St. Martin Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records

St. Martin Parish dissolution of marriage records are held by the Clerk of Court in St. Martinville, where the 16th 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 portals to check case status and find filing information.

St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in St. Martinville is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records for St. Martin Parish. The office holds civil case files from the 16th Judicial District Court, which serves Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary Parishes. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, these records are open to the public. Viewing them at the courthouse during business hours costs nothing. Fees apply when you request copies.

The 16th JDC covers three parishes, but each parish has its own Clerk of Court and maintains its own records. St. Martin Parish dissolution of marriage cases are held only at the St. Martinville courthouse. Cases filed in Iberia or St. Mary Parish are kept at those parishes' respective clerk offices and are not part of the St. Martin Parish record system.

The clerk's office handles civil filings, conveyance and mortgage records, and public records requests. Staff can search the civil index by party name or case number to help you locate a dissolution of marriage case. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours, and the office also accepts mail requests for record copies.

Search St. Martin Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Online

For certified copies of dissolution of marriage judgments, contact the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court directly. Online portals provide case information only. Call (337) 394-2210 to ask what is available and to get instructions for requesting certified copies by mail or in person.

The ClerkConnect portal is used by several Louisiana parishes for online civil record access. Check whether St. Martin Parish participates in that system when you do your search, as participation can change.

16th Judicial District Court Dissolution of Marriage

The 16th Judicial District Court covers Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary Parishes and handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in each. For St. Martin Parish residents, all filings go through the Clerk of Court in St. Martinville. The court applies the same Louisiana Civil Code standards to all cases regardless of which of the three parishes the case is filed in.

Louisiana law provides two primary paths to a dissolution of marriage. Under Civil Code Article 102, a spouse files a petition and both parties then live separately for the required time before the court enters a final judgment. The waiting period is 180 days when no minor children are involved. It extends to 365 days when the marriage produced minor children. Under Article 103, a spouse who has already been living separate and apart for the required period can file and ask for a judgment right away. Article 103 also permits dissolution on fault grounds, including adultery and conviction of a felony that carries a hard labor sentence.

Louisiana requires that at least one spouse be domiciled in the state for six months before filing. For the 16th JDC serving St. Martin Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled in the parish. The clerk in St. Martinville can confirm whether the 16th JDC is the correct venue for your case.

Community property is a significant issue in many dissolution of marriage cases in Louisiana. Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 provides that property acquired during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses as community property. The dissolution process must address the division of that community estate, either by agreement of the parties or by court order if they cannot agree.

How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in St. Martin Parish

You can get dissolution of marriage records from St. Martin Parish by visiting the Clerk of Court in St. Martinville or by sending a written request by mail. In-person visits allow you to receive copies on the same visit if the record is on file. Mail requests work for people who cannot make the drive to St. Martinville.

For an in-person visit, go to 415 S. Main St. in St. Martinville during business hours. Provide the full names of both parties and the year the case was filed or the judgment was entered. Bring the case number if you have one. Show a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk will search the records index and tell you what is available. Pay the search and copy fees at the counter. Certified copies of the final judgment carry a higher fee than plain copies but are required for most official purposes after a dissolution of marriage, including name changes, property record updates, and benefit claims.

For mail requests, write to the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court, 415 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA 70582. State the names of both spouses, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known. Include a copy of your photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the fees. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before you send payment.

Records are public under La. R.S. 44:1. If any portion of the file is sealed by court order, the clerk will tell you at the time of your request.

What St. Martin Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain

A dissolution of marriage case file in St. Martin Parish holds every document filed from the opening petition through the final judgment. The petition names both parties, gives the grounds for dissolution, and states what the filing spouse is asking the court to do. The civil cover sheet and verification form accompany the petition at filing. Service records confirm that the other spouse received proper notice of the proceedings.

The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the most important document in the file. It terminates the marriage and sets out all terms ordered by the court. Those terms cover division of community property, child custody and support arrangements if minor children are involved, spousal support if applicable, and name restoration if requested by either party. Most institutions, from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to a bank or a property title company, will require a certified copy of this judgment for any post-dissolution administrative change.

Additional documents commonly found in St. Martin Parish dissolution of marriage files include sworn financial statements, community property settlement agreements, answers and counter-petitions if the other spouse filed one, and any motions or hearing records from contested matters. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public copies under Louisiana court rules.

Sealed records require a court order to access. Most dissolution of marriage records are public. The clerk will tell you if a file or any part of it is restricted.

Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in St. Martin Parish

The Law Library of Louisiana offers a free online guide to dissolution of marriage under Louisiana Civil Code. The guide explains Articles 102 and 103, waiting periods, residency rules, community property, and what to expect from the court process. It is written in plain language and is available to anyone at no cost.

The Law Library of Louisiana's online guide is a good first resource for anyone researching the dissolution of marriage process in St. Martin Parish or anywhere else in the state.

Acadiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents of St. Martin and surrounding parishes, including assistance with dissolution of marriage cases. Call 211 to check eligibility and get a referral to the appropriate office. The Louisiana State Bar Association also runs a statewide lawyer referral service for those who want to work with a private family law attorney.

The Louisiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral guide provides direction on finding a licensed attorney who handles family law matters in the 16th JDC region, which covers Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary Parishes.

Nearby Parishes

St. Martin Parish shares the 16th Judicial District with Iberia and St. Mary Parishes. 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 submitting a petition.