Bulletin: LA000011

Dear Associates:

Partial Indicies/18 Years

The relocation of the real estate records in Orleans Parish to the Morial Convention Center has been partially completed. Electronic indices are available to research from 1987 to the present, but at this time, the manual indices for records prior to 1987 are not physically available for inspection.

A great number of transactions can be processed within this shortened search period. (Please see Bulletin Number MU000018 and MU000035 for search requirements) However, the requirements for general name searches have always been 20 years; due to Federal Judgments. During this time of crisis, Stewart Title Guaranty is willing to insure based on an 18 year general name search; provided:

(1) The standard owner's/mortgagor's affidavit is executed,

(2) There is nothing raising a suspicion of claim, such as a string of judgments or mortgages against the party in question;

(3) There are no federal or state tax liens against the party in question for the time period you can search.
This bulletin is issued as temporary instruction and once the Orleans Parish Records cover a 20 year period this bulletin will expire.

Orleans Tax Office

The Tax Assessors Office is still closed to the general public. However, as of today, abstractors are being allowed access to the tax books. Please check with the tax office directly for office hours and permission to access the books.

It looks like we are back in business in Orleans Parish. Please call us on a case by case basis for approval on any transactions which do not meet the above criteria.