Morehouse Parish Court Records Search
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Morehouse Parish sits in northeastern Louisiana, with Bastrop as its parish seat. The parish court system includes the 4th Judicial District Court, a city court, nine Justice of the Peace courts, and several Mayor's Courts. These venues generate records across the full range of judicial activity — criminal prosecutions, civil claims, family proceedings, and probate matters. The Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court is the official records custodian for the parish and is your primary contact for accessing those records.
If you're starting a court records search in Louisiana, LouisianaCourts.us offers useful pathways to publicly available case information and official court resources statewide. For Morehouse Parish specifically, you have four practical options: the free public access computers at the courthouse, the subscription-based Clerk Connect online portal, written requests to the clerk's office, and in-person visits during business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Morehouse Parish?
Start with the Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court. The Clerk maintains records for the 4th Judicial District Court — civil, criminal, family, and probate — and can help you through several different access channels depending on what you need.
Public Access Computers
Free public access computers are available at the Clerk's office during business hours. Viewing case information on these terminals costs nothing, though you'll pay printing and copy fees if you want physical copies.
Online Search via Clerk Connect
The Clerk Connect Portal gives subscribers online access to Morehouse Parish court records around the clock. You can search, view, and print documents the Clerk has uploaded, and the platform also supports e-filing, e-recording, and online copy purchases.
In-Person and Mail Requests
The Clerk of Court accepts in-person visits and written mail requests. To speed up retrieval, include the names of all parties, the case number if you have it, and the approximate filing date.
Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court
Physical Address: 100 East Madison Avenue, Bastrop, Louisiana 71220
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1543, Bastrop, Louisiana 71221
Phone: (318) 281-3343
Fax: (318) 281-3775
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed on holidays)
Criminal Inquiries: morehouseclerkcriminal@gmail.com
Civil Inquiries: morehouseclerkcivil@gmail.com
Court Dockets
The 4th Judicial District Court publishes civil and criminal dockets for both Ouachita and Morehouse Parish courthouses on its official website. Check there first if you need hearing schedules or upcoming case calendars.
Are Court Records Public in Morehouse Parish?
Louisiana's Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) sets up a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court records. Anyone can inspect and obtain copies of public court records unless a specific statutory exemption applies. If the Clerk denies a request, the burden falls on the custodian — not the requester — to show that an exemption actually covers the record.
That said, certain categories of records in Morehouse Parish are commonly restricted or entirely withheld from public disclosure:
- Juvenile offense records — proceedings involving minors in the juvenile justice system are not publicly available
- Sexual assault victim information — victim identities in sexual offense cases are protected by statute
- Pending criminal litigation files — certain investigative or pre-trial records may be withheld while a prosecution is active
- Expunged records — court-ordered expungements remove records from public access
- Sealed records — restricted by specific judicial order
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt content, the Clerk is generally required to give you access to the non-exempt portions with protected information redacted. If you believe a denial is improper, the Public Records Act provides enforcement mechanisms through the district courts.
Morehouse Parish Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal prosecutions in Morehouse Parish go through the 4th Judicial District Court, which serves both Morehouse and Ouachita Parishes. Misdemeanors and lower-level offenses may be handled by the Bastrop City Court or a Justice of the Peace court, depending on the nature and location of the offense.
Court Contacts for Criminal Records
Morehouse 4th Judicial District Court
Address: 100 East Madison Street, P.O. Box 1543, Bastrop, LA 71221
Phone: (318) 281-3343
Fax: (318) 281-3775
Bastrop City Court
Address: 202 East Jefferson Avenue, P.O. Box 391, Bastrop, LA 71221
Phone: (318) 283-0257
Fax: (318) 283-3386
Criminal case records — charging instruments, motions, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing orders — are all kept by the Clerk of Court. Submit requests for certified copies in person or by mail. For criminal-specific inquiries, reach the Clerk directly at morehouseclerkcriminal@gmail.com.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
Arrest records stay with the agency that made the arrest, not the court. For parish-level arrests, contact the Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office:
Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office
Address: 351 South Franklin Street, Bastrop, LA 71220
Sheriff: Mike Tubbs
Administrative Phone: (318) 281-4141
Fax: (318) 281-3920 / (318) 283-1773
Website: mpso.net
The Sheriff's Office runs 24-hour road patrol, but administrative business hours apply for records requests. For inmate and booking inquiries, contact the Morehouse Parish Detention Center at (318) 874-7855 (main facility at 6444 Patey Road) or (318) 281-1625 (Jail Annex).
Online Criminal Case Search
Criminal case indexes are searchable through the Clerk Connect Portal for subscribers. Free viewing is available at the public access terminals in the courthouse.
Morehouse Parish Civil Court Records
Most civil disputes in Morehouse Parish are filed in the 4th Judicial District Court, which covers contract disputes, tort claims, property issues, and appeals. Smaller claims may go to the Bastrop City Court or before a Justice of the Peace, depending on the amount in controversy and the subject matter involved.
