Find Family Court Records in Houma
Houma family court records are maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. As the parish seat, Houma is home to the main courthouse where all family law cases for Terrebonne Parish are filed and stored. The 32nd Judicial District Court handles divorce, custody, child support, and protective order cases for every community in the parish. Whether you are looking for a specific case file or need to start a new filing, the clerk's office on Main Street is your starting point for family court records in Houma.
Houma Quick Facts
Houma Family Court Filing Office
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court handles all family court records for Houma. The main office is at 7856 Main Street, Suite 100, in Houma. This is where you file divorce petitions, custody motions, and child support cases. Staff can also look up existing records and make copies for you. The phone number is (985) 868-5660.
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court website has details on filing procedures, forms, and office hours. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours and ask what documents you need to bring for your specific case type.
| Office | Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 7856 Main Street, Suite 100 Houma, LA 70360 |
| Phone | (985) 868-5660 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Marriage certificates and vital records are handled at a separate location at 310 Church Street in Houma. If you need a marriage certificate to support a divorce filing, you can get it there. Family court filings stay at the Main Street office.
Search Houma Family Court Records Online
Terrebonne Parish has an online search portal for court records. The Terrebonne Parish search portal lets you look up family court cases by name or case number. You can find divorce filings, custody orders, and other family court documents without going to the courthouse. The system shows basic case info like filing dates, party names, and case status.
For full documents, you may still need to visit the clerk's office or request copies by mail. The search fee for civil and family cases is $15. Regular copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies run $5 plus $1 for each additional page. These fees apply whether you search in person or request records by mail.
The clerk's website also has contact info and instructions for requesting records. Check it before your visit to make sure you have what you need.
Statewide Tools for Court Records
The eClerks Louisiana portal gives access to court records from parishes across the state. You can search for family court cases that may involve Houma residents even if filed in another parish. This cross-parish search is useful when one party lives in Terrebonne and the other in a neighboring area.
The ClerkConnect system handles eFiling and case lookups for Louisiana parishes including Terrebonne. Attorneys use it to file documents electronically. Self-represented parties can also use ClerkConnect to check case status and view filing details for family court cases in Houma.
Both systems are available online at all hours. Basic searches are free on most platforms, though some services charge for full document access.
Family Court Cases Filed in Houma
Divorce cases account for most family court records at the Terrebonne Parish Clerk's office. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, one spouse files a petition and then the couple must live apart for 180 days before a final judgment. If there are minor children, that period extends to 365 days. Article 103 allows couples who have already lived apart for the required time to get a divorce without waiting after they file.
Custody cases are also common in Houma. These may be part of a divorce or filed as standalone cases. Louisiana Civil Code Articles 131 through 136 set the rules. Judges focus on the best interest of the child when deciding custody. They consider factors like each parent's home, the child's ties to the area, and any history of abuse or neglect. Each custody order and modification becomes part of the family court record at the clerk's office.
Child support follows Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 9, Section 315. The court uses both parents' gross income to calculate the support amount. Support orders, modifications, and enforcement actions are all recorded at the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services also handles support enforcement at the state level.
Note: Adoption records in Terrebonne Parish are confidential and sealed under Louisiana law.
Houma Family Court Fees
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court charges fees for family court filings and record requests. Filing a new divorce case has its own fee. Motions for custody, support, and protective orders each have separate costs. Call the clerk at (985) 868-5660 for the current fee schedule.
Record search and copy fees are straightforward. A civil or family case search costs $15. Copies run $1 per page for regular prints. Certified copies cost $5 plus $1 per additional page. These fees are set by the clerk's office and can change, so check before you place an order.
Louisiana law allows fee waivers for people who cannot afford court costs. You file an In Forma Pauperis affidavit with the court. If a judge approves your request, the court waives filing fees and some service costs. This applies to any family court case type in Terrebonne Parish, from divorce to custody to protective orders.
Protective Orders in Houma
Domestic abuse victims in Houma can get a protective order through the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. Louisiana Revised Statutes 46:2131 through 46:2143 govern these filings. A temporary restraining order can be issued the same day you file. The court then sets a hearing within 21 days.
A full protective order can last up to 18 months. Extensions are possible if the threat continues. These records become part of the family court files at the clerk's office. Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325. In cases where a protective order is linked to a divorce, property division still follows community property rules. The final judgment in any family court case becomes a public record under the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1).
Legal Help in Houma
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents of Terrebonne Parish. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and protective orders. Call them to find out if you qualify for their services.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has guides and forms for people who want to file family court cases on their own. The site walks you through the steps and helps you fill out the right forms. The Terrebonne Parish Clerk's office can also tell you which forms you need, though staff cannot give legal advice. The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service if you prefer to hire an attorney for your case.
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Services for free legal help
- Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org for self-help guides
- Louisiana State Bar Association for attorney referrals
- Terrebonne Parish Clerk for forms and filing info
- National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
Terrebonne Parish Family Court Records
Houma is the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish. All family court filings for the city and surrounding communities go through the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court and the 32nd Judicial District Court. For full parish details, fees, and additional resources, visit the Terrebonne Parish page.