East Feliciana Parish Divorce Records Search

East Feliciana Parish divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Clinton, the parish seat, and are public records under La. R.S. 44:1. The clerk handles civil filings for the 20th Judicial District, which covers both East Feliciana and West Feliciana Parishes. This page explains how to find and request divorce records through the clerk's office and available online tools.

East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court

The East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court in Clinton is the official keeper of all civil, criminal, and probate records for the parish. As the clerk's office states, "The East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court maintains all civil, criminal, and probate records for the 20th Judicial District." Divorce cases are part of the civil record set. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and can be reached through the clerk's website at eastfelicianaclerk.org.

Divorce case files in East Feliciana Parish include the original petition, any answers or counter-petitions, motions filed during the proceedings, and the final judgment of divorce. Certified copies of judgments are issued by the clerk's office with an official seal. These are accepted by courts, government agencies, and other institutions when a legal record of the divorce is required. Plain copies cost less and work for personal reference or informal purposes.

To request a record, you need to provide the full legal names of both parties and an approximate filing or judgment year if you do not have the case number. The clerk's staff will search the index and tell you what is available. Fees for copies follow the standard Louisiana schedule under La. R.S. 13:841. Contact the office by phone before visiting or mailing a request to confirm current fees and turnaround time.

The clerk's main website covers all civil record services for East Feliciana Parish, including how to request divorce case documents from the Clinton courthouse.

Public Records Requests

The East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court accepts public records requests both online and in person. According to the clerk's office, "Public records requests can be submitted through the clerk's office website or in person at the courthouse in Clinton." The online request portal is available at eastfelicianaclerk.org/public-records-requests.html. This page walks through the process of submitting a formal request for civil court documents, including divorce records.

Using the online request portal is convenient for people who cannot travel to Clinton. You fill out a request form, specify the records you need, and submit it electronically. The clerk's office will confirm receipt and provide information on fees and expected processing time. For certified copies, allow time for the clerk to pull the file, certify the copy, and return it by mail or hold it for pickup.

If you prefer to submit a request by mail, include a written description of the records needed, the full names of both parties, an approximate year, a check or money order for the estimated fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will contact you if the actual fee differs. In-person requests are also accepted during office hours and may be processed faster for straightforward lookups.

The public records request page at the East Feliciana Clerk's website gives step-by-step guidance on how to request divorce records online or by mail.

Note: For the fastest response on a public records request, use the online portal at eastfelicianaclerk.org or call the office directly before mailing a written request.

Online Search Options

East Feliciana Parish participates in the statewide eClerks LA portal, which gives online access to civil court index data from parishes across Louisiana. You can search by party name or case number at no cost for basic lookups. This is a good starting point if you want to confirm that a case was filed in East Feliciana Parish before submitting a formal records request or visiting the courthouse in Clinton.

eClerks LA covers index information such as party names, case numbers, and filing dates. Full document access may require payment or an in-person visit depending on the parish's configuration. If you find a case in the eClerks LA index and need the actual documents, use the clerk's public records request process to get certified or plain copies. The combination of an online index search followed by a formal request is usually the most efficient approach.

For older cases that may predate the electronic index, the clerk's staff can search the physical index books. East Feliciana Parish courthouse records go back many decades and cover a substantial history of civil filings. Staff can confirm whether a historical record exists and what documents remain on file.

The 20th Judicial District Court

Divorce cases in East Feliciana Parish are heard by the 20th Judicial District Court, which also covers West Feliciana Parish. The district court handles all civil and criminal matters in both parishes. When a divorce petition is filed with the East Feliciana Clerk of Court in Clinton, it is assigned to a 20th JDC judge. That judge hears the case and issues the final judgment, which is then recorded and kept by the East Feliciana clerk.

Because the 20th JDC spans two parishes, judges rotate between Clinton and St. Francisville depending on the court schedule. Records from cases filed in East Feliciana stay with the East Feliciana Clerk of Court regardless of where hearings may take place. If you are searching for a case and are not sure whether it was filed in East or West Feliciana, you can contact both clerks or use the eClerks LA portal to search both parishes at once.

Louisiana Divorce Law Overview

Louisiana provides two main options for ending a marriage. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, a spouse files a divorce petition and waits through a separation period of 180 days if there are no minor children, or 365 days if minor children are involved. After the period runs, a rule to show cause is filed and the court grants the divorce. This is the most common path in Louisiana when the couple has not yet been separated for the full required time at the moment of filing.

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 103, couples who have already been living separate and apart for the required period can seek an immediate divorce judgment without waiting through an additional period. This route tends to be faster in uncontested cases. Article 103 also covers fault-based grounds such as domestic abuse and certain criminal convictions. Either path produces a judgment of divorce that is filed with the East Feliciana Clerk of Court.

Property built up during the marriage is community property under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 and is divided equally unless the court orders otherwise. Separate property stays with the original owner. At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana to file here, as set out in Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941.

Legal Resources in East Feliciana Parish

For free general information on Louisiana divorce law, Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org offers guides, self-help forms, and plain-language explanations of the divorce process. The site is designed for people who are not attorneys and covers everything from filing the initial petition to getting the final judgment. It does not give legal advice, but it can help you understand what to expect before contacting the clerk or a lawyer.

Legal aid organizations in Louisiana offer free civil legal help to qualifying clients. If you cannot afford an attorney for a divorce matter in East Feliciana Parish, contact the nearest regional legal aid office to see if you are eligible. Income guidelines apply, and qualifying clients can get attorney assistance with paperwork, filings, and court appearances.

For paid legal help, the Louisiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral service connects individuals with licensed family law attorneys. An attorney who practices in the Feliciana area or the 20th Judicial District can advise you on your rights, handle complex issues like contested property division, and represent you in court if needed.

Nearby Parishes

East Feliciana Parish borders West Feliciana Parish to the west, East Baton Rouge Parish to the south, Livingston Parish to the southeast, and St. Helena Parish to the east. Mississippi lies to the north. Each neighboring Louisiana parish has its own Clerk of Court and maintains its own divorce records independently. If a case was filed in a neighboring parish, contact that clerk directly.