Orleans Parish Divorce Decree Records
Orleans Parish divorce decree records are maintained by the Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court, which handles all domestic matters including divorce filings for the consolidated city-parish of New Orleans. All divorce cases in Orleans Parish go through the Civil District Court, a court structure unique to New Orleans, and the Civil Clerk of Court is the official custodian of every filed petition, judgment, and divorce decree.
Orleans Parish Quick Facts
Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court
Orleans Parish uses a unique court structure. Instead of a single Judicial District Court, Orleans has a Civil District Court and a Criminal District Court. The Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court handles all civil matters including divorce cases. This office's Civil Division is where domestic matters, divorce filings, and child support cases are processed. It is the division most people need when searching for a divorce decree in Orleans Parish.
The Civil Clerk's website at orleanscivilclerk.com describes the scope of the Civil Division directly: "Our Civil Division is where civil cases, such as personal injury, accidents, successions and foreclosures are filed. Domestic matters, such as divorce and child support, are also handled in the Civil Division." The office also states that "all documents recorded and filed in the Clerk's Office are scanned and can be accessed electronically online." This means that for Orleans Parish, you have both in-person and online access to divorce decree records.
The Civil Clerk's office is also notable for its Land Records Division, which includes the Notarial Archives Research Center holding documents going back to the 1700s. For divorce records, focus on the Civil Division. As of January 1, 2026, the office implemented a filing fee increase. Call ahead or check the website to confirm current fees before filing a new case or requesting copies.
The Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court website provides access to scanned civil records including divorce decrees, and shows department contact information for in-person and mail requests.
| Office | Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Division for Divorce | Civil Division (handles divorce and domestic matters) |
| Website | orleanscivilclerk.com |
| Record Access | Online (scanned documents), in person, by mail, by phone |
| Fee Update | Filing fees increased January 1, 2026 |
How to Search Orleans Parish Divorce Decree Records
Orleans Parish is one of the better-resourced parishes in Louisiana for online record access. The Civil Clerk's office scans all filed documents and makes them available electronically through its website. You can start your search at orleanscivilclerk.com and look for the online case search or records access portal. Searching by name or case number can give you access to civil case indexes and, in many cases, scanned document images.
The eClerks LA statewide portal also indexes Orleans Parish civil cases. This free tool is a good backup if the Civil Clerk's own site does not return results for what you are looking for. Search by name to get a case number, then follow up directly with the Civil Clerk for certified copies.
In-person visits to the Civil Clerk's office allow you to view the full case file and request certified copies on the spot. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties. Mail requests work too. Write to the Civil Clerk's office with the case details and include payment and a return envelope. The clerk's website lists the current accepted payment methods and fee schedule.
Certified copies of an Orleans Parish divorce decree carry the clerk's seal and are required for legal matters like remarriage, name changes, property transfers, and financial accounts. Plain copies are less formal and cheaper. Ask for the type you need when you make your request.
What Orleans Parish Divorce Decree Records Contain
A divorce decree from the Orleans Parish Civil District Court is the judge's signed final order dissolving the marriage. It is filed with the Civil Clerk of Court and becomes part of the permanent public record. Every document in the case file, including the divorce decree, is scanned and stored electronically by the Civil Clerk's office.
The decree includes the full names of both parties, the date of the final judgment, the grounds for the divorce, and all court orders or agreed terms. Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325, so property and debts accumulated during the marriage are generally divided equally. The decree sets out exactly how the division is handled. Custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support are also addressed if they apply. Name restoration, if one party requested it, is included as well.
Orleans Parish divorce decrees are public under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1. Any person can request a copy from the Civil Clerk's office. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some details related to minor children may be protected, but the core of the decree is public and available through standard copy request procedures.
Filing for Divorce in Orleans Parish
New Orleans residents file divorce cases at the Orleans Parish Civil District Court through the Civil Clerk of Court. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana, and you file in the parish where either spouse lives. Orleans Parish residents file at the Civil Clerk's office in New Orleans.
