Acadia Parish Divorce Records Search

Searching divorce records in Acadia Parish means working with the Clerk of Court in Crowley, which has kept civil court filings for this parish since the late 1800s. The office handles cases filed through the 15th Judicial District Court and gives public access to divorce records under La. R.S. 44:1, the Louisiana Public Records Law.

Acadia Parish Clerk of Court

The Acadia Parish Clerk of Court sits at 510 Vine Street in Crowley and serves as the official keeper of divorce records for the parish. According to the clerk's own site, "The Clerk of Court's office maintains various court records in Acadia Parish, including marriage licenses, UCC filings, civil court records, criminal court records, probate records, and mortgage records." Divorce cases are part of the civil court record set. Staff can pull filed petitions, judgments, and related case documents. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach them at (337) 788-8881.

Divorce records go back to 1893. That gives researchers over a century of filings to work through when tracing family history or confirming the status of a prior marriage. The clerk's research portal and the statewide eClerks LA system both allow online access, which cuts down on trips to Crowley for many common searches.

The main clerk website is at acadiaparishclerk.com. That page lists the services the office provides and gives directions to the courthouse. The research page is at acadiaparishclerk.com/research-records/ and walks through how to search records from a computer.

The Acadia Parish Clerk of Court office in Crowley is the starting point for anyone who needs certified copies of a divorce judgment or wants to confirm a case was filed. The office can guide you through the process of requesting records in person or by mail.

The clerk's main page lists all record types maintained by the office, including civil cases such as divorce filings.

Online Search Options

Acadia Parish offers two main ways to search divorce records online. The first is the clerk's own research portal at acadiaparishclerk.com/research-records/. The second is the statewide eClerks LA portal, which aggregates civil, land, and marriage records from participating parishes across Louisiana.

Using the research portal, you can search by party name or case number to locate divorce filings without visiting the courthouse in person.

eClerks LA is free to use for basic searches and lets you see case index information from multiple parishes in one place. If you know the case number or the full names of both parties, a name search usually turns up results quickly. More detail, including full documents, may require a visit to the clerk's office or a request by mail.

Note: Online records may not include sealed filings or cases involving minor children where access has been restricted by court order.

The 15th Judicial District Court

Divorce cases in Acadia Parish are filed in the 15th Judicial District Court. The 15th JDC serves Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion Parishes. The court follows Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, which requires a 180-day separation period before a divorce can be finalized when no minor children are involved. If the couple has minor children, Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 extends that waiting period to 365 days.

If the required separation period has already passed, a spouse can file under Louisiana Civil Code Article 103, which allows for a more immediate divorce without waiting for an additional period after filing. Many uncontested divorces in Acadia Parish move through this route. The petition is filed with the Acadia Parish Clerk of Court, and the judge assigned to the case signs the final judgment once all procedural requirements are met.

At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana to file here. This is set out in Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. The clerk's office can confirm which division a case has been assigned to after filing.

Contact Page and Office Details

The contact page for the Acadia Parish Clerk of Court includes the mailing address, phone number, and directions to the office at 510 Vine Street, Crowley, LA 70526. If you plan to visit in person to search divorce records, check the hours before going. The office closes at 4:30 PM on weekdays.

The contact page also lists the phone number (337) 788-8881 and gives details on how to submit requests by mail for those who cannot visit the office.

Mail requests typically include a written request letter, the names of both parties, an approximate filing year if known, and a check or money order for any applicable copy fees. Contact the office directly to confirm the current fee schedule before sending payment. Fees are set under La. R.S. 13:841, which gives clerks authority to charge for copies and certifications.

Community Property and Divorce in Acadia Parish

Louisiana is a community property state. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325, property acquired during a marriage is generally split equally between spouses when a divorce is finalized. This applies to divorces filed in Acadia Parish just as it does elsewhere in the state. The community property regime ends at the time the divorce petition is served or at a date agreed upon by the parties, subject to court approval.

Disputes over property can extend the time it takes to close a case. Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on asset division tend to move faster. The Acadia Parish Clerk can provide copies of property settlement agreements that are filed as part of a divorce case.

Legal Help in Acadia Parish

People who need help with a divorce case in Acadia Parish have access to free legal services through Acadiana Legal Service Corporation. Their phone number is (337) 237-4320. ALSC serves low-income residents in the Acadiana region and can help with uncontested divorce filings, explain the steps involved, and assist with court forms.

Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org also provides guides for people handling divorce cases without an attorney. The site covers topics like how to file, what documents to prepare, and what to expect at each stage. The Louisiana State Bar can be reached at (800) 421-5722 for attorney referrals if you need representation.

If you are not sure whether you qualify for free legal help, contact ALSC first. They can do an intake screening and let you know what services are available based on your income.

Acadia Parish Nearby

Acadia Parish shares the 15th Judicial District with Lafayette Parish to the east and Vermilion Parish to the south. Residents of these parishes use the same district court system. St. Landry Parish sits to the north and has its own clerk and judicial district for divorce filings.