Divorce records in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decree, the court clerk's office, and the state office of vital records. OrleansParishCourt.org allows you to search publicly available information about divorce records in the parish. Additionally, you can contact the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, the court clerk's office, or the Louisiana Vital Records Registry at the state Department of Health directly.
Orleans Divorce Records Search
In Orleans Parish, divorce records are maintained by two main institutions. The Clerk of the Civil District Court keeps court cases — a complete set of documents, including the petition, court decree, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related motions. It is one of 43 district courts in the state and has primary jurisdiction over all civil cases in the parish.
The second channel is the Center for Vital Records and Statistics at the Louisiana Department of Health. This institution maintains divorce certificates as statistical documents. The certificate confirms the fact of the divorce but does not contain details of property settlement or custody.
Main contact information for the court:
Orleans Parish Civil District Court — Clerk of Court
The court records collection includes:
- Divorce decrees/judgments
- Property settlement agreements
- Custody and support orders
- Motions, responses, and interim orders
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Orleans
Divorce cases in Orleans Parish are handled by the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Once a judge signs the decree, it remains in the court clerk's file — this is where you should go if you need a copy of the decree or any document from the case.
If you only need a divorce certificate — a brief document that records the date, place, and names of the parties — it is issued by the state registry. The choice depends on the purpose of the request:
- Full court record (decree, settlement, custody orders) → Civil District Court Clerk's office
- Divorce certificate (for confirming marital status, changing documents, etc.) → Louisiana Vital Records Registry
Orleans Parish Civil District Court — Clerk of Court
Louisiana Vital Records Registry
For records related to public documents of the city of New Orleans, the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. Rev. Stat. Title 44) applies. Divorce court records are generally public, although certain documents — such as financial statements or materials regarding minors — may be sealed by the court.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Orleans
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Regular copy of court document (per page) — Clerk of Civil District Court | $1.00 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court decree — Clerk of Civil District Court | $5.00 (plus $1.00 for each additional page) | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate — Louisiana Vital Records | $25.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Search in Vital Records database (if exact date is unknown) | Included in certificate fee | May increase processing time |