Jefferson Davis Parish Court Records Search
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Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, maintains a layered court system headquartered in Jennings, the parish seat. The parish’s courts produce a continuous record of criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate administrations, and vital events. Most of those records are held by the Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court, whose office is the primary point of contact for anyone seeking certified copies, conducting case searches, or requesting records by mail. A thorough understanding of which division handles each record type — and what documentation and fees are required — can save considerable time before making a trip to the courthouse or submitting a written request.
People researching court cases in Louisiana have a range of tools at their disposal. LouisianaCourts.us offers a reference point for understanding Louisiana’s court structure and identifying the correct court or clerk for a given matter. Records can also be accessed through official clerk offices, courthouse public-access terminals, and several statewide online portals operated by Louisiana’s Clerks of Court. The sections below explain how each type of record is maintained, where it can be obtained, and what the process requires.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Jefferson Davis Parish?
The Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court provides multiple access options depending on what type of record is needed:
Online Search Options:
- Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) — a statewide subscription portal providing secure online access to Louisiana land records, mortgage and conveyance indices, and marriage records from participating parishes.
- eClerks LA — a free statewide portal to locate land records, marriage licenses, and civil information across Louisiana parishes. Users can also purchase subscriptions for extended access to civil, criminal, and probate records.
- ClerkConnect — a multi-parish portal offering subscription-based search and printing for civil suits, criminal cases, and property records from participating Louisiana Clerks of Court.
In-Person Access:
Visit the Civil/Criminal/Probate Division of the Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court:
Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court
Address: 300 North State Street, Room 106, Jennings, LA 70546
Main Phone: (337) 824-1160
Civil/Criminal/Probate Division: (337) 824-8340
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 799, Jennings, LA 70546
When visiting in person, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Be prepared to provide specific identifying details — such as party names, case numbers, and approximate filing dates — to facilitate the search. Access to copies of records requires payment of applicable fees.
Are Court Records Public in Jefferson Davis Parish?
The Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1 et seq., and Article XII, Section 3 of the Louisiana Constitution guarantee public access to court records in Jefferson Davis Parish. This presumption of openness is broad but carries clearly defined exceptions. The following categories of records are withheld from general public access:
- Sealed court records, including expunged criminal matters
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Adoption records and related filings
- Grand jury proceedings and related records
- Records involving ongoing judicial or law enforcement investigations
- Domestic violence case contents where victim identity is protected
- Mental health-related court filings
- Confidential personal information (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, minor children’s information)
When a record is partially restricted, the Clerk redacts the protected portions before releasing the document to a requester. Divorce records are generally public, but sensitive personal identifiers are routinely removed from publicly available copies. Records requesters who are denied access are entitled to a written explanation citing the specific legal authority for the denial.
Jefferson Davis Parish Criminal Court Records
All felony and serious criminal matters in Jefferson Davis Parish fall under the jurisdiction of the 31st Judicial District Court, which has original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters in the parish. There is one elected judge in the 31st Judicial District. The District Attorney’s Office handles prosecution of criminal cases on behalf of the state.
31st Judicial District Court
Address: 300 North State Street, Room 202, P.O. Box 1389, Jennings, LA 70546
Phone: (337) 824-3506 | Fax: (337) 824-8985
Email: pguidry@31stjdc.org
Jeff Davis Parish District Attorney’s Office
Website: jeffdavisda.org
Criminal records at the District Court level are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Court’s Criminal Division. To request criminal case records, contact the Civil/Criminal/Probate Division at (337) 824-8340 or visit Room 106 of the courthouse. Valid government-issued identification is required. Access to records through the eClerks online platform is also available for registered subscribers.
For arrest and detention information, the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office maintains a publicly accessible inmate roster on its website. The Sheriff’s Office is located at:
Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1530 US-90, P.O. Box 863, Jennings, LA 70546
Non-Emergency: (337) 821-2100 (24 hours)
Jail Phone: (337) 821-2104
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Jefferson Davis Parish Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Jefferson Davis Parish is handled at multiple levels. The 31st Judicial District Court handles major civil cases, including contract disputes, tort claims, large property actions, and matters requiring injunctive relief. The Jennings City Court exercises concurrent civil jurisdiction up to $35,000 and also handles evictions, garnishments, and small claims matters. Six Justice of the Peace courts serve the parish for minor civil disputes at the ward level.
Jennings City Court
Address: 210 South State Street, P.O. Box 609, Jennings, LA 70546
Phone: (337) 821-5514 | Fax: (337) 821-5539
Website: jenningscitycourt.com
Selected civil filing fees at the Jennings City Court include:
| Filing Type | Advance Deposit |
|---|---|
| New Civil Suit (up to $35,000) | $250.00 |
| Small Claims Suit (1 Defendant) | $145.00 |
| Small Claims Suit (2 Defendants) | $185.00 |
| Eviction/Rule Nisi (1 Defendant) | $250.00 |
| Eviction/Rule Nisi (2 Defendants) | $300.00 |
| Garnishment | $250.00 |
| Judgment | $100.00 |
| Judgment Debtor Rule | $100.00/Defendant |
| Dismissal/Satisfaction | $20.00 |
| Certified Copies | $5.00/page |
Civil case records at the District Court level are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are searchable through ClerkConnect or in person at Room 106 of the courthouse. The Clerk’s civil department also processes mortgage certificates, conveyances, and UCC filings. Property mortgage and conveyance records can be accessed remotely through the LCRAA statewide portal or the eClerks LA platform. For property appraisal and ownership data, the Jefferson Davis Parish Assessor’s Property Search portal allows lookups by owner name, parcel number, and property address.
