Plaquemines County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Plaquemines County in 2026
PlaqueminesParishRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Plaquemines County, Louisiana. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, docket entries, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories may include dissolution judgments, property division orders, custody arrangements, spousal support determinations, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court, the Louisiana state court system, state vital records resources, and authorized online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Plaquemines Parish.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court maintains case records that may be accessible through the clerk's office directly. Members of the public may contact the clerk to inquire about available online search tools. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document reproduction.
2. State Court System Portal
Louisiana does not currently operate a single unified statewide online case search portal open to the general public for all parish courts. Members of the public are directed to contact the relevant parish clerk's office directly for case-specific inquiries.
3. State Vital Records
Louisiana does not register divorce records through the Louisiana Department of Health vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. As noted by the Louisiana Department of Health, "You must obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree from the Clerk of Court office in the parish where the divorce was granted." Divorce certificates are not issued by the state vital records office; the Clerk of Court is the sole custodian of divorce decrees in Louisiana.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Plaquemines Parish
Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court
301 Main Street
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Phone: (504) 297-5180
Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Staff assistance for locating archived records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court, 301 Main Street, Belle Chasse, LA 70037
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
- Processing time: Requests are processed in the order received; allow one to two weeks for standard requests.
By Phone
Limited Information Available by Phone:
- Clerk of Court: (504) 297-5180
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- General case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
Members of the public involved in complex matters, or those seeking access to sealed or restricted portions of a case file, may retain legal counsel. An attorney licensed in Louisiana may access court records on behalf of a client, file motions to unseal restricted documents upon a showing of good cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Louisiana State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of divorce
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses in Plaquemines Parish
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct Parish
In Louisiana, divorce proceedings are filed in the parish where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing parish may need to search multiple parishes. A divorce may not be searched in the parish where the marriage occurred unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Under Louisiana Civil Code art. 10.1, at least one spouse must have been domiciled in Louisiana for a minimum of six months immediately preceding the filing of a petition for divorce.
Time Considerations
- Recent divorces: Final judgments may not appear in the clerk's index immediately following the hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final hearing date.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Archived records may not be digitized and may require a special request.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a record may not be located:
- The divorce was filed in a different parish
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case has not yet been finalized
- Very old records may be stored in a separate archive
- The case may be sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk of Court at (504) 297-5180 to request staff assistance
- Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
- Search under both spouses' names
- Review Louisiana vital records online services for guidance on available state resources
- Consult a licensed Louisiana attorney for complex searches
What Are Plaquemines County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Plaquemines Parish are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the parish court system. These records are maintained by the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to applicable state law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
The complete case file includes all documents filed with the court from the initial petition through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings. Core documents include:
- Petition for divorce
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements, if applicable
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, oppositions, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree
The final judgment of divorce is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It constitutes legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date the marriage was legally dissolved
- Division of marital property and allocation of debts
- Alimony or spousal support obligations, if any
- Child custody and visitation arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Clerk of Court upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents filed in the case may include marriage certificates, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, appraisals, custody evaluations, and post-judgment modification orders.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court serves as the primary custodian of all divorce records originating in the parish. The clerk indexes records by the names of both parties and provides certified copies upon request. The Louisiana Department of Health does not maintain divorce decrees; those records remain exclusively with the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted.
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Louisiana are governed by the Louisiana Civil Code, including La. Civ. Code art. 102 and La. Civ. Code art. 103, which establish the grounds and procedures for dissolution of marriage. Public access to court records is governed by the Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq., which establishes a presumption of public access to records maintained by public bodies, including courts.
Are Plaquemines County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Plaquemines Parish are public court records under Louisiana law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within divorce case files are subject to restriction or redaction under state and federal law.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of both parties
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
- Salary and income details may carry partial restrictions
Children's Information:
- Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain circumstances
- Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
- Guardian ad litem reports are restricted
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
- Mental health and substance abuse records are protected
- Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public. Parties to the case and their attorneys retain access to sealed portions of their own case files.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required.
- Parties to the case: Entitled to full access to their own case file, including confidential portions.
- Attorneys of record: Access to all filed documents; may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a showing of good cause.
- Researchers and media: Access to public portions of case files; sealed records require a court order.
Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use those records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any use that violates an existing protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, genealogical research, background verification, and news reporting protected under the First Amendment.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Plaquemines County?
The Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to La. R.S. § 13:843, which governs fees charged by clerks of court in Louisiana.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page |
| Search fee (if applicable) | Varies; contact clerk |
| Electronic copies (if available) | Contact clerk for current rate |
- Inspection of public records at the clerk's office is available at no charge during regular business hours.
- Fees are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current fees with the Clerk of Court at (504) 297-5180 prior to submitting a request.
- Accepted payment methods include cash, money order, and checks made payable to the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court. Members of the public should confirm whether credit or debit card payments are accepted.
