Bossier City Divorce Decree Records

Bossier City divorce decree records are held at the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court. Bossier City is the largest city in Bossier Parish, and all divorce cases filed by residents go through the 26th Judicial District Court. The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton is the office that keeps those case files and provides certified copies of decrees. If your divorce was filed in Bossier City, the record is at the clerk's office in Benton, not at any office in Bossier City itself.

Where to Get Bossier City Divorce Decree Records

The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court is the official keeper of divorce records for all of Bossier Parish, including Bossier City. Clerk Jill M. Sessions heads the office. The address is 204 Burt Boulevard, Benton, LA 71006. This is the Bossier Parish seat, which is in Benton, not Bossier City. Note that Benton and Bossier City are separate places. The courthouse where your records are kept is in Benton.

Phone is (318) 965-2336. Email is info@bossierclerk.com. The clerk's website is at bossierclerk.com. The site has an online records portal that requires an account to use. Check the site for hours and any recent changes before you visit or call.

Bossier City sits across the Red River from Shreveport. Residents of Bossier City file in Bossier Parish, not in Caddo Parish. Do not go to the Caddo Parish Clerk in Shreveport for Bossier City records. Those are two separate parishes with separate court systems.

How to Search Bossier City Divorce Decree Records

The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court has an online records portal at bossierclerk.com. You need an account to access records through the portal. Contact the clerk's office at (318) 965-2336 or email info@bossierclerk.com to ask about setting up an account and what records are available online.

You can also search through the statewide eClerks LA portal for a free civil index search. This covers records from many Louisiana parishes and lets you find a case number or confirm a case exists without paying for a subscription. Once you have the case number, contact the Bossier Parish Clerk to request copies.

In-person searches at 204 Burt Boulevard in Benton let you look up a case by name or case number. Staff can make copies for you. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies of the final decree cost more. Call ahead to confirm current fees and hours before making the drive to Benton.

For mail requests, email info@bossierclerk.com with the names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was filed, and the type of copy you need. Include your contact information and a phone number in case the clerk has questions.

Filing for Divorce in Bossier City

Bossier City residents file for divorce at the 26th Judicial District Court through the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton. You file the petition and pay the required fee at the clerk's office. The clerk assigns a case number and places all documents in the case file.

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana. If you live in Bossier City, you are domiciled in Louisiana and file in Bossier Parish. You do not have to have lived in the parish for any set period, but you must genuinely live there.

Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 sets the waiting period after filing. No minor children: 180 days. With minor children: 365 days. Under Article 103, if both spouses have already been living apart for the required period before filing, the court can grant the divorce without the post-filing wait.

Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Property and debts from the marriage split equally unless a valid agreement exists. The final decree is public under La. R.S. 44:1.

Bossier Parish Clerk of Court

The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court at bossierclerk.com is the official source for divorce decree records for all of Bossier Parish, including Bossier City. The clerk's online portal requires an account. Contact the office to set one up if you need remote access.

The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court website shows contact details, office hours, and access to the online records portal. Check the site before you visit to confirm the office is open and to review any recent changes to fees or procedures.

Bossier City Divorce Decree Fees

The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court charges $1 per page for copies of civil records including divorce decrees. Certified copies of the final decree cost more than plain copies. Certification adds a fee per document. Call (318) 965-2336 or email info@bossierclerk.com to confirm the current certification fee before you visit or send a request.

The Louisiana Department of Health issues a short divorce certificate for $9 per certified copy. A certificate shows the names, date, and parish of the divorce but not the full terms of the judgment. Use the full decree from the clerk's office for most legal, financial, and official purposes. The certificate is only enough when the requesting party specifically says so.

If you have limited income and cannot afford to file a new divorce petition, ask the court to waive the filing fee using an In Forma Pauperis form. A judge reviews your financial situation and decides if you qualify. This waiver applies to filing fees only, not to copy fees for existing records.

Louisiana Clerks of Court Association

The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association supports the work of all parish clerks across the state. If you cannot reach the Bossier Parish Clerk directly, the association can point you in the right direction.

The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association at laclerksofcourt.org provides contact information for all parish clerks, including Bossier Parish. Use it to find phone numbers, addresses, and direct links to each parish clerk's website.

Legal Help for Bossier City Divorce Cases

Several resources are available to Bossier City residents who need help with a divorce case. Some offer free services. Others connect you with an attorney who can advise you on your specific situation.

Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free guides and forms for people who want to file for divorce without a lawyer. The site covers the entire process under Louisiana law, including the rules on community property, child support, and the waiting periods set by state law.

Northwest Louisiana Legal Services handles family law cases in the Bossier City and Shreveport area for qualifying low-income residents. The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral program if you need a paid attorney. Call 211 to find local programs and check income requirements for free services.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Bossier City

After a divorce is finalized in Bossier Parish, two types of documents can serve as proof. They are different and come from different offices.

The divorce decree is the full court order. It is signed by the judge and contains all the terms of the divorce. You get a certified copy from the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton. This is the document that carries legal weight and is required by most agencies, banks, and courts.

The divorce certificate is a short document issued by the Louisiana Department of Health. It costs $9 per certified copy. It shows the names, date, and parish of the divorce. It does not include the full terms of the judgment. Use a certificate only when the requesting party specifically accepts one. In most cases, the full decree is what you need.

Bossier Parish Divorce Decree Records

Bossier City is in Bossier Parish, and all divorce filings for city residents go through the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court. For full details on the parish court system, fees, and related records, visit the Bossier Parish divorce records page.

View Bossier Parish Divorce Decree Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby Louisiana cities also file divorce cases at their respective parish courthouses.