Alexandria Dissolution of Marriage Records
Alexandria dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court at 701 Murray Street, Suite 102 in Alexandria. As the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Alexandria is home to the 9th Judicial District Court, which handles all dissolution of marriage cases for city residents. Records in the clerk's system go back to 1865, with computer records available from 1984 forward. You can search in person, by mail, or through the clerk's online RAPID E-search system or ClerkConnect portal.
Alexandria Quick Facts
Where to File for Dissolution of Marriage in Alexandria
Alexandria residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court, located at 701 Murray Street, Suite 102, Alexandria, LA 71301. The phone is (318) 473-8153 and the email is info@rapidesclerk.org. The clerk's office is in downtown Alexandria, close to the 9th Judicial District Court. The 9th JDC Self-Help Center offers free forms for custody, divorce, and child support for residents who want to handle their own case.
Note that Alexandria City Court at 515 Washington Street does not handle dissolution of marriage. All dissolution of marriage cases must be filed with the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court at the Murray Street address. Do not confuse the city court with the district court when making a trip to file documents.
Effective January 1, 2026, fax filing is prohibited at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. All filings must be submitted in person at the clerk's office or electronically through an approved online system. Plan accordingly if you previously relied on fax for document submissions.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court website has information on all clerk departments, the civil division, and access to the RAPID E-search online case lookup system.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court website is the primary resource for Alexandria residents searching for dissolution of marriage case information, forms, and department contacts.
| Court | 9th Judicial District Court, Rapides Parish |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Rapides Parish Clerk of Court |
| Address | 701 Murray Street, Suite 102 Alexandria, LA 71301 |
| Phone | (318) 473-8153 |
| info@rapidesclerk.org | |
| Fax Filing | Prohibited as of January 1, 2026 |
| Note | Alexandria City Court does NOT handle dissolution of marriage |
| Website | rapidesclerk.org |
9th Judicial District Court and Self-Help Resources
The 9th Judicial District Court handles civil and family law matters for Rapides Parish. Dissolution of marriage cases are part of the civil docket. The court has a Self-Help Center that provides free forms and instructions for residents filing without an attorney. Free forms are available for custody, divorce, and child support cases.
The 9th JDC page on the clerk's website provides court information, judge assignments, and contact details. If you are unsure which division your case falls under, the clerk's office can help you identify the right department before you file.
The 9th JDC information page on the clerk's website lists division assignments, judge contacts, and filing instructions for Alexandria dissolution of marriage and family law cases.
The Civil Department page covers procedures for civil filings including dissolution of marriage at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. It lists what you need to bring when filing and what types of documents the civil division handles.
How to Search Alexandria Dissolution of Marriage Records
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court offers RAPID E-search for online case lookup. Registration is required to use RAPID E-search. Once registered, you can search case records by party name or case number. Computer records in the system go back to 1984. For records before 1984, you may need to visit the clerk's office in person to access older files. Records before 1865 were destroyed in a courthouse fire during the Civil War, so earlier records may not exist.
Electronic filing is available through Tyler Technologies and also through the ClerkConnect platform. Both systems allow attorneys and self-represented litigants to file dissolution of marriage documents online, pay fees electronically, and track case progress. E-filing is now the preferred method since fax filing was prohibited starting January 1, 2026.
In-person searches at the 701 Murray Street office are available during business hours. Bring the names of both parties and the year the case was filed. A case number makes the search faster. Mail requests are accepted at the same address. Include case details, your return address, and payment for fees.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process in Alexandria
Alexandria residents follow Louisiana state law when filing for dissolution of marriage. Louisiana requires at least six months of state residency before filing. You file in the parish where you or your spouse is domiciled. For Alexandria residents, that is Rapides Parish at the 9th JDC.
Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, you can file a petition before the required separation period is complete. After filing, the waiting period is 180 days with no minor children, or 365 days when minor children are part of the case. You return to court after the waiting period to request the final judgment of dissolution of marriage. Under Article 103, if you have already been living separate and apart for the required time, you can file and seek a judgment without the post-filing wait. Article 103 also covers fault grounds including adultery and conviction of a felony.
Louisiana is a community property state. Everything acquired during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses. The final dissolution of marriage judgment addresses how to split the community. Separate property, such as gifts, inheritances, or assets owned before the marriage, stays with the spouse who owns it. Disputes over what is community versus separate can add complexity and delay to a case.
Cases with minor children require the court to address custody, visitation, and child support. These matters can be settled by agreement or decided by the judge. The 9th JDC Self-Help Center has free forms for parents who want to file agreed custody and support orders alongside their dissolution of marriage petition.
Alexandria Dissolution of Marriage Record Fees
Fees at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court include charges for certified copies, uncertified copies, and RAPID E-search access. Certified copies are more expensive than uncertified ones. Filing fees for new dissolution of marriage cases are set by the court. Call (318) 473-8153 or email info@rapidesclerk.org before you file to confirm current fee amounts, since fees can change.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk about in forma pauperis status. This process allows low-income filers to have fees reduced or deferred. Tyler Technologies and ClerkConnect charge their own access and e-filing fees, which are separate from the court's filing fees. Check each platform's fee schedule before you register.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Alexandria
Alexandria residents who need legal help can contact the Cenla Community Action Committee or check with Cenla Legal Services for income-eligible residents of Rapides Parish. The Louisiana State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service that connects people with family law attorneys who practice in the 9th JDC. Call the bar association or visit their website to request a referral.
The Law Library of Louisiana divorce guide is a free online resource that explains Louisiana's dissolution of marriage laws in plain language. It covers Articles 102 and 103, community property basics, and the general timeline for cases. The 9th JDC Self-Help Center at the courthouse has printed materials for people handling their own case.
Rapides Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
Alexandria is the parish seat of Rapides Parish. All dissolution of marriage filings for Alexandria residents go through the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court and the 9th Judicial District Court. For more on the parish court, available records, and additional resources, visit the Rapides Parish dissolution of marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Alexandria is the primary qualifying city in central Louisiana. Other qualifying cities in the state file dissolution of marriage cases through their own parish courts. Each has its own clerk and district court with separate procedures.