Shreveport Divorce Records Search
Divorce records for Shreveport are held by the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court at the Caddo Parish Courthouse on Texas Street. The 1st Judicial District Court handles all divorce cases filed in Shreveport and Caddo Parish. This page explains how to find, request, and file divorce records in Shreveport.
Shreveport Quick Facts
Where to File and Get Records in Shreveport
All divorce cases in Shreveport go through the 1st Judicial District Court, housed at the Caddo Parish Courthouse. The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court manages all records from the same building. This is the one-stop location for filing, searching, and requesting copies of divorce records in this city.
The Clerk's office describes its scope clearly: "The Clerk's Office keeps the records for Caddo Parish, including Mortgages, Conveyances, Marriage Licenses, Civil Suits, Criminal Cases, and Minutes for the First Judicial District Court. We are also responsible for training election commissioners and tabulating election results for the parish. The Clerk's Office also draws juries for Court."
Note that the Shreveport City Court handles only municipal matters -- misdemeanors, traffic, and small civil claims. It does not have jurisdiction over divorce. All divorce cases go to the 1st Judicial District Court.
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court
| Court | 1st Judicial District Court / Caddo Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 Texas Street, Room 103, Shreveport, LA 71101 |
| Phone | (318) 226-6500 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | http://www.caddoclerk.com |
The Marriage Department, which also handles related vital records, can be reached at (318) 226-6789 or by email at marriage@caddoclerk.com. For divorce-specific record requests, contact the main line at (318) 226-6500.
Searching Shreveport Divorce Records
The Caddo Clerk offers online record access through Clerk Connect. You can search at clerkconnect.com/recordSearch/caddo. This tool lets you look up civil cases by party name or case number. Divorce records are classified under civil filings in the 1st Judicial District Court.
The portal from the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court shows the range of records maintained at the courthouse, including civil suits and marriage licenses going back many decades. The screenshot below shows the Clerk's main interface for public access.
The Caddo Clerk's online system allows searches by party name, case number, or filing date for divorce and other civil cases filed in Shreveport.
As the Clerk's office notes, Shreveport divorce records are also part of the statewide Louisiana Divorce Index: "Divorce Records searches reveal divorce papers filed in Shreveport Courts and divorce certificates. The state of Louisiana also maintains an index, known as the Louisiana Divorce Index, which is available for public record searches of Divorce filings."
In-person research is also an option. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow free record searches during business hours.
Requesting Certified Copies
Certified copies of divorce judgments are available from the Caddo Clerk of Court at 501 Texas Street, Room 103. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through the online system for documents that have been digitized.
Current fees: marriage license copies run $6.55; criminal background searches cost $20. Contact the Clerk directly for current divorce record copy fees, as these can vary based on document length and certification requirements.
Mail requests should include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a check or money order for estimated fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents.
The image below is from a Shreveport public records resource showing how divorce document requests are handled through local courts. Visit shreveportla.gov/1063/Public-Records-Request for the city's general public records request process.
While the city's public records request form covers municipal documents, divorce case records specifically are requested through the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court.
Filing for Divorce in Shreveport
To file for divorce in Shreveport, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Caddo Parish under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. Establishing domicile means more than just living here -- it requires an intent to remain and make Caddo Parish your home.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 allows filing before the separation period is complete. Once the petition is served, you wait 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children present) before the court can grant the final judgment. Article 103 allows an immediate divorce if the required separation has already occurred before filing.
The petition is filed at the Clerk of Court's office at 501 Texas Street, Room 103. The Clerk notes regarding service: "In all such suits the plaintiff's original petition shall be served by the Sheriff, unless, after suit is filed, the defendant or an attorney appointed to represent him shall personally waive citation before a Deputy Clerk of this Court or a Notary Public other than the attorney for the plaintiff."
After filing, the case is assigned to one of the district court's divisions. The court will schedule any required hearings. For uncontested cases, the process can be relatively straightforward once the waiting period has passed.
Shreveport City Court: What It Does Not Handle
The Shreveport City Court at 1244 Texas Avenue handles only municipal-level matters: traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small civil claims. It does not hear divorce cases. The Clerk's website is explicit: "Only records pertaining to the City Court are handled by these individuals. Please submit all public records requests to the appropriate person."
If you need divorce records, you must contact the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court at (318) 226-6500, not the City Court. This is a common point of confusion for Shreveport residents.
Louisiana Law and Divorce
Louisiana is a community property state. Civil Code Article 2325 governs how assets and debts acquired during marriage are divided. Most marital property is split equally unless the spouses agree otherwise or a court finds reason to depart from equal division.
The Public Records Law at La. R.S. 44:1 makes finalized divorce records open to the public. Case files, petitions, and judgments are generally accessible unless sealed by court order. Matters involving minor children may have restricted access for certain documents.
For legal information and self-help resources, Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org provides guides on divorce procedures, forms, and what to expect in court.
Legal Help in Shreveport
Northwest Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents of Shreveport and the surrounding region. Call (318) 222-7186 to find out if you qualify. They handle family law matters including divorce.
For a private attorney referral, the Louisiana State Bar Association's referral service can connect you with family law attorneys in the Shreveport area. The Shreveport Bar Association also maintains a local referral list.
The 1st Judicial District Court does not have a formal self-help center, but the Clerk's office can provide procedural guidance on filing requirements and forms.
Caddo Parish Divorce Records
Shreveport divorce cases are filed in Caddo Parish. The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court holds all case records and issues certified copies of divorce judgments. Visit the parish page for the complete guide to Caddo Parish divorce records.