Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Tangipahoa Parish

Tangipahoa Parish dissolution of marriage records are held by the Clerk of Court, with offices in both Amite and Hammond. The clerk has maintained marriage, divorce, probate, court, and land records since 1869. You can request records in person at either office, by phone, by email, or by mail.

Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court

Gary T. Stanga serves as Clerk of Court for Tangipahoa Parish. His office keeps all dissolution of marriage case files for the 21st Judicial District Court, along with marriage licenses, probate records, land records, and other civil filings. The parish clerk has maintained records going back to 1869, making Tangipahoa one of the more complete records repositories in southeast Louisiana. La. R.S. 44:1 makes these records available to the public for inspection during office hours.

Alicia Fussell serves as Chief Deputy Clerk. For copy requests, the copy department can be reached at (985) 748-8015 or by email at copyroom@tangiclerk.org. General inquiries go to Gary Stanga at gstanga@tangiclerk.org or to the main Amite office at (985) 748-4146. Staff at both offices can help you locate dissolution of marriage records, confirm whether a case exists, and tell you what steps are needed to get certified copies.

The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court website provides information about both office locations, copy request procedures, and contact details for each department.

The clerk's website shows both office locations, fee information, and how to submit a records request for dissolution of marriage cases.

How to Get Dissolution of Marriage Records in Tangipahoa Parish

Tangipahoa Parish gives you four ways to request dissolution of marriage records. In person at either office is the fastest way to get same-day copies. Phone requests let you ask questions and confirm records exist before making a trip. Email works well for written requests when you don't need copies right away. Mail is the option for people who cannot visit either office.

For in-person requests at the Amite office, go to 110 N. Bay Street, Suite 100, during business hours. At the Hammond office, go to 318-A NW Railroad Avenue, keeping in mind the office closes from noon to 1 p.m. At either location, complete a records request form. You need the names of both parties, the approximate date of the dissolution of marriage, and the case number if you have it. Show a valid photo ID. Pay the applicable fees at the time of request. Same-day copies are typically available for cases already indexed.

For phone requests, call Amite at (985) 748-4146 or Hammond at (985) 549-1638. Staff can confirm whether a record exists and walk you through how to request copies. The copy department's direct line is (985) 748-8015 for copy-related questions.

For email requests, write to gstanga@tangiclerk.org or copyroom@tangiclerk.org. Include the case details and your contact information. Staff will respond with next steps and fee information.

For mail requests, send your written request to: Tangipahoa Parish Clerk, P.O. Box 667, Amite, LA 70422. Include case details, a copy of your photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the fees.

The clerk's copy requests page outlines the process and fees for obtaining dissolution of marriage records from the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court.

Fees are straightforward. The record search costs $5. Copies are $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee on top of the per-page rate. Confirm current fee amounts with the copy department at (985) 748-8015 before submitting a mail request, since fees can be updated by the state legislature.

21st Judicial District Court Dissolution of Marriage

All dissolution of marriage cases in Tangipahoa Parish are filed in the 21st Judicial District Court. The court serves Tangipahoa Parish, and the courthouse is co-located with the clerk's main office in Amite. Judges in the 21st JDC handle all family law matters including dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, and community property division.

Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 governs no-fault dissolution of marriage. It requires that spouses live separate and apart for 180 days with no minor children, or 365 days when minor children are involved, before a final judgment can be entered. Article 103 allows filing on fault grounds or when spouses have already been living separate and apart for the required period without filing under Article 102. Both articles require that at least one spouse have been domiciled in Louisiana for six months before filing.

Community property rules under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 apply to most marriages in Tangipahoa Parish unless the spouses have a valid matrimonial agreement that modifies those rules. The dissolution of marriage case file will typically contain a partition of community property or a settlement agreement addressing shared assets and debts. These documents become part of the public record at the clerk's office once filed.

The Hammond City Court at 303 East Thomas Street, Hammond, (985) 542-3455 handles municipal matters but does not have jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage cases. All divorce filings go to the 21st JDC, not to any city court.

What Tangipahoa Parish Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain

A dissolution of marriage case file in Tangipahoa Parish contains every document filed from the opening petition through the final judgment. The petition names both spouses, states the grounds for dissolution under Article 102 or 103, and sets out what the filing party is asking the court to do. Service documents show how the other spouse was notified. Answers, counter-petitions, and any contested motions go into the same file.

The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the key document. It ends the marriage, sets terms for property division, and addresses child custody and support if applicable. Judges in the 21st JDC sign the judgment, and the Clerk of Court certifies copies. Most agencies and institutions that ask for proof of a divorce require a certified copy of the final judgment, not a summary or index entry. Plain copies work for personal reference but are generally not accepted as legal proof.

Records in Tangipahoa Parish go back to 1869. Older records may exist only in handwritten or typed form and require an in-person visit to access. More recent records are indexed in the clerk's computer system and can be located by name or case number.

Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Tangipahoa Parish

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents of Tangipahoa Parish, including assistance with dissolution of marriage cases. Call 211 to ask about eligibility and to get contact information. Availability of services varies, so call early in the process rather than waiting until a court date is near.

The Law Library of Louisiana divorce guide covers Articles 102 and 103 in plain language and is free to access online. It explains the steps involved, what documents you need, and how the waiting periods work. The Louisiana Supreme Court website also has links to self-help resources and approved court forms for dissolution of marriage. The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a statewide referral service if you need to find a family law attorney who practices in Tangipahoa Parish.

The clerk's contact page lists all office locations, phone numbers, and email addresses for dissolution of marriage record requests in Tangipahoa Parish.

Cities in Tangipahoa Parish

All communities in Tangipahoa Parish file dissolution of marriage cases through the 21st Judicial District Court. Hammond is the largest city and has a clerk's branch office that makes records access more convenient for residents on that side of the parish. Ponchatoula, Amite, Kentwood, and other communities also file through the same court.

Nearby Parishes

Tangipahoa Parish is bordered by several parishes. Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the parish where either spouse lives at the time of filing.