Louisiana Background Checks

While most people are honest about their past, sometimes it is hard to know if their words match their history. That is why many people have depended on things like background checks to find the truth about those that they need information about. Background checks have been used for years by:

  • Employers that want to find out the criminal or financial history of an applicant.
  • Lenders that want to find out if the person they're giving a loan to is trustworthy.

    • Background checks have been less common with individuals that are simply looking for information on other individuals, because in the past there were only two ways to perform Louisiana background checks:

  • The individual someone was searching for would have to sign a release.
  • Public records could be requested.

    • The former defeats the purpose of the Louisiana background checks, because it notifies the person that you're trying to find out more about them. The latter is difficult because you'd have to know that you're searching for the right person, fill out a form request, find the correct office and so on.

    Now There is a Faster Way

    Luckily, Louisiana background checks are now much easier. Public records can be requested by anyone for any reason and any use. As a result, many websites have already requested all public records and placed them in databases that allow them to be easily searched like a search engine.

    All you need is the name of the person whose information you are hoping to find. From there, you'll be sent to a list of names that should include that individual. Find the right one, get a full report, and suddenly you'll have all of the information you need. It's fairly quick and convenient, and it is a good way to perform background checks on anyone and everyone you meet without having to ask their permission.

    Louisiana Criminal Records

    If you need to access an individual’s Louisiana criminal record, start with the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, which oversees and maintains Louisiana’s AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System), LACCH (Louisiana Computerized Criminal History System) and criminal expungements.

    The AFIS is designed to integrate fingerprints with Louisiana criminal records and mug shots to help expedite identification during booking, as well as to assist law enforcement quickly and accurately search the system for matches to latent (unidentified) prints associated with unsolved crimes. The system is updated regularly and can also provide individual mug shots or mug shot line-ups to any law enforcement officers who require them.

    The LACCH holds arrest records, as well as disposition and incarceration information for everyone arrested in Louisiana. The Louisiana background check system also saves information on all “Wanted” criminals and information on all bonded employees and applicants. The LACCH was designed to provide the most accurate arrest and disposition information to all criminal justice agencies, including out-of-state law enforcement agencies, which can make electronic inquiries through the Louisiana Law Enforcement Message Switch. The LACCH is intricately tied in with the AFIS because its information is based largely on the fingerprint information uploaded after an arrest.

    Finally, the expungements department processes all court ordered requests for expunging criminal records in part or full, as well as sealing criminal history and arrest records. Accessing an individual’s Louisiana criminal records history will only be approved for law enforcement or employers who require a criminal background check on applicants, since Louisiana is a closed state. These approved employers include schools, day cares, healthcare and medical professionals, social services, the gaming industry, and any regulatory agency who needs to perform background checks.

    To check an individual’s fingerprints in order to verify their identity (name check), the cost is $10. To obtain a state background check, which will list any arrests and/or convictions that occurred in the state of Louisiana, the cost is $26. Finally, for a more detailed state/FBI background check, the cost is $45.25, but is only released to approved agencies.

    To obtain criminal records by mail to the following:

    For additional information on obtaining Louisiana criminal records or conducting a Louisiana background check, please contact the office at the address or phone number below:

    Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
    P.O. Box 66614, #A-6
    Baton Rouge, LA 70896-6614
    (225) 925-6095

    Resource Links
    Louisiana Criminal Identification and Information
    Request Form

    Louisiana Court Records

    To obtain financial Louisiana court records, such as lien and tax information, on individuals and businesses, you will need to contact any of the 64 Parish filing offices throughout Louisiana. A basic financial search on a single debtor will cost $30 plus the cost of copying or certifying any documents that result from that search.

    To search for court records online do the following:

    For additional information on obtaining Louisiana court records, please contact the phone number below, and they will direct you to a convenient Parish filing office:

    Louisiana Secretary of State
    (225) 922-1193

    Resource Links
    Louisiana Clerks of Court Directory

    Louisiana Jail Records

    If you need to find a prisoner, Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections offers an Inmate Locator available to the public. Any individual with access to a touch-tone phone or mobile phone can use the Louisiana jail records system 24 hours a day.

    You will need to know the inmate’s DOC number or full name and date of birth in order to find the inmate’s housing assignment, facility address, contact phone number, and a projected release date if applicable. Victims can also access information regarding a particular offender’s case status and custody status by accessing LAVNS (Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System) online or via phone.

    To access jail records do the following:

    For additional information on locating Louisiana jail records, please use the phone numbers below:

    Inmate Locator 24-Hour Hotline
    (225) 383-4580
    Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System
    (866) 528-6748

    Resource Links
    Louisiana Inmate Locator

    Louisiana Driving Records

    Louisiana allows individuals to access and print their own driving records through an automated online system. Once you purchase your Louisiana driving record, you may also log in and access your record for the next 30 days in case there are any updates. The cost is $17, and your record will list any accident statements, your personal status of driving privileges, CDL status, and any record of driving offenses, such as tickets and accidents.

    For additional information on obtaining Louisiana driving records, please contact the office at the address or phone number below:

    Office of Motor Vehicles
    7979 Independence Blvd.
    Baton Rouge, LA 70806
    (877) 368-5463

    Resource Links
    Louisiana Driving Record Information

    Additional Resources

    Louisiana Sexual Offender Registry
    Louisiana Attorney General