Lafayette Dissolution of Marriage Records
Lafayette dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court at 800 S. Buchanan Street in Lafayette. The 15th Judicial District Court, which serves Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes, handles all dissolution of marriage cases for Lafayette residents. The clerk maintains civil case files, judgments, and certified copies of dissolution of marriage records. Access is available in person, by phone, by subscription online portal, and by mail request for those who cannot visit the courthouse.
Lafayette Quick Facts
Where to Access Dissolution of Marriage Records in Lafayette
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court is the office that holds dissolution of marriage records for Lafayette. The main office is at 800 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. The main phone is (337) 291-6400. For questions about online records access, call (337) 291-6477. The Civil Records division, which includes dissolution of marriage cases, can be reached at (337) 291-6303.
The 15th Judicial District Court sits in Lafayette and has 13 elected judges. Dissolution of marriage cases filed by Lafayette residents are assigned to one of these judges. The court serves three parishes, but Lafayette is the largest. The Lafayette Parish Clerk's office staff can help you find the right department for your dissolution of marriage case or copy request.
Note that Lafayette City Court at 105 East Convent Street handles limited civil matters up to $20,000 and does not handle dissolution of marriage cases. All dissolution of marriage filings must go to the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court at 800 S. Buchanan Street, not to the City Court.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website provides department contacts, service descriptions, and information about online record access for dissolution of marriage and other civil case searches.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website gives you access to online records, civil division contacts, and details about how to obtain copies of dissolution of marriage case documents.
| Court | 15th Judicial District Court, Lafayette Parish |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 S. Buchanan Street Lafayette, LA 70501 |
| Main Phone | (337) 291-6400 |
| Online Records | (337) 291-6477 |
| Civil Records | (337) 291-6303 |
| Website | lpclerk.com |
Searching Lafayette Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court offers an online subscription portal for searching civil court records including dissolution of marriage cases. The subscription is set up with a one-time setup fee of $100.00 and a monthly fee of $65.00 per user. This access level is typically used by attorneys and legal professionals who search records regularly. For individuals who only need to look up a record once, in-person access or a mail request may be more practical.
The online records page on the clerk's website explains how to set up a subscription account and what is available through the system. Civil records, including dissolution of marriage case filings, are part of the subscription database. Call (337) 291-6477 for help with online access setup or questions about what records are in the system.
The Lafayette clerk's online records portal lets subscribers search dissolution of marriage cases and other civil filings from the 15th Judicial District Court without visiting the courthouse in person.
For one-time in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 800 S. Buchanan Street. Bring the names of both parties and a general idea of when the case was filed. A case number makes the search faster. Mail requests should include a written description of what you need, payment for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope sent to the clerk's address.
Dissolution of Marriage Record Fees in Lafayette
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court charges fees for copy requests. Call (337) 291-6303 or (337) 291-6400 to get current copy and certified copy fees before you visit or mail your request. Fees for standard and certified copies differ. Online subscribers pay the monthly subscription fee plus document download charges at the clerk's posted rate.
Filing fees for a new dissolution of marriage case are set by the court. Ask the clerk's office about current rates when you call. If you cannot pay, ask about the In Forma Pauperis process. The clerk's staff can explain what income documentation you need to submit a waiver request to the 15th Judicial District Court.
The Lafayette Parish Bar Association at 2607 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503, (337) 237-4700, offers automated divorce forms for $15.00. These self-help forms from the Bar Association are one option if you want to complete the paperwork yourself and keep costs low. The Bar Association also has a Lawyer Referral Service and a Self-Help Center for additional guidance.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process in Lafayette
Lafayette residents file for dissolution of marriage at the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court. Louisiana requires at least one spouse to be domiciled in the state for six months before filing. If you live in Lafayette and meet that requirement, you file your petition at 800 S. Buchanan Street. The clerk's office accepts the petition and assigns the case to a 15th Judicial District Court judge.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 is the no-fault dissolution of marriage option. You file the petition and serve the other spouse. The waiting period after service is 180 days when no minor children are in the case. It extends to 365 days when minor children are involved. After the waiting period ends, you return to court to request a final judgment. The judge signs the judgment and that ends the marriage.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 103 is a faster path for couples who have already been living separate and apart. If you and your spouse have been separated for 180 days without minor children, or 365 days with minor children, you can file under Article 103 and get a judgment without another waiting period after filing. Fault grounds such as adultery and felony conviction are also allowed under Article 103.
The 15th Judicial District serves three parishes. Lafayette is the largest. Court proceedings for Lafayette residents take place at the Lafayette Parish courthouse. If custody, support, or property cannot be agreed on, the court decides those issues. Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 makes the state a community property state. Property acquired during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses and is addressed in the dissolution of marriage proceeding.
The Lafayette Parish Bar Association Self-Help Center is a local resource for those handling their own case. Automated forms for $15.00 help with the basic paperwork. More complex cases with contested property or custody disputes often benefit from having an attorney.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Lafayette
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in the Lafayette area, including those who need help with dissolution of marriage cases. Call 211 to connect with local services. The Lafayette Parish Bar Association at (337) 237-4700 runs a Lawyer Referral Service that can match you with a family law attorney who handles dissolution of marriage cases in the 15th Judicial District.
The Bar Association's Self-Help Center and the automated divorce form set (available for $15.00) give self-represented individuals a structured way to prepare their own documents. This works best for uncontested cases where both spouses agree on all terms. Contested cases generally need attorney help.
The Law Library of Louisiana divorce guide is free and available online. It covers the full process under Articles 102 and 103, including what residency means, how the waiting periods work, and what happens with community property. It is a good resource to review before you file or meet with an attorney.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk civil division page has more on what the civil department handles and how to access case records for dissolution of marriage and other civil matters filed in the 15th Judicial District Court.
Lafayette Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
Lafayette is the parish seat of Lafayette Parish. All dissolution of marriage filings for Lafayette residents go through the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court and the 15th Judicial District Court. For complete parish-level details, including court contacts, access methods, and additional resources, visit the Lafayette Parish dissolution of marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Lafayette is in south-central Louisiana. The qualifying cities in the state are spread across different regions. For the cities nearest to Lafayette that have dissolution of marriage pages, see below.