New Orleans Arrest Records
New Orleans arrest records are available through the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and the New Orleans Police Department. The OPSO runs a free public Detainee Search that shows who is currently in custody, what charges they face, and when they were booked. The NOPD Records Division handles police reports and arrest documents for incidents handled by city officers. This page walks you through how to search for New Orleans arrest records online, what you can find, and how to request records in writing or in person.
New Orleans Quick Facts
New Orleans Police Department Records
The New Orleans Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city. The NOPD makes arrests across Orleans Parish, and those arrest reports go through the department's Records and Identification Division. If you need a copy of an arrest report, an incident report, or a booking document tied to an NOPD case, that division is where you start. The Records Division is on the fifth floor at 1615 Poydras Street.
| Agency | New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) |
|---|---|
| Records Division | 1615 Poydras St, 5th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112 |
| Main HQ | 715 South Broad Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Records Phone | (504) 658-5455 |
| Non-Emergency | (504) 821-2222 |
| Website | nola.gov/next/nopd |
The NOPD Records Division handles requests for police reports, supplemental reports, and arrest-related documents. You can go in person during business hours or submit a request through the city's online public records portal. Records that are part of active investigations may be withheld, but initial arrest reports and booking records are generally public under the Louisiana Public Records Act at LRS 44:1.
For non-emergency calls or to ask about an incident that took place in New Orleans, call (504) 821-2222. This line runs around the clock and can direct you to the right unit. For records-specific questions, the dedicated line at (504) 658-5455 is the better first call.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Detainee Search
The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office runs the jail in New Orleans and maintains a free public Detainee Search. The OPSO states on its site: "Search for Detainees. Search. Select a name in the results. Details display below names." This tool shows you who is currently held in OPSO custody, what charges they face, and when they were booked. Access is free and open to the public with no login required.
The Detainee Search at opso.gov/246/Detainee-Search is the most direct way to check if someone is currently in New Orleans custody. You enter a name, get a list of results, and click a name to see the full booking details including charges and booking date.
The OPSO Detainee Search shows current inmates only. If you need records for someone who was released, you will need to submit a written public records request to the sheriff's office.
| Agency | Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO) |
|---|---|
| Address | 2800 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Phone | (504) 822-8000 |
| Detainee Search | opso.gov/246/Detainee-Search |
| Website | opso.gov |
The OPSO is responsible for running the Orleans Parish jail and holds people who are arrested in the city. When someone is booked into the jail, that booking record becomes a public document under LRS 44:3. The law specifically says initial arrest reports and booking records are open to the public, even before any court proceeding takes place.
How to Request New Orleans Arrest Records
New Orleans uses a dedicated online public records portal run by the city. You can submit requests for NOPD records, city agency records, and other documents through this system. The portal lets you track your request and receive records electronically in many cases.
The city's public records portal at nola.nextrequest.com is available 24 hours a day. You create an account, fill in the details of the record you need, and submit. City staff reviews the request and responds within the time required by state law.
Using the online portal is the easiest way to submit a formal public records request to the City of New Orleans without visiting in person.
If you prefer to go in person, the NOPD Records and Identification Division is on the first floor at 715 South Broad Street. Bring the name of the person, the approximate date of the arrest, and a photo ID. Copying fees apply: paper copies cost $0.50 per page, and records delivered on CD cost $25 as a base fee. The Louisiana Public Records Act at LRS 44:1 requires the agency to respond within three business days and to notify you in writing if they need more time.
For OPSO records not shown in the Detainee Search portal, contact the sheriff's office at (504) 822-8000 or visit 2800 Perdido Street. Written requests are the most reliable approach. The office can provide booking sheets, custody records, and related documents for people who have been processed through the Orleans Parish jail.
New Orleans Arrest Record Laws
Louisiana law sets clear rules on what arrest records are public. LRS 44:3 is the main statute. It says that initial arrest reports, booking records, summons, citations, and bills of information are all public records. These documents are open to anyone, even if the case was dropped or never went to trial. You do not need a reason to access them, and the agency cannot require you to explain yourself.
The broader Louisiana Public Records Act at LRS 44:1 covers all state and local agencies, including the NOPD and OPSO. Any adult can inspect or copy public records. The agency can charge a reasonable fee for copies but cannot charge you just to look at a record. If access is denied, the agency must tell you in writing why the record is withheld.
Criminal history data compiled by the state is handled differently. The Louisiana Criminal History (LACCH) database held by the Louisiana State Police falls under LRS 15:587. General public searches of that system are restricted. However, you can request a certified copy of your own criminal history under LRS 15:588 through the Louisiana State Police. The fee is around $46.
Note: If you believe a record is being wrongly withheld, a mandamus action in district court is the legal remedy available under Louisiana law.
New Orleans City Records and NOLA.gov
Beyond arrest records, the City of New Orleans maintains a wide range of public records through its main city portal. The city is at 1300 Perdido Street and can be reached at (504) 658-4900. The NOLA.gov portal at nola.gov is the main hub for city services, agency contacts, and public information.
The NOLA.gov site links to NOPD contacts, public records portals, and other city services relevant to anyone looking for records in New Orleans.
The city's records portal handles requests for a broad range of documents. If you are not sure which agency holds the record you need, the portal staff can help route your request. For records held by the OPSO, you contact the sheriff's office directly since it is a separate government entity from the city.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near New Orleans also have arrest records pages on this site. Each city has its own law enforcement contacts and records access methods.
Orleans Parish Arrest Records
New Orleans sits entirely within Orleans Parish. All bookings and jail operations are run by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office. For more on parish-level records, the judicial circuit, and additional resources, see the Orleans Parish arrest records page.