West Baton Rouge Parish Divorce Decree
West Baton Rouge Parish divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Court in Port Allen, which serves the 18th Judicial District Court. The Civil Department at the clerk's office handles all divorce record requests for the parish.
West Baton Rouge Parish Quick Facts
West Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court
Amanda Gross Thies is the Clerk of Court for West Baton Rouge Parish. Her office is at 850 8th Street, Room 17, in Port Allen. The Civil Department handles all divorce decree records for the 18th Judicial District Court.
Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Call the office at (225) 383-0378. Fax is (225) 383-3694. Email inquiries go to amanda.gross@wbrclerk.org. Mail goes to P.O. Box 107, Port Allen, LA 70767. The clerk's website is at wbrclerk.org.
West Baton Rouge Parish sits just across the Mississippi River from East Baton Rouge Parish. The 18th JDC serves the parish from Port Allen. Two courts serve the parish. The 18th Judicial District Court is at 850 8th Street. Port Allen City Court is at 330 S. Alexander Avenue.
Records in West Baton Rouge Parish go back to when Louisiana became a state. Many records have been digitized and can be searched online. For divorce records specifically, contact the Civil Department at the Port Allen courthouse.
| Office Address |
850 8th Street, Room 17 Port Allen, LA 70767 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 107, Port Allen, LA 70767 |
| Phone | (225) 383-0378 |
| Fax | (225) 383-3694 |
| amanda.gross@wbrclerk.org | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | wbrclerk.org |
Historical Divorce Records in West Baton Rouge Parish
West Baton Rouge Parish has an exceptional record history. Records date back to Louisiana's early statehood. Many of these older records have been digitized and are accessible online through the clerk's portal.
If you are researching an old divorce case from the 1800s or early 1900s, the West Baton Rouge Clerk of Court may have the record on file. Contact the Civil Department and describe the case as clearly as you can. Staff can search the digitized indexes to see if the record exists. Very old records may be handwritten and require more time to locate and copy.
The clerk's office has worked to digitize many records for public access. This makes West Baton Rouge Parish one of the more accessible parishes for historical record research in Louisiana.
West Baton Rouge Parish Divorce Decree Fees
The clerk's office has a clear fee schedule for divorce record copies. Know what to expect before you visit or send a request.
Paper copies cost $1 per page. Conformed or stamped copies cost $3 per document. Faxed copies cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. Certified copies cost $5 per document. So if you need a certified copy of a six-page divorce decree, the cost is $6 for pages plus $5 for the certification, totaling $11. If a search fee applies, it adds to that total.
Call (225) 383-0378 to confirm current fees before you visit or send payment. Fees can be updated over time. Ask the staff what payment methods they accept for in-person and mail requests.
Online Divorce Record Search for West Baton Rouge Parish
West Baton Rouge Parish has an eSearch portal for civil and criminal records. As of June 19, 2024, the Civil Search moved to clerkconnect.com/login. Use this system to search for civil cases including divorce by name or case number.
The eClerks LA statewide portal also provides free index searches for West Baton Rouge Parish records. Use either system to find a case number before contacting the Civil Department for a certified copy. Online access shows index data and may show document images depending on your subscription level. Certified copies still require a formal request to the clerk's office.
How to Request West Baton Rouge Parish Divorce Records
You can get divorce decree records in person or by mail. The Civil Department at 850 8th Street, Room 17 handles these requests.
For in-person visits, bring a valid photo ID and any case information you have. Tell staff the names of both parties, the approximate year, and the case number if you have it. For mail requests, write a letter with the same details. Include a copy of your ID and payment for the fees. Mail to P.O. Box 107, Port Allen, LA 70767.
Most West Baton Rouge Parish divorce records are public under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1. Anyone can request to see them. If a record is sealed, a court order is required to access it.
Filing for Divorce in West Baton Rouge Parish
Divorce cases in West Baton Rouge Parish go through the 18th Judicial District Court. You file at the clerk's office in Port Allen. The clerk creates a case number and holds all documents.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941 requires one spouse to be domiciled in Louisiana. You file in the parish where you or your spouse lives. West Baton Rouge Parish residents file at the Port Allen courthouse. After filing under Article 102, both spouses must live separate and apart. Wait 180 days if there are no minor children, or 365 days if there are minor children. Article 103 allows an immediate divorce if you already meet the separation requirement or if you have fault grounds.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Property from the marriage is split equally unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. The final decree from the 18th JDC judge covers all terms and is part of the public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
What a West Baton Rouge Parish Divorce Decree Contains
The divorce decree is the judge's final signed order. It ends the marriage and sets every term agreed to or decided by the court.
A West Baton Rouge Parish divorce decree includes the full names of both parties, dates of marriage and separation, grounds for divorce, and how community property and debts are divided. If children are involved, the decree states custody, visitation, and child support. Spousal support terms appear if ordered. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and signature. They are required by most banks, courts, and government offices when you need to prove a divorce or make changes related to the decree.
Legal Help for West Baton Rouge Parish Residents
Several options exist for legal help with divorce matters in West Baton Rouge Parish.
The Capital Area Legal Services Corporation serves West Baton Rouge Parish and provides free legal help to qualifying residents. Call 211 to find out about income-based eligibility. Louisiana Law Help has self-help divorce guides and downloadable forms. The Louisiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can connect you with a private family law attorney who practices in the Port Allen or Baton Rouge area.
Cities in West Baton Rouge Parish
Port Allen is the parish seat and the location of the Clerk of Court and 18th Judicial District Court. Other communities include Brusly, Addis, and Erwinville. All divorce cases for West Baton Rouge Parish residents go through the courthouse in Port Allen. No cities in West Baton Rouge Parish meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site.
Nearby Parishes
West Baton Rouge Parish sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River. These parishes border West Baton Rouge Parish.