- Fee waivers are not broadly available for divorce record requests; members of the public with demonstrated indigency may inquire with the clerk regarding available accommodations.
- Basic case information, including case number, filing date, and case status, may be confirmed at no charge by contacting the clerk's office directly.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Plaquemines County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court contains all documents filed from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment actions.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record for both parties
- Date of filing and case type
Initial Pleadings:
The petition for divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the grounds for divorce, information regarding minor children if applicable, property claims, and the relief requested. Under Louisiana law, grounds for divorce include living separate and apart for the required period under La. Civ. Code art. 102 or art. 103, or the commission of a felony by one spouse. The respondent's answer or reconventional demand, if filed, is also part of the record.
Financial Affidavits:
Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents:
Where discovery is conducted, the case file may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, depositions, and financial records such as tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements. Business financial statements are included where a party owns a business interest.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
- Debt inventory with creditor information and balances
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations
- Personal property appraisals and expert reports
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
Where the parties have minor children, the case file includes the parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, and summer provisions, child support calculation worksheets, income information for both parties, health insurance and childcare cost documentation, and the child support order. Custody evaluations, home studies, and guardian ad litem reports, where ordered, are part of the file but may be restricted from public access.
Support Documents:
Alimony or spousal support provisions, where applicable, are documented in the case file and include the type of support ordered, the amount and duration, payment schedule, and conditions for modification or termination.
Settlement Documents:
A marital settlement agreement, where the parties resolve issues by agreement, is filed with the court and incorporated into the final judgment. Mediation agreements, where mediation was utilized, may also be filed, though mediation communications themselves are confidential.
Court Orders and Judgments:
Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case are part of the record. The final judgment of divorce constitutes the definitive court order and includes findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody determinations, and the judge's signature and court seal. Where retirement accounts are divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is filed as a separate order.
Post-Judgment Documents:
Post-judgment filings include petitions to modify custody or support, motions for contempt, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions. All post-judgment orders are indexed as part of the original case file.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details where a protective order is in place
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications
- Settlement negotiations not reduced to a filed agreement
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Plaquemines County?
Proof of divorce in Plaquemines Parish is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of divorce issued by the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and courts as legal proof that a marriage was dissolved.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the parish where the divorce was filed. As confirmed by the official Louisiana state government, certified copies of divorce records are obtained from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce occurred.
- Contact the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court at (504) 297-5180 to confirm the case number and verify that the record is available.
- Submit a request in person at 301 Main Street, Belle Chasse, LA 70037, or by mail to the same address.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification fee at the time of the request.
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request.
Members of the public who require proof of divorce for immigration proceedings, Social Security benefits, or remarriage may also submit requests through Louisiana's online vital records services portal, which provides guidance on directing requests to the appropriate parish clerk.
Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court
301 Main Street
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Phone: (504) 297-5180
Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Plaquemines County?
Divorce proceedings in Plaquemines Parish are presumptively public under Louisiana law; however, specific portions of a case file may be made confidential by court order or by operation of statute.
- A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, balancing the public's right of access against the privacy interests asserted.
- Cases involving domestic violence allegations may have victim addresses, contact information, and certain evidentiary materials withheld from public access pursuant to Louisiana's domestic violence statutes.
- Financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and similar identifying information are redacted from publicly accessible documents as a matter of standard court practice.
- Mental health evaluations, substance abuse records, and psychological assessments of minor children are restricted from public access and may be sealed by court order.
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public record regardless of whether the case is otherwise public.
- Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed upon motion of a party or on the court's own initiative where disclosure would not serve the best interests of the children.
- High-profile cases may be sealed in whole or in part upon a demonstrated showing that public access would cause substantial harm.
The legal basis for sealing court records in Louisiana is found in the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure and applicable court rules governing family law proceedings.
How Long Does Plaquemines County Keep Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Plaquemines Parish are retained for extended periods consistent with Louisiana law governing the preservation of court records.
- Final judgments of divorce and the complete case files associated with them are considered permanent records under Louisiana court records retention schedules. These records are not subject to routine destruction.
- The Louisiana Secretary of State's office establishes records retention schedules for local government entities, including clerks of court, under La. R.S. § 44:36, which requires that public records be retained for the periods specified in applicable schedules.
- Paper records from older cases may be stored in archival facilities and may require additional retrieval time. Members of the public requesting records from cases filed prior to the implementation of electronic filing should anticipate potential delays.
- Post-judgment documents, including modification orders and enforcement actions, are retained as part of the original case file for the same period as the underlying judgment.
- Digitization of older paper records is ongoing in many Louisiana parishes; the availability of electronic copies of historical records varies by case age and the resources of the individual clerk's office.
- Members of the public seeking records from cases more than several decades old should contact the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.