Find New Iberia Divorce Records
New Iberia is the parish seat of Iberia Parish, and divorce records are held by the Iberia Parish Clerk of Court at 300 Iberia Street. The 16th Judicial District Court handles all divorce cases filed in New Iberia and serves three parishes: Iberia, St. Mary, and St. Martin. Because Iberia Parish has no online civil search portal, most record requests require a phone call or an in-person visit to the clerk's office on Iberia Street.
New Iberia Quick Facts
Iberia Parish Clerk of Court
The Iberia Parish Clerk of Court, Michael Thibodeaux, runs the office that holds all divorce records for New Iberia and the rest of Iberia Parish. The address is 300 Iberia Street, New Iberia, which is also where the 16th JDC operates. New Iberia is the parish seat, so both the court and the clerk share this location. All in-person filings, record requests, and certified copy orders go through this office.
There is no online portal for civil court cases in Iberia Parish, which sets it apart from many other Louisiana parishes. As one court records source notes, "There is no online portal for searching civil court cases within Iberia Parish; therefore, physical inquiries at the court handling the case or contacting the court by phone might be necessary." Plan accordingly before you travel or reach out.
Iberia Parish Clerk of Court
| Clerk | Michael Thibodeaux |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Iberia Street, New Iberia, LA 70560 |
| Mailing | P.O. Drawer 12010, New Iberia, LA 70562 |
| Phone | (337) 365-7282 |
| Fax | (337) 365-7636 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | iberiaclerk.com |
16th Judicial District Court
| Address | 300 Iberia Street, New Iberia, LA 70560 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (337) 365-7282 |
| Jurisdiction | Iberia, St. Mary, and St. Martin Parishes |
How to Search New Iberia Divorce Records
Because Iberia Parish has no online civil search tool, you have two practical options. Call the clerk's office at (337) 365-7282, or go in person to 300 Iberia Street during regular business hours. Either way, have the full names of both parties ready. An approximate year narrows things down fast. The clerk's staff can search by name or case number.
According to one records source, "Iberia Parish's divorce records are considered public and can be accessed through the court clerk's office that handled the divorce proceedings." That means you have a legal right to view and request copies of these records. The only limit is when a judge has ordered a specific file sealed, which is not typical in a standard divorce case.
Certified copies of final divorce decrees are what most agencies require when you need proof that a marriage ended. They carry the clerk's seal and are needed for remarriage in Louisiana, name change filings, insurance updates, and financial account changes. Call ahead to confirm current copy fees before making the trip to Iberia Street. Fees can change, and knowing the cost ahead of time saves you a second visit.
Filing a Divorce Case in New Iberia
To start a divorce in Iberia Parish, file your petition at the clerk's office at 300 Iberia Street. The staff accepts your filing along with the required security deposit for costs. The case is then assigned to a division of the 16th JDC. Because the 16th covers three parishes, Iberia, St. Mary, and St. Martin, the judges handle a wide civil and family docket across the whole district.
New Iberia has a City Court, but that court only handles municipal matters such as traffic violations and minor city-level cases. Divorce does not go through City Court. It goes through the 16th JDC. If you are unsure which court handles your matter, the clerk's staff at (337) 365-7282 can point you in the right direction when you call.
Filing costs in Iberia Parish run approximately $250 to $400 depending on the petition type and service requirements. If cost is a problem, ask the clerk's staff about an in forma pauperis waiver application. Fee waivers are available based on financial need, and you can ask for the form when you call or visit the office.
Louisiana Divorce Law in Iberia Parish
Louisiana gives you two main filing paths under the Civil Code. Civil Code Article 102 lets you file a petition first and then live separately for the required time before the court enters a final judgment. The separation is 180 days when you have no minor children. If minor children are involved, the period extends to 365 days. Article 103 works differently. Under that path, the separation is complete before you file. If you've already been living apart long enough to meet the requirement, Article 103 can move your case faster once it is in the 16th JDC.
Iberia Parish follows Louisiana community property law under Civil Code Article 2325. Property and debt accumulated during the marriage are treated as jointly owned by both spouses. If you and your spouse agree on how things get split, you can include that in the filing and skip extra hearings. Disagreements go to the judge. Child custody and support can run as part of the same divorce case or be addressed in separate proceedings depending on your situation.
Iberia Parish Clerk of Court Website
The official Iberia Parish Clerk of Court website at iberiaclerk.com is the right place to check office hours, record request procedures, and contact details before calling or visiting.
Since Iberia Parish has no public online case search, reviewing this site first helps you confirm what you need to bring and how to submit your request, whether by phone or in person at 300 Iberia Street.
Iberia Parish Court Records Resource
Legal Help in New Iberia
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation serves Iberia Parish and provides free civil legal help to residents who qualify based on income. Their number is (337) 237-4320. They can help with divorce petitions, custody matters, and related family law issues. If you do not qualify for free services, the Louisiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral line is available at (800) 421-5722. They connect you with private attorneys who practice in the 16th Judicial District.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free statewide guides on Louisiana divorce law that walk through the process step by step. These are useful if you plan to represent yourself. Since Iberia Parish has no online case search, it pays to get organized before you call or visit the office. Gather the full names of both parties, an approximate date the marriage ended or the divorce was filed, and any case numbers you might have. That saves time for both you and the clerk's staff.
Other Communities in Iberia Parish
New Iberia is the largest city in Iberia Parish and the parish seat. Other communities in the parish include Avery Island, Delcambre, Jeanerette, and Loreauville. All of them route their divorce cases through the same 16th JDC and the same clerk's office at 300 Iberia Street. New Iberia is the center of court activity for the entire parish, and there is one point of contact for everyone regardless of which community they live in.
Iberia Parish Divorce Records
All New Iberia divorce cases are filed in Iberia Parish. The parish Clerk of Court maintains the official records and issues certified copies. For the full parish-level guide, visit the parish page.