Search Bossier City Divorce Records
Divorce records for Bossier City residents are maintained by the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court and heard by the 26th Judicial District Court, both located in Benton -- not in Bossier City itself. This page covers how to find, request, and file divorce records in the Bossier City area, including which court handles cases, how to get certified copies, and where to find legal help.
Bossier City Quick Facts
Which Court Handles Bossier City Divorces
Bossier City has its own municipal court, but that court does not hear divorce cases. The Bossier City Court handles only misdemeanors, traffic matters, and civil claims up to $50,000. Divorce falls outside that scope entirely. All divorce petitions for Bossier City residents go to the 26th Judicial District Court in Benton, the Bossier Parish seat -- about eight miles away.
The 26th JDC serves both Bossier Parish and Webster Parish. It is one of Louisiana's 43 judicial district courts. According to the court itself: "The Twenty-Sixth Judicial District Court is one of Louisiana's 43 judicial districts and has original jurisdiction of all civil and criminal matters in Bossier and Webster Parishes. There are six elected judges (Division A through Division F) and an appointed hearing officer in the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District."
Divorce petitions are assigned to one of the six divisions at filing. The hearing officer can handle some preliminary and uncontested matters. All case records are kept by the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court, also in Benton at the same address as the 26th JDC.
26th Judicial District Court
| Court | 26th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 204 Burt Boulevard, Benton, LA 71006 |
| Phone | (318) 965-2217 |
| Court Administrator | Melissa W. Fox |
| mfox@26jdc.com | |
| Website | https://www.26jdc.com/ |
Bossier Parish Clerk of Court
| Clerk | Jill Sessions |
|---|---|
| Physical Address | 204 Burt Boulevard, Benton, LA 71006 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 430, Benton, LA 71006 |
| Phone | (318) 965-2336 |
| Fax | (318) 965-1299 |
| jill_sessions@bossierclerk.com | |
| Website | http://www.bossierclerk.com/ |
How to Search Bossier City Divorce Records
The 26th JDC website is the first place to check when searching for a Bossier City divorce case. The site has self-help tools and docket information. You can look up cases by party name or case number. For certified copies and older records, you need to contact the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court directly.
The 26th Judicial District Court website is the primary court resource for Bossier City divorce cases. The image below shows the 26th JDC portal, which includes docket search tools and self-help resources for people without attorneys.
The 26th JDC portal lets you search active and closed divorce cases filed in Bossier Parish, including those for Bossier City residents, and links to self-help resources for self-represented filers.
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court holds the full case records. In-person access is available at the Benton courthouse during business hours. Staff can help with name searches and case number lookups. If you have the approximate year and the names of both parties, the Clerk's staff can usually locate a case quickly.
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court website provides contact information, hours, and access options for requesting divorce records from the Clerk's office. The image below shows the Clerk's main site.
The Bossier Clerk's office in Benton is the place to contact for certified copies of Bossier City divorce judgments and for in-person access to full case files.
Filing for Divorce in the Bossier City Area
To file for divorce in Bossier Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled in the parish. Under Civil Code Article 3941, domicile means having a true legal home in the parish with the intent to remain -- not just a temporary address. Living in Bossier City meets this requirement.
Louisiana has two main divorce tracks. Under Civil Code Article 102, a spouse can file right away and then wait. The required wait is 180 days if the couple has no minor children, or 365 days if minor children are involved. The other path, under Civil Code Article 103, applies when spouses have already lived apart for the required time before filing. In that situation, the divorce can move forward right away with no further waiting period.
Cases with minor children have an extra requirement. Parents must complete a parenting class before the court issues the final judgment. The 26th JDC is clear on this point: "The available dates for the classes shall be obtained from the office of the Clerk of Court." Call the Bossier Parish Clerk at (318) 965-2336 to find out which providers are approved and when classes are scheduled.
Louisiana is a community property state. Under Civil Code Article 2325, most property and debts built up during the marriage belong to both spouses and are divided equally at divorce. Disputes over community property are resolved in the district court and can add significant time to the process.
Uncontested divorces -- where both parties agree on all issues -- tend to move faster. Contested cases, especially those with disputes over custody, support, or property, can take much longer.
Getting Certified Copies of Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce judgments are available from the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court at 204 Burt Boulevard in Benton. You can request copies in person or by mail to P.O. Box 430, Benton, LA 71006. Email requests can go to jill_sessions@bossierclerk.com.
When requesting a record, provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. The Clerk will search the index and prepare certified copies. Call (318) 965-2336 to confirm current copy fees before sending a mail request.
Mail requests should include a check or money order for the applicable fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned by mail. The Clerk will contact you if additional payment is needed for longer documents or if a search turns up no results.
Certified copies -- not plain photocopies -- are what most agencies require. Banks, Social Security offices, and other institutions typically need a certified copy with the Clerk's stamp and seal to process name changes, benefit changes, or legal status updates after a divorce.
Self-Help and Legal Aid Resources
The 26th JDC provides a self-help section for people who want to handle their own divorce. Forms and instructions are available at 26jdc.com/srl. The site covers basic guidance on how to start a case and what to file. This is a good first stop before visiting the courthouse.
Court staff cannot give legal advice about your specific case. They can answer procedural questions -- where to file, how to submit documents, what fees apply -- but they cannot tell you which forms to use or how the law applies to your situation. The self-help site helps bridge that gap.
Northwest Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents. Call (318) 222-7186 to check eligibility and ask about getting help with your divorce case. They serve clients across Bossier Parish and handle family law matters for qualifying applicants.
For attorney referrals, the Louisiana State Bar Association has a statewide referral service. The Shreveport Bar Association also covers the Bossier City area and can point you toward local family law attorneys who handle divorce cases.
Public Records Access and Fees
Divorce records in Louisiana are public under La. R.S. 44:1, the state's Public Records Law. That law gives anyone the right to inspect and copy records held by government bodies, including the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court. Finalized divorce judgments, petitions, and most case filings are open to the public.
Some records may have limited access. Cases involving minor children sometimes have sealed portions. Protective order files may also be restricted. Ask the Clerk before requesting specific documents if you are unsure whether a record is sealed.
Fees for certified copies are set under La. R.S. 13:841, which governs clerk fees across Louisiana. Call the Bossier Parish Clerk at (318) 965-2336 to get the current per-page rate and any other applicable charges. Fees can change, so always confirm before you send a mail request.
What Divorce Records Include
A divorce case file at the Bossier Parish Clerk's office typically contains the original petition, any responses filed by the other party, motions, court orders, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment is the key document -- it officially ends the marriage and sets out the terms of the divorce.
If the case involved property division, those orders are part of the file as well. Custody and child support orders are also included. The full file gives a complete picture of how the case was resolved. Most people who request records only need the judgment itself, but the entire file is accessible as a public record.
Bossier Parish Divorce Records
All Bossier City divorce cases are filed in Bossier Parish. The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court maintains the official records and issues certified copies of divorce judgments. For the full parish-level guide, including fees, search tools, and courthouse details, visit the parish page.