Find Divorce Records in LaPlace
LaPlace is the largest community in St. John the Baptist Parish, and all divorce filings go through the 40th Judicial District Court in Edgard, the parish seat. The LaPlace satellite location at the Arcuri Center is currently not holding court due to Hurricane Ida damage, so all hearings and most filings must go to the Edgard courthouse.
LaPlace Quick Facts
Where to File Divorce Paperwork in LaPlace
LaPlace is an unincorporated community, so it has no city courthouse. The 40th Judicial District Court in Edgard is the court with jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family, juvenile, traffic, and probate matters in St. John the Baptist Parish. That includes divorce. The court is divided into three divisions -- A, B, and C -- with one judge presiding in each division.
The former satellite location at the Arcuri Center in LaPlace at 1020 Cambridge Drive is currently not holding court because of Hurricane Ida destruction. LaPlace residents must travel to Edgard for all hearings. Contact the clerk's office to confirm the current status of the LaPlace location and any updates since the storm damage occurred.
St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court
| Court | 40th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2393 LA Hwy. 18 (River Road), Edgard, LA 70049 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 280, Edgard, LA 70049 |
| Phone | (985) 497-3331 |
| Fax | (985) 497-3972 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Clerk | Eliana DeFrancesch |
| Website | https://www.sjbparishclerk.gov/ |
40th Judicial District Court
| Website | https://40thjdc.org/ |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | St. John the Baptist Parish -- civil, criminal, family, juvenile, traffic, probate |
LaPlace Satellite (Currently Closed)
| Address | Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace, LA 70068 |
|---|---|
| Status | No court being held -- Hurricane Ida destruction |
| Note | Confirm current status with clerk before visiting |
The 40th Judicial District Court
The 40th Judicial District Court covers the parish of St. John the Baptist. It is a general jurisdiction court, meaning it hears civil, criminal (felonies and misdemeanors), traffic, juvenile, family, and probate matters. Three judges, one per division, share the caseload. Divorce cases fall under the family law category and are assigned to one of the three divisions when you file.
St. John the Baptist Parish was founded in 1807 and has an approximate population of 42,477 people. Despite LaPlace being the largest community, the parish seat remains in Edgard, and that is where court operations are centered. For LaPlace residents, this means a trip across the parish for hearings and in-person filings while the satellite office remains closed.
Searching Divorce Records in St. John the Baptist Parish
Divorce records are public under Louisiana law. To search for a specific case, contact or visit the clerk's office in Edgard. Bring the full names of both parties and, if you know it, the approximate year the case was filed. The clerk can search by name. If you have the case number already, that makes the search faster.
The clerk's website at sjbparishclerk.gov has general information about the office. Call (985) 497-3331 to ask about online case search availability and what records you can request remotely versus in person. Some parishes allow mail-in copy requests; confirm whether that option is available before sending anything.
For certified copies of a final divorce decree, you'll likely need to go in person or submit a written request with full case details. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are typically required for legal purposes like name changes, remarriage licenses, or insurance updates.
Louisiana Divorce Law and What It Means for LaPlace Residents
Louisiana uses a no-fault divorce system. Under Civil Code Article 102, you file a petition and then live separately for 180 days. If you have minor children with your spouse, the separation period extends to 365 days. Article 103 works the other way: you wait out the required separation first, then file. That can move things faster if you've already been apart long enough to qualify.
Community property rules under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 apply in St. John the Baptist Parish. Property and debts built up during the marriage are generally treated as jointly owned. If you and your spouse can agree on how to divide things, you save time. A contested property split requires additional hearings. Child custody and support matters often run alongside the divorce or in separate proceedings in the same court.
Filing fees vary depending on what is included in the petition. Contact the clerk's office for the current fee schedule. If you can't afford the fees, Louisiana courts allow fee waiver applications based on income.
40th Judicial District Court Website
The 40th JDC maintains an official website with court information, including division assignments and general procedural guidance for St. John the Baptist Parish cases.
40thjdc.org
The 40th JDC site is a good starting point before contacting the clerk's office, giving you a sense of how the court is organized and which division may hear your case.
The Louisiana state portal provides additional statewide resources for those researching divorce records.
louisiana.gov
The state portal links to agency directories, legal resources, and online tools that apply across all Louisiana parishes including St. John the Baptist.
Legal Help for LaPlace Residents
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to qualifying residents in St. John the Baptist Parish. Their number is (985) 893-0076. They can assist with divorce petitions, custody questions, and related family law issues. If you don't qualify for free help, the Louisiana State Bar Association's referral line can connect you with a private attorney who practices in the 40th JDC.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org offers free written guides on divorce procedures that apply statewide. For self-represented filers, the clerk's office in Edgard can provide the forms you need, though staff cannot give legal advice. Call ahead to ask what pro se materials are available before making the trip to Edgard.
St. John the Baptist Parish Divorce Records
LaPlace is in St. John the Baptist Parish. All divorce filings go through the 40th Judicial District Court in Edgard. Visit the parish page for full court resources and contact info.