Houma Divorce Decree Search
Houma divorce decree records are kept at the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. Houma is the parish seat, so the clerk's office is right in the city. All divorce cases filed in the 32nd Judicial District Court are part of the public record, and the clerk can give out certified copies when you need one. The city of Houma does not maintain its own divorce records. The parish clerk is the only office with those files.
Houma Quick Facts
Where to Get Houma Divorce Decree Records
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court is the only office that holds divorce decree records for Houma. Jodie P. Burton serves as the clerk. Her office is located on Main Street in Houma and is open Monday through Friday. The clerk handles in-person visits, mail requests, and electronic filings for civil cases.
One important fact: the Louisiana Vital Records Registry cannot issue certified copies of divorce decrees. The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court is the sole authority for certified divorce decrees for divorces granted in the 32nd Judicial District Court. Do not contact LDH for a certified decree. Contact the clerk's office instead.
Visit the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court website at terrebonneclerk.org for current information on hours, services, and online tools.
| Court | Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 7856 Main St Houma, LA 70360 |
| Mailing | PO Box 1569, Houma, LA 70361-1569 |
| Phone | (985) 868-5660 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | terrebonneclerk.org |
Bring a valid photo ID when you come in. The clerk's staff can look up your case by name or case number and help you order the right type of copy.
How to Search Houma Divorce Decree Records
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court has e-filing and online access tools. Civil e-filing and criminal e-filing are both available through the clerk's system. For searching existing records, you can use the statewide Louisiana Clerks portal to find cases at no charge.
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk website provides contact details, office hours, and links to online record search tools for Houma divorce cases.
The clerk's site covers all divisions including civil records where divorce decrees are stored. Use this site to start your search or to contact the office directly.
You can also search through the statewide eClerks LA portal, which provides free index-level access to civil records from all Louisiana parishes. This is a good option if you want to check whether a case exists before visiting in person.
The eClerks portal gives you name-level search results. Full document access and certified copies require contacting the Terrebonne clerk directly.
When searching, have the following ready if you can:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate year the divorce was filed or finalized
- Case number, if you already know it
In-person searches at the Main Street office let you view case files. The clerk's staff can make copies on site. Call ahead to confirm what you need to bring and what payment forms are accepted.
Terrebonne Parish Divorce Decree Fees
Fees at the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court are set by state law. Current standard rates include $15 for a records search, $1 per page for plain copies, and a certification fee of $5 plus $1 per page for certified copies. These fees can change, so confirm before you send payment.
If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree for court, immigration, or name change purposes, plan to pay both the per-page copy fee and the certification charge. Plain copies work fine for many everyday needs but are not accepted in most legal proceedings.
To request by mail, send a written request with the names and approximate date, a check or money order for the estimated fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (985) 868-5660 first to confirm the total cost.
How Divorce Filing Works in Houma
Houma residents file for divorce at the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court on Main Street. You bring your petition, pay the filing fee, and the clerk opens your case file. You must then serve your spouse with the papers through the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff or a licensed process server.
Louisiana requires domicile in the state for at least one spouse. This is covered by Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941. If you live in Houma, you meet this requirement and can file in Terrebonne Parish.
After filing, a waiting period applies before the judge can grant the final decree. Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 sets this at 180 days if there are no minor children, or 365 days if minor children are involved. The clock starts when you properly serve your spouse. Article 103 allows an immediate divorce when spouses have already lived apart for the required time or in cases of fault such as adultery, physical abuse, or a felony conviction.
Louisiana is a community property state under Article 2325. Property gained during the marriage is split equally unless you have a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Once the judge signs the decree, it is a public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Houma
People sometimes mix up these two documents. They are not the same, and they come from different offices.
The divorce decree is the full court order. It includes all terms the judge approved: property division, custody, support, and the order ending the marriage. You get it from the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. This is what most legal matters require.
A divorce certificate is a short document from the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records Registry. It shows the names, date, and parish of the divorce. It costs $9 per copy from LDH. A certificate does not contain decree terms. As stated above, LDH cannot issue a certified divorce decree. Only the Terrebonne Parish Clerk can do that for cases filed in the 32nd JDC.
Legal Help for Houma Divorce Cases
Several resources can help Houma residents with divorce. Acadiana Legal Service Corporation covers Terrebonne Parish and offers free legal help to those who qualify by income. They handle family law including divorce cases.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org is free for anyone. The site has step-by-step guides, court forms, and plain-language explanations of Louisiana divorce law. It covers how to get copies of a divorce decree as well as how to file if you don't have a lawyer.
Call 211 to reach local social services and legal aid in the Houma area. The Louisiana State Bar Association has a statewide referral program if you need a paid attorney.
Filing for Divorce in Houma Without a Lawyer
Pro se divorce is possible in Houma. It works well when both parties agree and there are no complex disputes. The Terrebonne clerk's office can give you a list of required forms. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right paperwork.
Louisiana Law Help covers the full filing process from start to finish. Once your case is filed, you can track it through the eClerks LA portal. If children are in the case, you need child support worksheets and additional forms. The clerk can tell you which ones apply to your situation.
Terrebonne Parish Divorce Decree Records
Houma is the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish. All divorce filings for Houma residents go through the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. For more on the parish court system, full fee schedules, and related records, visit the Terrebonne Parish divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Louisiana cities also file divorce cases at their parish courthouses.