Lafayette Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records

Lafayette Parish dissolution of marriage records are held at the Clerk of Court on South Buchanan Street, where the 15th Judicial District Court processes all family law filings for the parish. You can search case indexes online, request certified copies at the courthouse, or contact the civil department by phone to get the information you need.

Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court, currently Louis J. Perret, is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records filed in Lafayette Parish. The clerk's office files, indexes, and stores every document from the opening petition through the final judgment. Dissolution of marriage matters in Lafayette Parish are filed to end people's marriages. Cases go through the various divisions of the 15th JDC, with assignment depending on whether minor children are involved. People must approach the clerk's family department to get these records, which include certified copies of divorce decrees and copies of case records generated during divorce proceedings.

The main courthouse is at 800 S. Buchanan Street in Lafayette. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, civil records including dissolution of marriage filings are open to the public. Viewing records during business hours is free. Fees apply when you ask for copies or certified documents.

The clerk maintains separate divisions for civil, criminal, land, and vital records. For dissolution of marriage, go to the civil division. For certified copies of marriage licenses, contact the Marriage License Department. Each has its own phone line and counter. Call before you visit to confirm which window handles your specific request.

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website at lpclerk.com provides access to online records, forms, and department contact information for all case types including dissolution of marriage.

Search Lafayette Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Online

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court provides two main paths for online access to dissolution of marriage records. The free eClerks LA Portal gives index-level access to land, civil, marriage, and probate records. No subscription is needed to search the index. You can find case numbers, party names, and filing dates without paying anything. This is the best first step when you need to confirm a case exists or find a case number before requesting certified copies.

The online records page at lpclerk.com links to both the free index search and the subscription portal for full document access. Use it to search dissolution of marriage case indexes or set up a subscription account.

For full document image access beyond the free index, a subscription is available. Setup requires a one-time fee of $100. Monthly access costs $65 per user ID. Criminal minute entries, when ordered as printed copies, cost $10 per entry. Subscription access covers unsealed civil and probate case information as well as criminal and traffic records. This option is most useful for attorneys, title companies, and others who search records frequently. For a one-time records request, visiting in person or calling (337) 291-6303 is usually more practical.

Land records are available through the clerk's eSearch system. The system holds mortgage, conveyance, and UCC records dating back to January 1, 1935. Dissolution of marriage cases that involve community property transfers may generate land records as a separate filing once the property partition is complete.

The civil records division page at lpclerk.com explains how dissolution of marriage cases are indexed and accessed in Lafayette Parish, including the types of records available and how to request certified copies.

15th Judicial District Court Dissolution of Marriage

The 15th Judicial District Court covers three parishes: Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion. Thirteen elected judges serve the district, assigned to Divisions A through M. Each judge handles a mix of civil, criminal, and family law matters. Dissolution of marriage cases in Lafayette Parish are assigned to a division based on the nature of the case and whether children are involved. The court's general information line is (337) 232-8211 for judge-related questions.

Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 applies to cases where the parties are not yet legally separated when the petition is filed. After the filing, the couple must live separate and apart for 180 days if there are no minor children, or 365 days if minor children are part of the case. Once that waiting period ends, either party files a rule to show cause and the court enters the final judgment. Article 103 applies when the couple has already lived separate and apart for the required period before filing, or when fault grounds exist. Under Article 103, the final judgment can often be entered sooner after the petition is filed.

Note that the Lafayette City Court at 105 East Convent Street handles small claims and minor civil matters. It does not handle dissolution of marriage. All divorce and dissolution of marriage cases in Lafayette Parish go to the 15th JDC at the courthouse on South Buchanan Street.

How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in Lafayette Parish

Lafayette Parish offers in-person, mail, and online options for getting dissolution of marriage records. In person at the courthouse on S. Buchanan Street is fastest for same-day certified copies. The civil division handles dissolution of marriage records. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Friday 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

When you visit the courthouse, be aware that certain items are not allowed inside the building. Weapons of any kind, tobacco products, lighters, cellphones, recording devices, and cameras are all prohibited. Leave these in your car before entering. Security checks everyone who enters. Bring your photo ID and a list of what you need. Staff at the civil counter can search the index, pull the file, and direct you to the copy window. You pay for copies when you pick them up.

For mail requests, send a written request to the Marriage License Department (for marriage license certified copies) or the civil division (for dissolution of marriage case records). For marriage license copies, complete the Request for Certified Copies form and mail it to Marriage License Dept., P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502. Each certified copy of a marriage license costs $5. For dissolution of marriage case records, include the case number or party names, a copy of your photo ID, and payment for the estimated fees.

The Louisiana Department of Health does not issue dissolution of marriage records or divorce decrees. LDH handles vital records like birth and death certificates. Always go to the Clerk of Court for dissolution of marriage documents. The Louisiana State Archives may hold older records from more than 50 years ago.

Self-Help and Legal Aid for Dissolution of Marriage in Lafayette Parish

The Lafayette Parish Bar Association offers several resources for people dealing with dissolution of marriage. The bar office is at 2607 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503, phone (337) 237-4700. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. They provide lawyer referrals, a self-help center, and an automated online legal forms system. Dissolution of marriage forms through the automated system cost $15. Other legal forms cost $10. This is a cost-effective option for people who want to file their own case but need the correct forms.

The Law Library of Louisiana maintains a free online guide to Louisiana divorce law covering Articles 102 and 103, residency requirements, and community property rules under Article 2325. It is written for non-lawyers and is a good first read before you decide whether to hire an attorney or handle the case yourself. Louisiana Law Help also provides free self-help guides and downloadable forms for uncontested dissolution of marriage cases.

The Louisiana State Bar Court Self-Help Guide is another free resource that walks through the dissolution of marriage process step by step. It explains filing, service, waiting periods, and how to get the final judgment. South Louisiana Legal Services provides free legal aid to low-income residents of Lafayette Parish for family law matters including dissolution of marriage.

Cities in Lafayette Parish

All cities and unincorporated communities in Lafayette Parish file dissolution of marriage cases through the 15th Judicial District Court at the courthouse on S. Buchanan Street. Lafayette is the qualifying city in the parish with its own page.

Nearby Parishes

Lafayette Parish is surrounded by several south-central Louisiana parishes. If you are not sure which parish handles your dissolution of marriage case, check where you and your spouse are domiciled. Louisiana law requires filing in the parish where either spouse lives.