Search Madison Parish Divorce Records
Madison Parish divorce records are filed and maintained by the Madison Parish Clerk of Court in Tallulah, Louisiana, through the 6th Judicial District Court. The clerk's office holds civil and court records dating back to 1839, making it one of the older record collections in the state. This page covers how to search those records, what the office holds, and how to get copies.
Madison Parish Quick Facts
Madison Parish Clerk of Court
Hon. Marion Hopkins serves as the Madison Parish Clerk of Court. The office is located at 100 N. Cedar Street in Tallulah and also accepts mail at P.O. Box 1710, Tallulah, LA 71282. The clerk's office is responsible for maintaining all civil records generated by the 6th Judicial District Court, which covers East Carroll, Madison, and West Carroll Parishes.
| Court | 6th Judicial District Court (East Carroll, Madison, West Carroll Parishes) |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Marion Hopkins |
| Address | 100 N. Cedar Street, Tallulah, LA 71282 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 1710, Tallulah, LA 71282 |
| Phone | (318) 574-0655 |
| Fax | (318) 574-3961 |
| mpcofc@bellsouth.net or mhopkins@madisonparishclerk.com | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://madisonparishclerk.com/ |
The 6th Judicial District Court is administered from the Madison Parish Courthouse at 100 North Cedar Street in Tallulah. Court administrative matters can be directed to Sandra Bishop at (318) 574-2635. All divorce filings for Madison Parish are processed through this location.
The clerk's office carries out a wide range of duties. As described in official parish records, these include "land records processing and recording, UCC documents, civil and criminal court proceedings, marriage licenses, various legal documents." Divorce case records fall under the civil court proceedings category. The clerk also supervises all parish elections and election equipment.
The Madison Parish government website also has information about the clerk's office and can be accessed at https://www.madisonparish.org/elected-officials/clerk-court/. This page lists contact details and a summary of the clerk's responsibilities.
The parish government page for the clerk's office at https://www.madisonparish.org/elected-officials/clerk-court/ provides an overview of the Clerk of Court role and contact information for residents.
The parish website confirms the clerk's office contact details and role in maintaining official records for Madison Parish.
Historical Records and What the Office Holds
Madison Parish has an extensive record archive. According to the clerk's office, it holds "marriage records from 1866, divorce and land records from 1839, probate records from 1850 and court records from 1882." This is a long historical span, and researchers looking for older divorce records will find Madison Parish one of the better-documented parishes in northern Louisiana.
Divorce records from the 1800s and early 1900s are particularly useful for genealogy research. The clerk's office can help you identify whether a specific record exists and what it contains. Older records may be in microfilm format, so be prepared for some variation in access methods depending on the age of the record you need.
For more recent records, the clerk's office maintains digital records that can be accessed through the online records portal. The online records system is available through the clerk's website at https://madisonparishclerk.com/online-records/. Through this portal, you can search civil records by name or case number. Not all document images may be available online, but case index data is generally accessible.
Louisiana's Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, makes most court records public. The clerk must provide access to these records during normal business hours. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy, though some sealed documents or records involving children may have restrictions.
Searching Divorce Records Online
Madison Parish offers online record access through the clerk's website. The online records page at https://madisonparishclerk.com/online-records/ allows residents to search civil court records from a computer. This can save a trip to the courthouse for basic case lookups or index searches.
You can also use eClerks LA, a statewide portal that aggregates court records from Louisiana parishes. eClerks LA lets you search by party name or case number and can return results from multiple parishes. It is free to use and useful when you are not sure which parish handled a specific case.
The eClerks LA statewide portal, available at http://www.eClerksLA.com, provides a central search tool for divorce and civil records across Louisiana parishes.
Using eClerks LA, you can run a statewide search if you are unsure which parish holds the record, or if a case may have been filed in an adjacent jurisdiction like East Carroll or West Carroll Parish.
Filing for Divorce in Madison Parish
To file for divorce in Madison Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. If both or one spouse lives in Madison Parish, the petition is filed with the Madison Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk assigns a case number and stamps the petition at the time of filing.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 governs most divorce filings. Under Article 102, the petitioner files a petition and then serves the other spouse. A waiting period of 180 days applies from the date of service. If the couple has minor children, the waiting period extends to 365 days. Once the waiting period is over, either party can move forward with a rule to show cause to get the final judgment of divorce.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 103 provides an alternative path. Under Article 103, the divorce can be granted right away if the parties have already been living apart for the required period before filing. For couples without minor children, this is 180 days. For couples with minor children, it is 365 days. Article 103 also covers situations involving adultery or felony convictions.
Because Louisiana is a community property state under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325, most assets and debts from the marriage are considered jointly owned. The divorce proceeding must address how community property will be divided unless the parties settle the issue by agreement. Property acquired before the marriage or by inheritance typically remains separate property.
Filing fees vary. The clerk's office can provide the current schedule. It is best to call ahead or check the website before visiting to confirm what documents and fees are required for your specific situation.
Requesting Copies of Records
Certified copies of divorce judgments and decrees can be requested in person or by mail. In-person requests are generally handled the same day. Mail requests take longer. To make a request, you need the full names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, and ideally the case number.
Certified copies carry a per-page fee. Uncertified copies cost less. The clerk's office accepts cash, check, or money order for most requests. Contact the office by phone at (318) 574-0655 or by email at mpcofc@bellsouth.net to confirm current fees and acceptable payment methods before submitting your request.
The office also offers passport services, which may be relevant for residents who need to travel during or after a divorce proceeding. This is one of the additional services the clerk provides beyond standard court record functions.
Legal Help for Madison Parish Residents
If you need help with a divorce case and cannot afford a lawyer, several resources are available. Louisiana Law Help at https://louisianalawhelp.org/ offers free legal information and guides on divorce procedures in Louisiana. The site explains how to fill out forms, what to expect at court hearings, and how to navigate community property division.
The Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator at www.louisianalegalnavigator.org is another option. It helps people find legal aid and self-help resources based on their location and legal issue. For residents of Madison Parish, this can help identify local or regional legal aid programs that may be able to assist.
Legal Aid of North Louisiana also serves this region and can be reached at (318) 325-0773. They provide free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents and can assist with divorce-related issues including property division, custody, and protective orders.
Nearby Madison Parish Resources
Madison Parish shares the 6th Judicial District with East Carroll and West Carroll Parishes. If you need records from adjacent jurisdictions, the links below can help you find the right clerk's office.