Access Pointe Coupee Parish Divorce Records
Divorce records in Pointe Coupee Parish are filed with the Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court in New Roads and maintained through the 18th Judicial District Court, which serves Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge Parishes. This page explains how to search for those records, what the filing process involves, and where residents can find legal help.
Pointe Coupee Parish Quick Facts
Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court
The Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court is located in New Roads and serves as the official keeper of all civil court records in the parish. This includes all divorce filings, case records, and final judgments issued through the 18th Judicial District Court. The 18th JDC covers three parishes: Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge.
| Court | 18th Judicial District Court (Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge Parishes) |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court |
| Location | New Roads, LA |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://pcparish.org/ |
The clerk's office is responsible for docketing all new filings, assigning case numbers, maintaining case files throughout the proceeding, and issuing certified copies of court documents after the case is closed. All divorce-related documents, including petitions, answers, motions, and final judgments, are kept by the clerk's office.
Louisiana's Public Records Law at La. R.S. 44:1 provides the public with the right to inspect and copy court records, including divorce records. The clerk's office must provide access to these records during normal business hours. Some documents may have restricted access if they involve minor children or if the court has ordered a record sealed, but the general divorce file is open to the public.
The Pointe Coupee Parish main website at https://pcparish.org/ provides information about parish offices and services, including the clerk of court.
The parish website provides contact information for the clerk's office and other local government offices that may be relevant when researching or filing divorce records in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Searching Divorce Records Online
Online access to Pointe Coupee Parish civil records is available through the eClerks LA statewide portal at http://www.eClerksLA.com. This free portal allows you to search by party name or case number. It covers many Louisiana parishes and is a good first step when you are not sure of the case details.
Online records for Pointe Coupee Parish are also accessible through various court record search portals that compile Louisiana court data.
Online records search information for Pointe Coupee Parish civil cases, including divorce records, is available through records information portals that aggregate Louisiana court data.
These online tools can help you confirm whether a case exists and find the case number before you contact the clerk's office or make a trip to New Roads.
Filing for Divorce in Pointe Coupee Parish
To file for divorce in Pointe Coupee Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. If one or both spouses live in Pointe Coupee Parish, you file with the Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court in New Roads. The clerk will docket the petition and assign a case number at the time of filing.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 applies to most divorce filings. The petitioner files the petition and then serves the other spouse. The 180-day waiting period runs from the date of service. If the couple has minor children, the waiting period is 365 days. After the period ends, either party can file a rule to show cause to get the final judgment of divorce.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 103 allows for a quicker divorce when the parties have already been living apart for the required period. If the spouses were separated for 180 days (or 365 days with children) before filing, the court can grant the divorce without the additional waiting period. Article 103 also covers cases based on adultery or felony conviction.
Louisiana is a community property state under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325. Property and debts acquired during the marriage are generally owned jointly by both spouses. Division of community property is addressed in the divorce proceeding. If the parties agree on the division, a written community property settlement can be submitted to the court. If they disagree, the court can order a partition of community property through a separate proceeding.
Filing fees for divorce in Pointe Coupee Parish follow Louisiana standard guidelines. The clerk's office can tell you the current fee schedule when you call or visit. It is a good idea to confirm the required forms and fees before making the trip to New Roads.
Requesting Certified Copies
If you need a certified copy of a Pointe Coupee Parish divorce judgment or decree, you can request it in person or by mail. In-person requests are handled the same day in most cases. Mail requests take longer, usually one to two weeks.
To make a request, provide the names of both parties, the year the case was filed, and the case number if you have it. Certified copies carry a per-page fee. Uncertified copies cost less. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current rates before submitting your request.
You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy of a divorce record. All divorce records are public under La. R.S. 44:1 unless they have been sealed by court order. If the record you are looking for involves minor children, certain documents within the file may have restricted access. The clerk's office will let you know what is available for a specific case.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
Pointe Coupee Parish residents who need help with a divorce case and cannot afford an attorney can contact Southeast Louisiana Legal Services at (225) 448-0080. They provide free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents and handle cases involving divorce, custody, child support, and related family law matters.
The Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator at www.louisianalegalnavigator.org can help you find legal aid programs and self-help resources in Pointe Coupee Parish. Enter your location and legal issue to get a list of available services.
Louisiana Law Help at https://louisianalawhelp.org/ provides free legal information on the divorce process in Louisiana. The site includes step-by-step guides, forms, and explanations of Louisiana family law that are written in plain language for people who are not attorneys.
The 18th Judicial District Court may have self-help resources available at the courthouse as well. Call the clerk's office to ask about any self-represented litigant resources before your visit. Self-help centers can assist with forms and procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice.
The 18th Judicial District
The 18th Judicial District Court covers three parishes: Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge. Each parish has its own clerk of court who maintains records for that parish. If you are not sure which parish handled a specific case, the eClerks LA portal at http://www.eClerksLA.com can help you search across all three parishes at once.
Cases from Pointe Coupee Parish go through the New Roads courthouse. Cases from Iberville Parish go through Plaquemine. Cases from West Baton Rouge Parish go through Port Allen. If you are searching for an old divorce case and are not sure which parish it was filed in, checking all three clerks' offices may be necessary.
Louisiana law gives each clerk of court the authority to maintain records, issue copies, and collect fees independently. Fee amounts and office procedures may vary slightly between the three parishes in the 18th JDC. Call each office individually to confirm their specific procedures and rates.
Nearby Pointe Coupee Parish Resources
Pointe Coupee Parish shares the 18th Judicial District with Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes. For records from neighboring jurisdictions, the links below can help.