Ouachita Parish Court Records Search
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Ouachita Parish sits in northeastern Louisiana and is served by the Fourth Judicial District Court, which holds original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters arising within the parish. The parish seat is Monroe, and the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court — currently Dana Benson — is the official custodian of court records filed in the district court. Two additional city courts handle lower-level civil and criminal matters within incorporated areas.
Louisiana court records can be researched through several channels, including clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and online portals. LouisianaCourts.us may help users locate publicly available case information across the state’s judicial districts. For Ouachita Parish specifically, the Clerk of Court maintains both in-person and electronic search tools that cover civil suits, criminal cases, property filings, and vital records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Ouachita Parish?
There are three primary ways to locate case information in Ouachita Parish: through the Clerk Connect online portal, in person at the courthouse, or by contacting the appropriate city court.
Online — Clerk Connect Portal
The Clerk Connect Portal is a subscription-based service that provides remote access to civil, criminal, and land records maintained by the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court. To use the portal:
- Visit the Clerk Connect website and create an account with an email address and password.
- Select a subscription plan and complete payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).
- Log in and search by party name, case number, or instrument number.
Subscription pricing:
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| 24-hour access | $20 |
| Monthly | $75 |
| Annual | $800 |
| Per-page printing | $0.50 |
A third-party convenience fee of 3.49% (minimum $1) applies to all credit card transactions on the portal.
Additionally, eClerks LA offers free basic searches for land records, marriage licenses, and civil information across Louisiana parishes, including Ouachita. More detailed document retrieval through eClerks LA requires a separate subscription.
In Person
Walk-in requests are accepted at the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court during regular business hours. Requesters should bring a name or case number. Copy fees apply at the rates listed below.
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Judicial District Court / Ouachita Parish Courthouse | 300 St. John Street, Monroe, LA 71201 | (318) 327-1444 |
| Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court (mailing) | P.O. Box 1862, Monroe, LA 71201-1862 | (318) 327-1444 |
| Monroe City Court | 600 Calypso Street, Monroe, LA 71201 | (318) 329-2580 |
| West Monroe City Court | 2303 N. 7th Street, West Monroe, LA 71291 | (318) 396-2767 |
Office Hours
- Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed legal holidays)
- Monroe City Court: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed legal holidays)
- West Monroe City Court: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Standard Copy Fees (In-Person Requests)
- Regular copies: $1 per page
- Certification: $5 per document (in addition to copy fees)
- Accepted payment: cash or money order (credit cards are not accepted for civil filings; however, credit cards are accepted for recording, marriage licenses, and vital records with a 4% processing fee)
The Fourth Judicial District Court website also publishes docket information, and its Self-Help Center provides forms and procedural guidance for self-represented litigants.
Are Court Records Public in Ouachita Parish?
Most court records in Ouachita Parish are open to public inspection. The Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) establishes a broad right of access, allowing any person to inspect, copy, or reproduce public records held by government custodians during normal business hours. Court filings — including petitions, motions, judgments, and docket entries — are generally available without demonstrating a specific reason for the request.
However, certain categories of records are restricted by statute or court order. Confidential records in Ouachita Parish include:
- Adoption and gestational surrogacy records
- Paternity records
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Grand jury proceedings and juror identity
- Medical records and mental health records
- Sealed and expunged records
- Complete presentence investigation reports
- Pretrial services program records
- Domestic violence victim information and reports
- Records of child victims of sexual assault or abuse
- Attorney-client privileged and work-product materials
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit/debit card numbers
- Personnel records, employment applications, and employment investigation records
- Unexecuted search and arrest warrants and supporting affidavits
- Memoranda or advisory opinions relating to court administration
Under La. R.S. 15:587, criminal history records maintained by the Louisiana State Police are classified as “closed records” and are not available to the general public, though they are accessible to authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice agencies.
When records contain both public and confidential information, the Clerk’s office will redact protected data — such as personal identifiers and victim information — before releasing documents.
Ouachita Parish Criminal Court Records
Felony cases in Ouachita Parish are prosecuted in the Fourth Judicial District Court and are processed through the Clerk of Court’s Criminal Department. Misdemeanor and traffic offenses are generally handled by Monroe City Court or West Monroe City Court, depending on where the offense occurred.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records may be searched through the Clerk Connect Portal using a defendant’s name or a case number. A paid subscription is required; rates are $20 for 24-hour access, $75 monthly, or $800 annually, plus $0.50 per printed page. In-person requests are processed at the Clerk’s office for $1 per page with an additional $5 for certified copies. Court minutes are available at $10 per date.
Arrest and Booking Records
The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) maintains arrest and booking information. Current booking data is accessible through the OPSO Inmate Inquiry page, which allows searches by name, subject number, booking number, booking date range, or housing facility.
Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office
Address: 400 St. John Street, Monroe, LA 71201
Phone: (318) 329-1200
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Statewide Criminal History
Under La. R.S. 15:587, Louisiana is a closed-record state regarding criminal history information. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII) serves as the repository for statewide criminal history records. Individuals may obtain their own record through the Right to Review process via the Louisiana Applicant Processing System (LAPS), which allows applicants to schedule a fingerprint appointment at a local livescan site and receive their criminal history report by mail or email.
Alternatively, the Internet Background Check portal is available to authorized agencies and individuals. A Right to Review Authorization Form may also be submitted by mail.
