Access Bossier City Family Court Records
Bossier City family court records are filed and stored at the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court in Benton. The Bossier City Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and civil suits up to $25,000, but it does not hear family law cases. All divorce, custody, child support, and protective order matters for Bossier City residents go through the 26th Judicial District Court. You can search for family court records online through the parish clerk or visit the office in Benton for copies and case information.
Bossier City Quick Facts
Where Bossier City Family Cases Are Filed
Family court cases from Bossier City go to the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk's office is in Benton, which is the parish seat. Even though Bossier City is the largest city in the parish, the courthouse is in Benton, about 15 minutes north of Bossier City. The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court handles divorce filings, custody cases, child support actions, and marriage records.
The Bossier City Court at 620 Benton Rd, Bossier City, LA 71111, handles municipal matters. You can call them at 318-741-8086 for questions about traffic tickets or small civil claims. They do not take family law cases. If you call about a divorce or custody issue, they will tell you to contact the parish clerk in Benton.
| Court | 26th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk Office | Bossier Parish Clerk of Court |
| Address | 204 Burt Blvd Benton, LA 71006 |
| Phone | (318) 965-2336 |
| Website | bossierclerk.com |
Note: The parish courthouse in Benton is on Burt Boulevard, just off Highway 162.
Search Bossier City Family Court Records Online
The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court has tools for searching case records online. You can look up family court cases by party name or case number. The system shows basic case details like the type of case, filing date, and the names of the parties involved.
The Bossier Parish Clerk website is the starting point for online searches of Bossier City family court records.
The website may also link to additional search portals. Some records can be viewed online, while others require you to visit the office in Benton. If you need certified copies, those are typically only available in person or by mail request.
The ClerkConnect statewide system also covers Bossier Parish. You can use it to pull up case information from multiple Louisiana parishes at once. The eClerks Louisiana portal is another option that connects to parish clerk offices across the state.
Bossier City Family Court at the 26th JDC
The 26th Judicial District Court handles all family law matters for Bossier Parish, including cases from Bossier City. This court hears divorce petitions, custody disputes, child support enforcement, visitation modifications, and domestic abuse protective orders. The court has judges assigned to different case types, and family cases get set on the docket based on the judge's schedule.
The 26th JDC website has orders and forms that you may need for your family court case.
You can find standard forms for divorce, custody motions, and other family law filings on the court's site. Using the right forms saves time and helps avoid delays in your case. The court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the correct form for your situation.
Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, a divorce petition filed in the 26th JDC starts a 180-day waiting period. If minor children are involved, the wait goes to 365 days. Under Article 103, spouses who have been living apart for the full required period can get a divorce right away. Both paths create family court records that are stored with the Bossier Parish clerk. Louisiana Civil Code Article 131 guides custody decisions, requiring the court to act in the best interest of the child. Factors include each parent's moral fitness, the child's bond with each parent, and the stability of the home.
Child Support and Protective Orders
Child support cases in Bossier City follow Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315. The guidelines use both parents' gross income to set the support amount. The court looks at things like health insurance costs, child care, and how many children need support. Either parent can file a motion to change the support amount if their income changes by a large amount. These motions go through the 26th JDC and become part of the family court record.
Protective orders for domestic abuse are covered by Louisiana Revised Statutes 46:2131 through 46:2143. A Bossier City resident can file for a temporary restraining order at the Bossier Parish clerk's office. The court can issue a temporary order the same day. A hearing for a longer-term protective order is then set within 21 days. The order can require the abuser to stay away from the home, the workplace, and the children's school. Violating a protective order is a criminal offense in Louisiana.
Marriage records for Bossier City are also kept at the parish clerk's office. The clerk issues marriage licenses and stores the signed certificates after the ceremony. These records are public and can be searched through the clerk's office or online tools.
Getting Copies of Bossier City Family Records
You can get copies of family court records by going to the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court at 204 Burt Blvd in Benton. Bring your case number if you have it. The clerk's staff can search by party name if you do not have the number. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted by courts and government agencies. Plain copies are cheaper and work for personal use.
For divorce certificates, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry handles those separately from the court. A vital records certificate is a short form that confirms the divorce happened. The full judgment with all the terms about property division, custody, and support comes from the Bossier Parish clerk. Most people who need to prove a Bossier City divorce for legal reasons will want the full judgment from the clerk's office. Call (318) 965-2336 to ask about current fees and how to submit a request by mail if you cannot come in person.
Legal Help for Bossier City Residents
Northwest Louisiana Legal Services covers the Bossier City area and provides free legal help to low-income residents. They take family law cases including divorce, custody, and protective orders. The Louisiana State Bar Association has a referral service if you want to find a private family law attorney in the Shreveport-Bossier metro area.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has self-help guides for people who want to file without a lawyer. The site has forms and step-by-step instructions for divorce, custody, and child support. Pro se filers in Bossier City must follow the 26th JDC's rules. The court allows self-representation, but all deadlines and filing requirements still apply.
Bossier Parish Family Court Records
Bossier City is in Bossier Parish, and all family court filings go through the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court and the 26th Judicial District Court. For more on the parish court system, fee schedules, and related records, visit the Bossier Parish family court records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Bossier City where residents access family court records through their parish courts: