Terrebonne Parish Court Records Search
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Terrebonne Parish is situated in the coastal bayou region of southeast Louisiana, with the City of Houma serving as the parish seat. The parish’s judicial system operates within the 32nd Judicial District, which has original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters arising in Terrebonne Parish. Court records are spread across three tiers of courts: the 32nd Judicial District Court, the City Court of Houma, and nine Justice of the Peace Courts serving individual wards across the parish. The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court functions as the official custodian of District Court records and provides both in-person and electronic access to case files, land records, marriage licenses, and vital records from its Main Office in Houma.
For those seeking court case information in Louisiana, records can be searched through official clerk offices, in-person visits to courthouses, public-access computer terminals, and a growing number of online tools. The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association maintains a statewide portal that allows free searches of land records, marriage licenses, and civil case information across all 64 parishes, including Terrebonne. Additional Louisiana court resources and directories are accessible through LouisianaCourts.us, which can help users locate publicly available case data and connect with the appropriate court or clerk office.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Terrebonne Parish?
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court operates out of the Old Courthouse Building in Houma and maintains records for all 32nd Judicial District Court proceedings, including criminal, civil, family, and probate cases.
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court — Main Office
Address: 7856 Main Street, Houma, LA 70360
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1569, Houma, LA 70361-1569
Phone: (985) 868-5660
Fax: (985) 868-5143
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Online Search Options
The Clerk of Court provides a public records search portal that allows registered users to look up civil, criminal, family, and land records electronically. The portal requires account creation, and certain features such as viewing document images may involve subscription fees or per-page printing costs. Searches can be conducted by case number, party name, or document type.
In addition, the eClerks Louisiana Statewide Portal offers a free search tool covering land records, marriage licenses, and civil case information from participating parishes, including Terrebonne. This portal is useful for attorneys, title abstractors, genealogists, and members of the public who need to locate records across multiple parishes without visiting each courthouse.
Steps to Request Records In Person
- Visit the Clerk of Court Main Office at 7856 Main Street, Houma, during business hours.
- Provide the staff with the case number, party names, or other identifying details.
- Review non-confidential documents at the public counter or on available terminals.
- Request copies and pay the applicable fees — cash and money orders are generally accepted.
Requesting Records by Mail
Prepare a written request that includes the case number (if known), the full names of the parties, the type of case, and your return contact information. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Mail the request to the Clerk of Court at P.O. Box 1569, Houma, LA 70361-1569.
Search and Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil records search | $15.00 |
| Criminal records search | $20.00 |
| Standard copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 plus $1.00 per page |
| Certified marriage certificate copy | $6.00 |
Not all records are available through online or mail channels. Certain older records or restricted files may require an in-person visit.
Are Court Records Public in Terrebonne Parish?
Louisiana has a strong tradition of public access to government records. The Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) defines public records broadly to include virtually all documents, writings, and recordings made or received by a public body in connection with the transaction of public business. Under R.S. 44:32, any person of legal age has the right to inspect, copy, or reproduce public records during regular business hours.
Court records maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court — including docket sheets, pleadings, judgments, orders, and sentence sheets — are generally accessible to the public. The 32nd Judicial District Court’s case filings, as well as land records and marriage records held by the Clerk, fall within this presumption of openness.
Records Exempt from Public Disclosure
Notwithstanding the general rule, several categories of records are protected from public access under Louisiana law:
- Sealed and expunged records — Records ordered sealed by a court or expunged under applicable statutes are not available to the public.
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors are confidential under Louisiana Children’s Code provisions.
- Grand jury proceedings — Testimony and deliberations before a grand jury are secret by law.
- Mental health and substance abuse records — Treatment records and commitment proceedings receive heightened privacy protections.
- Victim and witness information — Sensitive identifying details about victims or witnesses in protective custody may be withheld.
- Personal identifying information — Social security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar identifiers are exempt from disclosure.
- Medical records — Health-related information contained in court files may be restricted.
- Trade secrets and proprietary information — Business information shielded by protective orders or statute is not publicly accessible.
- Confidential legal proceedings — Certain proceedings designated as confidential by court order or statute are closed to public review.
