LaSalle Parish Divorce Decree Records
LaSalle Parish divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Jena, Louisiana, and all divorce cases are heard by the 28th Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court office is the official custodian of every filed petition, final judgment, and related court document in every divorce case filed in LaSalle Parish.
LaSalle Parish Quick Facts
LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Jena is the sole office for all court records in LaSalle Parish, including divorce decree records. Clerk Steve Andrews and his staff maintain the civil case files and handle requests for copies. You can reach the office by phone, by mail, or in person at the courthouse on Courthouse Street. LaSalle is a smaller, rural parish, so the clerk's office processes requests on a manageable scale and staff are generally available to help you quickly.
The clerk's office launched an online land records system in August 2022. This system lets users search property records from their computer. For divorce decree records, however, the process is still primarily in person or by mail. If you are not sure whether a particular record is available online, call the office before making a trip. The phone number is (318) 992-2158 and staff can tell you what is searchable remotely and what requires a visit.
The Louisiana Vital Records system does not hold divorce decrees. LDH issues short-form divorce certificates for a $9 fee, but those are not the same as the full court decree. For the complete divorce decree with all judgment terms, you must contact the LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk's office is the only place to get certified copies of the actual court document.
The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association lists contact information for every parish clerk in Louisiana, including LaSalle, and can help you verify current contact details and office hours.
| Office Address |
1050 Courthouse Street Jena, LA 71342 Mailing: PO Box 1316, Jena, LA 71342 |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Steve Andrews |
| Phone | (318) 992-2158 |
| Fax | (318) 992-2157 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
How to Get a Divorce Decree in LaSalle Parish
To get a divorce decree from LaSalle Parish, you can visit the Clerk of Court office in Jena or send a written request by mail. In-person requests are often the fastest. Go to the courthouse at 1050 Courthouse Street and ask the clerk's staff to pull the case. You will need the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. A case number helps a lot if you have one.
For a mail request, write to PO Box 1316, Jena, LA 71342. Include both spouses' names, the year the divorce was filed, and exactly what you need (plain copy or certified copy). Enclose a check or money order for the fees. Call first to confirm the exact amount. Include a return envelope if you want the copies mailed back to you.
You can also use the eClerks LA statewide portal to search the civil case index for LaSalle Parish for free. This gives you a case number and filing date, which makes the request process easier. The portal does not give you the full document, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the details you need to request copies.
eClerks LA is a free public tool. It covers civil case indexes from parishes across Louisiana, including LaSalle Parish records.
Divorce Decree Filing Process in LaSalle Parish
Divorce cases in LaSalle Parish go through the 28th Judicial District Court. At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana under Civil Code Article 3941, and you file in the parish where either spouse lives. LaSalle Parish residents file at the Jena courthouse. The filing starts with a petition for divorce, which the Clerk of Court accepts and stamps with a case number.
Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, you must live separate and apart after filing. The waiting period is 180 days if there are no minor children, and 365 days if there are minor children. When the waiting period ends, you file a rule to show cause and set a hearing. The judge then signs the final judgment of divorce, which becomes the divorce decree. The Clerk of Court keeps this signed document as part of the permanent case file.
If you and your spouse have already lived apart for the required time before you file, Louisiana Civil Code Article 103 lets you skip the waiting period and ask for an immediate judgment. Fault-based grounds are also available under Article 103 in specific circumstances. Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325, so all marital property and debt is typically split equally unless the parties agree otherwise. The divorce decree spells out exactly how property is divided.
Every document filed in the LaSalle Parish case becomes public under La. R.S. 44:1. The case file, the decree, and all orders are accessible to the public through the Clerk of Court.
What LaSalle Parish Divorce Decree Records Contain
A divorce decree from the 28th Judicial District Court in LaSalle Parish is the full court order ending the marriage. It shows the date of the judgment, the names of both parties, and the terms the court ordered. If both parties agreed on everything, the decree reflects those agreed terms. If the court decided contested issues, the decree contains the judge's orders on each point.
The decree addresses property division, custody of minor children, visitation schedules, child support, and spousal support if applicable. It also states the grounds for divorce and any name restoration for either party. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are needed for legal transactions such as remarriage, name changes at the DMV or Social Security Administration, or transferring titled property after a divorce.
LaSalle Parish Divorce Decree Fees
Fees at the LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court cover filing new cases and copying existing records. Standard copy fees across Louisiana parishes typically run $1 per page, with an added charge for certification. Call (318) 992-2158 before you mail a request so you know the exact amount to send. If fees are a hardship, ask the clerk about filing an In Forma Pauperis petition to request a waiver from the judge.
Legal Help for LaSalle Parish Divorce Cases
Residents of LaSalle Parish who need help with a divorce case have several options. Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org provides self-help guides and forms for people who want to handle their own divorce. The Louisiana State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. Legal aid organizations serving central Louisiana may also be able to help those who qualify based on income.
The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association can help you find contact details for any parish clerk office. For general questions about divorce law in Louisiana, the Louisiana Supreme Court website and the state legislature site both have public resources available without charge.
The Louisiana Supreme Court provides court rules and public resources for those navigating the state's court system.
Related Records Available in LaSalle Parish
The LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court keeps a range of public records beyond divorce decrees. Marriage records, property records, probate records, and mortgage filings are all on file at the Jena courthouse. If you need to verify a marriage before a divorce, or if you need to record a property transfer that follows a divorce judgment, the same office handles those requests. Staff can help you find related records that may be part of your case history in LaSalle Parish.
For records that span multiple parishes or predate what is available at the clerk's office, the Louisiana State Archives at the Secretary of State's office may have older documents. You can search that resource through the Louisiana State Archives website.
Cities in LaSalle Parish
LaSalle Parish is a rural parish in central Louisiana. Jena is the parish seat and the largest community. Other communities include Olla, Tullos, and Urania. None of these communities exceed the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated city page. All LaSalle Parish residents file divorce cases through the same 28th Judicial District Court clerk's office in Jena.
Nearby Parishes
If you are not certain which parish to file in, confirm the home address of either spouse. You must file in the parish where one of you lives. These parishes are close to LaSalle Parish and each has its own Clerk of Court.