West Baton Rouge Parish Divorce Records
Divorce records in West Baton Rouge Parish are filed with the Clerk of Court in Port Allen and maintained under the 18th Judicial District Court, which covers Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge Parishes. Documents filed with the clerk become part of the official public record and are available for inspection under Louisiana law. The civil search tool moved to a new platform in June 2024, so read the access instructions below before searching online.
West Baton Rouge Parish Quick Facts
Clerk of Court Office
The West Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court is located at 850 8th Street in Port Allen. This office holds all civil filings, including divorce cases, probate matters, and civil suits for the parish. Records date to the time Louisiana became a state, and many have been digitized. The clerk can be contacted by phone at (225) 383-0378 or by fax at (225) 383-3694.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 850 8th Street, Port Allen, LA 70767 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 107, Port Allen, LA 70767 |
| Phone | (225) 383-0378 |
| Fax | (225) 383-3694 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
You may contact the Clerk of Court at (225) 383-0378 if requesting information on public records not currently available electronically. For records not yet in the online system, a phone call or in-person visit is the best route.
The West Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court website provides access to office services, contact information, and links to online record search tools.
The clerk's site at wbrclerk.org covers fee schedules, available services, and contact details for the Port Allen office.
Public Records and Civil Filings
Documents filed with the Clerk of Court become part of the official records of the parish. These records, with few exceptions, are available to the public for viewing. The records date to the time Louisiana became a state, and many have been digitized. This makes West Baton Rouge Parish a strong source for historical research as well as current record lookups.
The civil department receives and maintains documents filed in civil suits and probates. Civil suits include those for damages, divorces, monies due, child support cases, property disputes, and numerous other actions. Divorce cases are part of the civil filing system and are indexed alongside other civil matters in the clerk's records.
The West Baton Rouge Parish public records page details what documents are available, how to request them, and what fees apply for copies and certified documents.
The public records page at wbrclerk.org/services/public-records/ explains the scope of records held by the clerk and how members of the public can access them.
Civil Search: Important 2024 Update
As of June 19, 2024, Civil Search has been moved to clerkconnect.com/login. Civil images will not be updated after June 19, 2024 on the old system. Anyone using the prior online search tool will need to switch to Clerk Connect for current records.
If you need help with the transition, contact Amanda.gross@wbrclerk.org. She can assist with transferring access or answering questions about the new platform. This is the main online search tool for West Baton Rouge civil records, including divorce cases, going forward.
Clerk Connect provides the official online civil record search for West Baton Rouge Parish following the June 2024 system migration.
Log in at clerkconnect.com/login to search West Baton Rouge Parish civil records, including divorce case filings, under the updated platform that replaced the old system in mid-2024.
The statewide eClerks LA portal also covers West Baton Rouge Parish and is a free alternative for basic case lookups without creating an account on Clerk Connect.
Copy Fees
The West Baton Rouge Clerk of Court charges the following fees for record copies:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copy | $1.00 per page |
| Conformed/stamped copy | $3.00 per document |
| Faxed copy (first page) | $5.00 |
| Faxed copy (each additional page) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document |
| New suit petition filing fee | $325.00 |
These fees are set by Louisiana law and apply to all record requests at the West Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the clerk's office. Do not send cash by mail.
18th Judicial District Court
West Baton Rouge Parish is part of the 18th Judicial District Court, which also covers Iberville and Pointe Coupee Parishes. All divorce filings in West Baton Rouge Parish go through this district court. Judges hear civil matters including divorce, child custody, child support, and property division for all three parishes in the district.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 governs divorce timelines. Without minor children, the waiting period after filing is 180 days. With minor children, it extends to 365 days. Article 103 allows for an earlier divorce if the parties have already been separated for the required time or if other specific grounds exist such as domestic abuse.
Community property rules under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 apply to all property acquired during the marriage. Property settlements from a divorce may appear in both the civil case file and the conveyance records at the same clerk's office. Both are public records.
How to Request Divorce Records
To get a West Baton Rouge Parish divorce record, you need the names of both parties and an approximate year. Here are your options:
In Person
Visit 850 8th Street in Port Allen between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM on any weekday. Bring a photo ID. Tell staff the names and date. Pay at the counter. Paper copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus the per-page fee.
By Mail
Send a written request to P.O. Box 107, Port Allen, LA 70767. Include both party names, approximate divorce year, return address, and payment by check or money order. Call (225) 383-0378 first to confirm the fee and any specific requirements for the request.
Online
Louisiana Public Records Law
Divorce records in West Baton Rouge Parish are public under La. R.S. 44:1. Any person can request access. The clerk cannot deny a lawful request without a legal basis. Fees are fixed by state law. Sealed records are the exception, not the rule. Standard divorce petitions and final decrees are open to the public.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941 requires at least one spouse to be domiciled in Louisiana to file for divorce in the state. Filing in West Baton Rouge Parish requires domicile in that parish at the time of filing.
Legal Help in West Baton Rouge Parish
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services serves West Baton Rouge Parish residents who cannot afford a private attorney. Call (225) 448-0080 to learn about eligibility and services. They can assist with divorce petitions, custody filings, and protective orders at no cost to qualifying individuals.
Louisiana Law Help offers free online guides on Louisiana divorce procedure, including how to fill out forms, how to serve the other party, and what to expect at the final hearing. It is a strong starting point for self-represented parties.
Nearby Parishes
West Baton Rouge Parish sits directly across the Mississippi River from East Baton Rouge. See Iberville Parish to the south, which shares the 18th Judicial District, and Pointe Coupee Parish to the north for nearby record offices. Each parish has its own clerk of court and civil record system.