Jefferson Parish Divorce Decree
Jefferson Parish divorce decree records are kept at the Clerk of Court office in Gretna. This is one of the most populous parishes in Louisiana. The 24th Judicial District Court handles all divorce cases filed in Jefferson Parish, and the Clerk of Court is the custodian of all divorce decrees and case files.
Jefferson Parish Quick Facts
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court keeps all divorce decree records in Jefferson Parish. This office handles case filings, stores court files, and gives out copies of divorce judgments. The Clerk is Jon A. Gegenheimer. Staff can help you find old cases and new ones. The main courthouse is at 200 Derbigny Street in Gretna on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.
Jefferson Parish has courthouses on both the East Bank and the West Bank. The main clerk office is at the Gretna courthouse in the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse. The Domestic Commissioners Court handles divorce matters and can be reached at (504) 364-3787. Most divorce decrees are filed through the 24th Judicial District Court Civil division at (504) 364-2898. Call ahead to confirm which office handles your specific case type.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website lists all department phone numbers, office locations, and hours. Their main email for civil matters is 24thCivilInformation@jpclerkofcourt.us.
Mailing address is P.O. Box 10, Gretna, LA 70054-0010. The East Bank office for marriage licenses is at the Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Jefferson, LA 70123.
| Main Office |
Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 2400 Gretna, LA 70053 Phone: (504) 364-2898 |
|---|---|
| Administration |
General Government Building 200 Derbigny St., Suite 5600 Gretna, LA 70053 Phone: (504) 364-2900 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| 24thCivilInformation@jpclerkofcourt.us | |
| Website | jpclerkofcourt.us |
How to Search Jefferson Parish Divorce Decree Records
You can search for a divorce decree in Jefferson Parish online or in person. Online searches work well for basic case info and case numbers. In-person visits let you see the full file and get certified copies right away. Both methods give you access to divorce decrees going back many years.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court has an online records access service called JeffNet. This remote access system lets account holders search civil records from their computer. You can look up cases by name or case number. Contact the clerk's office to ask about creating an access account and the current subscription fees. Online copies pulled from JeffNet are not certified. To get a certified copy of a divorce decree, you must request it directly from the clerk.
To search divorce decree records in Jefferson Parish, you need:
- Full name of one or both spouses
- Year the divorce was filed
- Case number if you have it
You can also search in person at the Gretna courthouse. Go to the 24th Judicial District Court Civil division. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Bring your ID with you. The clerk can search by name or case number. Older records may take more time to find.
Jefferson Parish Divorce Decree Fees
Jefferson Parish has set fees for divorce cases and records. The cost to file a new divorce case varies based on the type. Copy fees and certification fees apply when you get a divorce decree from the clerk's office. Fees can change, so call the clerk to confirm current rates before you file or request copies.
The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association notes that most parish clerks charge $1 per page for standard copies and additional fees for certified copies. Jefferson Parish follows a similar structure, with certification adding to the per-page cost.
Service fees also apply. If you need to serve by sheriff, there is an extra charge. If you need to serve by publication, that costs more. Copy fees depend on the number of pages. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost more than plain ones. If you have low income, you may ask for a fee waiver by filing an In Forma Pauperis form with the court.
Divorce Filing Process in Jefferson Parish
Filing for divorce in Jefferson Parish follows Louisiana state law. Each step creates records that become part of your case file. The Clerk of Court keeps all these documents at the courthouse. You can get copies of any paper in your case file once it is filed.
First, you file a petition for divorce with the Clerk of Court. You pay the filing fee at this time. The clerk gives you a case number. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana. You file in the parish where either spouse lives. Jefferson Parish residents file at the Gretna courthouse.
Next, you serve your spouse with the divorce papers. You can use the Jefferson Parish Sheriff or a private process server. Proof of service goes in the court file. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, you must live separate and apart for 180 days after filing if there are no minor children. If there are minor children, the waiting period is 365 days. Under Article 103, if you have already been living apart for the required time, you can get an immediate judgment of divorce without a waiting period.
Louisiana is a community property state. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325, property gained during the marriage is split equally unless the parties agree to different terms. The final divorce decree ends the marriage and states all of these terms. It becomes part of the public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
Note: Temporary orders for custody or support can be filed while the divorce case is pending in Jefferson Parish.
What Jefferson Parish Divorce Decree Records Contain
Divorce records in Jefferson Parish include many types of papers. The petition for divorce is the first document filed. It states the grounds under Louisiana law and what the person filing wants from the court. The answer is the response from the other spouse. Community property settlement papers show what the parties agreed to divide.
The final judgment of divorce is the main document most people need. This is the judge's signed order, also called the divorce decree, that ends the marriage. It includes all the terms: who gets what property, who has custody, the visitation schedule, and any support amounts. Certified copies of the divorce decree are often needed for legal matters like changing your name, selling property, or remarrying. You can get certified copies from the Clerk of Court.
A divorce decree in Jefferson Parish typically shows:
- Names and addresses of both parties
- Date of marriage and separation
- Grounds for divorce
- Community property division terms
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Child support amounts
- Spousal support if ordered
Jefferson Parish divorce decrees are public under Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1). Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some details about children or finances may be redacted, but most of the file is open to the public.
Divorce Certificates in Jefferson Parish
The Louisiana Vital Records Registry issues divorce certificates. A certificate is a shorter document that proves a divorce took place. It shows the names, date, and parish but does not contain the full terms of the settlement or all the orders made by the judge. Many people need a certificate for things like changing a name or getting remarried.
You can get a divorce certificate from the Jefferson Parish Health Unit or by ordering from the state Vital Records Registry by mail. The LDH charges $9 for one certified copy. For the full divorce decree with all the settlement terms, property division, and custody orders, you must go to the Clerk of Court. Most legal matters require the full decree, not just a certificate.
Legal Help for Divorce in Jefferson Parish
Several groups offer help with divorce cases in Jefferson Parish. Some give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Others charge a reduced fee for the first meeting. These resources can help you understand the law, fill out forms, or find an attorney.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services has offices that serve Jefferson Parish. They give free legal help to people with low income and handle family law cases including divorce. Call 211 to find out if you qualify for free legal help. The Jefferson Bar Association can refer you to a family law attorney in the area.
The Louisiana State Bar Association also has a statewide referral service. Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has self-help guides and forms for people who want to handle their own divorce case without a lawyer.
Related Records in Jefferson Parish
Other offices in Jefferson Parish keep records that may be connected to divorce cases. The Clerk of Court also handles marriage records, property records, and mortgage filings. You may need a marriage record to prove a marriage occurred before a divorce. Property transfers often happen after a divorce decree is issued too.
The eClerks LA statewide portal gives free index access to land, civil, marriage, and probate records across all Louisiana parishes including Jefferson.
The Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court deals with child custody enforcement, child support, and protective orders. These records may be relevant if support or custody matters are tied to a Jefferson Parish divorce decree.
Cities in Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish has many cities and unincorporated communities. All of them file divorce cases at the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court through the 24th Judicial District Court. Major communities include Metairie, Kenner, Marrero, and Terrytown. Gretna, Harvey, and Westwego also file here. All cases go through the same courthouse system.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border Jefferson Parish. If you are not sure which parish handles your divorce case, check the address where you live. You must file in the right parish for the court to have jurisdiction.