East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court

David Dart, Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Louisiana fulfills a dual function. Under the Constitution of Louisiana, he is the Clerk of the District Court for his parish and at the same time is the Ex-Officio Recorder of deeds, mortgages and other instruments. In addition, he is also the Chief Election Officer of the Parish.

In its function as recorder, the office receives, files and enters on a daily register all mortgages and other instruments to be recorded in the Public Records of the Parish. These instruments are then routed and assigned for recordation in the appropriate record books maintained for the different categories to which they relate.

In addition to being Chief Election Officer of the Parish, the Clerk is also the Parish Custodian of Voting machines, with the responsibility of delivering the voting machines to their precincts. Other duties require the Clerk of Court to notify all Commissioners and Deputy parish Custodians of their duties and responsibilities on election day. After an election, he is required by law to open each voting machine used in an election, record the number of votes, reseal the machines and report the totals to the Board of Election Supervisors.

No tax money is provided for the operation of the office except for residence, utilities and some modifications. The fees collected for recordings, certified copies and services rendered in connection with civil, probate and criminal proceedings are established by statute. All salaries and expenses of the office are paid out of the fees. This makes the Clerk of Court’s office almost entirely self-supporting.