Records of divorce in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decision, the parish clerk of court's office, and the state vital records office. LafayetteParishCourt.org allows you to find public information regarding divorce records in the parish. Additionally, you can contact the Clerk of Court of Lafayette Parish directly, who maintains the original court documents, or the Center for Vital Records and Statistics at the Louisiana Department of Health for state-level divorce certificates.
Lafayette Divorce Records Search
In Lafayette Parish, divorce records are maintained by two main institutions. The Clerk of Court of Lafayette Parish is responsible for court cases — this is where the original court decisions (divorce decrees), property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and all related procedural documents are located. This collection covers cases heard by the 15th Judicial District Court.
At the state level, the Louisiana Department of Health through its Center for Vital Records and Statistics maintains a registry of divorce certificates — brief confirmatory documents that record the fact of divorce. These records have been maintained since 1946.
The parish records collection includes:
- Divorce decrees / judgments
- Divorce certificates
- Property settlement agreements
- Child custody and support orders
- Petitions and responses
Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lafayette
Divorce cases in Lafayette Parish are handled by the 15th Judicial District Court. This is a general jurisdiction court in the state of Louisiana, serving the parishes of Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion. Once a judge signs a decision, the document is filed with the Clerk of Court's office in Lafayette Parish — this office is the official custodian of all parish court records.
Which institution to choose depends on what you need:
- Complete court record (decree, agreement, custody orders) — contact the Clerk of Court of Lafayette Parish.
- Divorce certificate (a brief confirmation of the divorce for other institutions) — order from the state vital records office.
15th Judicial District Court — Lafayette Division
Louisiana Vital Records (Center for Vital Records and Statistics)
Note: The Clerk of Court of each parish is required to maintain and provide access to official parish records in accordance with Louisiana law. Some documents in divorce cases, particularly those involving minor children, may have restricted access — check directly with the clerk.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lafayette
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Clerk of Court) | $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional; plus $5.00 for certification | 1–3 business days for in-person requests |
| Divorce certificate (Louisiana Vital Records) | $25.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Registry search (Vital Records, each additional 5-year search) | $25.00 | Included in the main processing time |
| Expedited certificate processing (Vital Records, FedEx delivery) | Additional ~$10.50 for delivery | 5–7 business days |