St. Tammany Parish Divorce Decree
St. Tammany Parish divorce decree records are kept at the Clerk of Court offices under the 22nd Judicial District Court. The clerk maintains two office locations in Covington and Slidell. All divorce cases filed in this parish go through the 22nd Judicial District Court, and the Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all decrees and case files.
St. Tammany Parish Quick Facts
St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court
Jessica Jenkins Brewster serves as Clerk of Court for St. Tammany Parish. This office is one of the most active clerk offices in Louisiana. The clerk maintains two locations: the main office in Covington and a branch office in Slidell. Both locations provide access to court records and other clerk services. For divorce decree records, staff at either location can assist you.
The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court website at sttammanyclerk.org has detailed information on services, online access, office locations, hours, and how to contact the clerk's office. You can reach the main office by phone at (985) 809-8700. The website is updated regularly and is a good first stop before calling or visiting.
The Covington office is the main location and handles all parish-wide functions. The Slidell branch office serves residents in the eastern part of the parish. Both offices can process records requests and provide certified copies of divorce decrees. Call the main office first to confirm which location is best for your specific request.
| Clerk | Jessica Jenkins Brewster |
|---|---|
| Phone | (985) 809-8700 |
| Main Office | Covington, Louisiana (Parish Seat) |
| Branch Office | Slidell, Louisiana |
| Website | sttammanyclerk.org |
| Judicial District | 22nd Judicial District Court |
How to Search St. Tammany Parish Divorce Decree Records Online
St. Tammany Parish offers online access to court records through multiple tools. The clerk's website provides information on public records access and e-certification services. For older records, the re:SearchLA system is available.
The re:SearchLA portal at researchla.tylerhost.net covers records entered before April 25, 2019. You can search by party name and get basic case information. For records after that date or for certified copies, contact the clerk's office directly or visit one of the two locations. Note that sealed records are not available online in the re:SearchLA system due to technical issues. If you search and get no results, the case may be sealed. Contact the office at (985) 809-8700 to follow up on cases that do not appear online.
Public Records and e-Certification services are also available through the clerk's office. Check the sttammanyclerk.org website for current instructions on how to use these tools. The statewide eClerks LA portal also provides free index-level access to records across Louisiana parishes including St. Tammany.
Important Notices for St. Tammany Parish
The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court has issued several important notices for people who use their services. Being aware of these can save you time and prevent issues with your request.
As of January 1, 2026, all credit card transactions on the Land Records (Legacy) site carry a 2.75% processing fee. This applies to payments made online for land record services. The fee does not apply to in-person payments at the counter. Ask the clerk about current payment options when you contact the office.
Protective Orders have a time cutoff. The clerk's office will not process Protective Orders after 3:00 p.m. If you need immediate help with a protective order after that time, contact Safe Harbor at 985-626-5740. This is a domestic violence resource for St. Tammany Parish residents who need urgent assistance.
Sealed records are not available online in the re:SearchLA system due to ongoing technical issues. If your search returns no results and you believe a case exists, it may be sealed. Call the clerk's office at (985) 809-8700 to ask about the case. Staff can check and advise you on the next steps.
Divorce Law in St. Tammany Parish
All divorces in St. Tammany Parish follow Louisiana state law. The 22nd Judicial District Court applies these rules to every case. Knowing the basics helps you understand what a St. Tammany Parish divorce decree will include and how the process works.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941 requires that at least one spouse be domiciled in Louisiana to file for divorce here. You file in the parish where either spouse lives. St. Tammany Parish residents file through the 22nd Judicial District Court. This includes residents of Covington, Slidell, Mandeville, Madisonville, and all other communities in the parish.
Under Article 102, spouses must live apart for 180 days after filing if there are no minor children. If minor children are involved, the separation must last 365 days. Under Article 103, if the spouses were already separated for the required time before they filed, the court can grant an immediate divorce judgment. Fault-based grounds such as adultery or a felony conviction also qualify under Article 103.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 makes Louisiana a community property state. Property gained during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses. The divorce decree divides that community property. The decree also addresses child custody, child support, visitation, and spousal support if those issues are part of the case. Once the judge signs it, the decree is filed with the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court and becomes part of the public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
What a St. Tammany Parish Divorce Decree Contains
The divorce decree is the final signed judgment from the 22nd Judicial District Court. It is the main legal document that ends the marriage. The decree includes all the terms and orders the judge issued in the case. This is the document most legal and government offices require as proof of divorce.
A St. Tammany Parish divorce decree typically shows the names and addresses of both parties, the date of marriage, the date of separation, the grounds for divorce, the terms for dividing community property, child custody and visitation orders, child support amounts, and spousal support if ordered. If the parties owned real estate or other assets together, the property division section can be detailed. Any side agreements incorporated into the decree will also appear in the document.
Divorce decrees are public under Louisiana's Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1). Any person can request a copy from the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some details about minor children or sealed portions may be restricted, but most of the decree is open to public inspection.
Divorce Certificate vs. Full Divorce Decree
Two different documents are often needed when someone wants proof of a divorce. They are not the same. Knowing which you need saves time.
The Louisiana Department of Health issues divorce certificates for $9 each. A certificate confirms the divorce took place and shows the names, date, and parish. It does not include the full settlement terms or custody orders. Order a certificate by mail from the LDH Vital Records office.
The full divorce decree comes from the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court. It is the actual signed court judgment. It includes all the terms of the case. For most legal, financial, or government uses, the full decree is what you need. Contact the clerk at (985) 809-8700 or visit either office location to request a certified copy of the decree.
Legal Help for St. Tammany Parish Residents
Several groups offer help with divorce cases in St. Tammany Parish. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services may serve this parish and offers free legal help to people with low income. Call 211 to ask about eligibility. The St. Tammany Bar Association can refer you to a family law attorney in the area.
The Louisiana State Bar Association has a statewide referral service. Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free guides and forms for people who want to file their own divorce case. If you have low income, you can file an In Forma Pauperis form to ask the court to waive filing fees. The Louisiana Judiciary site has links to local courts and court forms that apply to cases in the 22nd Judicial District.
Cities in St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish is one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana, located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Slidell is the largest city in the parish and has its own page on this site. Other communities include Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, and Pearl River. All divorce cases from any address in St. Tammany Parish go through the 22nd Judicial District Court. Records are held at the clerk's offices in Covington and Slidell.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes are near St. Tammany Parish. File in the parish where you live so the court has jurisdiction over your case.