Access St. Bernard Parish Family Court Records

Family court records in St. Bernard Parish are filed at the Clerk of Court office in Chalmette. The 34th Judicial District Court has authority over all family law cases in this parish. Whether you need a divorce record, custody order, or child support filing, the clerk's office is where these documents are stored. You can search for records in person, by mail, or through one of the state online portals that cover St. Bernard Parish court filings.

St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court

The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court keeps all family court records for the parish. This office handles new filings and stores records from past cases. You can find divorce judgments, custody orders, support filings, paternity records, and protection order documents here. The office sits in the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex in Chalmette. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

St. Bernard Parish is just east of New Orleans in the metro area. The parish was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and some older court records were lost or damaged during that time. The clerk's office has worked to restore and digitize records since then. If you are looking for a family court record from before 2005, call ahead to check what is on file. More recent records are in good shape and can be found quickly. Under La. R.S. 44:1, court records in Louisiana are public. Anyone can ask to see them.

The Clerk Connect portal is one way to search St. Bernard Parish court records online from home.

You can also mail a records request to the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court in Chalmette. Include the full names of both parties, the type of case, and a check or money order to cover copy fees. The clerk will mail the records back to you.

Family Court Cases in St. Bernard Parish

St. Bernard Parish is served by the 34th Judicial District Court. This district covers only St. Bernard Parish. Judges here hear all types of family law matters. Divorce petitions, custody disputes, child support cases, and domestic abuse protection orders all go through this court in Chalmette.

Divorce filings in St. Bernard Parish follow Louisiana Civil Code Article 102. One spouse files a petition with the clerk and pays the filing fee. Then the couple must live apart for 180 days. If there are minor children, the wait is 365 days. Under Article 103, if the couple has already been living apart long enough, the judge can end the marriage right away. Every paper filed during the divorce becomes part of the court record at the clerk's office.

Custody cases in St. Bernard Parish follow Louisiana Civil Code Articles 131 through 134. The court decides based on what is best for the child. Factors include each parent's home, the child's ties to school and community, and each parent's ability to provide care. The judge puts the custody order in writing and it becomes a family court record. Child support in St. Bernard Parish is set using the formula in La. R.S. 9:315, which looks at both parents' income to figure the amount.

St. Bernard Parish Records Online

Searching for St. Bernard Parish family court records online is possible through state portals. Clerk Connect is the main tool. It lets you search by name or case number. You can find basic case info and sometimes view filed documents. A subscription may be needed for full access.

The eClerks Louisiana portal also covers St. Bernard Parish. This statewide system gives you access to document images from the clerk's office. If you need to see the actual filed papers in a family court case, eClerks may have them. The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association portal is another resource that links to the St. Bernard Parish office and has forms and fee info.

For people in the New Orleans metro area, searching St. Bernard Parish records online saves a trip to Chalmette. Start with Clerk Connect for case lookups and use eClerks if you need document images.

St. Bernard Parish Family Court Record Types

Family court records in St. Bernard Parish include divorce filings, custody orders, child support records, paternity cases, and protection orders. Divorce is the most common filing. The case file starts with the petition and includes the answer, motions, and the final judgment. The judgment is the key document. It ends the marriage and sets the terms for property, custody, and support.

Protection orders are filed in St. Bernard Parish under La. R.S. 46:2131. A person can ask the court for a protective order if there is domestic abuse. These filings also go on the Louisiana Protective Order Registry. Community property disputes come up often in family court here, since Louisiana Civil Code Article 2325 says property gained during a marriage is shared equally. When a divorce case involves community property, the settlement terms become part of the court record.

Getting Copies of St. Bernard Parish Records

You can get copies of family court records by visiting the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court in Chalmette. Staff will pull the file and make copies for you. You can also call ahead to have papers ready. Mail requests work too.

Copy fees in St. Bernard Parish follow Louisiana standard rates. Plain copies run about $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more and include the clerk's stamp and seal. You need a certified copy if the document will be used in court, for a government filing, or for a legal matter like a name change. If you are not sure what type of copy you need, ask the clerk. Most people who need the record for official use will want the certified version. If you have low income, ask about fee waiver options.

Note: Call the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court to check current copy fees before sending payment by mail.

Legal Help in St. Bernard Parish

Legal help for family court cases in St. Bernard Parish is available through a few groups. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services serves the New Orleans metro area, including St. Bernard Parish. They offer free legal aid to people who qualify based on income. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases. Call 211 to check if you are eligible.

The Louisiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. You can call or go online to find a family law attorney who works in St. Bernard Parish. For self-help options, Louisiana Law Help has forms, guides, and instructions. Many people file their own divorce in St. Bernard Parish when both sides agree on everything. The clerk can provide the forms, but cannot give legal advice. Appeals from St. Bernard Parish go to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal in New Orleans.

Cities in St. Bernard Parish

St. Bernard Parish includes Chalmette, Meraux, Arabi, Violet, and other communities. All family court cases go through the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court in Chalmette. All record requests go to the parish clerk.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border St. Bernard Parish. Check your address before filing a family court case to make sure you file in the right parish.