DeSoto Parish Court Records Search
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DeSoto Parish, Louisiana maintains an active court system that generates a wide variety of official records — from criminal case files and civil judgments to divorce decrees and probate estates. These records are created and preserved by the parish's district court, justice of the peace courts, mayor's courts, and the Clerk of Court office, which is the central custodian for most documents generated within the local judicial system. Knowing which office holds the records you need — and what procedures are required — will save you considerable time.
Residents and researchers looking to access DeSoto Parish court records can start by consulting LouisianaCourts.us, which provides a statewide reference for locating courts, understanding Louisiana's court structure, and identifying publicly accessible case information. Official court records are available through the Clerk of Court's office directly, through subscription-based online portals, public access terminals, and — for certain record types — in person only.
How to Look Up a Court Case in DeSoto Parish?
The primary custodian for court records in DeSoto Parish is the DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court, currently led by Honorable Lisa Lobrano Burson. The Clerk's office maintains records for all civil, criminal, and probate proceedings handled by the 42nd Judicial District Court.
Main Office
Address: 101 Texas Street, P.O. Box 1206, Mansfield, LA 71052
Phone: (318) 872-3110
Email: info@desotoparishclerk.org
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Stonewall Satellite Office
Address: 1746 Hwy 171, Suite B, Stonewall, LA 71078
Phone: (318) 925-6655 / (318) 270-6245
Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Lunch: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM), Monday–Friday
Archives Building
Address: 214 Washington Avenue, Mansfield, LA 71052
Phone: (318) 270-6207
You can search for a specific case through the following methods:
- In person: Visit the main office during business hours and provide the party name or case number. Staff will assist in locating the record.
- Online via ClerkNet: The Clerk offers a Public Record Search portal where registered users can search most records under the Clerk's custody. Subscriptions are available at $20.00 per day or $35.00 per month, with printing and download charges of $0.40 per page.
- Electronic filing and access: Civil cases may also be submitted and accessed via the Civil E-Filing system, with e-filing rates of $5.00 per package submission plus payment processing fees.
Cases are indexed by party name. Be prepared to supply a full legal name or case number when making any inquiry.
Are Court Records Public in DeSoto Parish?
Louisiana's Public Records Law, La. R.S. Title 44, establishes that documentary materials prepared or retained by a public body in connection with public business are presumptively public records. Under this framework, most court records filed with the DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court are open to public inspection. Anyone may request to view or obtain copies of public records — no stated purpose or legal interest is required.
That said, the law carries significant exceptions. Certain record categories are either sealed by statute or restricted to authorized parties only. The following types of records are generally not available to the general public:
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption proceedings
- Medical and mental health records
- Records pertaining to active criminal investigations
- Certain family law matters, including protection-from-abuse filings and some child custody documents
- Documents containing personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers
- Records sealed by order of the 42nd Judicial District Court
Court documents that are considered public are available for inspection and copying during the Clerk's regular office hours. Copies of most documents cost $1.00 per page for uncertified copies and an additional $5.00 per document for certified copies.
DeSoto Parish Criminal Court Records
Criminal records in DeSoto Parish are generated and maintained by multiple agencies. The DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court's Criminal Division records, stores, and maintains all criminal case documents from proceedings in the 42nd Judicial District Court — including citations, indictments, arraignments, and case dispositions. With the exception of juvenile records and those sealed by court order, all criminal court records are considered public information.
Document Copy Fees (Criminal Division):
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal documents (excluding minutes) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy surcharge | $5.00 per document |
| Court minutes (per extract/date) | $10.00 |
| Certified minutes surcharge | $5.00 |
| Search fee (cases 20+ years old) | $20.00 |
Note: The Clerk's office does not accept credit or debit cards. Fines and fees related to criminal sentencing or traffic citations are paid through the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department, not the Clerk's office.
For criminal history background checks, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII) serves as the statewide central repository. The BCII collects arrest records, disposition data, probation and parole bookings, and incarceration histories from reporting agencies across all Louisiana parishes, including DeSoto Parish. Access to BCII records is restricted to authorized individuals — namely the record subject or those with a valid court order. Eligible persons may submit a fingerprint-based background check request to:
Louisiana State Police – BCII
7919 Independence Blvd., P.O. Box 66614, Box A-6, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
An online option is also available through the BCII's Internet Background Check (IBC) system, which allows eligible users to submit requests electronically.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records generated locally. The current inmate roster is searchable on the Sheriff's website at dpso.org/inmateRoster. For public records requests related to Sheriff's Office documents, forms are available on the Public Records Request page. The Sheriff's main administrative offices are located at 205 Franklin Street, Mansfield, LA 71052, reachable at (318) 872-3956.
Individuals seeking to clear their criminal records should know that expungement in Louisiana involves filing fees paid to multiple agencies. Fees in DeSoto Parish include $200.00 to the Clerk of Court, $250.00 to the Louisiana State Police, $50.00 to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department, and additional amounts to the District Attorney's office. Expungement forms are available through the Clerk's Documents page. Louisiana District Court procedural rules applicable to criminal proceedings are maintained by the Louisiana Supreme Court.
DeSoto Parish Civil Court Records
Civil court matters in DeSoto Parish are handled by the Civil/Probate Division of the Clerk of Court. This division manages a broad range of proceedings including damage suits, collections, garnishments, small claims, non-support matters, expropriation, and tutorship. All civil cases are indexed by party name.
