Metairie Divorce Decree Records
Metairie divorce decree records are held by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. Metairie is an unincorporated community within Jefferson Parish, which means it has no city government of its own. There is no city clerk in Metairie. All divorce cases for Metairie residents go through Jefferson Parish court, and the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court is the office that keeps those records and provides certified copies. If your divorce was filed while you lived in Metairie, your decree is at the Jefferson Parish Clerk's office.
Metairie Quick Facts
Where to Get Metairie Divorce Decree Records
Metairie residents file for divorce through the Jefferson Parish court system. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, Jon A. Gegenheimer, is the official keeper of those records. The main office mailing address is P.O. Box 10, Gretna, LA 70054. For phone inquiries about civil cases, call (504) 364-2900. Email the 24th Civil Division at 24thCivilInformation@jpclerkofcourt.us.
Divorce cases in Metairie may be heard at two different courts. The First Parish Court serves the Metairie area and can be reached at (504) 736-8391, located at 924 David Drive, Metairie. The 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna handles other domestic cases. The Domestic Commissioners Court handles domestic matters at (504) 364-3787. Call ahead to find out which court has your case.
Visit the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court at jpclerkofcourt.us to access records, find contact details, and learn about JeffNet remote access. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
| Clerk | Jon A. Gegenheimer |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 10, Gretna, LA 70054-0010 |
| Civil Phone | (504) 364-2900 |
| Civil Email | 24thCivilInformation@jpclerkofcourt.us |
| First Parish Court (Metairie) | (504) 736-8391 | 924 David Drive, Metairie |
| Domestic Court | (504) 364-3787 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | jpclerkofcourt.us |
How to Search Metairie Divorce Decree Records
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court offers JeffNet, a remote access system for searching records online. Contact the clerk's office to get a JeffNet account if you need regular online access. The system lets you search civil cases including divorce from outside the courthouse.
You can also use the free statewide eClerks LA portal to search the civil index for Jefferson Parish. This search is free and shows basic case info. It is a good place to start when you need a case number or want to confirm a case exists before contacting the clerk directly.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court at jpclerkofcourt.us provides access to civil records, contact information for each court division, and details on the JeffNet remote access service.
In-person searches at the clerk's office let you look up a case by name or case number. Staff can pull the file and make copies for you. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call ahead to confirm fees and what forms of payment are accepted.
Filing for Divorce in Metairie
Metairie residents file for divorce through the Jefferson Parish court system. Because Metairie has no city government, there is no local city court for divorce. All filings go to the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court.
Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941, you file for divorce in the parish where either spouse is domiciled. If you live in Metairie, you file in Jefferson Parish. You meet the domicile rule as long as you actually live here and consider it your home.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 sets the waiting period. If there are no minor children, the wait after filing is 180 days. With minor children, the wait is 365 days. Under Article 103, if you have already been separated long enough before filing, a court can issue the decree sooner.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. What was earned or acquired during the marriage is split equally unless a prior agreement exists. The final decree is a public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
Statewide Portal for Metairie Divorce Records
The eClerks LA statewide portal gives free index access to civil records from many Louisiana parishes. For Metairie divorce cases, this means you can search Jefferson Parish civil filings without subscribing to any paid service. The portal is a product of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association and covers records from participating parishes.
The eClerks LA portal at eclerksla.com is available to anyone. Use it to search by name and find a case number or filing date. From there, contact the Jefferson Parish Clerk to get the full file or a certified copy.
Fees for Metairie Divorce Decree Copies
Copy fees for Jefferson Parish civil records are set by the clerk's office. Plain copies typically cost $1 per page for most Louisiana clerks. Certified copies of a final divorce decree cost more. Call the clerk's civil division at (504) 364-2900 to confirm current fees before you visit or send a mail request.
The Louisiana Department of Health issues divorce certificates for $9 each. A certificate is a short document showing the names, date, and parish of the divorce. It does not include the full terms of the decree. Use a certificate only when the requesting party says a certificate is acceptable. Most legal, financial, and government agencies want the full certified decree.
If you have limited income, you can ask the court to waive filing fees by submitting an In Forma Pauperis form. A judge reviews your finances and decides if you qualify. The waiver applies to filing fees, not to copy fees for records you request later.
Legal Help for Divorce in Metairie
Metairie residents who need help with divorce cases can turn to several local and statewide resources.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free guides and forms for people who want to file for divorce without an attorney. The site walks you through each step and explains what documents you need. It also has guides on child support, property division, and getting a certified copy of your final decree.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services serves the Jefferson Parish area and handles family law cases for people who qualify based on income. The Jefferson Bar Association can connect you with a family law attorney in the area if you need paid legal help. Call 211 to find local programs and ask about income limits for free services.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Metairie
After a divorce is final in Jefferson Parish, you can get two types of documents to prove it happened. Know which one you need before you request anything.
The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It contains every condition of the divorce, including property division, custody arrangements, and support obligations. You request a certified copy from the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. This is the document that carries legal weight in most situations.
The divorce certificate comes from the Louisiana Department of Health. It is a short summary document. It shows the names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the parish. It costs $9 per certified copy. It does not have the full terms of the decree. If someone asks for proof of divorce, find out whether they need the full decree or just a certificate before you order anything.
Jefferson Parish Divorce Decree Records
Metairie is within Jefferson Parish. All divorce filings for Metairie residents go through the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. For full parish-level details on the court system, fee schedules, and related records, visit the Jefferson Parish divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Louisiana cities also file divorce cases at their respective parish courthouses.