Livingston Parish Family Court Records

Family court records in Livingston Parish are managed by the Clerk of Court in Livingston. The 21st Judicial District Court handles all family law cases for this parish. You can search for divorce filings, custody orders, child support cases, and protection orders through the clerk's office or online. Livingston Parish also has a satellite office in Denham Springs for added convenience. Whether you need a copy of a court order or want to look up a case, the clerk's staff can help you find the right file and get what you need.

Livingston Parish Clerk of Court

The Livingston Parish Clerk of Court main office is at 20300 Government Boulevard, 1st Floor, Livingston, LA 70754. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1150, Livingston, LA 70754. You can call at (225) 686-2216 or use the toll-free number at (877) 854-1579. The Clerk of Court is Jason B. Harris. You can reach the office by email at kevin.pope@livclerk.org. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Livingston Parish Clerk of Court website has info on services, forms, and how to request family court records.

Livingston Parish also has a satellite office at 145 Del Orleans Avenue, Building 2, Suite E in Denham Springs, LA 70726. This location handles some clerk services and can be more convenient if you live on the east side of the parish. Call ahead to check which services are available at the satellite office.

Under La. R.S. 44:1, most court records in Louisiana are public. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be a party in the case. Adoption records are restricted by law. Juvenile records are also closed. But divorce, custody, and support records are open. Walk in and ask the staff to pull your case file. They can make copies right at the counter.

Livingston Parish Family Court Record Types

The Livingston Parish Clerk of Court holds a range of family court records. Divorce filings are the most common. The file includes the petition, the other party's answer, any motions, and the final judgment. The judgment ends the marriage and sets terms for property, custody, and support. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 102, one spouse files a petition and must live apart for 180 days. If there are children under 18, the wait is 365 days. Article 103 allows the court to grant a divorce right away if the couple has already been apart for the required time.

Custody and child support records are also on file. Custody orders spell out who has legal and physical custody and what the visitation schedule looks like. Child support is calculated under La. R.S. 9:315 using both parents' incomes. Parental rights cases, including termination of parental rights, go through this court as well.

Adoption records are filed here but restricted under Louisiana law. Only the parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies can see adoption files. Juvenile records are also closed to the public. Protection orders filed under La. R.S. 46:2131 are kept by the clerk and also show up on the Louisiana Protective Order Registry. Marriage records are on file too. Louisiana is a community property state under Civil Code Article 2325, so property division is part of most divorce cases in Livingston Parish.

Search Livingston Parish Records Online

The eClerks Louisiana portal covers Livingston Parish records. This statewide system lets you search for recorded documents and some case filings. It can be useful for finding property transfers tied to divorce cases or liens that come up during family court proceedings.

The eClerks portal provides online access to Livingston Parish recorded documents and court filings.

The Clerk Connect portal also covers Livingston Parish. This system is used by many parishes across Louisiana for online case searches and e-recording. You can look up family court cases by party name or case number. A subscription is needed for full access. The eClerks system offers its own pricing: $20 for 24-hour access or $125 for an annual subscription.

Clerk Connect provides another way to search Livingston Parish family court records from your computer.

Note: Some older case files may not be in the online systems, so call the clerk at (225) 686-2216 for records from many years ago.

Family Court in the 21st Judicial District

Livingston Parish is part of the 21st Judicial District Court. This district also covers St. Helena Parish and Tangipahoa Parish. Each parish has its own clerk of court office, but they share the same district court system. Judges in this district hear divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protection order, and other family law cases.

The 21st Judicial District Court website has info on judges, court schedules, and local rules that apply to family cases.

If you file a family court case in Livingston Parish, it goes through the 21st Judicial District Court. Make sure you file in the right parish. Louisiana law says you must file where you or your spouse lives. The 21st District has its own local rules on top of the state code, so check those before you file.

Livingston Parish Court Record Fees

Fees at the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court are set by the office. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10. A criminal background check runs $20 per name. These fees can change, so call before you send money.

For online access, the eClerks system charges $20 for 24 hours or $125 for a full year. Filing fees for new family court cases depend on the case type. Divorce, custody, and support filings each have their own rate. Service of process is extra. If you cannot pay, file an In Forma Pauperis form and ask the judge to waive the fees. Call (225) 686-2216 or the toll-free line at (877) 854-1579 to get the exact current costs.

Legal Help in Livingston Parish

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services covers Livingston Parish. They may offer free legal help to people with low income for family court matters. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases. Call 211 to find out if you qualify. The Louisiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney near Livingston or Denham Springs.

Louisiana Law Help has self-help guides and forms online. Many people in Livingston Parish file their own divorce or custody case when both sides agree on the terms. The clerk's office can give you forms but cannot give legal advice. If you need a protection order in a hurry, the court can issue a temporary restraining order the same day you file. Talk to the clerk's office about the forms and steps you need to take.

Cities in Livingston Parish

Livingston Parish includes Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Albany, Springfield, and other communities. All family court cases go through the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court. The satellite office in Denham Springs handles some clerk services for residents on that side of the parish. All records requests go through the parish clerk's office.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border Livingston Parish. The 21st Judicial District also covers St. Helena and Tangipahoa. File your case in the parish where you live.