Kenner Family Court Records
Kenner family court records are managed by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. The Kenner City Court handles traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and small civil cases, but it does not hear family law matters. All divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and protective order cases for Kenner residents go through the 24th Judicial District Court. You can search these family court records online through the Jefferson Parish clerk's portal or visit the East Bank office in person for copies and case information.
Kenner Quick Facts
Where Kenner Family Cases Are Filed
Kenner sits on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. Family court cases from Kenner are filed at the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court East Bank office. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court keeps all family court records for the parish, including those from Kenner, Metairie, and other East Bank communities.
The Kenner City Court at 1801 Williams Blvd, Building A, Kenner, LA 70062, handles municipal and traffic cases along with civil matters up to $25,000. You can reach them at (504) 468-7277. But family law is not part of their jurisdiction. If you need to file for divorce, modify custody, or request a protective order, the parish court is where you go.
| Court | 24th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk Office | Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court (East Bank) |
| Address | 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd Jefferson, LA 70123 |
| Phone | (504) 736-6390 |
| Website | jpclerkofcourt.us |
The East Bank clerk office is on Elmwood Park Boulevard in Jefferson, just a short drive from Kenner. They are open Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours and ask about any documents you need to bring.
Search Kenner Family Court Records Online
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court runs the JeffNet online portal for case searches. This tool lets you look up family court records by party name or case number. You can find divorce cases, custody filings, and other family matters from Kenner and the rest of Jefferson Parish. The system shows case type, filing date, parties, and sometimes links to documents.
Visit the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website to access the search tools and learn about fees for copies.
The clerk's website also has info on how to request records by mail, what forms you may need, and the current fee schedule. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. If you plan to use a record in another court or for a legal transaction, you will likely need a certified copy.
You can also use ClerkConnect to search Jefferson Parish family court records. This statewide tool connects to multiple parish clerk offices across Louisiana. It works well when you need to look up cases in more than one parish.
Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court
The Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors in Kenner and the rest of the parish. This includes delinquency cases, child in need of care proceedings, and some custody matters that involve the state. The juvenile court is separate from the main district court but its records are also kept by the Jefferson Parish clerk.
The Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court website provides information about court programs and services.
Juvenile records have strict privacy rules in Louisiana. Under the Louisiana Children's Code, most juvenile court records are confidential. Only certain people can see them, such as the child's parents, their attorney, or authorized agencies. If you need access to a juvenile case file, you may have to file a motion with the court and show good cause.
Note: Juvenile court records from Kenner are not available through public online search tools due to confidentiality rules.
Family Court Laws for Kenner Cases
Kenner residents who file family court cases follow Louisiana state law. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, filing a divorce petition starts a waiting period of 180 days. When minor children are part of the case, the wait extends to 365 days. Under Article 103, if the spouses have already lived apart for the required time, the court can grant a divorce right away without the waiting period.
Louisiana is a community property state. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325, property acquired during the marriage belongs to both spouses equally. The court divides this property as part of the divorce. Separate property stays with the spouse who owned it before the marriage. Custody in Kenner divorce cases follows Louisiana Civil Code Article 131, which requires the judge to decide based on the best interest of the child. Factors include each parent's relationship with the child, the child's wishes if they are old enough, and the stability of each home.
Child support follows Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315. The court uses both parents' income to calculate the amount. The guidelines set a base amount that can go up or down based on things like health insurance costs, child care expenses, and the number of children. Protective orders under Louisiana Revised Statutes 46:2131 through 46:2143 allow victims of domestic abuse to get court protection quickly. A temporary order can be issued the same day you file.
Getting Copies of Kenner Family Records
Kenner residents can get copies of family court records from the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. You can go to the East Bank office at 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd in Jefferson. Bring your case number if you have it. The staff can also search by name. Certified copies take a bit longer and cost more, but they carry the clerk's seal and are accepted by other courts and government agencies.
For divorce certificates, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry handles those separately. A certificate from vital records is a short form that proves the divorce happened. The full judgment with all terms about property, custody, and support comes from the Jefferson Parish clerk. You may need both depending on what you are trying to do. Call the clerk at (504) 736-6390 for current copy fees.
Legal Help for Kenner Residents
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services covers the Kenner area and gives free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They handle family law cases like divorce, custody, and protective orders. The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service if you need to find a private attorney who practices family law in Jefferson Parish.
Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for pro se filers. These guides walk you through the paperwork for divorce, custody changes, and child support motions. The 24th JDC allows self-representation, but you must follow court rules and meet all deadlines.
Jefferson Parish Family Court Records
Kenner is in Jefferson Parish, and all family court filings go through the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court and the 24th Judicial District Court. For full details on the parish court system, fees, forms, and related records, visit the Jefferson Parish family court records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Kenner where residents access family court records through their parish courts: