Search West Feliciana Parish Divorce Decree Records
West Feliciana Parish divorce decree records are held at the Clerk of Court in St. Francisville, which serves the 20th Judicial District Court. Divorce records in the parish go back to 1900 and can be searched online or in person at the courthouse.
West Feliciana Parish Quick Facts
West Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court
Stewart Hughes is the Clerk of Court for West Feliciana Parish. The office is at 4785 Prosperity Street in St. Francisville and handles all court records for the 20th Judicial District Court. This includes civil records, criminal records, land records, marriage records, probate records, and divorce decrees.
Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Phone is (225) 635-3794. Fax is (225) 635-3770. Mail goes to P.O. Box 1843, St. Francisville, LA 70775. The clerk's website is at westfelicianaclerkofcourt.org.
The West Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court website offers a Public Records Search that covers land, civil, criminal, marriage, and probate records. You can use it to look up divorce cases by name from your computer before visiting the courthouse.
| Office Address |
4785 Prosperity Street St. Francisville, LA 70775 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1843, St. Francisville, LA 70775 |
| Phone | (225) 635-3794 |
| Fax | (225) 635-3770 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | westfelicianaclerkofcourt.org |
Online Divorce Decree Search in West Feliciana Parish
The West Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court offers a Public Records Search on their website at westfelicianaclerkofcourt.org. This tool lets you search land, civil, criminal, marriage, and probate records online.
To search for a divorce case, go to the site and select "VERDICT CIVIL" from the record type dropdown menu. This will pull civil case records including divorce filings. You can search by name to find the case number and basic case details. For criminal case lookups, select "VERDICT CRIMINAL" from the same dropdown. Each record type is listed separately in the menu.
The eClerks LA statewide portal also provides free index access to West Feliciana Parish civil records. Use either system to find a case number before contacting the clerk for certified copies.
Online searches provide index information. Certified copies still require a formal request to the West Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court in St. Francisville.
Historical Records in West Feliciana Parish
West Feliciana Parish has deep historical records. Land records go back to 1811. Marriage records start from 1879. Divorce, probate, and court records begin from 1900.
If you need a divorce record from the early 1900s or a land record from the 1800s, the clerk's office in St. Francisville is the place to look. Give staff as many details as you can when searching old records. Names, approximate year, and any known case details will help. Old records may be handwritten and take extra time to locate and copy.
How to Request West Feliciana Parish Divorce Records
Request a divorce decree in person at the St. Francisville courthouse or by mail. In-person is the faster option.
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Give staff the names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you found it through the online search. For mail requests, write a letter with the same case details. Include a copy of your ID and payment for fees. Mail to P.O. Box 1843, St. Francisville, LA 70775. Call (225) 635-3794 first to confirm current fees before sending payment.
Most West Feliciana Parish divorce records 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.
Filing for Divorce in West Feliciana Parish
Divorce cases in West Feliciana Parish go through the 20th Judicial District Court. You file at the clerk's office in St. Francisville. The clerk assigns a case number and keeps all documents from that point on.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3941 requires one spouse to be domiciled in Louisiana. You file in the parish where you or your spouse lives. Under Article 102, after filing, you must live separate and apart. The wait is 180 days with no minor children, or 365 days if there are minor children. Under Article 103, if you already meet the separation requirement or have grounds for a fault divorce, you can seek an immediate judgment without waiting.
Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. Property from the marriage is divided equally between both parties unless they agree to different terms. The final decree from the 20th JDC covers all terms and is filed as a public record under La. R.S. 44:1.
What a West Feliciana Parish Divorce Decree Contains
The divorce decree is the judge's final signed order. It ends the marriage and sets out every term.
A West Feliciana Parish divorce decree includes the full names of both parties, the dates of marriage and separation, the grounds for divorce, and how community property and debts are divided. If children are involved, custody, visitation, and child support terms appear in the decree. Spousal support is included if ordered by the court. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies for most legal actions tied to a divorce, such as name changes and property transfers.
Divorce Certificates from Louisiana Vital Records
The Louisiana Department of Health issues divorce certificates. These are short documents, not full decrees.
A certificate from the LDH Vital Records office shows names, date, and parish. It does not include custody terms, property division, or support amounts. The fee is $9 per certified copy. If you just need proof that a divorce happened, a certificate may be enough. For anything requiring the full decree, contact the West Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court in St. Francisville. The state Vital Records office cannot issue certified divorce decrees.
Legal Help for West Feliciana Parish Residents
West Feliciana Parish is a small rural parish. Legal services are available through state programs for residents who need help.
The Capital Area Legal Services Corporation serves parishes in the Baton Rouge region, which may include West Feliciana Parish. Call 211 to ask about free legal help and income eligibility. Louisiana Law Help has self-help divorce guides and forms for Louisiana residents. The Louisiana State Bar Association referral service can connect you with a private attorney who handles family law in the St. Francisville area.
Cities in West Feliciana Parish
St. Francisville is the parish seat and location of the Clerk of Court. It is the only incorporated town in the parish. All divorce cases filed in West Feliciana Parish go through the 20th Judicial District Court at the St. Francisville courthouse. No cities in West Feliciana Parish meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site.
Nearby Parishes
West Feliciana Parish is in the Florida Parishes region of Louisiana. These parishes share borders with West Feliciana Parish.