St. Bernard County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In St. Bernard County in 2026
StBernardParishRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in St. Bernard County, Louisiana. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, party names, filing dates, and related court documents. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, custody arrangements, and support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The primary custodian of divorce records in St. Bernard Parish is the Clerk of Court, which maintains complete case files for all family law proceedings filed within the parish.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court maintains an online case management portal where members of the public may search divorce and family law cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document downloads.
2. State Vital Records
Louisiana does not register divorce decrees through the Center for Vital Records and Statistics in the same manner as birth or death certificates. As stated by the Louisiana Department of Health, "The Louisiana Vital Records Registry cannot issue a certified copy of a divorce decree. You must obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree by contacting the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted." The Louisiana vital records online services portal confirms that certified copies of divorce records must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce occurred.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — St. Bernard Parish
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
8201 W. Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043
Phone: (504) 271-3434
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Members of the public may visit the Clerk's office to:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Receive staff assistance with record location
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court, 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA 70043
- Include the following:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requester's contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and record age
By Phone
The Clerk of Court may be reached at (504) 271-3434. Staff can confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- The assigned case number
- Current case status
- The original filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone.
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Louisiana may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through appropriate court motions, and obtain certified copies. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Louisiana State Bar Association for attorney referral services.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses in St. Bernard Parish
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct Parish
Under Louisiana law, divorce proceedings are filed in the parish where either spouse is domiciled at the time of filing. Pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 3941, venue for divorce actions lies in the parish of either spouse's domicile. Members of the public who cannot locate a record in St. Bernard Parish should consider whether the divorce may have been filed in an adjacent parish.
Residency Requirement: Under La. C.C. art. 102 and related provisions, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana, and the action is filed in the parish of that spouse's domicile.
Time Considerations
- Recent divorces: Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final judgment is signed.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a specific written request.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a divorce record may not be located include:
- The divorce was filed in a different parish
- Name variations between maiden and married names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Members of the public experiencing difficulty locating a record may contact the Clerk's office at (504) 271-3434, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the St. Bernard Parish official page for additional guidance.
What Are St. Bernard County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in St. Bernard Parish are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the 34th Judicial District Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Court and constitute part of the permanent family law case file.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
The complete case file includes:
- Petition for divorce or separation
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Motions, oppositions, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings (if ordered)
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree
The final judgment of divorce is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It establishes:
- The legal date of dissolution
- Division of community property and debts
- Spousal support obligations, if any
- Child custody and visitation arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Clerk of Court and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes such as remarriage, name changes, immigration proceedings, Social Security benefits, and estate planning.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents within the case file may include:
- The original marriage certificate (if filed)
- Financial disclosure forms
- Community property inventories
- Post-divorce modification orders
- Contempt and enforcement filings
Legal Framework:
Louisiana divorce law is governed primarily by the Louisiana Civil Code, including La. C.C. art. 102 and La. C.C. art. 103, which establish the grounds and procedures for divorce in the state. Public access to court records is governed by Louisiana's public records law, La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq., which establishes a presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court filings.
Are St. Bernard County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in St. Bernard Parish are public court records subject to Louisiana's public records law. Members of the public may access basic case information, final judgments, and most filed documents. Certain categories of information are restricted or redacted to protect sensitive personal data.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Final judgment of divorce
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted by court order)
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Louisiana law and are not part of the public record.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requester | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents and docket entries |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Attorneys of record | Full access; may petition for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted records |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in St. Bernard County?
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to La. R.S. § 13:843, which governs clerk of court fees statewide.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of judgment or decree | $5.00 per document + $1.00 per page |
| Certification seal | Included in certified copy fee |
| Search fee (if applicable) | Varies; confirm with Clerk's office |
- Accepted payment methods: Cash, money order, and checks made payable to the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court are accepted for in-person and mail requests. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the Clerk's office, as electronic payment options may be available.
- Free access: Members of the public may inspect public case documents at the courthouse at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
- Fee waivers: Fee waiver provisions may apply in limited circumstances, such as for indigent parties to the case. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver must submit a written request with supporting documentation.
