Find Property Records in Metairie
Property records for Metairie are maintained by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court -- Metairie is an unincorporated community with no city government of its own, so all deeds, mortgages, conveyances, and land documents are filed and searchable at the parish level. Anyone looking to access Metairie property records can search the Jefferson Parish clerk's online index or visit the Gretna courthouse in person. The clerk holds the official record for all real estate transactions in the area.
Metairie Quick Facts
Property Records for Metairie Residents
Metairie is not an incorporated city. It has no city government, no city clerk, and no municipal property records office. That is important to know before you start searching. All property records for Metairie are held by Jefferson Parish. Deeds, mortgages, liens -- all of it is at the parish level, same as everywhere else in Louisiana under La. R.S. 44:1.
When you search for a Metairie property record, you are searching Jefferson Parish records. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court maintains the conveyance and mortgage records. The Jefferson Parish Assessor keeps valuation and ownership data. Both offices serve the entire parish, including all of Metairie.
Jefferson Parish records are among the most extensive in Louisiana. The clerk has digitized over 125 million pages of documents, with records going back to 1825. That depth of history makes it possible to trace title chains on Metairie properties back well over a century.
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court
Jefferson Parish Clerk Jon A. Gegenheimer runs one of the largest clerk offices in the state. For Metairie specifically, there is a convenient local office on David Drive in addition to the main locations in Gretna and Jefferson.
| Main Address | 200 Derbigny St., Suite 5600, Gretna, LA 70053 |
|---|---|
| East Bank Office | 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Jefferson, LA 70121 |
| Metairie Area Office | 924 David Dr., Metairie, LA 70003 |
| Phone | (504) 364-2900 |
| Website | jpclerkofcourt.us |
The screenshot below shows the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website serving Metairie residents and property researchers. Visit jpclerkofcourt.us to access online tools and subscription options for recorded documents.
The clerk's website provides access to JeffNet (subscription), JeffWatch (free fraud alerts), and links to Clerk Connect for statewide searches.
In person, all three offices can help with Metairie records. The David Drive location in Metairie is the most convenient for local residents. Staff can search by name, address, or instrument number and provide plain or certified copies. Call (504) 364-2900 to confirm hours and copy fees before your visit.
How to Search Property Records in Metairie
Several online tools cover Jefferson Parish, which means they cover Metairie. Here is what each one does.
JeffNet (subscription): The clerk's online system at jpclerkofcourt.us/jeffnet-login gives full access to recorded documents. This is the main tool for title research. It costs $5 per day or $0.75 per page for downloads. Attorneys and title companies use it regularly for Metairie property searches.
JeffWatch (free): A free alert service from the Jefferson Parish Clerk. Sign up and you get an email any time a document is recorded in your name in Jefferson Parish. This is a useful tool to protect against deed fraud. It does not show you records -- it just notifies you when something new is filed under your name.
Jefferson GIS (free): The GIS portal at geoportal.jeffparish.net/public shows parcel maps for the entire parish, including Metairie. Search by address or parcel number to see lot boundaries, parcel IDs, and basic ownership data. Good first step for any property lookup.
eClerks LA (free): The statewide index at eclerksla.com lets you check Jefferson Parish filings by name at no cost. You get index data but not document images.
Clerk Connect (subscription): ClerkConnect.com aggregates records from multiple Louisiana parishes and is another paid option for finding deeds and mortgages without visiting the courthouse.
The screenshot below shows the Jefferson Parish GIS portal for locating and mapping Metairie properties. Visit geoportal.jeffparish.net/public to search by address and view mapped parcel data at no cost.
The GIS map shows lot lines, parcel numbers, and basic ownership data but does not provide full deed or mortgage history.
Jefferson Parish Assessor
The Jefferson Parish Assessor is Thomas J. Capella, CLA. The assessor's office sets the assessed value for every property in the parish, including all of Metairie. Those values determine how much you owe in property taxes each year.
| West Bank Address | 200 Derbigny St., Suite 1100, Gretna, LA 70053 |
|---|---|
| East Bank Address | 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 901, Harahan, LA 70123 |
| East Bank Phone | (504) 736-6370 |
| West Bank Phone | (504) 362-4100 |
| Website | jpassessor.net |
The screenshot below shows the Jefferson Parish Assessor website where Metairie residents can look up property values and ownership information at no cost. Visit jpassessor.net to search by address, owner name, or parcel number.
The free assessor search is one of the quickest ways to find current ownership data and assessed value for a Metairie property.
Under La. Const. art. VII, sec. 18, residential property in Louisiana is assessed at 10% of fair market value, commercial property at 15%, and public service properties at 25%. A Metairie home worth $250,000 carries a $25,000 assessed value. The parish millage rate then applies to that number. Owner-occupied homes can qualify for the homestead exemption, which reduces taxable assessed value by $7,500.
Understanding Louisiana Property Records
Louisiana uses a civil law system, which differs from the common law used in most other states. The key recording rule -- La. Civ. Code art. 3338 -- says that a transfer of immovable property is not effective against third parties until it is recorded with the proper clerk. That means recording a deed is not just paperwork. It is what gives ownership legal force against later claims. Buy a property in Metairie and don't record the deed, and a subsequent creditor or buyer could potentially win out over you.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk maintains separate indexes for conveyances and mortgages, as required by La. R.S. 44:411. The conveyance index tracks ownership transfers. The mortgage index tracks loans and liens. Together, these two indexes give the full picture of a property's recorded history. A title search for a Metairie property traces through both.
Common document types filed for Metairie properties include acts of sale (deeds), mortgage instruments, cancellations of mortgage, judgment liens, contractor privileges (mechanic's liens), and subdivision plats. All are public under La. R.S. 44:1.
Property Taxes in Metairie
Property tax bills for Metairie are issued by Jefferson Parish. They are due December 31 each year. If you miss that deadline, interest and penalties begin to accrue. Late payments can eventually lead to a tax sale, which is a public proceeding recorded with the clerk.
Under La. R.S. 44:411, property tax records are permanently retained. Tax sale certificates show up in a title search. If you are buying a Metairie property, verify that there are no outstanding tax liens before closing. The assessor's site shows current status, and the clerk's index will show any recorded tax sale or redemption documents.
Tax bills go to the address on file with the assessor. If you recently bought a property and the mailing address has not been updated, contact the Jefferson Parish Assessor's office to make the change before the next tax season. Bills sent to the wrong address are still your responsibility.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Louisiana cities are served by parish clerk offices and have their own property records pages.