Access St. Landry Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records
St. Landry Parish dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained at the Clerk of Court office in Opelousas, where the 27th Judicial District Court handles all family law cases. You can search these records in person at the courthouse during business hours, request certified copies by mail, or use state court record portals to look up case information online.
St. Landry Parish Quick Facts
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Opelousas holds all dissolution of marriage records in St. Landry Parish. The clerk's office is the official custodian of civil case files from the 27th Judicial District Court, which serves St. Landry Parish exclusively. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, court records in civil cases are open to public inspection. Viewing records at the courthouse during business hours is free. Fees apply when you ask for copies.
St. Landry is one of the largest parishes by area in Louisiana. The clerk's office in Opelousas is the single location for all dissolution of marriage filings and records in the parish. Whether you live in Opelousas, Eunice, Ville Platte, or any other community in the parish, your dissolution of marriage case is filed with the clerk in Opelousas and heard by a judge of the 27th JDC.
The clerk's staff handles new filings, certified copy requests, record searches, and public inquiries. You do not need an attorney to request public records. Walk-in visits during office hours are accepted. Mail requests are also processed. Call ahead if you need to confirm fees or procedures before your visit.
| Filing Address |
118 S. Court St. Opelousas, LA 70570 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (337) 942-5606 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search St. Landry Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
For certified copies of dissolution of marriage judgments from the 27th JDC, contact the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court directly. Online portals show case status and party information, but they do not issue certified documents. Call (337) 942-5606 to confirm what is available and to get instructions for requesting copies.
The ClerkConnect portal is used by many Louisiana parishes for online civil record access. Check whether St. Landry Parish participates in the system at the time of your search.
27th Judicial District Court Dissolution of Marriage
The 27th Judicial District Court in Opelousas handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in St. Landry Parish. The court is the only judicial venue for family law matters in the parish. Judges in the 27th JDC apply Louisiana Civil Code Articles 102 and 103 to dissolution of marriage cases, which are the same statutes used by courts across the state.
Under Article 102, one spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage, and then both parties live separate and apart for the required period before the court enters a final judgment. The waiting period is 180 days when the couple has no minor children. It increases to 365 days when minor children of the marriage exist. Article 103 allows a spouse who has already been separated for the required time to file and seek a judgment immediately. Article 103 also allows dissolution on fault grounds, including adultery and conviction of a felony that carries a hard labor sentence.
At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Louisiana for six months before filing. To file in the 27th JDC, at least one spouse must be domiciled in St. Landry Parish. The clerk in Opelousas can confirm whether your situation requires filing in this district.
Community property is a key issue in many dissolution of marriage cases in Louisiana. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325, property acquired during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses. The dissolution of marriage judgment or a separate partition proceeding addresses how community property is divided. If you and your spouse cannot agree, the court will decide. Couples who do agree can include a settlement agreement with the dissolution petition to resolve property issues at the same time.
How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in St. Landry Parish
There are two main ways to get dissolution of marriage records from St. Landry Parish. You can visit the clerk's office in Opelousas in person, or you can send a written request by mail. In-person visits allow you to receive copies the same day if the record is available and fees are paid on the spot.
For an in-person visit, go to 118 S. Court St. in Opelousas during regular business hours. Tell the clerk you need a dissolution of marriage case record. Provide the full names of both spouses and the year the case was filed or the judgment was entered. Bring the case number if you have it. Show a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk searches the index and pulls the file. Pay the applicable search fee and copy fees. Certified copies are required for most official uses such as updating a driver's license, changing a name on a deed, or applying for survivor benefits. Plain copies cost less and are useful for general reference.
For mail requests, write to the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court, 118 S. Court St., Opelousas, LA 70570. Include the names of both parties, the case number if known, and the approximate year of filing. Send a copy of your government-issued photo ID, a check or money order for the estimated fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (337) 942-5606 first to confirm current fees and processing times.
Dissolution of marriage records are public under La. R.S. 44:1. The clerk will tell you at the time of your request if any portion of the file is sealed or restricted.
What St. Landry Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in St. Landry Parish includes the petition and every document filed until the case is closed. The petition names both parties, gives the grounds for dissolution under Article 102 or 103, and describes what the filing spouse is asking the court to order. The civil cover sheet and verification form are attached when the petition is filed. Service records show that the other spouse was properly notified.
If both spouses agree on all terms, the case may move quickly to a consent judgment after the required waiting period. The final judgment ends the marriage and covers all court-ordered terms: division of community property, custody and support of minor children if applicable, spousal support if any was requested, and name restoration if either party asked for it. This signed judgment is the primary legal document resulting from the dissolution proceeding.
Other documents that may be in the file include:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Affidavit of service or waiver of service
- Answer or counter-petition if filed by the other spouse
- Financial affidavits and asset disclosures
- Community property partition agreement
- Child custody and support orders
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public copies of court records in St. Landry Parish in line with Louisiana court rules. Sealed records are not available without a court order.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in St. Landry Parish
The Law Library of Louisiana provides a free online guide to dissolution of marriage that covers Louisiana Civil Code Articles 102 and 103, residency requirements, waiting periods, community property rules, and how the process works from filing to final judgment. The guide is written in plain language and is accessible at no cost.
The Law Library of Louisiana's research guide is a reliable starting point for anyone researching the dissolution of marriage process in St. Landry Parish or any other Louisiana parish.
Acadiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help, including assistance with dissolution of marriage, to low-income residents in St. Landry and surrounding parishes. Call 211 for a local referral or to check whether you qualify. The Louisiana State Bar Association also runs a statewide lawyer referral service for those who want to work with a private family law attorney in Opelousas or the surrounding area.
Nearby Parishes
St. Landry Parish is centrally located in south-central Louisiana. Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the parish where you or your spouse is domiciled. If you are unsure which parish applies to your case, the clerk at (337) 942-5606 can help confirm the correct venue.