Search Bossier City Dissolution of Marriage Records
Bossier City dissolution of marriage records are filed at the 26th Judicial District Court, which is located in Benton, the Bossier Parish seat. Although Bossier City is the largest city in the parish, the clerk of court and courthouse are in Benton, about 15 miles north. Bossier City residents must travel to Benton to file in person, or they can use ClerkConnect for online e-filing and record access. The 26th JDC serves both Bossier and Webster Parishes, with six elected judges handling civil, family, and criminal matters.
Bossier City Quick Facts
Where to File Dissolution of Marriage in Bossier City
Bossier City residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the 26th Judicial District Court in Benton. The courthouse and clerk's office are at 204 Burt Boulevard, Benton, LA 71006. The Bossier Parish seat is where the clerk of court maintains all civil records, including dissolution of marriage filings. The clerk's phone is (318) 965-9600. The 26th JDC general line is (318) 965-2217. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The 26th JDC has six elected judges assigned to Divisions A through F. It also has one appointed hearing officer. The court handles custody, support, and dissolution of marriage for Bossier Parish residents. Contested cases go before one of the six judges. Some routine matters may go before the hearing officer. The court serves both Bossier and Webster Parishes, so the docket is shared across two parishes.
The 26th Judicial District Court website has contact information, case search access through ClerkConnect, and self-help forms for people filing without an attorney.
The 26th JDC website is the starting point for Bossier City residents looking to file or search dissolution of marriage records, with links to ClerkConnect, self-help resources, and court contact details.
| Court | 26th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 204 Burt Boulevard Benton, LA 71006 |
| Clerk Phone | (318) 965-9600 |
| Court Phone | (318) 965-2217 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Parishes Served | Bossier and Webster |
| Website | 26jdc.com |
Bossier City Dissolution of Marriage Forms and Self-Help
The 26th JDC Self-Help Center provides free forms for people who want to handle their own dissolution of marriage case. Forms cover divorce, custody, and child support. You can download them from the court's website or pick them up at the clerk's office in Benton. Having the right forms filled out before you file can reduce delays and trips to the courthouse.
The 26th JDC orders and forms page lists all available self-help documents. This includes forms for uncontested dissolution of marriage cases, joint petitions, and related filings. If your case is uncontested and both spouses agree on all terms, the self-help forms may be enough to get through the process without hiring an attorney.
The forms page covers dissolution of marriage documents for Bossier Parish, including joint petition forms and instructions for uncontested filings that Bossier City residents can use.
ClerkConnect is the online e-filing and records platform used by the 26th JDC. Bossier City residents can use ClerkConnect to file documents electronically, pay fees online, and search case records without making the drive to Benton. E-recording is also available for property-related documents connected to dissolution of marriage cases.
How to Search Dissolution of Marriage Records in Bossier City
Bossier Parish dissolution of marriage records can be searched through ClerkConnect online, in person at the Benton courthouse, or by mail. ClerkConnect is the most convenient option for Bossier City residents since it avoids the drive to Benton. You register for an account on the ClerkConnect platform and can search case records, view filings, and download documents.
In-person searches at 204 Burt Boulevard in Benton are available during business hours. Bring the names of both parties and a general timeframe for when the case was filed. Staff at the clerk's counter can help locate records. A case number makes the search faster. For mail requests, write to the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court at the Benton address, include the case information, and send payment for applicable fees.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process for Bossier City Residents
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Bossier City means filing at the 26th JDC in Benton. Louisiana requires at least six months of state residency before filing. You file in the parish where you or your spouse is domiciled, which for Bossier City residents is Bossier Parish.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 allows you to file a petition before the required separation period has passed. Under Article 102, the waiting period after filing is 180 days when there are no minor children, or 365 days when minor children are involved. Louisiana Civil Code Article 103 allows a faster path. If both spouses have already been living separate and apart for the required time, you can file and get a judgment without the additional wait. Article 103 also covers fault-based grounds for dissolution of marriage.
Louisiana is a community property state. Property acquired during the marriage is owned equally by both spouses. The dissolution of marriage judgment must address how the community property is divided. Separate property, which each spouse owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, stays with that spouse. Disputes over what is community versus separate property can make a case more complex and time-consuming.
For Bossier City residents with minor children, the court will also determine custody, visitation, and child support as part of the dissolution of marriage case. These issues can be agreed upon in advance or decided by the judge if the parties cannot reach an agreement.
Dissolution of Marriage Fees at the 26th JDC
Filing fees for dissolution of marriage at the 26th Judicial District Court vary depending on the type of case and the number of documents filed. Copy fees apply for certified and uncertified copies of court records. Call the clerk at (318) 965-9600 to confirm current fees before you go to the courthouse or send a mail request. Fee schedules can change, so it is worth checking before you send payment.
If you cannot afford filing fees, you can ask the clerk about in forma pauperis status. This process allows low-income filers to get fees waived or deferred. ClerkConnect charges its own fees for online access and e-filing, which are separate from the court's filing fees. Check the ClerkConnect platform for current pricing on digital access.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Bossier City
Bossier City residents who need legal help can contact Northwest Louisiana Legal Services, which provides free civil legal aid to income-eligible residents of Bossier Parish. The Louisiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can connect you with a family law attorney who handles dissolution of marriage cases in the 26th JDC. Call the bar association or visit their website to get a referral.
The Law Library of Louisiana divorce guide explains Articles 102 and 103 and the Louisiana dissolution of marriage process in plain language. It is free to access online and is a good resource before you decide how to proceed. The 26th JDC Self-Help Center also has printed materials at the Benton courthouse for people filing without an attorney.
Bossier Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
Bossier City is in Bossier Parish. All dissolution of marriage filings go through the 26th Judicial District Court and the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton. For more on the parish court system, record types, and filing resources, visit the Bossier Parish dissolution of marriage page.
Nearby Cities
Shreveport is located just across the Red River from Bossier City and files dissolution of marriage cases through the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish.