Lafayette Parish Divorce Decree
Lafayette Parish divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Lafayette courthouse and are public records under Louisiana law. The 15th Judicial District Court handles all divorce cases filed in Lafayette Parish, and the Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all final divorce judgments, case files, and civil court documents for the parish.
Lafayette Parish Quick Facts
Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court for Lafayette Parish is Louis J. Perret. His office maintains all civil court records for the 15th Judicial District Court, including all divorce decree records. The main office is at 800 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502. The main phone number is (337) 291-6400.
Lafayette Parish is one of the larger parishes in Louisiana. The clerk handles a high volume of civil filings including divorce cases. Staff can search records by name or case number. When you visit in person, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You need ID to get certified copies. The courthouse has rules about what you can bring in. Prohibited items include weapons, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, lighters, cellphones, smart watches, recording devices, cameras, and all other electronic devices. Leave these items in your vehicle before entering.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court has two websites. The primary site is lpclerk.com. A secondary site at lafayetteparishclerk.com also provides information on services and fees. Both sites have contact information, fee schedules, and details on online access options. Note that the clerk's office no longer accepts passport applications.
Records include civil, land, marriage, and probate files. The civil division handles divorce case filings and provides certified copies of divorce decrees. Call (337) 291-6400 to ask about current wait times, fees, and procedures before you visit.
| Address | 800 S. Buchanan Street Lafayette, LA 70501 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 2009 Lafayette, LA 70502 |
| Phone | (337) 291-6400 |
| Clerk | Louis J. Perret |
| Websites | lpclerk.com / lafayetteparishclerk.com |
| Certified Copy | $10 + copy fee |
| Conformed Copy | $5 + copy fee |
| Copies | $1 per page |
How to Search Lafayette Parish Divorce Decree Records
Lafayette Parish offers several ways to search for divorce decree records. The most accessible free option is the eClerks LA statewide portal. This tool provides free index access to civil, land, marriage, and probate records across Louisiana parishes including Lafayette. You can search by party name, get the case number, and confirm the filing date without paying anything. Full document access requires a paid subscription.
Online access through the clerk's own system is available on a subscription basis. Options include one-day access for $10, 30-day access for $25, and 365-day access for $300. Printed pages from the online system cost $1 each. These subscriptions let you search and view full case documents remotely. This is useful for attorneys, researchers, or anyone who needs to review multiple records. Online copies through the subscription are not certified.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 800 S. Buchanan Street during business hours. Staff can search by name or case number. Remember the courthouse rules about prohibited items before you go. Leave your phone and other electronics in your vehicle. Bring photo ID, the names of both spouses, and the case number if you have it. Staff can make copies while you wait. Ask for a certified copy if you need it for legal purposes.
Mail requests are also accepted at P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502. Include both parties' names, the year of the divorce, the case number, and a check or money order for the fees. Specify whether you need a plain, conformed, or certified copy. Certified copies cost $10 plus $1 per page. Conformed copies cost $5 plus $1 per page. Plain copies are $1 per page.
Filing for Divorce in Lafayette Parish
Divorce cases in Lafayette Parish go through the 15th Judicial District Court. Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941 requires at least one spouse to be domiciled in Louisiana. You file in the parish where either you or your spouse lives. Lafayette Parish residents file at the S. Buchanan Street courthouse in Lafayette.
Filing starts with a petition for divorce submitted to the Clerk of Court. You pay the filing fee and receive a case number. The petition is the first public document in the case file. Your spouse must be served with the papers. The Lafayette Parish Sheriff handles local service, or you can use a private process server. Proof of service goes into the file. All filed documents are public under La. R.S. 44:1.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 102 requires that spouses live separate and apart for a specific period before the court grants a final divorce. If no minor children are involved, the required separation after filing is 180 days. With minor children, it is 365 days. Under Article 103, if you were already separated for the required time before you filed, you can request an immediate divorce judgment. This eliminates the additional waiting period and can speed up the case considerably.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 establishes community property rules. All property and debts accumulated during the marriage belong equally to both spouses. The Lafayette Parish divorce decree will divide the community estate and set out custody arrangements, visitation schedules, child support amounts, and any spousal support ordered. Once the judge signs the final order, it is a permanent public record and the official proof of the divorce.
What Lafayette Parish Divorce Decree Records Contain
The divorce decree is the judge's final signed order. It ends the marriage legally and contains all of the court's rulings on property, custody, and support. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are required for most legal and financial matters that involve proof of a divorce. They cost $10 per document plus $1 per page for copies.
A Lafayette Parish divorce decree typically includes both spouses' full names, the date of marriage, the grounds for the divorce, a division of community property, child custody and visitation terms, child support amounts, spousal support if ordered, and the date the judge signed the order. Under La. R.S. 44:1, these are public records. Any person can request access. You do not have to be a party to the case.
The Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records issues a separate document called a divorce certificate. It costs $9 and only confirms that a divorce occurred. It shows the names, date, and parish but not the full terms. For any purpose requiring the complete court order, you need the full decree from the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court. The LDH cannot issue decrees and is not a substitute for the clerk's office in Lafayette.
Online Access Options for Lafayette Parish Divorce Records
Lafayette Parish has one of the better online access systems among Louisiana parish clerks. The clerk's subscription service lets you view full civil records remotely. The pricing tiers give options for occasional users and frequent users alike. A one-day pass at $10 works well if you only need to look up one or two cases. A 30-day subscription at $25 is better if you need to review several records over a few weeks. The annual pass at $300 suits attorneys or researchers who regularly access the system.
Online copies from the subscription service are not certified. To get a certified copy of a Lafayette Parish divorce decree, you must request it from the clerk's office directly. You can do this by mail, in person, or by calling the office to ask about remote certified copy requests. The certification fee is $10 per document regardless of how you get the copy.
The free eClerks LA index is always the best first step. Use it to confirm the case exists and get the case number. Then decide which access method works best for you based on whether you need certified copies and how quickly you need them. For legal matters, certified copies from the clerk are almost always required. For personal research, the online subscription or eClerks index may be enough.
Legal Help for Lafayette Parish Residents
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation serves Lafayette Parish and surrounding areas. They offer free civil legal help to people who qualify based on income. Family law matters including divorce are within their scope. Call 211 to find out if you qualify for free help. The Lafayette Bar Association can also refer you to a local family law attorney.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free guides and court forms for people handling their own divorce case. The site explains Article 102 and Article 103 divorces in plain language. It covers community property rules, custody basics, and child support guidelines. These resources are free and updated to reflect current Louisiana law. Use them to understand the process before you decide whether to hire an attorney.
The Louisiana State Bar Association has a statewide lawyer referral service. For paid consultations, you can get a referral to a family law attorney in the Lafayette area. The Louisiana Supreme Court also has information on self-represented litigants and court procedures that may be helpful if you plan to handle your own divorce case in the 15th Judicial District Court.
Cities in Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish includes the city of Lafayette as its parish seat and largest qualifying city. Other communities in the parish include Broussard, Scott, Youngsville, and Carencro. All divorce cases from the parish are filed at the Lafayette courthouse through the 15th Judicial District Court. Lafayette is the main city in the parish and one of the largest in Louisiana.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border Lafayette Parish. File your divorce case in the parish where you or your spouse lives. Check your address to confirm the right parish before submitting any paperwork.