Lafayette Divorce Records Lookup
Divorce records in Lafayette are maintained by the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court, and all cases are heard by the 15th Judicial District Court. Family law divisions H and M handle divorce proceedings, including cases with minor children. This page covers how to search, request, and file divorce records in Lafayette.
Lafayette Quick Facts
Where Lafayette Divorce Cases Are Filed
The 15th Judicial District Court handles all divorce filings for Lafayette Parish, including the city of Lafayette. The court is located at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse on South Buchanan Street, right in the city. This is where you file a petition and where hearings take place.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court maintains all case records. Marriage records in this parish go back to 1840. Divorce records are part of the broader civil case file system managed by the Clerk's family department.
Note that the Lafayette City Court handles only municipal matters -- traffic, misdemeanors, and civil claims under the city court's jurisdiction. It does not hear divorce cases. All divorce filings go to the 15th JDC at the parish courthouse.
Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court
| Court | 15th Judicial District Court / Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 |
| Phone | (337) 291-6400 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.lpclerk.com |
The mailing address is P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502 if you need to send documents or requests by mail.
Getting Lafayette Parish Divorce Records
The Clerk's family department is the right place to request divorce-related documents. As the Clerk's office explains: "People must approach the clerk's family department to obtain these Lafayette Parish marriage records, which include certified copies of their divorce decrees and copies of case records generated during divorce proceedings."
You can request certified copies in person at the courthouse on South Buchanan Street, or by mail to the P.O. Box address. Be ready to provide the names of both parties and an approximate filing year. The Clerk will pull the case from the index and prepare copies.
Marriage records go back to 1840 in this parish, giving the Clerk's office a long historical record base. Divorce records are indexed as part of the civil case system.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website provides access to the public records portal. The screenshot below shows the Clerk's interface for searching Lafayette divorce and civil case records.
The Clerk's online system lets you search civil cases including divorces by party name or case number, covering filings at the 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette.
Online Record Access
The Lafayette Parish Clerk offers an online subscription service for remote record access. Subscription pricing starts at $165, which covers a $100 setup fee and the first month at $65. Monthly fees apply after that. This level of access is most useful for attorneys and researchers who need regular access to the system.
For occasional searches, visiting the courthouse in person is typically easier and cheaper. Public terminals are available during office hours. Staff can help you locate a case number or navigate the index if you are not sure where to start.
The 15th JDC's own website at 15thjdc.org also has court calendars and some case lookup functions for active proceedings.
The 15th Judicial District Court serves Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion parishes. The image below shows the court's portal, which covers active Lafayette divorce cases and docket information.
The 15th JDC portal provides docket and scheduling information for active divorce cases in Lafayette Parish, which is useful for parties tracking the progress of a pending case.
Filing for Divorce in Lafayette
To file for divorce in Lafayette, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Lafayette Parish under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. Living and intending to remain in Lafayette satisfies this requirement.
Louisiana offers two paths to divorce. Under Civil Code Article 102, you can file a petition before the separation period ends, then wait 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (with minor children). Under Article 103, if the required separation has already occurred, you can seek an immediate divorce without an additional wait.
Family law matters in Lafayette are heard in Divisions H and M. The court's own rule states: "Family law matters are currently heard in Divisions H and M. Matters heard on the Family Docket shall include: (a) Suits for annulment, divorce and separation where there are minor children born of, adopted or legitimated by the marriage together with all related incidental matters."
For all Article 103 divorces, the Clerk requires a divorce checklist to be submitted along with the petition. Ask the Clerk's office for the current checklist form before filing.
The court also allows some flexibility in how hearings are conducted. Per court rule: "Upon a showing of good cause, with mutual consent, hearings before the Court in divorce proceedings may be held in chambers." This can make uncontested hearings more private and often faster.
Community property rules under Civil Code Article 2325 apply to Lafayette divorces. Assets and debts from the marriage are generally split equally unless the parties reach a different agreement or a court finds cause to depart from equal division.
Legal Help in Lafayette
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents of Lafayette and the surrounding Acadiana region. Their Lafayette office is at 1020 Surrey Street, and they can be reached at (337) 237-4320. They handle family law matters including divorce for those who qualify based on income.
The 15th JDC has a self-help center inside the Lafayette Parish Courthouse on South Buchanan Street. Self-represented parties can get help with forms, procedure questions, and general guidance. Staff at the self-help center do not provide legal advice but can walk you through the paperwork requirements.
The Lafayette Bar Association maintains a page at lafayettebar.org/legal-forms-and-advice with forms and guidance for common legal matters. This can be useful if you are trying to understand the process before deciding whether to hire an attorney.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org provides plain-language guides to Louisiana divorce law, including what forms are needed, what to expect at court, and how to handle contested versus uncontested cases.
Public Records Law
Under La. R.S. 44:1, Louisiana's Public Records Law, divorce records are open to the public once finalized. Case filings, petitions, and judgments can be inspected and copied by any member of the public. Certain records involving minor children or sealed by court order may have restricted access. Ask the Clerk's office about any limitations before requesting specific documents.
Lafayette Parish Divorce Records
All Lafayette city divorce cases are part of Lafayette Parish's court system. The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court holds official case records and issues certified copies. For the full parish-level guide to records, fees, and access options, visit the parish page.