Civil Filing Fees (Advance Deposit Schedule):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| New lawsuit | $350.00 |
| Each additional defendant | $75.00 |
| Clerk suit | $250.00 |
| Garnishment petition | $350.00 |
| Executory process | $350.00 |
| Interdiction | $450.00 |
| Judgment Debtor Rule | $175.00 |
| Mandamus suit | $350.00 |
| Motion for Summary Judgment | $175.00 |
| Rule to Show Cause | $175.00 |
| Subsequent petitions (reconventional demands, etc.) | $350.00 |
| Curator fee (additional) | $150.00 |
Note: All jury bonds and other bonds must be paid in cash only.
Small claims matters fall under the jurisdiction of DeSoto Parish's six Justice of the Peace Courts. Louisiana law caps small claims suits filed in Justice of the Peace courts at $5,000.00, exclusive of interest, court costs, and attorney fees. Claimants do not need an attorney to file, and filing fees in Louisiana Justice of the Peace courts range from approximately $35.00 to $150.00 depending on the district. Subpoena fees in DeSoto Parish are $75.00 within the parish and $100.00 for out-of-parish service, with 48 business hours required for service.
For property-related civil matters, the Clerk's Mortgage and Conveyance Division serves as the recording office for deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property. Recording fees for standard documents range from $105.00 for 1–5 pages to $305.00 for documents up to 50 pages, with additional charges for documents exceeding 50 pages. Property assessment records are maintained separately by the DeSoto Parish Assessor's Office, whose online Property Portal enables searches of assessment data by owner name, parcel number, or address.
DeSoto Parish Family Court Records
Family law matters in DeSoto Parish are filed with and maintained by the 42nd Judicial District Court, processed through the Clerk of Court's Civil/Probate Division. The 42nd Judicial District Court has original jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, and juvenile matters in the parish and is presided over by Chief Judge Amy Burford McCartney (Division A) and Judge Nicholas E. Gasper (Division B). The court also provides an online virtual court platform to facilitate hearings and the submission of electronic forms.
Family-related proceedings handled by the court include:
- Divorce (contested and uncontested)
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support and non-support enforcement
- Protective orders and protection-from-abuse matters
- Adoption proceedings
- Tutorship (guardianship of minors)
Filing fees for family matters follow the civil schedule. Uncontested divorces carry an advance deposit of $250.00; contested divorces are $350.00. Cases with a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) incur an additional $100.00. Adoption filings require a $350.00 advance deposit.
Marriage Records are maintained by the Clerk of Court, and marriages recorded from approximately 1908 to the present are searchable through the ClerkNet Public Record Search portal. In-person requests may be made at the main office during business hours. Call (318) 872-3110 with any questions about accessing marriage records.
Divorce Records are also held by the Clerk of Court; however, unlike marriage records, divorce records are not available through the online portal. All requests for divorce records must be made in person at the Clerk's main office. While most divorce records are public, divorce decrees (final judgments) are restricted and may only be accessed by the parties to the divorce, their legal representatives, parents, or other direct adult relatives.
Birth and Death Records for DeSoto Parish are maintained by the Clerk of Court's office and are restricted to eligible family members. Birth records under 100 years old and death records under 50 years old are held locally; older records can be requested from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Historical Records division.
To request a birth or death certificate, eligible individuals must complete the Certified Copy of Birth/Death Certificate Request Form and submit it in person with valid photo identification and applicable fees. A birth certificate costs $34.00; a birth certificate/card costs $48.00. Death certificates are $26.00 per copy.
Eligible requesters for birth records include the registrant, their mother, father, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, legal guardian (with a judgment of custody), or current spouse. The same immediate family categories apply to death records.
DeSoto Parish Probate Court Records
Probate and succession matters in DeSoto Parish are handled through the 42nd Judicial District Court and administered by the Clerk of Court's Civil/Probate Division. The division processes successions, adoptions, tutorships, and other matters involving decedent estates and the legal administration of assets.
Louisiana distinguishes between two types of succession filings based on estate value. Succession filings for estates valued at more than $125,000 require an advance deposit of $350.00, while estates valued under $125,000 carry a reduced fee of $175.00. If a curator is appointed, an additional $150.00 curator fee applies.
Probate records are searchable in person at the Clerk of Court's main office by party name. Online access is available through the ClerkNet subscription portal, where subscribers can search, view, and print probate case records. Subscription tiers are $20.00 per day or $35.00 per month, with a $0.40 per-page printing and download fee.
If you need to file probate documents electronically, the Clerk's Civil E-Filing system accepts electronic submissions at a rate of $5.00 per package plus payment processing fees — a convenient option for filings that don't require in-person submission.
Probate records pertaining to older estates may require research at the Archives Building located at 214 Washington Avenue, Mansfield, LA 71052, Phone: (318) 270-6207 All certified copies of probate documents carry the standard fee of $10.00 plus $1.00 per page. Uncertified copies are $1.00 per page. The Clerk's office does not accept credit or debit card payments, so plan to pay by cash, check, or money order.
For document recording requirements related to probate estates — such as judgments of possession, property transfers, or mortgage cancellations — documents submitted to the Filing and Recording Division must comply with state formatting standards under La. R.S. 13:844(B)(2), including letter or legal-size paper, a 2-inch top margin, 1-inch side and bottom margins, and a minimum 8-point font. Non-compliant documents incur a $10.00 fee.