Evangeline Parish Court Records Search

Evangeline Parish, located in south-central Louisiana with Ville Platte as its parish seat, is served by the 13th Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court for the 13th Judicial District functions as the official custodian of all civil, criminal, family, and probate records generated through parish court proceedings. Those records encompass everything from initial pleadings and motions to final judgments, court orders, and sentencing documents. Understanding which office holds which type of record — and how to request access — is the starting point for any records search in Evangeline Parish.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Evangeline Parish?

Locating court records in Louisiana begins with identifying the right court and the right search tool. For Evangeline Parish, the primary online resource is the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court’s Public Records Search portal, which allows remote access to certain civil, family, and probate case information. Users may need to create an account or pay a subscription fee to retrieve detailed case documents through this portal.

For a broader statewide search, re:SearchLA aggregates case information and court documents across participating Louisiana courts, making it a useful option when the case parish is uncertain. Attorneys and legal professionals can also access civil filings electronically through eClerks LA, the statewide e-filing platform used by the Evangeline Parish Clerk’s office.

LouisianaCourts.us can also help users orient themselves within the state’s court structure, identify the appropriate district court, and find links to public access resources.

In-person research remains the most reliable method for locating complete case files. The Clerk of Court’s office is located at:

Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court — 13th Judicial District Court
Address: 200 Court Street, Suite 104, Ville Platte, LA 70586
Phone: (337) 363-5671
Fax: (337) 363-5780
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Are Court Records Public in Evangeline Parish?

Louisiana’s public records framework is grounded in Title 44 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, which establishes that all books, records, writings, accounts, letters, photographs, and similar materials maintained by public bodies are presumptively open to public inspection and copying. Under this framework, citizens have a fundamental right to examine or duplicate the contents of a court case file unless a specific legal exemption applies.

Records that are commonly restricted from public disclosure include:

• Juvenile court proceedings and case files
• Adoption records
• Trade secret information submitted under seal
• Records subject to a protective order issued by the court
• Certain victim-identifying information in criminal proceedings
• Mental health and medical records attached to litigation

The Louisiana Public Records Law also establishes that the official or body having custody of a public record must respond to inspection requests within three business days and may charge reasonable fees for copying. Courts may redact specific information — such as Social Security numbers or financial account numbers — even when the underlying record is otherwise public. Any denial of access must be in writing and cite the specific statutory authority for the exemption.

Evangeline Parish Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Evangeline Parish are processed through the 13th Judicial District Court. The case file maintained by the Clerk of Court is the official record of all proceedings from arraignment through final disposition. It typically contains charging documents, indictments or bills of information, motions, hearing transcripts, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders.

Requesting criminal court records from the Clerk of Court:

1. Visit the Clerk’s office at 200 Court Street, Suite 104, Ville Platte, in person during business hours.
2. Present a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
3. Complete the court’s records request form, providing the case number (if known), the names of parties, and the approximate filing date.
4. Submit the completed form along with applicable copy fees.

Remote access to some criminal case information is available through the Public Records Search portal on the Clerk’s website, though account registration or fees may be required for detailed searches.

Arrest records and sheriff’s reports are maintained separately by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, which operates a Records Division responsible for processing all sheriff’s arrest reports, summonses, and vehicle crash reports before forwarding them to the District Attorney’s Office.

Record Type	Custodian	Fee
Court case file (criminal)	Clerk of Court	Copy fees apply
Arrest/incident report	Sheriff’s Office Records Division	$5.00–$10.00 per report
Inmate roster (current)	Sheriff’s Office	Free online

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Records Division is staffed by two records secretaries and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Sheriff’s Office is reachable at (337) 363-2161, with two locations: 200 Court Street, Suite 100, Ville Platte, and 415 W. Cotton Street, Ville Platte. The current inmate roster is publicly accessible on the Sheriff’s Office website and updated in near real time.

Louisiana law does not provide a formal expungement pathway for most adult felony convictions, though certain misdemeanor and juvenile records may qualify for expungement under specific statutory conditions set forth in the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure.

Evangeline Parish Civil Court Records

Civil matters filed in the 13th Judicial District Court cover a broad range of disputes, including contract claims, property disputes, evictions, personal injury actions, money judgments, and small claims matters. All civil filings are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are accessible to the public under La. R.S. Title 44, unless sealed by court order.

