. They can be accessed on clerkconnect.com. The fees are available on the site. We currently have conveyances back to December 2, 1949. Our mortgage records are available on-line to January 1, 1986. Oil and Gas records are available to January 1, 1986. Charter records are available back to January 6, 1986. Partnership records start May 10, 2005. Our Civil records and Probate records start January 1, 2000. The Criminal records run from January 1, 2007. Marriage records start Jun 4, 2011.
All of our records are available for review daily in our office.
Elections
Elections in Natchitoches Parish are held as scheduled by the office of the Secretary of State.
POLLING LOCATIONS
Ward/Pct | Poll Place Name | Poll Place Location | City |
| 01/01 | St. Anthony Catholic CH Hall | 911 5th Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/01a | St. Anthony Catholic CH Hall | 911 5th Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/02 | The Masonic Lodge | 110 Masonic Drive | Natchitoches |
| 01/03 | City Court Building | 314 Amulet Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/03a | City Court Building | 314 Amulet Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/04 | Restoration Apostolic Ministries | 175 Fairgrounds Rd | Natchitoches |
| 01/04a | Restoration Apostolic Ministries | 175 Fairgrounds Rd | Natchitoches |
| -01/05 | Parks Elementary School | 830 Koonce Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/05a | Parks Elementary School | 830 Koonce Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/06 | First Presbyterian Church | 114 Bienville Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/07 | M R Weaver Elementary School | 520 St. Maurice Lane | Natchitoches |
| 01/08 | LP Vaughn Elementary School | 1500 Gold Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/09 | NCHS Boys Gym | 6513 Hwy 3110 | Natchitoches |
| 01/09a | NCHS Boys Gym | 6513 Hwy 3110 | Natchitoches |
| 01/10 | Oak Grove Methodist Church Hall BLDG. | 210 Eight Mile Loop | Natchitoches |
| 01/10A | Oak Grove Methodist Church Hall BLDG. | 210 Eight Mile Loop | Natchitoches |
| 01/10B | Oak Grove Methodist Church Hall BLDG. | 210 Eight Mile Loop | Natchitoches |
| 01/11 | School Board Title 1 Media Center | 310 Royal Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/12 | East Natchitoches Junior School | 1001 E Fifth Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/13 | North Street Daycare Center | 319 North Street | Natchitoches |
| 01/14 | Nat. Jr High – Frankie Ray Jackson | 1621 Welch Street | Natchitoches |
| 02/01 | Ashland City Hall | 521 Hwy 153 | Ashland |
| 02/02 | Readhimer Community Rec Ctr | 1055 Hwy 9 | Readhimer |
| 02/03 | Goldonna City Hall | 3159 Main Street | Goldonna |
| 02/04 | Bishop Friend Parish Hall | 2443 Hwy 1226 | Natchitoches |
| 02/05 | Creston Baptist Church | 5315 Hwy 9 | Saline |
| 02/06 | Campti Police Jury Vot BLDG | 1017 Hwy 71 North | Campti |
| 02/07 | Clarence Town Hall | 6004 Hwy 71 | Clarence |
| 02/07A | Clarence Town Hall | 6004 Hwy 71 | Clarence |
| 02/08 | Campti Comm Building | 201 Edenborn Street | Campti |
| 02/09 | Fairview School | 1439 Hwy 71 | Campti |
| 03/01 | Marthaville First Baptist Church Activity Building | 10660 LA Hwy 120 | Marthaville |
| 03/02 | Ajax Community Center | 1425 Hwy 174 | Marthaville |
| 03/03 | Robeline City Hall | 122 Depot Street | Robeline |
| 03/04 | St. Anne Catholic Church Hall | 4310 Hwy 485 | Spanish Lake |
| 03/05 | Provencal Elementary School | 132 Cherry Street | Provencal |
| 03/06 | Provencal City Hall | 1968 Hwy 117 | Provencal |
| 03/07 | Powhatan Town Hall | 291 N Railroad Street | Powhaten |
| 03/08 | Robeline Police Jury Voting Building | 6354 Hwy 385 | Robeline |
| 03/09 | Bellwood Baptist Church Hall | 135 Bellwood Church Road | Bellwood |
| 04/01 | Cypress Police Jury Voting Building | 11345 Hwy 1 | Cypress |
| 04/02 | Royal Palace Banquet Hall | 958 Hwy 1 South | Natchez |
| 04/03 | St. Augustine Catholic Church Social Hall | 2250 Hwy 484 | Melrose |
| 04/04 | St. John Catholic Church Hall | 423 Hwy 495 | Cloutierville |
| 04/05 | Holy Family Catholic Church Hall | 17398 Hwy 1 | Cloutierville |
| 04/06 | Gorum Fire District No 1 | 9358 Hwy 119 | Gorum |
| 04/07 | Kisatchie Baptist Church | 1809 LA Hwy 118W | Provencal |
| 04/08 | Flora Police Jury Building | 1500 Hwy 120 | Flora |
| 04/09 | Christian Worship Center | 1513 Hwy 494 | Natchitoches |
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTION SUPERVISORS
The Clerk of Court is the Chief Elections Officer in the parish. As such, he serves as a member of the Parish Board of Elections Supervisors. The Board meets before, during and after an election.
QUALIFYING
Before an election, the Clerk of Court’s Office qualifies candidates for office in any local election, while the Secretary of State qualifies those candidates for office on a state level. This qualifying period as well as required fees are set by law.
ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
Poll workers are vital to the election process. The Clerk of Court encourages residents of Natchitoches Parish to serve as Election Commissioners at the various voting precincts. Interested persons must attend one evening school and pass a written test to become certified as a Commissioner. Schools for new Commissioners are generally held twice a year.
