Find Monroe Divorce Records
Divorce records in Monroe are maintained by the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court and handled through the 4th Judicial District Court, both located on South Grand Street in Monroe. As of January 1, 2025, Ouachita Parish runs a fully paperless filing and records system, making it one of the most digitally accessible clerk's offices in the state for searching and requesting divorce records.
Monroe Quick Facts
Where Monroe Divorce Cases Are Filed
Monroe has its own City Court, but that court handles only municipal matters -- traffic, misdemeanors, and small civil claims. Divorce cases do not go there. All divorce filings for Monroe residents go to the 4th Judicial District Court, which covers both Ouachita Parish and Morehouse Parish.
The Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court, led by Clerk Dana Benson, is the official keeper of all civil case records including divorce. The Clerk's office and the 4th JDC are both on South Grand Street in Monroe, close to each other. The Clerk's own guidance states: "The Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court is open Monday - Friday, except legal holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Ouachita Parish Courthouse is located on South Grand Street in the City of Monroe."
4th Judicial District Court
| Court | 4th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 St. John Street, Suite 400, Monroe, LA 71201 |
| Phone | (318) 361-2281 |
| Court Administrator | Laura L. Hartt |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.4jdc.com/ |
Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court
| Clerk | Dana Benson |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 South Grand Street, Suite 104, Monroe, LA 71201 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 1862, Monroe, LA 71210-1862 |
| Phone | (318) 327-1444 |
| Fax | (318) 327-1462 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.opclerkofcourt.com/ |
Monroe City Court is separate and handles only local matters. For divorce, always contact the Ouachita Parish Clerk or the 4th JDC, not the City Court.
Ouachita Parish Paperless Records System
A major change took effect in Monroe on January 1, 2025. The Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court went fully paperless, ahead of the statewide deadline. This shapes how everyone -- parties, attorneys, and the public -- files and accesses divorce records here.
When Clerk Dana Benson announced the change, the local press reported: "Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court Dana Benson said her office will go paperless beginning Jan. 1, 2025, a year before a new Louisiana law requiring all documents to be filed electronically."
The result is a more secure and reliable record system. As Benson explained: "The official record shall be the electronic record, eliminating any chance of a document being misfiled, altered or removed from the record."
For people without their own e-filing setup, free Clerk Connect access is available at terminals in the Clerk's office. Filing stations at 301 South Grand Street let non-attorneys submit documents electronically without needing a personal subscription. Ask staff at the counter when you arrive about using these stations.
The Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court website gives access to the electronic records system and provides information on filing and record requests. The image below shows the Clerk's main site for searching Monroe divorce and civil case records.
The Ouachita Clerk's fully electronic system lets users search by party name or case number for all civil cases including divorces filed in Monroe through the 4th Judicial District Court.
Online Record Search Options
The Ouachita Parish Clerk offers access through Clerk Connect. Free access terminals are at the courthouse. Subscription accounts are also available for those who need regular remote access to case records.
The 4th JDC has a dedicated self-help site for divorce at 4thjdcselfhelp.com/divorce. This is one of the better self-help resources in Louisiana's district courts. The site gives step-by-step guidance, form downloads, and information on what to expect at each stage of a Monroe divorce case.
The Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator at louisianalegalnavigator.org is another statewide tool that can help identify what forms you need and where to file based on your specific situation.
The 4th Judicial District Court serves Monroe and all of Ouachita Parish. The image below shows the 4th JDC's site, which is used for docket information and case management for Monroe divorce proceedings.
The 4th JDC portal provides docket information and links to self-help divorce resources for Ouachita Parish residents, including a dedicated divorce guidance section at 4thjdcselfhelp.com.
Filing for Divorce in Monroe
To file in Monroe, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Ouachita Parish under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. Since January 2025, all petitions are submitted electronically. Non-attorney filers can use the stations at the Clerk's office if they do not have their own e-filing access.
Louisiana gives people two paths to divorce. Under Civil Code Article 102, you can file before the waiting period ends. After the petition is served, you wait 180 days if no minor children are involved, or 365 days if minor children are present. Under Civil Code Article 103, if the required separation was already complete before filing, the divorce can be granted right away without further waiting.
The 4th JDC handles cases across nine divisions (A through I), plus a Hearing Officer for some preliminary matters. Case assignment is made at filing. Check the self-help site at 4thjdcselfhelp.com/divorce first to understand which forms apply to your situation.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Assets and debts from the marriage are generally split equally. Property disputes can add significant time to a case. Uncontested cases -- where both parties agree on all terms -- move faster.
Getting Certified Copies of Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce judgments are available from the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court at 301 South Grand Street, Suite 104. Call (318) 327-1444 or write to P.O. Box 1862, Monroe, LA 71210.
Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. Since the parish went fully paperless in 2025, recent records are stored and retrieved electronically. Older records were also digitized as part of the transition. Typical records from 1970 onward are searchable.
Ask about current copy fees when you call. Certified copies involve a per-page fee plus a certification charge set by state law. Mail requests should include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope for document return.
Legal Help in Monroe
Legal Aid of North Louisiana provides free civil legal help to income-eligible Monroe residents. Call (318) 325-0773 to check eligibility. They handle family law matters including divorce for qualifying clients across the Monroe area.
The 4th JDC self-help site at 4thjdcselfhelp.com/divorce is one of the more developed self-help platforms in Louisiana's court system. It covers forms, filing steps, and what to expect at different stages of a Monroe divorce. Use it before you file to understand what is required.
Court staff at the Clerk's office can answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. For guidance on how the law applies to your specific situation, contact Legal Aid of North Louisiana or consult a private attorney.
For private attorney referrals, the Louisiana State Bar Association runs a statewide referral service. Local bar associations in the Monroe area can also provide referrals to family law attorneys who handle divorce cases in Ouachita Parish.
Public Records Access
Under La. R.S. 44:1, Louisiana's Public Records Law, finalized divorce records are open to the public. Case filings, petitions, and judgments can be inspected and copied by anyone. The Ouachita Parish Clerk's electronic system makes these records easier to access than in many other parishes. Ask the Clerk about any restrictions on records involving minor children or cases sealed by court order before requesting specific documents.
Ouachita Parish Divorce Records
All Monroe divorce cases are filed in Ouachita Parish. The Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court maintains official case records and issues certified copies of divorce judgments. For the full parish-level guide covering fees, search tools, and courthouse details, visit the Ouachita Parish page.