Livingston Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Livingston Parish are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Livingston, where the 21st Judicial District Court handles all family law filings. You can access basic case information through the clerk's online portal, request certified copies in person at the Iowa Street office, or submit a written request by mail to get the documents you need.
Livingston Parish Quick Facts
Livingston Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Livingston maintains all dissolution of marriage records for the parish. The office sits at 20180 Iowa Street in Livingston. Divorce records here are official legal documents that provide full documentation of the dissolution of marriage between two people. These records are kept under Louisiana Civil Code Article 103 and are open to the public under La. R.S. 44:1.
You can view public records at no charge at the courthouse during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free public terminals are available in the clerk's office. You pay only when you request copies or certified documents.
The Livingston Parish Clerk of Court website provides access to the online search portal, FAQs, forms, and contact details for all record types handled by the office.
The clerk's website for Livingston Parish links directly to the online search portal and all office information for dissolution of marriage requests.
The Livingston Parish Clerk of Court website covers search access, fees, and filing guidance for dissolution of marriage cases in the 21st JDC.
| Filing Address |
20180 Iowa Street Livingston, LA 70754 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (225) 686-2216 |
| Fax | (225) 686-1867 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | livclerk.org |
Search Livingston Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
The Livingston Parish Clerk offers online access to basic case information through its public records portal. Free access at the courthouse allows you to search case names, dates, and case numbers at no cost on the public terminals. For remote access, the clerk provides two subscription options: a 48-hour access pass for $100, or an annual subscription for $450.
Basic case information is available through the online portal without a subscription. Full document images require either in-person viewing at the office or a paid subscription. If you need only to confirm a case exists or check a case number, the free option works fine.
The clerk's online search page lets you look up dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number in Livingston Parish.
To use the portal, visit the search page at the clerk's site, enter the names of one or both parties or the case number, and review the results. The 21st JDC covers Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa Parishes, so make sure you are searching within Livingston Parish records specifically.
21st Judicial District Court Dissolution of Marriage
The 21st Judicial District Court handles all dissolution of marriage filings in Livingston Parish. The court covers three parishes: Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa. Filings for Livingston Parish residents go to the clerk's office at 20180 Iowa Street. The court offers a self-help center with free legal forms for dissolution of marriage, custody, and court procedure.
Louisiana law gives two main paths for dissolution of marriage. Under Civil Code Article 102, spouses can file a no-fault petition and then wait 180 days if there are no minor children of the marriage, or 365 days if minor children are involved. Under Article 103, spouses who have already lived separate and apart for the required period, or who have fault-based grounds, can seek immediate dissolution. Most cases in Livingston Parish proceed under Article 102.
The 21st JDC Self-Help Center provides free forms for dissolution of marriage cases. These are available at the courthouse or through the clerk's website. Using these forms does not mean you are getting legal advice from the court. Staff can tell you where to file and what forms you need. They cannot advise you on legal strategy or outcomes.
How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in Livingston Parish
Three options are available for getting dissolution of marriage records in Livingston Parish. In-person visits at the clerk's office in Livingston give you the fastest results. Mail requests work when you cannot travel to the courthouse. Online access through the clerk's portal covers basic case lookups from anywhere.
For in-person requests, go to 20180 Iowa Street during business hours. Fill out a records request form at the clerk's counter. You will need to provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of the dissolution of marriage, and a case number if you have one. Show a valid photo ID. Pay the required fees. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 per document. The search fee is $30.
Mail requests should include the names of both parties, the approximate date of the dissolution of marriage, the case number if known, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by check or money order. Send to: Livingston Parish Clerk of Court, 20180 Iowa Street, Livingston, LA 70754.
Free public access terminals at the office let you look up cases at no charge Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Livingston Parish Library at 20390 Iowa Street in Livingston, phone (225) 686-4160, also has free internet access if you need to search online from a public computer.
What Livingston Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Livingston Parish holds every document from the opening petition to the final judgment. The petition names both spouses and states the grounds under Article 102 or 103. Supporting documents, service of process records, and any answers or counter-petitions go into the file as well.
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is what most people need. It ends the marriage legally and sets out all terms the court ordered: division of community property, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support if applicable, and name changes if requested. Most agencies and institutions that ask for proof of divorce need a certified copy of this judgment. A certified copy is more complete than a basic divorce certificate and shows the full terms of the court's ruling.
Records are public under La. R.S. 44:1. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from copies released to the public. Sealed records require a court order to access. The Louisiana Department of Health does not issue dissolution of marriage decrees. For official certified copies, contact the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court directly.
Livingston Parish Dissolution of Marriage Fees
The Livingston Parish Clerk charges a $30 search fee for dissolution of marriage records. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 per document. These fees apply to both in-person and mail requests.
Online subscription fees are separate. The 48-hour access pass costs $100. An annual subscription is $450. These cover remote access to document images and case records. Free in-office access at the public terminals has no cost during business hours.
Filing fees for a new dissolution of marriage case are set by the court and may change over time. Call (225) 686-2216 before filing to confirm current fees. If you cannot afford the fees, ask the court about filing an In Forma Pauperis affidavit. The judge reviews your income and expenses and decides whether to waive the fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Livingston Parish Dissolution of Marriage
Many people have the same questions about dissolution of marriage records in Livingston Parish. The clerk's FAQ page at the office website addresses the most common ones.
The FAQ page on the Livingston Parish Clerk website covers common questions about accessing dissolution of marriage records, fees, and what to bring to the office.
Common questions include: How long does it take to get a certified copy? Can I search records without coming to the office? What do I need to bring to the courthouse? The FAQ page answers these and more. For questions not covered there, call (225) 686-2216 during business hours.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Livingston Parish
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in Livingston Parish, including dissolution of marriage cases. Call 211 to find eligibility and contact information. The Law Library of Louisiana divorce guide explains Articles 102 and 103 in plain terms and is free to use online.
The 21st JDC Self-Help Center at the Livingston courthouse has forms and basic instructions for people who want to file their own dissolution of marriage without a lawyer. Staff can direct you to the right forms but cannot give legal advice. The Livingston Parish Library at (225) 686-4160 has free internet access for research.
If you need an attorney, the Louisiana State Bar Association provides a statewide lawyer referral service. Many family law attorneys in Livingston Parish handle dissolution of marriage cases on a flat fee or hourly basis. It is worth calling a few to compare before you decide how to proceed.
Nearby Parishes
Livingston Parish borders several other parishes in southeast Louisiana. If you are unsure which parish court handles your dissolution of marriage case, Louisiana law requires filing in the parish where either spouse is domiciled.