Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Pointe Coupee Parish
Pointe Coupee Parish dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in New Roads, where the 18th Judicial District Court processes all family law filings for the parish. You can request these records in person at the courthouse, by mail, or by phone to ask about search options and current fees.
Pointe Coupee Parish Quick Facts
Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in New Roads is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage records for Pointe Coupee Parish. The clerk maintains civil court filings, indexes, and judgment records for every dissolution case that passed through the 18th Judicial District Court. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, these records are open to the public unless sealed by the court.
The courthouse in New Roads is the only filing location for Pointe Coupee Parish. All dissolution of marriage petitions, responses, interim orders, and final judgments are filed there and kept there. You can view records at no charge during normal business hours. You pay only for copies you request. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are needed for most official legal and administrative purposes.
If you want to search by party name, the clerk can look up cases using the civil index. Case numbers make the search faster and more precise. If you have neither, an approximate year narrows things down. The clerk's staff can assist with basic searches, though they cannot give legal advice about your case.
| Address | 211 E. Main St., New Roads, LA 70760 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (225) 638-9598 |
| District | 18th Judicial District Court |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
18th Judicial District Court
The 18th Judicial District Court covers three parishes: Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge. Each parish has its own Clerk of Court office where filings are made and records are kept. For Pointe Coupee Parish, the clerk's office in New Roads handles all case filings, and that is where you go to search or request records related to dissolution of marriage.
The 18th JDC handles all civil, family, and domestic matters in Pointe Coupee Parish. Dissolution of marriage cases under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 require the spouses to live apart for 180 days with no minor children, or 365 days when minor children of the marriage are involved, before the final judgment can be entered. Article 103 allows for dissolution based on the fault of one spouse, or when the parties have already completed the required separation period before filing.
Community property in Louisiana is governed by Civil Code Article 2325 and related provisions. When a couple dissolves their marriage in Pointe Coupee Parish, any community property must be addressed. The parties can agree on a partition and submit it to the court, or the judge can decide if they cannot agree. The final judgment or a separate partition agreement becomes part of the case file and is kept by the Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court.
The 18th JDC does not maintain a public-facing online records portal as prominent as those in larger parishes. Contact the clerk's office at (225) 638-9598 to ask about any available online search tools for civil records, including dissolution of marriage cases.
How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in Pointe Coupee Parish
The primary method for getting dissolution of marriage records in Pointe Coupee Parish is an in-person visit to the Clerk of Court at 211 E. Main St. in New Roads. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the names of both parties and the year the case was filed. The clerk will search the civil index and pull the file. You can view it at no charge. Pay for any copies you need before you leave.
Mail requests also work. Write to the Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court at 211 E. Main St., New Roads, LA 70760. Your letter should include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and the case number if you have it. State clearly what records you want, whether that is the entire case file, just the final judgment, or specific documents. Include a copy of your photo ID, an estimate of fees (call ahead to confirm), and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Make your payment by check or money order.
Phone inquiries are a good first step. Call (225) 638-9598 to confirm the current fee schedule, find out if online access is available, and get any other details before you submit a formal request. The clerk's staff can answer questions about how to request records and what information they need from you to conduct the search.
Records under seal are not accessible through a standard public request. The clerk will tell you if the record you seek is sealed. If it is, you may need a court order to access it.
What Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in Pointe Coupee Parish contains every document filed in the case from start to finish. The petition comes first. It states the legal basis for dissolution, names both spouses, and lists the relief being requested. The verification form and civil cover sheet accompany the petition when filed. If the other spouse files a response or counter-petition, that document goes into the file as well.
Interim orders may follow if the court addresses custody, support, or use of community property while the case is pending. The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the key document. It ends the marriage. It also sets out all terms: community property division, spousal support if any, child custody, child support, and any approved name changes. A certified copy of this judgment is what you need for most administrative and legal tasks after the dissolution.
Records are public under La. R.S. 44:1. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from copies provided to the public. Sealed portions of a file are not accessible without a court order.
Louisiana Resources for Dissolution of Marriage
The Louisiana Department of Health does not issue dissolution of marriage records or decrees. All dissolution records for Pointe Coupee Parish are at the Clerk of Court in New Roads, not at LDH.
The Law Library of Louisiana divorce and dissolution research guide explains the difference between Article 102 and Article 103 filings, covers residency and waiting period requirements, and points to the key statutes. It is free to use and written for a general audience. If you want to understand the law before you file or search for records, that guide is a good place to start.
The Louisiana Supreme Court website links to court rules, the Law Library of Louisiana, and statewide legal resources relevant to dissolution of marriage proceedings in all parishes, including Pointe Coupee.
Louisiana requires at least six months of state residency before you can file for dissolution of marriage. You file in the parish where either you or your spouse lives. If you live in Pointe Coupee Parish and meet the residency requirement, the 18th JDC in New Roads is the correct court for your filing.
Nearby Parishes
Pointe Coupee Parish borders several parishes. File your dissolution of marriage case in the parish where you or your spouse is domiciled. If you are unsure which parish applies, the residency of either party at the time of filing determines the correct venue.