Using the online public access system the user can lookup and verify that proper information has been obtained for their property or can look at the information and values of houses around them.

To research the online public access system click on the Public Access button listed on the Navigation Bar shown on the left side of this page. This will bring up the Public Access System page. The Up button on this How To  page directs the user back to the Home Page. The Up button on the other pages under the Public Access System page will bring the user back to that page. The remaining  buttons are used to look up assessment information. All of the buttons on the Navigation Bar will direct the user to the Parcel Data page.

PARCEL DATA PAGE:

     The Parcel Data page contains the assessment information for the primary land holder of a parcel. If there are multiple owners of a parcel only one owner will be listed on the page.  The page lists the parcel identification number, the owner's name, physical address of the parcel, and the city.

     Print Homestead Exemption Card Button   

     This button directs the user to the Homestead Exemption Card. To apply for homestead exemption on newly acquired property print out the form, follow the instructions, and mail to the St. Mary Parish Assessor's office. This page has to be closed by either clicking on the 'x' at the top right of page or by going to 'File' and then 'Close'.

     Tax Roll Pages Button 

     This button directs to user to the assessment information for a particular parcel of land. If there are multiple parcels for the owner there will be multiple buttons showing each parcel number. The owner information as well as the land description and tax assessment information will be on this page. This page has to be closed by either clicking on the 'x' at the top right of page or by going to 'File' and then 'Close'.

     Residential CAMA Page Button

     This button directs the user to the property record card for any improvement on the parcel of land. If there are multiple improvements for the parcel there will be a button for each improvement. The property record card is an itemized cost sheet for the property based on Marshall & Swift guidelines. The card will show how the assessor's office derives at the fair market value of the property. Property is assessed at 10% of fair market value. This page has to be closed by either clicking on the 'x' at the top right of page or by going to 'File' and then 'Close'.

     Commercial CAMA Page Button

      This button directs the user to the property record card for any commercial improvement on the parcel of land. If there are multiple improvements for the parcel there will be a button for each improvement. The property record card is an itemized cost sheet for the property based on Marshall & Swift guidelines. The card will show how the assessor's office derives at the fair market value of the property. Commercial land is assessed at 10% of fair market value and commercial buildings are assessed at 15% of fair market value. This page has to be closed by either clicking on the 'x' at the top right of page or by going to 'File' and then 'Close'.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE BUTTONS ON THE PUBLIC ACCESS SYSTEM PAGE:

     ADDRESS:

     To search by address, click on the Address button. Enter the name of the street only. Do not enter the direction (East, North, etc.) or the street suffix (St., Rd., etc.). The list of streets will include any directional name or suffix.  A minimum of three characters is required to begin the search.

     A list of streets is created that matches the search criteria.  It is possible for streets in different areas of the parish to have the same name. Click on the desired street name from the list.

     The list of owners that is created for the chosen street can be sorted by clicking on either "Owner Name", "Address", or "Block". Click on an owner's name from the list to be directed to the Parcel Data page.

     PARCEL ID:

     The parcel identification number (PIN) is an identification number set by the assessor's office for each parcel of land. If you know the pin number for a parcel, click on the Parcel ID button. This will direct you the Parcel Data Page. 

     SECTION/TOWNSHIP/RANGE: 

     The user can search all owners in a particular section, township, and range. From the pull-down lists, choose the Section and click GO. Then, Township will appear. Choose the Township and hit GO. Finally, choose the Range and hit GO. 

       The list of owners that is created for the chosen section, township, and range can be sorted by clicking on either "Owner Name", "Address", or "Block". Click on an owner's name from the list to be directed to the Parcel Data page.

     SUBDIVISION: 

     The user can search all owners in a particular subdivision. Subdivision names are listed in alphabetical order. Select the first letter, at the top of the page, of the Subdivision. The user can also scroll down and find the Subdivision name. Click on the Subdivision name.

     The list of owners that is created for the chosen subdivision can be sorted by clicking on either "Owner Name", "Address", or "Block". Click on an owner's name from the list to be directed to the Parcel Data page.

     BOOK/ACQUISITION 

     The Book/Acquisition page allows the user to search for all owners acquiring property in the same deed recorded in the St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court's office. The book and acquisition numbers are how the Clerk's office index the deeds. Enter BOTH Book and Acquisition number into the provided spaces and hit GO. Select the property from the list provided.

     The list of owners that is created for the book and acquisition can be sorted by clicking on either "Owner Name", "Address", or "Block". Click on an owner's name from the list to be directed to the Parcel Data page.

     OWNER NAME

     To search by owner name, click on the OWNER NAME button. Enter the first three (minimum) letters of the owners last name. Select the property from the list provided. The list of owners created can be sorted by clicking on either "Owner Name", "Address", or "Block". Click on an owner's name from the list to be directed to the Parcel Data page.