Find Divorce Decree Records in Shreveport
Shreveport divorce decree records are filed at the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court. Shreveport is the parish seat of Caddo Parish, and all divorce cases filed by city residents go through the 1st Judicial District Court, which the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court serves. The clerk keeps records of civil suits, including divorce cases, and makes certified copies available to anyone who needs them. If a divorce was filed in Shreveport, the record is at the clerk's office on Texas Street.
Shreveport Quick Facts
Where to Get Shreveport Divorce Decree Records
The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court is the official keeper of divorce records for Shreveport. The clerk's office holds records of mortgages, conveyances, marriage licenses, civil suits, criminal cases, and minutes for the 1st Judicial District Court. Divorce cases are civil suits, so they fall under the clerk's civil records. The office is located at 501 Texas Street, Room 103, in downtown Shreveport.
Visit the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court at caddoclerk.com to find contact details, subscription pricing for online access, and instructions for requesting copies. The city of Shreveport at shreveportla.gov handles city services but does not maintain divorce records. All records are at the clerk's office.
The Shreveport city website shows general city services. For divorce decree records, you need to contact the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court directly, not the city.
| Court | Caddo Parish Clerk of Court (1st Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 Texas Street, Room 103 Shreveport, LA 71101 |
| Phone | (318) 677-5341 |
| copies@caddoclerk.com | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | caddoclerk.com |
How to Search Shreveport Divorce Decree Records
You can search Caddo Parish civil records in person at the clerk's office or through a paid online subscription. The office offers web access for a fee. As of the last update, online access is priced at $20 per day, $50 per month, or $500 per year. Printed pages from the online system cost 60 cents each. These rates are set by the clerk's office, so confirm current pricing before you subscribe.
You can also search through the statewide eClerks LA portal. This free index search covers civil records from many Louisiana parishes, including Caddo. Use it to find a case number or verify a case exists before contacting the clerk's office for a certified copy.
In-person searches at the Texas Street office let you look up cases by name or case number. Staff can pull the file and make copies. Email copies@caddoclerk.com if you want to request copies by mail rather than in person. Include the case number, names of both parties, and the year the case was filed if you know it.
Civil e-filing is now available through the Caddo clerk's office. If you are an attorney filing a new case, ask the clerk's office about the e-filing system. UCCs can also be filed online.
Filing for Divorce in Shreveport
Shreveport residents file for divorce at the 1st Judicial District Court through the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court. You start by filing a petition for divorce and paying the required filing fee. 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 Shreveport, you file in Caddo Parish. You do not have to wait a set time before filing, but the waiting period starts after you file.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 sets the waiting period. With no minor children, you wait 180 days after filing. With minor children, the wait is 365 days. If both spouses have already been separated long enough, Article 103 lets the court grant a divorce without the waiting period.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Property and debts from the marriage are split equally unless a valid agreement says otherwise. The final decree is a public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court Records
The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court maintains civil records for the 1st Judicial District Court, which covers all of Caddo Parish including Shreveport.
The clerk's office at caddoclerk.com gives details on how to access records, subscribe to the online system, and request copies by email or in person. Check the site for any fee updates before you visit or send a payment.
Shreveport Divorce Decree Fees
The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court sets copy fees for records. Plain copies from the online system cost 60 cents per printed page. In-person copy fees may differ. Call the office at (318) 677-5341 or email copies@caddoclerk.com to confirm current fees before you submit a request.
Certified copies of a divorce decree cost more than plain copies. Certification adds a fee on top of the per-page rate. If you only need to show that a divorce took place, a divorce certificate from the Louisiana Department of Health costs $9 per certified copy. Most legal and financial institutions ask for the full decree, not the certificate.
If you cannot afford court fees, you can file an In Forma Pauperis form to ask the court to waive filing fees. The judge reviews your income and decides whether you qualify. This covers filing fees but does not apply to copy fees for existing records.
Legal Help for Divorce Cases in Shreveport
Shreveport has several options for people who need help with a divorce case. Volunteer lawyers can help low-income residents at no charge. Others offer a paid first meeting to help you understand your options before you hire someone.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free guides and forms for people who want to file without a lawyer. The site covers every step from filing the petition to getting a certified copy of the final decree. It also explains how to handle child support and property issues on your own.
The Northwest Louisiana Legal Services organization serves the Shreveport area and handles family law cases. The Louisiana State Bar Association offers a statewide lawyer referral service for those who want to hire an attorney. Call 211 to find local legal aid programs and check income limits.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Shreveport
Two different documents can prove a divorce in Shreveport. They come from different offices and contain different information.
The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It includes property division, custody terms, support orders, and all other conditions of the divorce. You get a certified copy from the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court. This is the document most agencies and courts require.
The divorce certificate is issued by the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records. It is a short document that confirms the divorce happened. It shows the names, date, and parish but does not have the full terms of the judgment. It costs $9 per certified copy. Use a certificate only if the requesting party says a certificate is enough. If in doubt, get the full decree.
Caddo Parish Divorce Decree Records
Shreveport is the parish seat of Caddo Parish. All divorce cases filed by Shreveport residents go through the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court. For full parish-level details on fees, procedures, and related records, visit the Caddo Parish divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Louisiana cities also file divorce cases at their respective parish courthouses.