Baton Rouge Divorce Records

Divorce records in Baton Rouge are filed and maintained by two offices: the East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic matters, and the Clerk of Court, which stores all case documents and issues certified copies. This page covers how to search, request, and file divorce records in Baton Rouge.

Where Divorce Cases Are Filed in Baton Rouge

East Baton Rouge Parish has a dedicated Family Court that handles all divorce, custody, child support, and related domestic cases. This is not common in Louisiana -- most parishes use their district court for family matters. Baton Rouge's Family Court operates separately from the 19th Judicial District Court, which handles civil and criminal matters.

The Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic matters including divorce, child custody, support, community property, and protective orders.

Petitions are filed with the Clerk of Court's Family and Probate Department. Both offices are located at the same address on North Boulevard.

East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court

EBR Clerk of Court - Main Office

EBR Clerk of Court - Airline Branch

How to Get Certified Copies of Divorce Records

Certified copies of divorce judgments are available from the Clerk of Court's Public Service Department. The Clerk's own guidance puts it directly: "Certified copies of Judgement of Divorce for divorces finalized in East Baton Rouge Parish are available from the Public Service Department of the Office of the Clerk of Court. Contact this Department about obtaining copies of your divorce judgement by calling (225) 389-3950."

You can request copies in person at the main office on St. Louis Street or at the Airline Highway branch. Mail requests are also accepted. Be ready to give the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. The Clerk will search the index and provide the case number before pulling records.

Marriage records go back to 1840. Divorce, probate, and land records in this parish go back to 1782, making it one of the older record sets in the state.

The Family and Probate Department handles all case files. According to the Clerk's office: "The Family and Probate Department houses all of the information contained in these cases. All pleadings, petitions, answers, exceptions, motions and judgments filed in each case are microfilmed in this department and are available for in-house viewing by the public. Older records from the department are housed in the Archives Department (225) 389-3988 and in the department's former office in City Hall (225) 389-7837."

For records older than a few decades, you may need to contact the Archives Department directly at (225) 389-3988.

Online Record Search Options

EBR Clerk offers online access through Clerk Connect. This is a subscription service -- not free. Pricing runs $20 for 24-hour access, $65 for 30 days, or $780 per year. The system lets you search case records, view filings, and in some cases pull document images without visiting the courthouse.

A statewide portal called eClerks LA is also available at eclerksla.com. This covers parishes across Louisiana and is useful if records span more than one parish. Some documents can be viewed at no cost; others require payment.

For in-person computer access, terminals at the Clerk's office are available to the public at no charge during office hours.

The Family Court website at familycourt.org has a search tool for active cases. This is useful for checking the status of a pending case or finding a case number before requesting documents from the Clerk.

The screenshot below shows the Family Court portal where active Baton Rouge cases can be searched. The East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court site also provides docket information and court calendars.

Case searches through the Family Court portal return basic docket information including filing dates, party names, and case status for Baton Rouge divorce proceedings.

Filing for Divorce in Baton Rouge

Louisiana offers two main paths to divorce. Under Civil Code Article 102, spouses can file immediately and then wait out a separation period -- 180 days if there are no minor children, or 365 days if there are. Under Article 103, if the required separation has already passed before filing, the divorce can proceed immediately without an additional waiting period.

To file in East Baton Rouge Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled here under Civil Code Article 3941. "Domiciled" means more than just living here -- it means having established a true legal home in the parish with the intent to remain.

All cases go through the Family Court. Divisions within that court handle different dockets, and case assignment is made at filing. Self-represented parties can use the Family Court Self-Help Center, located at 300 North Boulevard, 4th Floor -- the same building as the court itself.

Community property division is governed by Civil Code Article 2325. Louisiana is a community property state, meaning most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are split equally. Cases involving disputes over community property can take considerably longer than straightforward uncontested divorces.

Fees and Costs

Filing fees in East Baton Rouge vary by case type and complexity. Contact the Clerk's Family Department directly at (225) 389-3972 for current fee schedules. Fees are subject to change and can differ between contested and uncontested cases.

Certified copy fees are separate from filing fees. The Clerk sets the per-page rate for certified copies; call (225) 389-3950 to ask about current costs before submitting a mail request.

If you cannot afford court costs, you may qualify for an in forma pauperis waiver. Ask the Clerk's office about the process, or consult with legal aid before filing.

Clerk Connect access costs $20 per day, $65 per month, or $780 per year for online record searches. This is separate from any certified copy fees.

Legal Help in Baton Rouge

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualified residents. Their Baton Rouge office is at 715 St. Ferdinand Street, and they can be reached at (225) 448-0080. Their website is slls.org. They handle family law matters including divorce for those who qualify.

The Family Court Law Library at 300 North Boulevard, 4th Floor, is open to the public. Call (225) 389-7614 for hours and access details. The library stocks form sets and legal research materials for self-represented parties.

The Family Court Self-Help Center at the same address on the 4th floor can help guide you through the paperwork process. Staff there do not give legal advice, but they can help with forms and procedures.

For referrals to private attorneys, the Louisiana State Bar Association runs a referral service. You can also check with the Baton Rouge Bar Association for local family law attorneys.

Public Records Law

Divorce records in Louisiana are public under La. R.S. 44:1, the Public Records Law. Finalized divorce judgments, case filings, and court documents are generally open to inspection and copying by any member of the public. Some sealed records or records involving minor children may have restricted access -- ask the Clerk about any limitations before requesting specific documents.

East Baton Rouge Parish Divorce Records

All Baton Rouge divorce cases are filed in East Baton Rouge Parish. The parish Clerk of Court maintains the official records and issues certified copies. For the full county-level guide including fees, search tools, and courthouse details, visit the parish page.

View East Baton Rouge Parish Divorce Records