Jefferson Davis Parish Justice of the Peace Courts
Justice of the Peace courts handle minor civil disputes at the ward level across the parish. Key locations include:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Ward 1 JP | 413 Kellogg Avenue, Lake Arthur, LA 70549 | (337) 774-5263 |
| Ward 2 JP | 309 Johnson Street, Elton, LA 70532 | (337) 584-2421 |
| Ward 3 JP | P.O. Box 125, Iowa, LA 70647 | (337) 582-6177 |
| Ward 4 JP | 609 Beaufort Street, Welsh, LA 70591 | (337) 734-2356 |
| Ward 5 JP | 4406 Pine Island Highway, Jennings, LA 70546 | (337) 370-6095 |
| Ward 6 JP | 21503 Pine Hill Cemetery Road, Iowa, LA 70647 | (337) 582-3170 |
Jefferson Davis Parish Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Jefferson Davis Parish — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and protective orders — are handled by the 31st Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court’s civil department processes all filings related to these matters, including adoption and juvenile filings.
Divorce records are public in Jefferson Davis Parish under the Louisiana Public Records Law, though the Clerk will redact confidential personal information from copies provided to the general public. This typically includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, medical and mental health records, and identifying information about minor children. Only the parties involved or their authorized legal representatives may receive unredacted copies of sensitive divorce-related materials.
To request divorce records, visit or mail the Clerk of Court at:
300 North State Street, Room 106, P.O. Box 799, Jennings, LA 70546
Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the divorce date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a check or money order for applicable copy fees. Call (337) 824-3506 or (337) 824-1160 for current fee information before submitting a mail request.
Marriage records are publicly accessible and can be obtained through the Clerk of Court’s office. Subscribers to the LCRAA statewide portal can also search marriage license indices and purchase copies online.
Birth certificates in Jefferson Davis Parish are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth, accessible only to the named individual, their immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. Certified birth certificates can be obtained from the Clerk of Court (Room 106) or through the Louisiana Department of Health:
Birth Certificate Fees:
| Source | Fee |
|---|---|
| Louisiana Dept. of Health — birth certificate only | $15.00/copy |
| Louisiana Dept. of Health — birth certificate + birth card combo | $24.00/pair |
| Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court — long-form birth certificate | $34.00/copy |
| Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court — short-form card + long-form combo | $48.00/pair |
Mail requests to the Louisiana Department of Health require a completed Application for Certified Copies of Birth/Death Certificate, a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order. The Louisiana Vital Records Central Office is located at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112. Mail to: Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.
Death certificates are similarly confidential, available only to the deceased’s immediate family, authorized representatives, and entities with a valid legal interest. They become publicly accessible 50 years after the date of death. The Clerk of Court charges $26.00 per copy for death certificates; the Louisiana Department of Health charges $7.00 per copy. Death records older than 50 years can be accessed through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Online Public Vital Records Index Portal.
Jefferson Davis Parish Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Jefferson Davis Parish are handled by the 31st Judicial District Court and filed with the Clerk of Court’s civil department, which processes all probate, adoption, and juvenile case filings. Probate records encompass will contests, estate administration, letters testamentary, succession proceedings, conservatorships, trust administration, and guardianships.
To search Jefferson Davis Parish probate records online, register and subscribe through eClerks LA or ClerkConnect and use the available search tools to look up Jefferson Davis Parish probate case records. For records not available through the online platforms, submit an in-person or mail request to the Clerk of Court:
Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court — Civil/Criminal/Probate Division
Address: 300 North State Street, Room 106, Jennings, LA 70546
Phone: (337) 824-8340
Main: (337) 824-1160
Probate records are generally open to the public, with the exception of adoption case files, which are sealed under Louisiana law. Guardianship records involving minors or incompetent persons may also carry restricted access provisions depending on the nature of the proceedings. When submitting a request for probate records, provide as much identifying detail as possible — the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death, and case number if known — to help the Clerk locate the file efficiently.
Mayor’s Courts in Jefferson Davis Parish also handle minor local matters. Selected locations include:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Elton Mayor’s Court | 1302 Main Street, P.O. Box 27, Elton, LA 70532 | (337) 584-2992 |
| Welsh Mayor’s Court | 201 South Elms Street, P.O. Box 786, Welsh, LA 70591 | (337) 734-2231 |
| Lake Arthur Mayor’s Court | 102 Arthur Avenue, PO Drawer AK, Lake Arthur, LA 70549 | (337) 774-2211 |
| Fenton Mayor’s Court | 712 3rd Avenue, Fenton, LA 70640 | (337) 756-2321 |