Divorce records in the parish of St. Mary, Louisiana, are available through several channels. StMaryparishCourt.us allows for quick access to public information regarding divorce cases in this parish. Besides this online tool, records can be obtained directly from the Clerk of Court's office that issued the ruling, at the St. Mary Parish Government, as well as through the Louisiana Department of Health, which coordinates civil status records. Below is a practical guide for searching, requesting, and obtaining these documents.
St. Mary Divorce Records Search
In St. Mary Parish, divorce cases are handled by the 16th Judicial District Court, and the Clerk of Court's office maintains all case materials. This office is the primary custodian of court divorce records—from the initial petition to the final court judgment.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees/judgments
- Community property settlements
- Child custody and support orders
- Related procedural documents — motions, responses, court orders
At the state level, the Louisiana Department of Health maintains statistical records of divorces, but certified copies of court judgments are issued exclusively by the Clerk of Court of the parish where the divorce was filed.
St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in St. Mary
Divorce in Louisiana is a judicial procedure, so each case begins and ends in district court. In St. Mary Parish, this is the 16th Judicial District Court, part of the state judicial system, which also covers Iberia and St. Martin parishes. Once a judge signs the divorce decree, the Clerk of Court's office registers it and keeps the original in the case file.
Which office to choose depends on what you need:
- Complete court judgment or case materials — contact the St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court at the address provided above. They keep the originals of all procedural documents.
- Divorce certificate — this abbreviated document confirms the fact of divorce without case details. It is also issued by the Clerk of Court. The state health department does not issue certified copies of divorce judgments — according to Louisiana law, you must contact the parish court office for them.
For historical records related to state archival materials, the Louisiana Secretary of State Archives may be useful.
16th Judicial District Court — St. Mary Parish Division
Louisiana Department of Health — Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in St. Mary
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce judgment (Clerk of Court) | Depends on the number of pages; check with the office | Typically 5–10 business days for mail requests; same day or within a few days for in-person requests |
| Record search fee | Check with the Clerk of Court at (337) 828-4100 | Varies depending on the date and complexity of the search |
| Regular (non-certified) copy of a document | Usually lower than certified; the exact amount will be provided by the office | For in-person requests — generally immediate |