Court records of Lafayette Parish in the state of Louisiana can be accessed through several channels. LafayetteParishCourt.org allows viewing publicly available information about parish court cases. Additionally, official court resources, the Clerk of Court's office, and public terminals in the courthouse provide access to case registers, hearing schedules, and documents. Online search tools typically allow searches by party's last name or case number.
Lafayette Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Lafayette Parish, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding the jurisdiction will help determine which register to search for the desired record.
15th Judicial District Court is the main court of general jurisdiction in the parish. It handles:
- Criminal cases for felonies
- Civil lawsuits over $50,000
- Family matters — divorce, custody, alimony
- Inheritance and succession cases (Louisiana's equivalent of probate)
- Juvenile matters
Lafayette City Court serves the city of Lafayette and handles civil disputes up to $50,000, violations of city ordinances, and minor criminal cases (misdemeanors). It also deals with traffic violations — from speeding to driving under the influence.
For small financial disputes, there is a Small Claims Division within the City Court. The claim limit is $5,000. The procedure is simplified, and an attorney is not required.
Federal cases concerning the parish are handled by the Western District of Louisiana District Court, located in Lafayette at 800 Lafayette St., Suite 2100.
Lafayette Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be checked in several ways.
- Online search. Visit LafayetteParishCourt.org — the resource provides information about scheduled hearings and case statuses in the parish.
- Clerk of Court's Office. Call or visit the 15th JDC Clerk of Court's office in person. The staff will provide the date and room of the next hearing based on the case number.
- Public terminals. Computers for self-searching schedules and case materials are installed in the Lafayette Parish Courthouse.
- Federal cases. The hearing calendar in the federal court is available through the PACER system on the Western District of Louisiana District Court's website.
If you are interested in a specific judge — each has a separate docket. Specify the division in the office to avoid blind searches.
How to Get a Copy of a Lafayette Court Document
Copies of court documents in Lafayette Parish are issued by the Clerk of Court of the 15th Judicial District Court. There are two types of copies:
- Certified copy — a certified copy with a seal and the clerk's signature. Required for official purposes: submission to another court, immigration procedures, real estate transactions.
- Uncertified copy — a regular copy for review. It is cheaper but does not have legal force as an official document.
How to order:
- In person. Visit the office in the Lafayette Parish Courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case details, type of copy, and a check or money order to the office's address.
- Online. Some documents are available through electronic court systems. Check availability at LafayetteParishCourt.org.
Clerk of Court, 15th Judicial District Court
Note: Records in juvenile, adoption, and some family cases are usually closed to public access. The clerk will inform you if your request is subject to restrictions.
For birth, death, or marriage certificates, contact Louisiana Vital Records or the state's online services. The Clerk of Court keeps records of marriages conducted in the parish, but birth and death certificates are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health.
Lafayette Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amounts are determined by Louisiana state law (including La. R.S. 13:841 and related statutes) and may change. Below are the approximate rates in effect at the 15th JDC Clerk of Court's office. Check the current amounts directly with the office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name or case number) | Free for in-person requests; a fee may be charged for mail requests |
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $2.00 – $5.00 per document, in addition to copying costs |
| Copy of a judgment or court decision | Depends on the document's volume |
| Civil filing fee | From $200 and up, depending on the case type |
| Small claims filing | From $75 and up |
Payment methods: the office usually accepts cash, money orders, and cashier's checks. Check the possibility of credit card payment when contacting — not all divisions accept it. For mail requests, use a money order made payable to Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court.
Public records requests to the Lafayette Consolidated Government are processed in accordance with the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). The court and municipal administration are separate entities, so for court documents, contact the Clerk of Court's office, not the LCG.
Information about inmates can be found through the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections database, and data on individuals detained in the parish is available on the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office website.