What's Included in Divorce Records in St. Bernard County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court contains documents generated at every stage of the proceeding.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption (case number, court name, division, party names)
- Judge assigned to the matter
- Attorneys of record for each party
- Filing date and case type
Initial Pleadings:
- Petition for Divorce: Identifies both parties, states the marriage date and location, identifies any minor children, and sets forth the grounds for divorce and relief requested
- Response/Answer: The respondent's position, admissions or denials, and any counterclaims
- Financial Affidavits: Both parties' income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
Property-Related Documents:
- Community property inventory listing real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and personal property
- Debt inventory covering mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
- Appraisals and expert valuations, if ordered
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules, holiday provisions, and decision-making authority
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Custody evaluations ordered by the court (may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports (may be restricted)
Support Documents:
- Spousal support orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income information and standard-of-living analysis
Settlement Documents:
- Consent judgment or marital settlement agreement resolving all issues by agreement of the parties
- Mediation agreement, if the matter was mediated (terms incorporated into the judgment; communications remain confidential)
Court Orders and Final Judgment:
- Temporary orders issued during the pendency of the case
- Final judgment of divorce containing the court's findings, property division, support orders, custody determinations, and name restoration, if applicable
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts, if applicable
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse records
- Mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in St. Bernard County?
Proof of divorce in St. Bernard Parish takes the form of a certified copy of the final judgment of divorce issued by the Clerk of Court. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable for remarriage applications, name change proceedings, immigration filings, and other official purposes.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
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Identify the correct parish. The certified copy must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted. As confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health's marriage and vital records guidance, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry does not issue certified copies of divorce decrees.
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Gather required information. Requesters should have the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if available.
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Submit a request in person, by mail, or online:
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
8201 W. Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043
Phone: (504) 271-3434
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
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Pay applicable fees. Current fees for certified copies are set pursuant to La. R.S. § 13:843. Payment by cash, money order, or check is accepted.
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Receive the certified copy. In-person requests are processed at the time of the visit when records are available. Mail requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks.
Members of the public who need to verify whether a divorce occurred but do not require a certified copy may also consult the Online Public Vital Records Index maintained by the Louisiana Secretary of State for historical records research purposes.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in St. Bernard County?
A divorce proceeding in St. Bernard Parish may be made confidential, in whole or in part, through a court order sealing the record. Confidentiality is not automatic; a party must file a motion and demonstrate good cause for the court to restrict public access.
Circumstances under which divorce records may be confidential include:
- Domestic violence cases: Records containing the address or identifying information of a domestic violence victim may be sealed or redacted to protect the victim's safety
- Child protection matters: Information identifying the residence, school, or medical condition of minor children may be restricted
- Mental health and substance abuse records: Medical and treatment records incorporated into the case file are subject to confidentiality protections under state and federal law
- Sealed settlements: Parties may petition the court to seal the terms of a confidential settlement agreement
- Mediation communications: Under Louisiana law, all communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public record
- Court-ordered sealing: A judge may seal all or part of a case file upon a finding that the privacy interest of a party or child outweighs the public interest in access
Members of the public seeking access to a sealed record must file a motion with the 34th Judicial District Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does St. Bernard County Keep Divorce Records?
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court retains divorce records in accordance with Louisiana's court records retention schedules established by the Louisiana Supreme Court and applicable state law.
Retention periods for divorce records include:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the official court record; these documents are never destroyed
- Complete case files (active and closed): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case for most civil family law matters; many records are retained indefinitely
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; some financial documents may be purged after a set number of years following case closure
- Post-judgment modification files: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule
- Archived paper records: Older cases predating electronic filing are maintained in paper or microfilm format and may require additional retrieval time
Louisiana court records retention is governed by schedules approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court's Judicial Administrator's Office. Members of the public researching historical divorce records may also consult the Louisiana Secretary of State's historical records resources for older vital and court records. Because final judgments are retained permanently, certified copies of divorce decrees remain available regardless of how long ago the divorce was granted.