Find Divorce Records in Metairie
Metairie divorce records are handled by Jefferson Parish, not by a Metairie city court -- Metairie is an unincorporated community with no independent municipal court system. All divorce cases for Metairie residents are filed at the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna, and records are held by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. This page explains where to search, how to request copies, and what the filing process looks like.
Metairie Quick Facts
Where Metairie Divorce Cases Are Filed
Because Metairie is unincorporated, it has no city government and no city court. The courthouse that serves Metairie residents is the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse in Gretna, about 15 miles from central Metairie. That is where you file for divorce and where all case records are stored.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court maintains two offices -- the main office in Gretna and an East Bank branch in Jefferson. Metairie residents on the east bank may find the Elmwood Park branch more convenient for some transactions, though filings go through the main Gretna office.
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court - Main Office (Gretna)
| Court | 24th Judicial District Court / Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | General Government Building, 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5600, Gretna, LA 70053 |
| Phone | (504) 364-2900 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.jpclerkofcourt.us |
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court - East Bank Branch
| Court | Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court (East Bank) |
|---|---|
| Address | Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Jefferson, LA 70123 |
| Phone | (504) 736-6390 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.jpclerkofcourt.us |
The Chief Civil Docket Clerk is Mary Najolia, reachable at (504) 364-2987. For civil filing questions specific to divorce cases, this is a good direct contact.
How the Jefferson Parish Clerk Manages Records
Jefferson Parish has moved to a fully electronic records system. According to the Clerk's office: "All records are maintained electronically. Pleadings may be e-filed, fax-filed, or traditional means such as mail, court runner, etc. Once pleadings are digitally preserved, matters requiring a judges signature are sent to the minute clerk so that the judge may e-sign the document."
The system also uses redundant digital storage: "Paper records are checked for accuracy and preserved in multiple digital formats and on Blu-Ray media for permanent storage in the clerk of court's IT department and at the La. Secretary of State in the Louisiana Archives." This means records are well-preserved and retrievable even for older cases.
The civil department in the Donelon Courthouse handles new filings. As the Clerk notes: "The civil department is located in suite 2400 of the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse. A new suit is initiated by filing the pleading, along with a security deposit for costs at the central filing area. E-filing and fax-filing also are available."
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website offers access to the public records system. The screenshot below shows the Clerk's portal for Metairie and Jefferson Parish case searches.
The Clerk's online system covers all civil cases in Jefferson Parish, including divorces filed by Metairie residents, and allows searches by name or case number.
Searching Divorce Records Online
Public access terminals at the Gretna courthouse allow free record searches. You do not need a subscription to search in person. Attorneys and frequent users can arrange e-filing accounts, but individual members of the public can use the courthouse terminals at no charge.
The Clerk's website at jpclerkofcourt.us provides access to civil case records. You can search by party name or case number. Some documents are viewable online; others require an in-person visit to pull the physical or digital file.
Vital records available from the Jefferson Parish Clerk include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. This makes the Clerk the single point of contact for most vital document requests in the parish.
The 24th Judicial District Court maintains its own website with court calendars and docket information. The screenshot below shows the 24th JDC portal used to track active divorce and family cases.
The 24th JDC site provides docket information for pending cases, which can be useful for tracking the status of a divorce proceeding before requesting certified documents from the Clerk.
Filing for Divorce as a Metairie Resident
Metairie residents file for divorce at the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse in Gretna. At least one spouse must be domiciled in Jefferson Parish under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. Living in Metairie counts as Jefferson Parish domicile.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 lets you file right away, then wait. The waiting period is 180 days with no minor children, or 365 days if minor children are involved. Under Article 103, if you and your spouse have already been separated for the required period before you file, you can skip the additional wait and seek an immediate divorce judgment.
Petitions are filed in Suite 2400 at the Donelon Courthouse along with a security deposit for court costs. E-filing is available for attorneys. Individual filers can submit by mail, fax, or in person.
Community property rules under Civil Code Article 2325 apply to assets accumulated during the marriage. Louisiana splits marital property equally unless the parties agree differently or special circumstances apply. Disputes over property can extend the timeline significantly compared to uncontested cases.
Self-Help and Legal Aid
The 24th JDC operates a Self-Help Center at the Donelon Courthouse in Gretna. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. To use the center, your income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Staff can help with forms and court procedures, but they do not provide legal advice.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to qualifying residents of the greater New Orleans metro area, including Metairie. Call (504) 529-1000 or visit louisianalegalservices.org to check eligibility. They can represent qualifying clients in divorce cases.
The Law Library at 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5200 in Gretna is open to the public. Call (504) 364-2970 for hours. The library has form sets, legal research materials, and staff who can point you to the right resources for self-represented litigants.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has online guides for divorce procedures, forms, and checklists that are specific to Louisiana law. This is a good starting point for anyone navigating the process without an attorney.
Public Records Access
Under La. R.S. 44:1, Louisiana's Public Records Law, divorce records are generally open to the public. Finalized judgments, petitions, and most case documents can be inspected and copied by anyone. Sealed records or documents relating specifically to minor children may have limited access. Ask the Clerk when making your request if there are any restrictions on the specific file you need.
Jefferson Parish Divorce Records
All Metairie divorce cases are part of Jefferson Parish's court system. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court holds the records and issues certified copies of divorce judgments. For the complete parish-level guide, visit the Jefferson Parish page.