Requests for records that are denied may be challenged under the provisions of the Public Records Act, which allows a requester to file suit in district court to compel disclosure.
Terrebonne Parish Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Terrebonne Parish are prosecuted in the 32nd Judicial District Court, which handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and appeals from lower courts. The District Court operates from the Old Courthouse Building at 7856 Main Street in Houma. The court is divided into multiple divisions, each presided over by an elected district judge. The criminal divisions and their contact numbers, maintained through the Terrebonne Parish District Attorney’s Office, include:
| Division | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Division A | Timothy Ellender | (985) 873-6540 |
| Division B | Jason Dagate | (985) 873-6550 |
| Division C | Juan Pickett | (985) 873-6560 |
| Division D | David W. Arceneaux | (985) 873-6570 |
| Division E | Bethancourt | (985) 873-6580 |
The Clerk of Court’s General Sessions records include arrest warrants, indictments, bills of information, motions, plea agreements, sentence sheets, and judgments. These documents can be searched through the Clerk’s online search portal or requested in person or by mail. The criminal records search fee is $20.00.
City Court of Houma
The City Court of Houma has limited criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and municipal ordinance violations occurring within the City of Houma.
City Court of Houma
Address: 8046 Main Street, Houma, LA 70360
Phone: (985) 868-4232
Fax: (985) 873-6579
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The City Court Clerk, Doug Holloway, can be reached at (985) 868-4232, ext. 1911, or by email at dholloway@tpcg.org. Records from City Court cases must be requested directly from the City Court clerk’s office rather than the Parish Clerk of Court.
Sheriff’s Office and Arrest Records
The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and warrant data:
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office
Physical Address: 3441 West Park Avenue, Gray, LA 70359
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1990, Gray, LA 70359
Dispatch: (985) 876-2500
Fax: (985) 857-0274
Current inmate custody information may be available through the Sheriff’s Office website or by contacting dispatch.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a comprehensive Louisiana criminal background report, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information operates the Internet Background Check (IBC) system. Each online search costs $26.00 and can be paid by credit card. New users must create an account before conducting a search.
Individuals seeking their own criminal history through a “Right to Review” must submit fingerprints, a completed Right to Review Authorization Form, and $36.00 ($26.00 processing plus $10.00 fingerprinting) either in person or by mail to the Bureau of Criminal Identification at 7919 Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, or by mail to P.O. Box 66614, Mail Slip A-6, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. In-person appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, as detailed on the Louisiana State Police BCII page.
Terrebonne Parish Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Terrebonne Parish is divided among three court levels based on the amount in controversy and subject matter. The 32nd Judicial District Court has general civil jurisdiction, handling contract disputes, property claims, personal injury lawsuits, commercial matters, and successions. The City Court of Houma exercises civil jurisdiction over cases with amounts less than $15,000 within city limits, including evictions and landlord-tenant disputes. The nine Justice of the Peace Courts handle small claims up to $5,000, evictions, and minor disputes within their respective wards.
Filing and Searching Civil Records
Civil case files from the District Court are maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. The civil records search fee is $15.00, and copies cost $1.00 per page for standard copies or $5.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies. The Clerk’s public records search portal allows online searches by case number or party name.
E-filing is now available for civil cases through the ClerkConnect portal, which provides electronic filing and access services for multiple Louisiana clerks’ offices, including Terrebonne Parish.