Under Civil Code Article 102, you file a petition for divorce and then wait. The waiting period is 180 days of separate living if there are no minor children of the marriage. If there are minor children, the wait is 365 days. After the wait, you file a rule to show cause. The court schedules a hearing. The judge signs the final judgment, and the Civil Clerk records it as the official divorce decree for Orleans Parish.
Civil Code Article 103 applies when spouses have already been separated for the required time before filing, or when fault grounds exist. Article 103 allows a faster path to a final judgment without an additional waiting period after the petition is filed. Whether you go the Article 102 or Article 103 route, the process ends with a signed judgment filed with the Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court. That judgment is your divorce decree.
Filing fees in Orleans Parish increased as of January 1, 2026. Check the current fee schedule at the Civil Clerk's website or call before you file. If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it by filing an In Forma Pauperis declaration with your petition.
Orleans Parish Divorce Decree Fees
Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court fees include a filing fee for new divorce cases and copy fees for existing records. Filing fees went up on January 1, 2026. Copy fees for civil records follow per-page rates with extra charges for certified copies that carry the clerk's seal. Check the current schedule at orleanscivilclerk.com or call the Civil Division before making payments.
If cost is a barrier to filing, you can submit an In Forma Pauperis declaration along with your divorce petition. The court reviews your financial information and may waive fees for those who qualify. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in Orleans Parish and can assist with fee waiver forms and other aspects of the divorce filing process.
Divorce Certificates vs. Divorce Decree in Orleans Parish
The Louisiana Department of Health issues short-form divorce certificates for $9 per copy. A certificate confirms the divorce took place but does not contain the full terms the court ordered. It shows names, date, and parish of the divorce. This is a different document from the full divorce decree issued by the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
For most legal matters, you need the full decree from the Civil Clerk's office. Banks, courts, government agencies, and title companies typically require the decree with the clerk's seal rather than the LDH certificate. Ask the requesting institution which document they need before you request copies. Getting the right document the first time saves both time and money.
The Louisiana Department of Health vital records page describes the divorce certificate process. Full divorce decrees are a separate document from the Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court.
Legal Help for Orleans Parish Divorce
Orleans Parish residents have strong access to legal aid resources. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services has offices that serve New Orleans and provides free legal help to those who qualify based on income. Family law and divorce are among the services they cover. Call 211 to check eligibility. The New Orleans Bar Association can refer you to family law attorneys in the area for paid representation.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has self-help guides and court forms for people who want to handle their own divorce in Louisiana. These guides explain both Article 102 and Article 103 divorce procedures in plain language. They also explain how to fill out forms and what to expect at court hearings.
The eClerks LA statewide portal lets you search civil case indexes for Orleans Parish and all other Louisiana parishes at no cost. It is a useful first step before contacting the Civil Clerk's office directly.
Related Records in Orleans Parish
The Orleans Parish Civil Clerk's office keeps a wide range of public records. The Land Records Division handles property transfers, mortgages, and liens. The Notarial Archives Research Center holds historical records going back centuries. If you need to prove a marriage that preceded a divorce, or if you need to record a property transfer that follows a divorce decree, those requests also go through the Civil Clerk's office in different divisions.
The eClerks LA statewide portal gives free index access to Orleans Parish civil and land records, including divorce decree case information.
For historical records that predate current digital systems, the Louisiana State Archives may hold supplemental documents. The Notarial Archives at the Civil Clerk's office itself is also a resource for very old New Orleans records.
Cities in Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish and the City of New Orleans are a consolidated city-parish government. All residents of New Orleans file divorce cases through the Orleans Parish Civil District Court and the Civil Clerk of Court. There are no separate municipalities within Orleans Parish. The city and the parish are one and the same government entity for most purposes, including court filing jurisdiction.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border Orleans Parish. Under Louisiana law, you file in the parish where you or your spouse lives. Each neighboring parish has its own Clerk of Court.