Washington Parish Divorce Decree
Washington Parish divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Court in Franklinton, which serves the 22nd Judicial District Court. All divorce cases filed in Washington Parish go through this court, and the clerk is the source for certified copies of any divorce decree.
Washington Parish Quick Facts
Washington Parish Clerk of Court
Johnny D. Crain, Jr. is the Clerk of Court for Washington Parish. Daphne Phelps serves as Chief Deputy. The office is at 908-B Washington Street in Franklinton and keeps all divorce decree records for the 22nd Judicial District. The 22nd JDC is shared with St. Tammany Parish, but each parish has its own clerk's office.
The main phone is (985) 839-4663. For civil matters specifically, fax is (985) 839-2925. For criminal matters, fax is (985) 839-7271. Email inquiries go to washparcoc@yahoo.com. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Washington Parish Clerk of Court website has contact info and office details. Mail goes to P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438.
Multiple courts operate in Washington Parish. The District Court is at 908 E. Airport Road. The Juvenile Court is at 909 E. Airport Road. The City Court in Bogalusa is at 2050 9th Street. Divorce cases go through the District Court.
| Office Address |
908-B Washington Street Franklinton, LA 70438 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438 |
| Phone | (985) 839-4663 |
| Civil Fax | (985) 839-2925 |
| washparcoc@yahoo.com | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Washington Parish Divorce Decree Fees
Fees for copies changed in 2025. Know the current rates before you visit or mail a request.
Effective May 1, 2025, the price for copies increased to $1.00 per page. This applies to all records including divorce decrees. Certified copies cost an additional fee on top of the per-page charge. Call the clerk's office at (985) 839-4663 to confirm the current certified copy fee and any search fees before you go.
Pay by cash, check, or money order. Ask the office what forms of payment they accept for mail requests. If you have low income, ask the clerk about filing an In Forma Pauperis form to request a fee waiver from the court.
Recent Changes to Filing Rules
Washington Parish has seen filing rule changes in recent years. These affect attorneys who file cases, not people requesting copies of records.
As of January 1, 2026, new filing requirements for attorneys took effect in state district courts. Attorneys can no longer file by fax or mail under Act No. 352 from the 2025 Regular Session. All attorney filings must now go through approved electronic systems. If you are an attorney filing or handling a Washington Parish divorce case, check with the clerk's office about current eFiling requirements and approved systems.
For members of the public looking to get a copy of an existing divorce decree, these changes do not affect you. You can still request records by visiting the Franklinton office or sending a mail request.
How to Get Washington Parish Divorce Decree Records
Request a divorce decree in person or by mail. In-person is faster. Come to the Franklinton office with your photo ID.
Provide the names of both parties in the divorce, the approximate date, and the case number if you have it. Staff will search the files and tell you what is available. For mail requests, write a letter with the same information, include a copy of your ID, and include payment for the fee. Mail to P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438.
Most Washington Parish divorce decrees are public under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1. Anyone can request to see them. Sealed records require a court order to access.
Online Divorce Record Search for Washington Parish
The eClerks LA statewide portal gives free index access to civil records from Washington Parish. You can search by name to find basic case info and case numbers at no cost.
Use the free eClerks search to find a case number, then contact the Washington Parish Clerk of Court for the full file or a certified copy. Online access shows index information only. Certified copies must come from the clerk's office in Franklinton.
Filing for Divorce in Washington Parish
Divorce cases in Washington Parish go through the 22nd Judicial District Court. You file at the Franklinton clerk's office. The clerk assigns a case number and keeps all documents.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941 requires one spouse to be domiciled in Louisiana. File in the parish where you or your spouse lives. Under Article 102, after filing, both spouses must live separate and apart. Wait 180 days if no minor children are involved, or 365 days if there are minor children. Under Article 103, if you already meet the separation requirement or have fault grounds, you can get an immediate divorce judgment without the waiting period.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Property from the marriage is split equally unless the parties agree otherwise. The final decree covers all terms and is part of the public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
What a Washington Parish Divorce Decree Contains
The final divorce decree is the judge's signed order ending the marriage. It states all terms from the case.
A Washington Parish divorce decree includes the names of both spouses, the dates of marriage and separation, the grounds for divorce, and the division of community property and debts. If the couple has minor children, the decree covers custody, visitation, and child support. Spousal support terms appear if ordered by the court. Certified copies are needed for name changes, property transactions, and remarriage in most jurisdictions. Plain copies work for personal records.
Legal Help for Washington Parish Residents
Washington Parish residents have access to several legal resources for divorce matters.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services or similar organizations may serve Washington Parish residents with low income. Call 211 to find out what free legal services are available in your area. Louisiana Law Help has self-help divorce guides and forms online. The Louisiana State Bar Association can refer you to a private family law attorney in or near Franklinton. The Bogalusa area may also have local attorneys who handle family law matters in Washington Parish.
Cities in Washington Parish
Washington Parish has two main population centers. Franklinton is the parish seat where the District Court and Clerk of Court are located. Bogalusa is a larger city in the eastern part of the parish and has its own City Court. All divorce cases from communities throughout Washington Parish go through the 22nd Judicial District Court in Franklinton. No cities in Washington Parish meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site.
Nearby Parishes
Washington Parish is in southeast Louisiana near the Mississippi state line. These parishes border Washington Parish.