Rapides Parish Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Rapides Parish are maintained by the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court in Alexandria through the 9th Judicial District Court. The clerk's office holds civil court records dating back to 1865, with digital records available from 1984 onward. This page covers how to search those records, what the filing process involves, and how to get copies of divorce judgments and decrees.
Rapides Parish Quick Facts
Rapides Parish Clerk of Court
Robin L. Hooter serves as the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. The office is located at 701 Murray Street Suite 102 in Alexandria, Louisiana. Mail can be sent to P.O. Drawer 952, Alexandria, LA 71309-0952. The clerk's office handles all civil matters for the 9th Judicial District Court, which covers only Rapides Parish. This gives it sole jurisdiction over all divorce cases filed in the parish.
| Court | 9th Judicial District Court (Rapides Parish) |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Robin L. Hooter |
| Address | 701 Murray Street Suite 102, Alexandria, LA 71301 |
| Mailing | P.O. Drawer 952, Alexandria, LA 71309-0952 |
| Phone | (318) 473-8153 |
| Office Fax | (318) 473-4667 |
| Civil Filing Fax | (318) 487-9361 |
| info@rapidesclerk.org | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.rapidesclerk.org/ |
| RAPID E-Search | https://rapidesclerk.org/rapidesearch.htm |
Parking for the courthouse is available in the garage entrance on Foisy Street, as well as at the corner of Washington and 8th Streets. The clerk's office is a constitutional office established by the Louisiana Constitution. As such, the clerk serves as the Recorder of Mortgages, the Clerk of the District Court, and the Election Officer of the parish. The clerk is an elected position with a four-year term.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court website at https://www.rapidesclerk.org/ provides access to office services, the RAPID E-Search tool, and contact information.
The clerk's website is the central resource for filing, searching, and accessing civil records in Rapides Parish, including the online RAPID E-Search portal for case lookups.
RAPID E-Search and Online Records
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court offers an online case search system called RAPID E-Search. This tool is available at https://rapidesclerk.org/rapidesearch.htm and lets you search civil court records by party name or case number. Digital records are available from 1984 onward. For older cases, a request to the clerk's office is required.
The RAPID E-Search portal at https://rapidesclerk.org/rapidesearch.htm provides online access to Rapides Parish civil court case records, including divorce filings and judgments from 1984 to present.
RAPID E-Search is a convenient tool for finding case numbers, checking case status, and confirming whether a divorce record exists before contacting the clerk's office in person.
In addition to the parish's own tool, records can be accessed through the Clerk Connect portal. Clerk Connect provides online access to records from Louisiana clerks of court across the state and is free for public access.
The Clerk Connect portal at https://clerkconnect.com/ provides statewide access to Louisiana court records, including Rapides Parish civil cases, for users who prefer a single interface across multiple parishes.
Using Clerk Connect, you can search Rapides Parish records alongside records from other Louisiana parishes without needing to visit multiple websites.
The eClerks LA statewide portal at http://www.eClerksLA.com is another option for statewide case searches. All three tools let you search civil records from a computer at no cost.
Historical Records and the 9th JDC
The records of Rapides Parish begin in 1865. Records before that date were destroyed in a courthouse fire during the Civil War. Since then, the clerk's office has maintained a continuous record of all civil filings, and those records are microfilmed as authorized by the Louisiana Legislature.
The 9th Judicial District Court has nine divisions (labeled A through I) plus a Hearing Officer. Divorce cases are assigned to a specific division based on the type of case and court scheduling. The self-help resources for the 9th JDC are available at 701 Murray Street in Alexandria, phone (318) 443-6893.
One notable feature of the Rapides Parish Clerk's office is its connection to the Rapides Parish Sheriff and District Attorney through a shared computer system. As noted by the clerk's office, this "combined program was designed in the interest of fiscal economy and for the benefit of the people they serve." This integration allows for more efficient tracking of civil and criminal cases across parish agencies.
The clerk is established by the Louisiana Constitution and plays a central role in parish government beyond just maintaining court records. The office records mortgages and conveyances, handles marriage licenses, and manages parish elections. All of these functions are handled under the same roof at the Murray Street location.
Filing for Divorce in Rapides Parish
To file for divorce in Rapides Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. Rapides Parish is the proper venue if one or both spouses reside there. The petition is filed with the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court at 701 Murray Street, Suite 102 in Alexandria.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 governs the standard divorce filing. After filing, the other spouse must be served. The 180-day waiting period begins on the date of service. If the couple has minor children, the waiting period extends to 365 days. After the period ends, either party can file a rule to show cause to get the final divorce judgment entered.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 103 provides an alternative path when the parties have already been living apart for the required period. If the separation was complete before the petition was filed, the divorce can be granted more quickly. Article 103 also applies to cases based on adultery or felony conviction.
Louisiana is a community property state under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325. Most property and debts acquired during the marriage are jointly owned. Division of community property is addressed in the divorce proceeding. In Rapides Parish, cases involving significant real estate, business assets, or retirement accounts can become complex. An attorney with experience in Louisiana community property law can help navigate these issues.
The clerk can provide the current filing fee schedule. Contact the office at (318) 473-8153 or email info@rapidesclerk.org before filing to confirm what documents are needed and what fees apply to your specific case type.
Requesting Copies of Records
Certified copies of Rapides Parish divorce records can be requested in person at 701 Murray Street or by mail. In-person requests are handled the same day in most cases. For mail requests, include the names of both parties, the case number if known, the approximate year of filing, the number of copies needed, and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
Certified copies carry a per-page fee. Uncertified copies cost less. Payment is typically accepted by cash, check, or money order. Call (318) 473-8153 or email info@rapidesclerk.org to confirm current rates and acceptable payment methods before submitting a mail request.
Records are public under La. R.S. 44:1. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy. Some records may have restricted access if they involve minor children or have been sealed. The clerk's office will tell you what is available for a specific case when you make your request.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
Rapides Parish residents who need legal assistance with a divorce case and cannot afford a private attorney have several options. Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provides free civil legal services to income-qualifying residents. Their Alexandria office is located at 1808 Jackson Street, Alexandria, LA 71301, and can be reached at (318) 443-7281.
The 9th JDC Self-Help Center is located at 701 Murray Street in Alexandria and can be reached at (318) 443-6893. The self-help center provides forms, guides, and basic procedural assistance for people who are representing themselves in civil court. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you understand what forms to file and how to serve the other party.
Louisiana Law Help at https://louisianalawhelp.org/ provides free legal information on the divorce process in Louisiana, including guides on how to complete forms, what to expect at hearings, and how community property is divided. The Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator at www.louisianalegalnavigator.org can help you find additional local and regional resources.
Nearby Rapides Parish Resources
Rapides Parish is the sole parish in the 9th Judicial District. For records from neighboring parishes in central Louisiana, the links below can help.