St. James Parish Divorce Records
St. James Parish divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Court in Convent and processed through the 23rd Judicial District Court, which covers Ascension, Assumption, and St. James Parishes. The clerk's office handles all civil filings and maintains the official record of divorce cases in the parish. The clerk's website at stjamesclerk.com provides civil filing fee information, contact details, and office information. You can also search through the eClerks LA statewide portal for case index data.
St. James Parish Quick Facts
St. James Parish Clerk of Court
The St. James Parish Clerk of Court is the official record keeper for all court cases in the parish. The office is in Convent, the parish seat. For divorce records, the clerk maintains the civil case files including the original petition, all filed documents, and the final judgment. You can reach the office by phone, use the contact form on the website, or visit in person during business hours.
| Court | 23rd Judicial District Court (Ascension, Assumption, St. James Parishes) |
|---|---|
| Address | St. James Parish Courthouse, Convent, LA |
| Phone | Contact office directly |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://www.stjamesclerk.com/ |
The St. James Parish Clerk of Court website at stjamesclerk.com is the main resource for information about the office, services, and how to access civil records in Convent.
The clerk's main page provides links to civil filing information, the contact page, and other services for the St. James Parish courthouse in Convent.
Contact the Clerk's Office
If you need to reach the St. James Parish Clerk of Court directly, the contact page on their website has the details you need. Staff can answer questions about case searches, copy requests, and filing procedures. They can also confirm what a specific record contains and what you need to bring or pay to get a copy.
The contact page at stjamesclerk.com/contact/ provides the phone number, address, and contact form for the St. James Parish Clerk of Court in Convent.
Use the contact page to find the direct phone number for the clerk's office in Convent, or to submit a written inquiry about a specific record or service.
Civil Filing Fees
The St. James Parish Clerk of Court publishes a civil filing fee schedule on their website. This is useful to check before you file a divorce petition, so you know the exact cost. Fees in Louisiana parishes vary, but the clerk's posted schedule gives you the current amounts for St. James Parish specifically.
The civil filing fees page at stjamesclerk.com/civil-filing-fees/ lists the current fees for civil case filings in St. James Parish, including divorce petitions and related motions.
Review the civil filing fee schedule before you go to the courthouse. Knowing the exact fees lets you prepare the right payment and avoids delays in getting your case filed.
Beyond the initial filing fee, you may also owe fees for citations, certified copies, and any additional motions filed later in the case. The clerk can walk you through all anticipated costs when you contact them before filing.
Filing for Divorce in St. James Parish
Divorce cases in St. James Parish are handled by the 23rd Judicial District Court. To file here, at least one spouse must be domiciled in St. James Parish. You bring the completed petition to the Clerk of Court in Convent, pay the filing fee from the published schedule, and the clerk assigns a case number. Service on the other party comes next.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 requires a separation period before the court grants the divorce: 180 days if there are no minor children, and 365 days when minor children are part of the marriage. Article 103 allows an immediate divorce if the parties were already separated for the required period before filing. An attorney or the clerk's office can help you figure out which path applies.
Louisiana is a community property state. Under Civil Code Article 2325, everything acquired during the marriage is split equally unless there is an agreement or the court orders otherwise. Separate property, which is what you owned before you got married or received as a gift or inheritance, is not community property and stays with the original owner. The 23rd JDC applies these rules in St. James Parish just as courts do across the state.
When a divorce involves children, the court must address custody, visitation, and child support. These issues can make a case more complex and drawn out. Louisiana family courts prioritize the best interests of the child. Both parents should be prepared to document their relationship with the children and their financial situation when these matters are at issue.
How to Get Divorce Records
Divorce records in St. James Parish are public records under La. R.S. 44:1. After a case is final, the judgment and case documents can be accessed by anyone. You can request copies from the clerk's office in Convent either in person or by mail. Bring or include a valid photo ID, the case number or party names, and payment for the copy fees.
Certified copies have the official seal and signature of the clerk. They are required for legal processes like name changes, remarriage, or updating government records. Plain copies cost less and work for personal reference. Know which type you need before you order so you are not charged for the wrong thing.
For mail requests, write to the Clerk of Court in Convent with the case details and enclose a check or money order for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to have the copies mailed back. Allow time for processing, especially for older cases that may be stored in physical files rather than in a digital system.
Online Search Options
For online case searches, the eClerks LA portal at eClerksLA.com may have index-level data for St. James Parish civil cases. This statewide tool lets you search by name or case number without visiting the courthouse. Results show basic case information but not the full documents. Use it as a first step to confirm whether a case exists before contacting the clerk's office.
Legal Help in St. James Parish
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income residents in St. James Parish and the surrounding area. You can reach them at (504) 529-1000. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and domestic matters. The Louisiana State Bar Association also maintains a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a private family law attorney serving the River Parishes area.
Nearby Parishes
St. James Parish sits along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Ascension Parish is to the west and shares the 23rd Judicial District. Assumption Parish also shares the 23rd JDC. St. John the Baptist Parish is to the east along the river.