BCII Fee Schedule (effective December 1, 2024):
- Background check processing: $26
- Technology fee: $5
- Total per check: $31
- Fingerprinting fees may apply separately at the livescan site
Mail requests should be sent to:
Louisiana State Police
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
P.O. Box 66614, Box A-6
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Expungement
Expungement forms for felony and misdemeanor cases are available from the Fourth Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court’s expungement fees total $550, broken down as follows:
| Payee | Amount | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | $200 | Cash or money order |
| Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Investigation | $250 | Money order or attorney/law firm check |
| Sheriff | $50 | Money order or attorney/law firm check |
| District Attorney | $50 | Money order or attorney/law firm check |
In DWI cases, an additional $50 fee is assessed for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
Ouachita Parish Civil Court Records
The Clerk of Court’s Civil Department maintains records for all civil actions filed in the Fourth Judicial District Court. This includes contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, evictions, name changes, interdictions, and small claims filed on the Clerk’s docket (claims of $5,000 or less, per Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4911).
Searching Civil Records
Civil records can be searched and printed through the Clerk Connect Portal using the same subscription plans described above. In-person searches are available at the courthouse during business hours. Copies cost $1 per page; certified copies cost an additional $5.
Civil Filing Fees
Credit cards are not accepted for civil filing deposits. Acceptable payment includes cash and money orders.
| Filing Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Original petition (one defendant) | $300 |
| Petition with rule | $350 |
| Petition with temporary restraining order | $400 |
| Rule or other proceeding requiring service | $225 |
| Eviction (one defendant and/or all other occupants) | $300 |
| Clerk’s docket suit ($5,000 claim or less) | $300 |
| Each additional service | $85 |
| Service through Secretary of State | $50 |
| Interdiction | $500 |
| Tutorship / minor settlement | $400 |
| Curator fee | $150 |
| Adult or minor name change | $350 |
| Appeal (petition/order with notices) | $75 |
An answer to an original petition may be filed without a deposit pursuant to La. R.S. 13:843. Pauper proceedings are also exempt from the advance deposit requirement. Preparing a record for the Second Circuit Court of Appeal incurs additional costs beyond the appeal filing fee.
E-Filing
Civil documents can be filed electronically through the Clerk Connect E-Filing service, which is listed among the e-filing parishes on the portal.
Ouachita Parish Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, and related proceedings — are heard in the Fourth Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court maintains these case files, and most family court records carry confidentiality protections that limit public access.
Accessing Family Records
Because many family law filings involve sensitive personal information, they are not generally available through the online portal for public viewing. Parties to a case, their attorneys, or individuals with a court order may request copies of family court records in person at the Clerk’s office. Copies cost $1 per page with a $5 certification fee. Requesters must provide a name or case number and present valid identification.
Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce decrees and judgments of dissolution may be obtained at the Clerk of Court’s office during business hours. These records are not issued online. The same per-page and certification fees apply.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
The Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Ouachita Parish. Applications may be submitted through the Ouachita Parish Online Marriage Application on the Clerk Connect site. After obtaining the license, applicants must wait at least 24 hours before the ceremony unless a waiver is obtained from a Justice of the Peace. Individuals under 18 require parental consent.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license with one certified copy | $33.50 |
| Marriage license only | $27.50 |
Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or credit/debit card (4% processing fee for card payments).
Birth and Death Certificates
Louisiana is a closed-record state for vital records. Birth records are confidential for 100 years, and death records are confidential for 50 years. Only eligible persons — including the registrant, parents, grandparents, adult children, siblings, current or surviving spouse, succession representatives, attorneys, and certain beneficiaries — may request certified copies.
The Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring on or after July 7, 2012:
| Record | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $34 ($35.36 by credit card) |
| Birth certificate with birth card | $48 |
| Death certificate | $26 |
Credit card payments are accepted with a 4% processing fee.
For events before July 7, 2012, or for statewide requests, contact the Louisiana Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics. Mail-in requests require a completed Application for Certified Copy of Birth/Death Certificate, a copy of valid photo ID, and payment by check or money order sent to:
Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
State-issued fees are $15 per birth certificate, $24 per birth certificate with birth card, and $7 per death certificate, plus a $0.50 per-transaction charge. Walk-in service is available at the Vital Records Central Office, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112, Monday–Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Accepted payment for walk-in requests includes cash, check, or money order.
Historical vital records (birth records older than 100 years and death records older than 50 years) may be researched through the Louisiana State Archives online index databases.
Ouachita Parish Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Ouachita Parish — including successions, wills, emancipations, adoptions, interdictions, tutorships, judicial commitments, and medical reviews — are handled through the Fourth Judicial District Court and maintained by the Clerk of Court’s Civil Department.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched through the Clerk Connect Portal using the same subscription plans applicable to other record types. In-person requests follow the standard copy fee schedule of $1 per page, with an additional $5 for certification.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Succession / Emancipation | $300 |
| Small succession (petition through judgment, one-time filing — half of total except for recording and copies) | $250 |
| Adoption | $250 |
| Curator fee for adoption | $150 |
| Medical review | $250 |
| Judicial commitment | $250 |
| Exhibits (per page) | $2 |
An appeal from a probate matter (petition/order with all notices) costs $75, with additional costs for preparing the record for the Second Circuit Court of Appeal.
What Probate Records Contain
Succession files typically include the petition to open the succession, an inventory of assets and liabilities, a judgment of possession, and any orders appointing succession representatives. Tutorship records cover petitions for guardianship of minors, related financial accountings, and court orders. Adoption records are confidential under Louisiana law and are not available for public inspection.
Requesters seeking probate records should provide the decedent’s name or the case number when submitting requests, whether online or in person. For questions about specific probate filings or procedures, contact the Clerk of Court at (318) 327-1444 or by email at danab@opcoc.la.gov.