St. John the Baptist Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
St. John the Baptist Parish dissolution of marriage records are held at the Clerk of Court office in Edgard, where the 40th Judicial District Court processes all family law filings for the parish. You can search these records in person at the courthouse, request certified copies by mail, or use online court record portals to look up case information from anywhere.
St. John the Baptist Parish Quick Facts
St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Edgard is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records in St. John the Baptist Parish. The clerk's office holds civil case files from the 40th Judicial District Court, which serves St. John the Baptist Parish exclusively. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, these records are public. You may inspect them in person at no charge during business hours. Fees apply only when you request copies.
The courthouse is located at 2393 Highway 18 in Edgard, on the west bank of the Mississippi River. LaPlace, the largest community in the parish, is located across the river on the east bank. Residents of LaPlace and other east bank communities file their dissolution of marriage cases at the Edgard courthouse, since the clerk's office and court are at the parish seat regardless of which bank a community sits on.
The clerk's office handles civil filings, mortgage and conveyance records, marriage licenses, and general public records requests. Staff can help you locate a dissolution of marriage case in the index by party name or case number. Walk-in visits are accepted during business hours, and mail requests are also processed.
| Filing Address |
2393 Highway 18 Edgard, LA 70049 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (985) 497-3331 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search St. John the Baptist Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
For certified copies of dissolution of marriage judgments, contact the Clerk of Court directly at (985) 497-3331. Online portals show case information but cannot produce certified legal documents. The clerk will tell you what is available and what fees apply.
The ClerkConnect portal is used by many Louisiana parishes for online record access. Check the portal to see if St. John the Baptist Parish records are available online through that system when you search.
40th Judicial District Court Dissolution of Marriage
The 40th Judicial District Court serves St. John the Baptist Parish and handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the parish. The court is based at the Edgard courthouse. Judges in the 40th JDC hear contested and uncontested dissolution of marriage cases under Louisiana Civil Code Articles 102 and 103.
Under Article 102, a spouse files a petition and then both parties live separate and apart for the required time before the court enters a final judgment. The waiting period is 180 days when there are no minor children of the marriage. It extends to 365 days when minor children are involved. Article 103 allows a filing based on separation that has already occurred, or on fault grounds including adultery and conviction of a felony that carries a hard labor sentence.
Louisiana requires at least one spouse to be domiciled in the state for six months before filing. To file in the 40th JDC for St. John the Baptist Parish, you or your spouse must be domiciled in the parish. LaPlace residents who are domiciled in St. John the Baptist Parish file their dissolution of marriage cases at the 40th JDC courthouse in Edgard. The clerk can confirm the correct filing location if you have questions.
The 40th JDC provides a self-help program with free legal forms for dissolution of marriage cases, custody, child support, name changes, and related matters. Forms and instruction sheets are available at the Edgard courthouse. The self-help desk does not give legal advice, but the materials help people who want to file without an attorney understand the process and the required documents.
How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in St. John the Baptist Parish
You can get dissolution of marriage records from St. John the Baptist Parish by visiting the Edgard courthouse in person or submitting a written request by mail. In-person visits allow for same-day copies if the records are on file. Mail requests work well when visiting is not an option.
For an in-person visit, go to 2393 Highway 18 in Edgard during regular business hours. Give the clerk the full names of both parties and the year the dissolution of marriage case was filed. Bring the case number if you have it. Show a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk will search the records and let you know what is available. Pay the applicable search and copy fees at the counter. Certified copies carry a higher fee than uncertified copies but are required for most legal and administrative uses after the dissolution.
For mail requests, write to the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court, 2393 Highway 18, Edgard, LA 70049. Include the names of both spouses, the filing year, and the case number if known. Send a copy of your photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the fees. Call (985) 497-3331 ahead of time to confirm the current fee schedule.
Records are public under La. R.S. 44:1. The clerk will advise you if any portion of a file is sealed or otherwise restricted from public inspection.
What St. John the Baptist Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in St. John the Baptist Parish contains all documents from the first filing to the final judgment. The petition states the grounds for dissolution, names the parties, and describes the relief requested. It is the starting document of the case. Service records show that the other spouse received proper notice of the filing.
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage ends the marriage. It also sets out the court-ordered terms covering community property division under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325, child custody and support if minor children are involved, spousal support if applicable, and any approved name change. This is the document most institutions require after a dissolution, from updating a driver's license to transferring property. Certified copies of the final judgment are available from the clerk's office in Edgard.
Other records commonly found in the file include answers, counter-petitions, motions, sworn financial statements, community property settlement agreements, and child support worksheets. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public copies per court rules.
If the case file contains sealed records, the clerk will inform you at the time of your request and tell you what is and is not available for public inspection.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in St. John the Baptist Parish
The Law Library of Louisiana provides a free online guide to dissolution of marriage under Louisiana law. The guide explains the Article 102 and 103 procedures, residency requirements, waiting periods, and community property rules in plain language. It is available at no cost and is a good first resource before visiting the courthouse.
The Law Library of Louisiana's online guide covers the full dissolution of marriage process under Louisiana Civil Code and is useful for people researching the 40th JDC procedures that apply to St. John the Baptist Parish cases.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents, including assistance with dissolution of marriage cases in St. John the Baptist Parish. Call 211 to check eligibility and get a referral. The 40th JDC self-help program at the Edgard courthouse also has free forms and instructions for people who want to file without a lawyer. The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service for those who prefer to work with a private family law attorney.
Cities in St. John the Baptist Parish
LaPlace is the largest community in St. John the Baptist Parish and the most populated area in the parish. Dissolution of marriage cases for LaPlace residents are filed at the 40th JDC courthouse in Edgard, since that is the parish seat where the clerk's office is located. The same procedures and fees apply for all residents of the parish.
Nearby Parishes
St. John the Baptist Parish borders St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. James Parishes along the Mississippi River corridor. Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the parish where you or your spouse is domiciled. Confirm your filing location with the clerk before you file.