Rapides Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
Rapides Parish dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Alexandria, where the 9th Judicial District Court handles all family law cases filed in the parish. You can search records online through the RAPID E-search system, visit the clerk's office in person, submit a request by mail, or call the office directly to ask about available access options.
Rapides Parish Quick Facts
Rapides Parish Clerk of Court
The Office of the Clerk of Court in Rapides Parish is established by the Louisiana Constitution. The Clerk serves as Recorder of Mortgages, Clerk of the District Court, and Election Officer for the parish. All dissolution of marriage records filed in the 9th Judicial District Court are maintained by this office. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, these records are open to public examination. The exceptions are adoptions, judicial commitments, and records sealed by court order.
The Rapides Parish Clerk's office is connected by computer with the Sheriff and the District Attorney. Computer records go back to 1984. Paper records of the parish go back to 1865. Records from before that date were lost in a courthouse fire during the Civil War. Records from 1865 forward have been microfilmed as authorized by the Louisiana Legislature.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court website provides information on RAPID E-search, civil e-filing, online payment, and eRecording. It is the primary online resource for anyone searching dissolution of marriage records in the parish.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court website is the official starting point for online searches, e-filing access, and contact information for the civil division.
| Filing Address | 701 Murray Street, Suite 102, Alexandria, LA 71301 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 952, Alexandria, LA 71309 |
| Phone | 318.473.8153 |
| Fax | 318.473.4667 |
| Civil Filing Fax | 318.487.9361 |
| info@rapidesclerk.org | |
| Website | rapidesclerk.org |
Search Rapides Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
Rapides Parish uses RAPID E-search to provide online access to public court records. This system lets you locate specific case records by party name or case number. Registration is required. Fees apply to searches and document downloads. RAPID E-search is accessible around the clock, so you do not need to visit the courthouse just to look up a case number or confirm that a dissolution of marriage was finalized.
In addition to RAPID E-search, the clerk's office now offers civil e-filing through Tyler Technologies. ClerkConnect is also available for civil and criminal e-filing. Online payment of court fees is supported. For land-related records, eRecording services are available through CSC eRecording and eClerksLA. These electronic options make it easier to file and pay without a trip to the courthouse.
Important notice effective January 1, 2026: Fax filing is prohibited. All attorney filings must be submitted in person at the courthouse or electronically through one of the approved e-filing systems. If you are an attorney handling a dissolution of marriage case in Rapides Parish, plan for electronic or in-person filing only.
9th Judicial District Court
The 9th Judicial District Court in Alexandria handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Rapides Parish. The court has authority over civil, family, and domestic matters within the parish. Dissolution cases under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 require spouses to live apart for 180 days when there are no minor children, or 365 days when minor children of the marriage are involved, before the final judgment can be entered. Article 103 allows dissolution on fault grounds or when the separation period was completed before the petition was filed.
The 9th JDC information page on the clerk's website describes the court's jurisdiction, contact information, and procedures for cases filed in Rapides Parish, including dissolution of marriage.
Community property rules under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 apply to all married couples who live in the state. When a dissolution of marriage is filed in Rapides Parish, any community property must be partitioned. The parties can agree on terms and submit a written partition agreement, or the judge decides if they cannot agree. The final judgment or partition agreement becomes part of the case file and stays with the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court.
The 9th JDC Self-Help program provides free legal forms for residents of Rapides Parish who need to handle their own cases. Forms are available for dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, and name changes. The self-help program does not offer legal advice, but the forms guide you through the basic structure of an uncontested filing.
Civil Department
The Civil Department of the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court manages all civil suits, adoptions, and successions. For dissolution of marriage cases, the civil division handles opening new suits, maintaining case files through the life of the case, scheduling matters, filing incoming documents, processing accounting and fees, and indexing records for public search.
The Civil Department page on the clerk's website details the duties of civil division staff and the types of cases handled, including dissolution of marriage filings in the 9th JDC.
When you file a dissolution of marriage petition, the Civil Department opens a new suit, assigns a case number, and processes all subsequent filings. If you are requesting records rather than filing, the civil division is where you submit your request. Staff can pull the file and provide copies. Call 318.473.8153 or email info@rapidesclerk.org to ask about a specific case before you visit.
How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in Rapides Parish
There are four ways to get dissolution of marriage records from the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. Each method has its own advantages depending on how quickly you need the records and whether you can visit in person.
In person: Go to 701 Murray Street, Suite 102, Alexandria, LA 71301 during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Know the names of both parties and the year the case was filed. If you have the case number, bring it. The Civil Department staff will pull the file. You can view it there and pay for any copies you need. Copy fees: marriage certificate copies are $6 each. Other copy fees are available upon request. Court costs are set by statute.
By phone: Call 318.473.8153. Staff can answer questions about specific cases, confirm the current fee schedule, and tell you what information they need to conduct a search. This is a good first step before submitting a formal request.
Online: Use RAPID E-search at rapidesclerk.org to search by party name or case number. Registration is required. Fees apply. This option works well for confirming a case exists or getting basic docket information before requesting certified copies.
By mail: Send a written request to P.O. Box 952, Alexandria, LA 71309. Include the names of both parties, the year of filing, and the case number if known. State clearly what records you need. Include a copy of your photo ID, payment by check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.
Rapides Parish Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Fees for dissolution of marriage records in Rapides Parish include copy charges and, for RAPID E-search, registration and access fees. A copy of a marriage certificate costs $6. Other copy fees are provided upon request from the clerk's office. Court costs for filing a new dissolution of marriage case are set by Louisiana statute. Call 318.473.8153 to get the current filing fee schedule before you go.
If you cannot afford the filing fees for a dissolution of marriage case, you can ask the court for a fee waiver by filing an In Forma Pauperis affidavit. The judge reviews your financial information and decides whether to waive the fees. This option is available for all dissolution of marriage case types filed in the 9th JDC.
Cities in Rapides Parish
All cities and communities in Rapides Parish file dissolution of marriage cases through the 9th Judicial District Court at the courthouse in Alexandria. The same clerk, fees, and procedures apply throughout the parish.
Nearby Parishes
Rapides Parish is at the center of the state and borders many other parishes. If you are not sure which parish handles your dissolution of marriage case, check where you or your spouse is domiciled. Louisiana law requires you to file in the parish where either party lives.