To become a certified Election Commissioner, you must meet the following qualifications:
- You must be a registered voter of Natchitoches Parish;
- You must be able to vote without assistance;
- You must not be a candidate or immediate family member of a candidate in the election; and
- You must not have been convicted of any election offense.
A Commissioner who serves at the polling place on Election Day and who has received a certificate of instruction shall receive $200.00.
COMMISSIONER-IN-CHARGE
A person interested in becoming a Commissioner-In-Charge must possess the same qualifications as a Commissioner. He or she must have successfully completed a general course of instruction for Commissioners-In-Charge and must have served as a Commissioner in at least two (2) elections during the last four (4) years. Commissioner-In-Charge school is held once a year. A Commissioner-In-Charge shall receive $250.00 for each election in which he or she serves.
Election Commissioners and Commissioners-In-Charge are randomly selected by the Parish Board of Election Supervisors in accordance with Louisiana Law.
SAMPLE ELECTION BALLOTS & ELECTION RESULTS
Complete sample ballots and election results for all parishes, including Natchitoches Parish, may be obtained from GeauxVote.com.
Get the app for Apple or Android!
For More Information Call (318) 352-8152
WATCHERS
Watchers at polls are allowed but under strict guidelines. A watcher shall be admitted within all parts of the polling place during the election and the counting and tabulation of votes, and shall call any infraction of the law to the attention of the Commissioners. Each candidate (or in the case of a presidential election, each slate of candidates for presidential elector) is entitled to have one watcher at every precinct where the office he seeks is voted on in a primary or general election. The Louisiana Revised Statutes Election Code should be consulted for laws concerning watchers. For detailed information concerning watchers, please call the Clerk of Court’s Office.
ELECTION DUTIES
The Clerk of Court is responsible for training all Election Commissioners and seeing that all precincts are staffed sufficiently for every election. He sends notices to the Election Commissioners, Commissioners-In-Charge and Deputy Custodians of the election date, hours, voting machine delivery/pickup and other vital information concerning the election.
Election Day begins at the Clerk’s Office at 5:00 a.m., handling questions and concerns from the various polling places. The Office is open all day to handle any situation that needs to be addressed. The Board of Election Supervisors convenes, usually around 6:00 p.m., to count absentee ballots. When the polls close at 8:00 p.m., calls are still monitored and the Office prepares for incoming election results. Those results are tabulated and forwarded to the Secretary of State immediately by computer. The media is notified of the results.
After an election, the Board of Election Supervisors unseals the voting machines and re-checks the results, meeting to certify the final results and forwarding them to the Secretary of State. The Commissioners, Commissioners-In-Charge, Deputy Custodians and Janitors are sent payment for their services by the Secretary of State’s Office.
FAQs
For More Information Call (318) 352-8152
What are your office hours?
Our office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM.
What do I need to do to be excused from jury duty?
For further information contact the Judge’s office at (318) 357-2209 or (318) 357-2210
What do I have to do to work at the polls?
You must become certified by attending a commissioners school. These are held twice a year.
How far back do your records date?
Our court records, marriage records and land records date back to approximately 1732.
Do you have death records on file?
Those are available from the State Office of Public Health.
Where do I go to get a certified copy of my divorce?
The civil department of our office has copies of all divorces in Natchitoches Parish.
Where do I go to get a certified copy of my deed?
Those are available in the recording department of our office.
How do I find out who owns the property at a certain location?
You need to check with the Tax Assessor’s Office. Our records are indexed by the owner’s name not by description.
How do I become a notary?
By taking and passing a written exam given by the Secretary of State. If you are a resident of Natchitoches Parish and want to be a notary in this parish, visit the Secretary of State web site.
Where can I get a certified copy of my birth certificate?
Birth certificates from 1983 forward and birth cards for the last 100 years are available from our office. You must apply in person. Birth certificates prior to 1983 may be acquired from the State. The Birth Certificate will be ordered and received within one hour. See Forms for an application.
What do I need to get a certified copy of my birth certificate?
Applicants applying for a certified copy of a Birth Certificate or Birth Card are required to provide identificatiion in the form of one primary document or two secondary documents.
What is the difference between a birth certificate and a birth card?
A birth card is small and will fit in your pocket. It provides your name, date of birth, sex, parish of birth, mother’s maiden name and father’s initials. The birth certificate provides much more detail (i.e. town, hospital or birth, father & mother’s full name, residence etc.).
How do I know whether I need a birth certificate or a birth card?
You will need to ask the person/agency who is requiring the information.
How much is a certified copy of a birth certificate?
$34
How much is a certified copy of a birth card?
$14 (Please note birth cards are available only with the purchase of a birth certificate).
How much is a marriage license?
$33.50
This includes a certified copy of the license after it is returned to the clerk’s office after the ceremony.
What do I need to get a marriage license?
Proof of age and if you have been married before, you will need a certified copy of your divorce or a copy of the death certificate of former spouse. See Forms for an application.
I want to file for divorce without hiring an attorney. What do I need to do?
THERE ARE NO STANDARD FORMS FOR DIVORCE. EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT. The law allows you to file for a divorce without the assistance of an attorney. The Clerk of Court staff CANNOT assist you. If there are children and/or property involved, we suggest you employ an attorney to assist you.
Where do I go to pay my traffic ticket?
The Sheriff’s office collects those unless it was issued by a municipality and in that situation, you go to the town hall of the municipality that issued it.