Union Parish Divorce Decree Search

Union Parish divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Farmerville, which serves the 3rd Judicial District Court. While divorce records are generally public, certified copies of divorce decrees are restricted to certain eligible persons.

Union Parish Clerk of Court

Dodi Eubanks is the Clerk of Court for Union Parish. Her office maintains all civil records, probate files, and divorce decree records for cases filed in the 3rd Judicial District Court. The office is temporarily located at 207 East Bayou Street in Farmerville, where Civil, Probate, Juvenile, and Protective Orders departments are all housed.

Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Call the office at (318) 368-3055 before visiting. Fax is available at (318) 368-3861. The clerk's website at upclerk.com has contact details and information about online services.

When you visit or write to the clerk, include the names of both parties in the divorce, the case number if you have it, and the year of the divorce. You will also need to show valid photo ID.

Who Can Get a Certified Divorce Decree in Union Parish

Divorce records in Union Parish are public records, meaning anyone can look up whether a case exists. However, certified copies of divorce decrees are restricted. Not everyone can get a certified copy.

Persons eligible to receive certified copies of a Union Parish divorce decree include the parties named in the divorce, their legal representatives such as attorneys, and close adult relatives. If you are not in one of these categories, you may be able to view the file but not get a certified copy.

If you need a certified copy and you are an eligible person, contact the clerk's office directly. Bring valid ID and be ready to state your relationship to the case. If you are an attorney or legal rep, bring credentials. The clerk will verify your eligibility before releasing a certified copy.

How to Request Union Parish Divorce Records

You can request records in person at the Farmerville office. Come during regular hours and bring your photo ID. Tell the staff the names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Staff will search the files and let you know what is available.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write a letter stating your name, your relationship to the case, the names of the parties, and the approximate date. Include a copy of your photo ID. Mail it to the Union Parish Clerk of Court at 207 East Bayou Street, Farmerville, LA 71241. Include payment for fees. Call first to confirm current fees before sending a check or money order.

Most divorce records in Union Parish are public under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1. The restriction applies specifically to certified copies. Plain index information is available to anyone.

Online Divorce Record Access in Union Parish

Union Parish offers eFiling through the eClerks LA system for new case filings. Existing records are searchable through the eClerks LA portal as well. Image and index search is available with a subscription.

The eClerks LA statewide portal provides free index searches. Use this to find a case number or confirm that a record exists. Once you find the case number, contact the clerk's office to request the documents you need.

Image-level access through eClerks LA requires a paid subscription. Free searches give you the index only. Certified copies always require going through the clerk's office in Farmerville regardless of online access options.

Filing for Divorce in Union Parish

Divorce cases in Union Parish go through the 3rd Judicial District Court. You file your petition with the Clerk of Court at the Farmerville office. The clerk gives you a case number and keeps all filed documents.

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941, one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana to file here. You file in the parish where either you or your spouse lives. Under Article 102, after filing, you and your spouse must live separate and apart. The wait is 180 days with no minor children, or 365 days if you have minor children. Article 103 allows an immediate divorce without the waiting period when you already meet the separation requirements or when there are fault grounds.

Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. All property and debts from the marriage are divided equally unless both parties agree to different terms. The final divorce decree from the 3rd JDC sets out all terms and becomes a public court record under La. R.S. 44:1.

What the Divorce Decree Includes

The final divorce decree is a signed court order ending the marriage. It states all terms, whether agreed by the parties or decided by the judge. This is the document you need for most legal uses after a divorce.

A Union Parish divorce decree typically includes the names of both parties, dates of marriage and separation, grounds for the divorce, the division of community property and any debts, custody and visitation terms if children are involved, child support amounts if applicable, and spousal support if ordered. Certified copies are needed for legal name changes, property transactions, and remarriage in most cases. The plain copy is fine for personal reference.

Divorce Certificates in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health issues short divorce certificates. These are not the same as a divorce decree. A certificate shows names, date, and parish but not the full terms of the case.

For a divorce certificate, contact the Louisiana Department of Health Vital Records. The fee is $9 per certified copy. For the full decree with all settlement terms, you must go to the Union Parish Clerk of Court. The LDH cannot issue certified divorce decrees. Only the clerk's office in the parish where the divorce was granted can do that.

Legal Help for Union Parish Residents

If you need help with a divorce case in Union Parish, free and low-cost resources are available.

North Louisiana Legal Services may be able to help residents of Union Parish who qualify based on income. Call 211 to ask about free legal services in your area. Louisiana Law Help has self-help divorce guides and forms online. The Louisiana State Bar Association has a referral service for those who want a private family law attorney. These resources can help whether you are filing for divorce, looking for records, or dealing with a related court matter.

Cities in Union Parish

Farmerville is the parish seat and the location of the Clerk of Court. All communities in Union Parish, including Bernice and Farmerville, file divorce cases through the 3rd Judicial District Court at the Farmerville courthouse. No cities in Union Parish meet the population threshold for a separate city page.

Nearby Parishes

Union Parish is in northeast Louisiana. These parishes share borders with Union Parish. File in the parish where you or your spouse lives.