LaSalle Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
LaSalle Parish dissolution of marriage records are held by the Clerk of Court in Jena, where the 28th Judicial District Court handles all family law filings for the parish. You can request these records in person at the Jena courthouse, by mail, or through available online search tools for Louisiana court records.
LaSalle Parish Quick Facts
LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Jena is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records in LaSalle Parish. Every document filed in a dissolution of marriage case is indexed and stored at the clerk's office, from the opening petition to the final judgment. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, these records are open to the public. You do not need to state a reason to view or request them. Viewing records at the courthouse during regular business hours is free. Fees apply only when you request copies or certified documents.
The clerk's office handles civil, criminal, land, and vital records for the parish. Dissolution of marriage cases fall under the civil division. When you visit, bring the full names of both parties and the year the case was filed. A case number is helpful but not required. Staff can search the index and direct you to the copy window once they locate the file.
LaSalle is a small parish, and the clerk's office is a single-location operation. There are no satellite offices or annex locations. All dissolution of marriage records for the parish are held at the Courthouse Street address in Jena.
| Address | 1050 Courthouse St., Jena, LA 71342 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (318) 992-2158 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search LaSalle Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
The ClerkConnect portal may also provide access to LaSalle Parish records depending on the clerk's participation. ClerkConnect is a statewide system managed by the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association. If LaSalle Parish is a participating clerk, you can search civil case indexes and possibly view document images through the portal. Check the ClerkConnect site for the current list of participating parishes before attempting a search.
ClerkConnect provides online access to participating Louisiana parish court records. Confirm whether LaSalle Parish is currently available on the portal before beginning your search.
28th Judicial District Court Dissolution of Marriage
All dissolution of marriage cases in LaSalle Parish are filed in the 28th Judicial District Court. The court is at the Jena courthouse. The 28th JDC serves only LaSalle Parish, meaning its judges hear cases from this parish alone. All records for 28th JDC cases are maintained by the LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court in Jena.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 is the standard no-fault path for dissolution of marriage. One spouse files the petition, then the couple lives separate and apart. The waiting period is 180 days when no minor children are involved and 365 days when minor children are part of the case. After the waiting period, either spouse can ask the court to enter the final judgment. Article 103 is an option when the parties have already been living separate and apart for the required time before filing, or when fault grounds such as adultery or a felony conviction apply. With Article 103, the final judgment can often follow the petition more quickly.
Louisiana requires that at least one spouse be domiciled in Louisiana for six months before filing. They must also be domiciled in the parish where the case is filed. LaSalle Parish is the correct filing location if either you or your spouse currently lives in the parish and has done so long enough to satisfy the residency rule.
How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in LaSalle Parish
The Jena courthouse is the main access point for LaSalle Parish dissolution of marriage records. In-person visits during business hours are usually the fastest way to get certified copies. The civil department handles dissolution of marriage record requests. Bring the names of both parties, the approximate year the case was filed, and a valid photo ID. Staff can search the index, pull the file, and tell you the copy fees. You pay when you pick up copies.
For mail requests, write to the clerk with the case details. Include a copy of your government-issued photo ID. Estimate the number of pages you need and send a check or money order payable to the LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court. Mail to 1050 Courthouse St., Jena, LA 71342. The office will process your request and return the copies by mail. If they need more information or additional payment, they will contact you before sending anything.
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. For records older than 50 years, the Louisiana State Archives may also hold copies.
Self-Help Resources for Dissolution of Marriage in LaSalle Parish
LaSalle Community Action Association provides self-help resources and automated court forms for residents of LaSalle Parish. Their office is at 202 Sicily Street, Harrisonburg, LA 71340, phone (318) 389-4810. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The association assists residents with a range of legal forms and social services. Automated court forms through the association can help self-represented parties prepare the correct paperwork for dissolution of marriage filings in the 28th JDC.
Note that Harrisonburg is in Catahoula Parish, but the association serves residents from nearby parishes including LaSalle. Call ahead to confirm current services and what identification or documents you need to bring for form assistance.
The Law Library of Louisiana offers a free online guide to Louisiana divorce law. It explains Articles 102 and 103, the residency rule, community property basics under Article 2325, and the general steps in a dissolution of marriage case. This is a useful resource for people who plan to handle their own case. Louisiana Law Help also provides free downloadable forms and step-by-step guides for uncontested dissolution of marriage cases statewide.
The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral program. It can connect you with a family law attorney licensed to practice in Louisiana who handles dissolution of marriage cases in the 28th JDC area. North Louisiana Legal Services also provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents in central and northern Louisiana parishes, which includes LaSalle Parish. Call their intake line to find out if you qualify.
What LaSalle Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in LaSalle Parish includes all documents filed from the beginning of the case to its close. The petition is the first filing. It names both spouses, states the legal ground for divorce under Louisiana Civil Code, and tells the court what the petitioner wants. A civil cover sheet and verification accompany the petition. Service documents show how and when the other spouse received notice of the case.
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the core document. It ends the marriage and sets out all court-ordered terms: community property division under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325, child custody and visitation if minor children are involved, child support if ordered, spousal support if granted, and a name change if one spouse requested it. Most agencies, including government offices and banks, require a certified copy of this judgment for legal transactions. A simple divorce certificate does not carry the same legal weight.
Other documents in the file may include the other spouse's answer or counter-petition, financial disclosures, community property agreements, interim orders entered during the case, and any stipulations about custody or support. All records are public under La. R.S. 44:1 unless sealed. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from copies provided to the public.
Nearby Parishes
LaSalle Parish is in central Louisiana. If you are unsure whether LaSalle Parish is the correct filing location for your dissolution of marriage case, check which parish you and your spouse currently call home. Louisiana requires filing in the parish where either spouse is domiciled.