Justice of the Peace Courts
For small claims and minor civil disputes, Terrebonne Parish’s nine Justice of the Peace Courts serve individual wards. Each court operates independently, and records must be requested from the specific ward court. Contact information for each ward:
| Ward | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Ward 1 | 204 Ciera Drive, Houma, LA 70360 | (985) 232-6789 |
| Ward 2 | 104 Nottaway Drive, Houma, LA 70360 | (985) 872-4600 |
| Ward 4 | 311 Ashland Drive, Houma, LA 70363 | (985) 209-5574 |
| Ward 5 | 103 Gaudet Drive, Bourg, LA 70343 | (985) 594-3560 |
| Ward 6 | 917 Highway 55, Montegut, LA 70377 | (985) 594-5724 |
| Ward 7 | 204 South Central Blvd., Chauvin, LA 70344 | (985) 594-3103 |
| Ward 8 | 5562 N. Bayou Black Drive, Gibson, LA 70356 | (985) 575-3004 |
| Ward 9 | 3938 Southdown Mandalay Road, Houma, LA 70360 | (985) 868-2870 |
| Ward 10 | 1578-A Doctor Beatrous Road, Theriot, LA 70397 | (985) 851-7002 |
Property and Land Records
Real property records — including deeds, mortgages, conveyances, and liens — are maintained by the Clerk of Court and can be searched through the online portal or through the eClerks statewide search. The Terrebonne Parish Assessor’s Office maintains property ownership, valuation, and assessment data, and offers a property search tool that allows lookups by address, owner name, or map location. The Assessor’s Office is located at 8026 Main Street, Suite 501, Houma, LA 70360, Phone: (985) 876-6620
Terrebonne Parish Family Court Records
Family law matters in Terrebonne Parish are heard by the 32nd Judicial District Court, which exercises jurisdiction over divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, and adoption proceedings. The Clerk of Court maintains all family law case files.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family court records can be searched through the Clerk’s online search portal by case number or party name. In-person requests can be made at the Main Office, and mail requests should follow the same procedure described for civil records. The search fee is $15.00, with standard copies at $1.00 per page and certified copies at $5.00 plus $1.00 per page.
Certain family law records involving minors, including juvenile proceedings, child abuse and neglect cases, and adoption files, are confidential under Louisiana law and are not available to the general public. Access to these records is restricted to parties, their legal counsel, and authorized agencies.
Marriage Licenses and Records
Marriage licenses in Terrebonne Parish are issued by the Clerk of Court. Applicants can complete and submit a marriage license application online through the Clerk’s website and must appear in person at the office with proper documentation within 10 days of online submission. Requirements for a Louisiana marriage license include photo identification, birth certificates, social security numbers, and documentation from any prior marriages, as outlined in La. R.S. 9:224. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $6.00 and can be requested in person or by mail.
Divorce Records
Final divorce judgments are maintained by the Clerk of Court and can be requested in writing or in person. Include the names of the divorced parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known. The search fee of $15.00 applies, with standard and certified copy fees as noted above.
Birth and Death Records
The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court serves as the local custodian of birth records dating from 1903 and death records from 2012. These vital records are available by in-person request only, and cash is the only accepted form of payment. Only the record subject, immediate family members, or an authorized agent may request copies. Requesters must complete the Application for Certified Copy of Birth/Death Certificate and present a government-issued photo ID.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $34.00 |
| Birth certificate with birth card (pair) | $48.00 |
| Death certificate | $26.00 |
These fees are set by statute under La. R.S. 40:39-40 and are retained even if no record is found. The vital records office is located at 310 Church Street, Houma, LA 70360, Phone: (985) 873-8376, Fax: (985) 868-5143 Birth records over 100 years old and death records over 50 years old must be obtained from the Louisiana State Archives at P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125.
Terrebonne Parish Probate Court Records
Louisiana uses the term “succession” rather than “probate” to describe the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. Succession cases in Terrebonne Parish are heard by the 32nd Judicial District Court, and the Clerk of Court maintains all succession case files, including petitions, inventories, accountings, judgments of possession, and related documents.
Searching Succession and Probate Records
The Clerk’s online search portal allows registered users to search succession case records by case number or party name. The eClerks statewide portal also provides free search capability for civil and probate records across Louisiana’s 64 parishes.
To request succession records in person, visit the Clerk of Court Main Office at 7856 Main Street, Houma, LA 70360, and provide the decedent’s name, approximate date of death, and case number if available.
Mail Requests for Succession Records
- Prepare a written request identifying the decedent by full name and approximate date of death.
- Include any known case numbers or details about the estate.
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Include payment of $15.00 for the record search fee, plus copy costs ($1.00 per page for standard copies or $5.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies).
- Mail the request to: Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 1569, Houma, LA 70361-1569.
Succession records are generally public documents, though the court may restrict access to specific filings that contain sensitive personal or financial information. For questions about fees, availability, or processing times, contact the Clerk of Court at (985) 868-5660.