St. Helena Parish Divorce Records
St. Helena Parish divorce records are filed and maintained by the St. Helena Parish Clerk of Court in Greensburg, under the jurisdiction of the 21st Judicial District Court. The 21st JDC covers Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa Parishes. The clerk's official website was offline at research time, so contacting the office directly in Greensburg is the best way to get current information on fees, access, and available records. The eClerks LA statewide portal is also an option for initial online searches.
St. Helena Parish Quick Facts
St. Helena Parish Clerk of Court
The St. Helena Parish Clerk of Court is based in Greensburg, the parish seat. The clerk's office is the official record keeper for all civil cases in the parish, including divorce filings, final judgments, and related court documents. Because the clerk's website was unavailable at research time, calling or visiting the office in person is the most reliable way to get current information.
| Court | 21st Judicial District Court (Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa Parishes) |
|---|---|
| Address | St. Helena Parish Courthouse, Greensburg, LA |
| Phone | Contact office directly |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.sthelenaclerk.org/ (contact office if site is unavailable) |
For parish government services and contact details, the St. Helena Parish government site at sthelenaparish.la.gov may also have helpful information.
21st Judicial District Court
St. Helena Parish is one of three parishes served by the 21st Judicial District Court. The other two are Livingston and Tangipahoa. The 21st JDC handles all civil matters for St. Helena Parish, including divorce cases. Court proceedings for St. Helena Parish take place at the courthouse in Greensburg.
The 21st JDC website at 21stjdc.org provides information about the court's structure, jurisdiction, and procedures for civil cases filed in St. Helena, Livingston, and Tangipahoa Parishes.
The 21st JDC site is useful for understanding which judges preside over St. Helena Parish cases and what the court's general procedures are for divorce and other family law matters.
Since the 21st JDC spans three parishes, it is important to confirm that your case is filed in St. Helena Parish and not in Livingston or Tangipahoa. Each clerk's office keeps records for their own parish only, even though they are all under the same judicial district.
Parish Government and Additional Resources
The St. Helena Parish government site provides general information about parish services and may have contact information for the clerk's office or courthouse. If the clerk's website is down, the parish government site is a secondary source for reaching the right office.
The St. Helena Parish government website at sthelenaparish.la.gov covers parish administration, services, and contact information for offices in Greensburg.
The parish government site is a useful fallback when the clerk's direct website is unavailable and you need to find a phone number or address for the courthouse in Greensburg.
Searching Records Online
When the clerk's own website is offline, the eClerks LA statewide portal is a useful alternative for searching St. Helena Parish civil records online. You can access it at eClerksLA.com. The portal aggregates case index data from participating Louisiana parishes, which may include St. Helena Parish records depending on the parish's participation level.
Search by name or case number. If you find a match, it will show you basic case information like the filing date, case number, and party names. The portal does not provide access to the full documents. For certified copies or full file access, you still need to go through the clerk's office in Greensburg.
For the most reliable and up-to-date record access, contacting the St. Helena Parish Clerk of Court directly is always the best approach. Staff can tell you exactly what is available, what is restricted, and what it costs to get copies.
Filing for Divorce in St. Helena Parish
To file a divorce in St. Helena Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled in the parish. You file the petition at the clerk's office in Greensburg, pay the filing fees, and have the other party served. The 21st JDC then hears the case.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 sets the required waiting period before a divorce can be granted. It is 180 days with no minor children, and 365 days when minor children of the marriage are involved. Article 103 provides a faster route if the required separation already happened before filing. Check with an attorney to know which applies to you.
Louisiana is a community property state. Under Civil Code Article 2325, all property and debt acquired during the marriage is community property, owned equally by both spouses. Separate property, including what you owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, is not divided. Courts in St. Helena Parish apply these same rules as courts throughout the state.
Uncontested divorces, where both parties agree on all terms, tend to resolve faster and at lower cost. Contested cases that involve disagreements about property, custody, or support take longer and almost always benefit from legal representation. The clerk's office can help you understand the filing process, but only an attorney can advise you on legal strategy.
Getting Copies of Records
Divorce records in St. Helena Parish are public records under La. R.S. 44:1. You can request copies from the Clerk of Court in Greensburg. Bring a photo ID and payment for the copy fees. For mail requests, include the case details, your contact information, and a check for the fees. The clerk can confirm current copy fees when you call.
Certified copies are needed for legal and government purposes such as name changes or remarriage applications. Plain copies can be used for personal reference. Be specific about what you need when you make your request so the clerk can fill your order correctly.
Legal Aid Resources
Residents of St. Helena Parish who need help with a divorce case and cannot afford a lawyer can contact Southeast Louisiana Legal Services at (504) 529-1000 or the Southeastern Louisiana University Student Law Clinic if available. The Louisiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can also help you find a private attorney who handles family law in the area. Greensburg is a small community, so attorneys in Amite, Hammond, or other nearby towns may also serve St. Helena Parish clients.
Nearby Parishes
St. Helena Parish is a small, rural parish in southeast Louisiana. Tangipahoa Parish is to the west and shares the 21st Judicial District. Livingston Parish is to the southwest, also part of the 21st JDC. Washington Parish is to the north. Each has its own clerk of court in their parish seat.