Justice of the Peace Courts
Nine Justice of the Peace courts serve different wards across Morehouse Parish, handling minor civil disputes, small claims, and certain local matters. Key contacts are listed below:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Ward 1 | 3407 Bayou Acres Drive, Bastrop, LA 71220 | (318) 283-2299 |
| Ward 2 | 17613 Viola Carroll Road, Bastrop, LA 71220 | (318) 281-3563 |
| Ward 5 | 3373 Bayou Acres Drive, Bastrop, LA 71220 | (318) 267-6117 |
| Ward 6 | P.O. Box 192, Mer Rouge, LA 71261 | (318) 647-5298 |
| Ward 7 | 12005 Yeldell Road, Bastrop, LA 71220 | (318) 283-0071 |
| Ward 8 | 6620 Harper Lane, Collinston, LA 71229 | (318) 874-9491 |
| Ward 9 | 15800 Brewer Creek, Bastrop, LA 71220 | (318) 282-3936 |
| Ward 10 | 14848 Holly Ridge Road, Jones, LA 71250 | (318) 823-2414 |
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case records — petitions, motions, judgments, and orders — are kept by the Clerk of Court. You can request them in person, submit a written mail request, or search online through Clerk Connect. For civil-specific inquiries, email morehouseclerkcivil@gmail.com or call (318) 281-3343.
Morehouse Parish Family Court Records
Family matters in Morehouse Parish — divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, and paternity — fall under the 4th Judicial District Court. All related filings are maintained by the Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court.
Types of Family Cases
- Divorce and legal separation proceedings
- Child custody and visitation disputes
- Child support orders and modifications
- Domestic violence and protective orders
- Adoption proceedings
- Paternity determinations
- Emancipation petitions
Family court records are generally public unless sealed by court order or involving minor children in protected proceedings. Requests follow the same procedure as other court records — in person, by mail, or through the Clerk Connect Portal.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related case files are held by the Clerk of Court. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for in-person requests. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1543, Bastrop, Louisiana 71221. Call (318) 281-3343 for current fee details.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Morehouse Parish are public records. The Clerk of Court keeps these records and accepts both in-person and mail requests. Subscribers to the Clerk Connect Portal can also search marriage record indexes online. Call the Clerk at (318) 281-3343 to confirm current copy fees and processing times before submitting your request.
Birth Records
Under Louisiana law, birth records are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth. Only eligible parties — the person named on the record, their spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, and legal representatives — may request certified copies. You have two options for obtaining them.
Option 1 — Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk issues certified long-form birth certificates for $34.00 per copy. You'll need to submit a completed Application for Birth/Death Certificate along with a valid government-issued photo ID.
Option 2 — Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records
The LDH state office issues birth certificates for $15.00 per copy, plus a $0.50 state charge for mail or VitalChek orders. The LDH Application for Birth/Death Certificate is available on the LDH Vital Records page. Walk-in services are available at the Vital Records Central Office (1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.
Death Records
Death certificates are confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only immediate family members or legal representatives may obtain certified copies before that period ends.
| Request Channel | Fee |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court (long-form) | $26.00 per copy |
| LDH Vital Records (state office) | $7.00 per copy |
| Mail or VitalChek orders (LDH) | Base fee + $0.50 state charge |
The same Application for Birth/Death Certificate covers both birth and death record requests at the LDH. Mail requests to LDH should include a check or money order payable to "Louisiana Vital Records", sent to the Center for Vital Records and Statistics. VitalChek phone orders are available at (877) 605-8562. Current fee schedules are posted on the LDH Vital Records Service Fees page.
Morehouse Parish Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Morehouse Parish rests with the 4th Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court maintains all probate case records and is the right contact for access requests. These records are generally public unless a court order restricts a specific file.
Types of Probate Cases
- Succession proceedings — administration of a deceased person's estate under Louisiana law
- Wills — formal probate and testament proceedings
- Interdictions — Louisiana's equivalent of guardianship and conservatorship for incapacitated adults
- Curatorship — appointment of a curator to manage the affairs of a person under interdiction
- Tutorship — court-appointed care for minors when parents are unavailable
Requesting Probate Records
Probate case indexes are searchable through the Clerk Connect Portal for subscribers. If you're not a subscriber, free in-person viewing is available at the public access computers in the Clerk's office during business hours.
For certified copies of probate orders, succession judgments, or letters testamentary, submit your request in person or by mail to:
Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court — Probate Division
Physical: 100 East Madison Avenue, Bastrop, Louisiana 71220
Mailing: P.O. Box 1543, Bastrop, Louisiana 71221
Phone: (318) 281-3343
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Include the decedent's full name, the approximate filing date, and the case number if you have it. Copy fees vary by document type and certification level, so call the office before submitting to confirm the current schedule. The office accepts cash and credit/debit card at the window; mail requests require a check or money order.