Types of civil records maintained by the Clerk:

• Petitions and answers in money/contract disputes
• Property and real estate actions
• Judgment liens
• Eviction proceedings
• Small claims filings
• Orders and writs issued by the court

Civil filing fees in Evangeline Parish vary by case type. The Clerk’s office has published a civil fees schedule as well as a downloadable fee schedule reference document for researchers and practitioners. E-filing is available for civil matters through eClerks LA, which allows filings to be submitted electronically at any time. The service requires account registration and is used by attorneys and authorized non-attorney filers.

For in-person civil record searches, visitors to the Clerk’s office should bring the case number or parties’ names, a valid photo ID, and payment for any copies requested. Staff can assist in locating dockets, retrieving case files from storage, and providing certified copies of judgments or orders as needed.

Property-related documents recorded against land in Evangeline Parish — including mortgage instruments, conveyances, judgment liens, and UCC filings — are also maintained through the Clerk’s recording function. Researchers interested in property ownership history, encumbrances, or lien status can review recorded instruments at the Clerk’s office or through the Evangeline Parish Assessor’s Office at 200 Court Street, Ville Platte, which maintains assessed values, homestead exemption records, and ownership data. The Assessor can be reached at (337) 363-4310.

Evangeline Parish Family Court Records

Family law proceedings in Evangeline Parish — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence protective orders — are filed with the 13th Judicial District Court and maintained by the Clerk of Court. Most family court records are public under Louisiana law, though records involving minor children (such as child in need of care proceedings) or adoption matters are confidential.

Divorce records are publicly accessible and can be obtained through the Clerk of Court’s office at 200 Court Street, Suite 104. Requesters should provide the names of both parties and the approximate year of the filing. Certified copies require payment of applicable copy fees. The Clerk’s Public Records Search portal may also allow remote access to divorce case dockets.

Marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court. A marriage license application is available for download on the Clerk of Court’s website. Both applicants must appear in person at the office to complete the process. Marriage records are publicly accessible, and certified copies of recorded licenses can be obtained at the office during regular business hours.

Birth and death certificates are issued by the Clerk of Court as agents for Louisiana’s statewide vital records system. Access is restricted to persons with a direct and tangible interest in the record — typically the individual named on the certificate, their spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, or a legal guardian. Others must complete a Louisiana vital registry release authorization form before a record will be issued.

To request a birth or death certificate, applicants must:

1. Download and complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth/Death Certificate.
2. Bring or mail the completed form along with a copy of a valid photo ID.
3. Submit the form in person to the Clerk of Court’s office for processing.
4. Pay the applicable fee (cash, credit, or debit accepted).

Vital records fee schedule (Clerk of Court):

Certificate Type	Fee
Birth certificate only	$34.00
Birth certificate with birth card	$48.00
Death certificate	$26.00

The Clerk’s office maintains death certificates dating back to July 7, 2012. For older vital records or records not available at the parish level, the Louisiana Department of Health maintains statewide vital records and offers additional ordering options by mail or online.

Evangeline Parish Probate Court Records

In Louisiana, estate administration is governed by the state’s succession law rather than a separate probate code. Succession proceedings — including the administration of decedents’ estates, wills, tutorships (guardianship of minors), interdictions (guardianship of incapacitated adults), and trust matters — are filed with the Civil Department of the 13th Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court’s Civil Department handles all succession filings at the Evangeline Parish Courthouse.

Probate case files typically contain:

• Petition to open succession
• Death certificate of the decedent
• Inventory and descriptive list of estate assets
• Will and any codicils (if a testate succession)
• Court orders authorizing the personal representative
• Notices to creditors and creditor claims
• Orders of possession and final judgment of possession
• Tutorship or interdiction petitions and annual accounts

Probate records are generally public and can be accessed in person at the Clerk of Court’s office. Researchers can also search the Public Records Search portal on the Clerk’s website for available probate case information. Account creation or a subscription fee may be required for full document retrieval through the online portal.

To request probate records in person:

1. Arrive at the Clerk of Court’s office, 200 Court Street, Suite 104, Ville Platte, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
2. Provide the decedent’s full name and approximate year of death or case filing.
3. Present valid government-issued identification.
4. Pay applicable copy fees for any documents requested.

Attorneys and authorized filers may also submit succession filings through eClerks LA, the statewide e-filing platform integrated with the Clerk’s office. The platform is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and supports case opening as well as subsequent filings in existing matters.

For questions about succession procedures in Evangeline Parish or assistance interpreting Louisiana succession statutes, the Louisiana Supreme Court’s self-help resources and LouisianaLawHelp.org provide procedural guidance and links to parish-specific fee schedules for individuals navigating the process without an attorney.