Access Alexandria Divorce Decree Records
Alexandria divorce decree records are kept at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. Alexandria is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, and all divorce cases filed by city residents go through the 9th Judicial District Court. The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court is the official keeper of those case files and decrees. Records at this office date back to 1865. If your divorce was filed in Alexandria, the decree is at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court, not at any city government office.
Alexandria Quick Facts
Where to Get Alexandria Divorce Decree Records
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court is the official keeper of all court records for Alexandria, including divorce decrees. Clerk Karan A. Corley heads the office. Phone is 318-473-8153. The clerk's website is at rapidesclerk.org. The office is in Alexandria, which is the parish seat of Rapides Parish.
Records at the Rapides Parish Clerk's office date back to 1865. The prior records were destroyed in a courthouse fire during the Civil War. The clerk's office started keeping records on computer in 1984. Older records may be in physical form only. When searching for older divorces, call the office first to ask what format the records are in and how to access them.
By law, records at the Rapides Parish Clerk are open to the public. Exceptions are adoptions, judicial commitments, and any records ordered sealed by the court. Divorce decrees are public records under La. R.S. 44:1 and are available to anyone who requests them, subject to copy fees.
| Clerk | Honorable Karan A. Corley |
|---|---|
| Phone | 318-473-8153 |
| Location | Alexandria, Louisiana (Rapides Parish seat) |
| Records Start | 1865 (computer records since 1984) |
| Website | rapidesclerk.org |
How to Search Alexandria Divorce Decree Records
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court offers several ways to access records. Rapid E-Search is the clerk's online records search tool. Check rapidesclerk.org for how to access it and any fees or account requirements that apply. This is the fastest way to find a case number or confirm that a case exists without going to the courthouse in person.
The clerk also offers eClerks Alert, a free land records monitoring service. For divorce decree searches, use Rapid E-Search or the statewide eClerks LA portal, which provides a free civil records index search for many Louisiana parishes including Rapides.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court at rapidesclerk.org lists access options, contact details, and updates to filing requirements. Check the site before visiting to confirm hours and what you need to bring.
In-person searches let you look up a case by name or case number. Staff can pull the file and make copies. Call 318-473-8153 before you visit to confirm current hours and fees. For records before 1984, ask whether those are available and in what format.
Important: Fax Filing Now Prohibited in Alexandria
As of January 1, 2026, fax filings are no longer accepted at the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. This change came from Louisiana Act No. 352. The rule applies to both civil and criminal matters. If you were planning to file documents by fax, you cannot do that anymore. You must file in person, by mail, or through the clerk's electronic filing system, Clerk Connect.
Clerk Connect is the clerk's e-filing system. It allows attorneys and registered users to file documents electronically. Check rapidesclerk.org for information on how to register and use Clerk Connect if you need to file documents remotely.
This change matters if you are filing any new divorce documents or motions. Do not try to fax anything to the clerk's office. It will not be accepted.
Filing for Divorce in Alexandria
Alexandria residents file for divorce at the 9th Judicial District Court through the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. You file the petition and pay the required fee. The clerk assigns a case number and keeps all documents. Remember that fax filing is now prohibited as of January 1, 2026. File in person, by mail, or through Clerk Connect.
Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana. If you live in Alexandria, you are domiciled in Louisiana and you file in Rapides Parish.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 requires a waiting period. No minor children: 180 days after filing. With minor children: 365 days. Under Article 103, if you and your spouse have already been apart for the required period before filing, the court can grant the divorce sooner.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Property and debts from the marriage split equally. The final decree is a public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
Statewide Portal for Alexandria Divorce Records
The eClerks LA portal provides free index access to civil records from many Louisiana parishes, including Rapides. If you are looking for a Monroe divorce case and want to check before contacting the clerk, start with a free name search on the portal.
The eClerks LA portal at eclerksla.com is free for index searches. Use it to find the case number, then contact the Rapides Parish Clerk at 318-473-8153 to order a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Alexandria Divorce Decree Fees
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court charges fees for copies of civil records. Plain copies typically cost $1 per page. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost more. The certification fee is added on top of the per-page rate. Call 318-473-8153 to confirm current copy and certification fees before you submit a request or visit in person.
The Louisiana Department of Health issues divorce certificates for $9 per certified copy. A certificate is a short summary document showing names, date, and parish. It does not contain the full terms of the judgment. For most legal and official purposes, the full decree from the clerk's office is the right document. Use the certificate only when the requesting party specifically accepts it.
If you have limited income and cannot pay filing fees for a new case, submit an In Forma Pauperis form to ask the court to waive those fees. The judge reviews your finances. A waiver applies to court filing fees, not copy fees for existing records.
Legal Help for Alexandria Divorce Cases
Alexandria residents have options for legal help with divorce cases. Clerk staff cannot give legal advice, so turn to outside resources if you have questions about your rights or options.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free guides and forms for people filing without a lawyer. The site covers Louisiana divorce law including the waiting periods, community property rules, child support guidelines, and how to get a certified copy of the final decree once the case is closed.
Cenla (Central Louisiana) Legal Services may handle family law cases for qualifying low-income residents in the Alexandria area. The Louisiana State Bar Association has a statewide lawyer referral service if you want to hire an attorney. Call 211 to find local legal aid programs in the Rapides Parish area and learn about income limits for free services.
Filing on Your Own in Alexandria
Some Alexandria residents file for divorce without a lawyer. This is a pro se divorce. It works best when both spouses agree on all terms and the case has no complex property or custody issues.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org provides step-by-step guides and forms for pro se filers. The Rapides Parish Clerk can tell you which forms you need and what the fees are. Staff cannot advise you on legal strategy but can answer process questions.
Remember that fax filing is now prohibited. All documents must be filed in person, by mail, or through Clerk Connect. Do not try to fax your petition or any other documents to the clerk's office after January 1, 2026. They will not be accepted.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Alexandria
After a divorce is final in Rapides Parish, you may need one of two types of documents to prove the marriage ended. They are different documents from different offices.
The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It contains all the terms: property division, custody, support, and any other conditions. You get a certified copy from the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. This is what most agencies, banks, and courts require.
The divorce certificate comes from the Louisiana Department of Health and costs $9 per certified copy. It shows the names, date, and parish of the divorce. It does not have the full terms of the judgment. Use the full decree for most official purposes. Get the certificate only when you are told a certificate is sufficient.
Rapides Parish Divorce Decree Records
Alexandria is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, and all divorce filings for city residents go through the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. For full parish-level details on the court system, fees, and related records, visit the Rapides Parish divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Louisiana cities also file divorce cases at their respective parish courthouses.