Records of divorce in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, are available through several channels. LafourcheParishCourt.org allows you to quickly find public information about divorce cases in this parish. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision, at the Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court office, as well as from the Louisiana Department of Health — Vital Records Registry. Online search, personal visit, or phone request — each of these methods works depending on the type of document.
Lafourche Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Lafourche Parish are handled by the 17th Judicial District Court, which is part of the Louisiana state judicial system. After a judge issues a decision, all documents are kept by the Clerk of Court — this official is the custodian of the parish's court records.
The collection of divorce records includes:
- Divorce judgments/decrees
- Community property settlements
- Orders regarding child custody and alimony
- Related procedural documents — complaints, answers, motions
The Louisiana Department of Health (Vital Records Registry) maintains a separate registry — it records the fact of divorce but does not store the full text of the court decision. According to the Department's clarification, a certified copy of the divorce decree is issued exclusively by the Clerk of Court of the parish where the divorce was filed.
Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court offers an online records search portal for civil and criminal cases — through it, you can find information about a divorce case by the party's last name or case number.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lafourche
The structure of filing and storing divorce records in Louisiana differs from most other states. There is no separate family court here — divorce cases are handled by the district court of general jurisdiction.
17th Judicial District Court
This court serves Lafourche Parish and handles all civil cases, including divorces. Once a judge signs the judgment of divorce, the original remains in the court's case file, and the Clerk of Court registers it in the parish's official records. If you need a complete copy of the judgment with all attachments — contact here.
Louisiana Department of Health — Vital Records Registry
The state registry of vital records keeps statistical records of divorces but not full court judgments. The Department explicitly states: a certified copy of the divorce decree must be ordered from the Clerk of Court of the parish where the divorce took place. The Vital Records Registry can confirm the fact of divorce or issue a divorce verification letter, but this does not replace the court document.
In brief — what and where to search:
| What is needed | Where to contact |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of the divorce decree | Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court |
| Community property settlement, custody orders | Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court |
| Confirmation of divorce (verification) | Louisiana Vital Records Registry |
| Online search by case number or last name | Clerk of Court Portal or LafourcheParishCourt.org |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lafourche
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Clerk of Court) | $5.00 for the first two pages + $0.50 for each additional page | 3–5 business days for in-person requests |
| Uncertified copy of court document | $0.50–$1.00 per page | Usually the same day |
| Search in Vital Records Registry (confirmation of divorce) | $15.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Expedited request processing (Vital Records) | Additional $16.00 | 7–10 business days |