Lafayette Parish Divorce Records
Lafayette Parish divorce records are public documents maintained by the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court and are available to anyone who requests them. This page covers how to find those records, what they contain, and how the local court system handles family law cases.
Lafayette Parish Quick Facts
Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court is located at P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502, with a main phone number of (337) 291-6400. People must approach the clerk's family department to obtain Lafayette Parish marriage records, which include certified copies of divorce decrees and copies of case records generated during divorce proceedings. The office has marriage records going back to 1840, which gives a sense of just how long they have been keeping these documents.
The clerk's office also manages e-filing, online record portals, and land record systems. It is one of the more active clerks' offices in the state when it comes to technology and public access.
| Court | Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502 |
| Phone | (337) 291-6400 |
| Fax | (337) 291-6392 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | lpclerk.com |
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website is a full-service resource with FAQs, forms, fee information, and online portal access.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website is your main resource for divorce record requests and online access.
The lpclerk.com site is updated regularly and is one of the better-organized clerk websites in Louisiana for public record access.
Frequently Asked Questions and Forms
The Lafayette Parish Clerk maintains a dedicated FAQ page and a forms page that can help you prepare before visiting the office or filing a request. These resources answer common questions about how to request records, what identification is needed, and what fees apply.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk FAQ page answers common questions about record requests, divorce procedures, and public access.
Review the FAQ before calling or visiting to save time and arrive prepared with the right information.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk forms page provides downloadable forms used for various civil and family court filings.
Some divorce-related forms can be downloaded directly from the forms page, which is useful if you plan to file without an attorney.
Online Records Portal
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court offers a subscription-based online records portal. The fee is $165, which includes a $100 one-time setup fee plus $65 for the first month. This portal gives remote access to civil case records, land records, and other court documents. For occasional searches, in-person or phone requests may be more cost-effective, but regular users or legal professionals may find the subscription worthwhile.
The Lafayette Parish land records online portal provides subscription access to court and land records for the parish.
Log in or create an account on the portal to access digital records for Lafayette Parish, including indexes for civil cases and property documents.
The 15th Judicial District Court
The 15th Judicial District Court covers Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion Parishes. Family law matters in Lafayette Parish are heard in Divisions H and M of the court. Matters heard on the Family Docket include suits for annulment, divorce, and separation where there are minor children born of, adopted, or legitimated by the marriage, together with all related incidental matters.
The 15th JDC website at 15thjdc.org provides information about court divisions, schedules, and self-help resources. The Lafayette Parish Courthouse also has a self-help desk for people navigating family court without an attorney.
Upon a showing of good cause, with mutual consent, hearings before the Court in divorce proceedings may be held in chambers. This is an option in some cases that allows more privacy during the proceeding.
Divorce cases that involve only the two spouses and no minor children are typically processed more quickly. Cases with children involved require compliance with parenting plan requirements and the family docket rules of the 15th JDC.
Divorce Checklist for Article 103 Cases
The 15th JDC requires a divorce checklist for all Article 103 divorces filed in Lafayette Parish. This checklist must be completed and filed along with the divorce petition. It helps the court confirm that all required documents are included and that the case is ready to proceed. Ask the clerk's family department for the checklist or download it from the clerk's forms page.
Louisiana Divorce Law
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 requires a 180-day waiting period after filing before the court can grant a final divorce judgment. That period is 365 days if there are minor children. Article 103 lets a spouse who has already lived apart for the required time file and get a faster judgment. The checklist requirement applies to Article 103 cases.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Property and debts from the marriage must be split equally. Lafayette Parish divorce files often include community property settlement agreements, partition orders, and financial disclosures. These are all part of the public record unless sealed.
Lafayette City Court
The Lafayette City Court at 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70506, phone (337) 291-8810, handles some family matters within city limits. For divorce filings specifically, the district court is the correct venue, not city court. But city court may be involved in related protective order or support matters.
Legal Aid and Bar Resources
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation serves Lafayette Parish residents who need free or low-cost legal help. Their office is at 1020 Surrey Street, Lafayette, LA 70501, phone (337) 237-4320. They assist with family law matters including divorce filings and record requests.
The Lafayette Bar Association also provides resources. Visit the Lafayette Bar Association legal forms and advice page for attorney referrals and self-help tools.
Louisiana Law Help provides free online guides, forms, and legal information for self-represented litigants in all Louisiana parishes.
Nearby Parishes
The 15th JDC serves three parishes. Nearby parishes with their own clerks include the following.
- Acadia Parish (shares the 15th JDC)
- Vermilion Parish (shares the 15th JDC)
- Iberia Parish
- St. Martin Parish
- St. Landry Parish