Vernon Parish Court Records Search

Vernon Parish is located in western Louisiana, with Leesville serving as the parish seat. Created in 1871 from parts of Natchitoches, Rapides, and Sabine Parishes, Vernon Parish operates a multi-level court system that processes felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, juvenile proceedings, and succession (probate) filings. The 30th Judicial District Court sits at the apex of the parish court structure and exercises general jurisdiction over all case types. Below it, the Leesville City Court handles misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and civil matters within its territorial authority, while Justice of the Peace Courts across the parish’s wards address minor civil and criminal disputes. Five Mayor’s Courts — in Anacoco, Hornbeck, New Llano, Simpson, and Rosepine — adjudicate traffic infractions and municipal ordinance offenses.

Individuals looking for court records in Louisiana can search through several channels. The Vernon Parish Clerk of Court maintains the official records for the 30th Judicial District Court and provides in-person access at the courthouse during business hours. The eClerks LA Statewide Portal offers a free search tool to locate land records, marriage licenses, and civil, family, and probate court records across all 64 Louisiana parishes. Additionally, LouisianaCourts.us may assist users in identifying publicly available court case information. For property records, the Clerk of Court operates a subscription-based online indexing system for mortgages and conveyances. Criminal background checks are conducted through the Louisiana State Police PATCH system rather than through the Clerk’s office.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Vernon Parish?

The method for finding a case in Vernon Parish depends on which court handled the matter and what type of record is sought.

Vernon Parish 30th Judicial District Court

Detail	Information
Address	215 South 4th Street, Leesville, LA 71446
Mailing	P.O. Box 40, Leesville, LA 71496-0040
Phone	(337) 238-1384
Fax	(337) 238-9902
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The District Court sits in three divisions:

Division A — Judge Tony A. Bennett, (337) 239-2147
Division B — Judge C. Anthony Eaves, (337) 239-3584
Division C — Judge Scott Westerchil, (337) 238-3531

All three judges are located at 215 South 4th Street, Leesville, LA 71446 (P.O. Box 1700, Leesville, LA 71496-0040). The court’s local rules are published on the 30th JDC website, and a complete set is also available through the Louisiana Supreme Court’s District Court Rules page.

Leesville City Court

Detail	Information
Address	101 West Lee Street, Leesville, LA 71496
Phone	(337) 238-1531
Fax	(337) 392-8582
City Judge	Elvin Fontenot
Judicial Administrator	Glenda Dowden

Traffic and criminal record inquiries for cases handled in City Court should be directed to the Leesville Police Department at (337) 238-0331. Traffic tickets can be paid online through NCourt.

Justice of the Peace Courts

Vernon Parish has Justice of the Peace Courts in Wards 2 through 8. These courts handle minor civil cases and summary criminal offenses.

Ward	Judge	Phone	Location
Ward 2	Rodney Haymon	(337) 353-9575	196 Holly Grove Rd, Anacoco, LA 71403
Ward 3	John W. Bonner	(337) 424-5138	2055 Bonner Rd, Evans, LA 70639
Ward 4	Arlene Cook	(337) 537-1967	207 Ray Cook Rd, Leesville, LA 71446
Ward 5	Ellis Yeley	(318) 358-5351	132 P. Lacaze Rd, Pitkin, LA 70656
Ward 6	Justin Bonnette	(337) 383-7074	P.O. Box 522, Simpson, LA 71474
Ward 7	Trista Leann Johnson	(337) 396-4158	4967 Churchman Rd, Pitkin, LA 70656
Ward 8	Linda L. Smith	(337) 208-4802	P.O. Box 111, Slagle, LA 71475

Searching Records Online

The Clerk of Court offers e-filing for new civil suits and additional pleadings through eClerks LA. For property record searches, the online indexing system provides access to mortgage and conveyance indices, with marriage indices also available (though copies of marriage certificates must be requested directly from the Clerk’s office). Subscription rates for the online system are $20 for a 24-hour pass, $100 for 31 days, or $1,000 for a full year, plus a $1.00 per page copy rate and a service charge of $0.30 plus 3% per credit card transaction.

Are Court Records Public in Vernon Parish?

The Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) establishes a broad right of public access to government records, including court documents. Under this statute, any person of the age of majority may inspect and copy public records maintained by government custodians during regular business hours.

That said, several categories of records are excluded from public access in Vernon Parish courts:

Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors as defendants or children in need of care are sealed by statute and accessible only to authorized parties.
Adoption records — all documents related to adoption are filed with the Clerk of Orphans’ Court (in Louisiana, this function resides with the Clerk of Court) and are confidential.
Sealed and expunged records — criminal records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public view.
Medical and mental health records — filings containing psychiatric evaluations, medical histories, or treatment information are not publicly accessible.
Victim records — identifying information for victims of domestic violence and sexual offenses is withheld to protect personal safety.
Confidential informant records — the identities and records of confidential informants used in criminal prosecutions are exempt from disclosure.

Vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates — follow separate confidentiality rules under the Louisiana Vital Statistics Law (La. R.S. 40:32 et seq.). Louisiana is a “closed record” state for vital records: birth records become public 100 years after the birth year of the named individual, death records become public 50 years after the date of death, and marriage records are confidential for 50 years from the date of the marriage. Only the named parties, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives may access vital records within those restricted periods.

Vernon Parish Criminal Court Records

Criminal jurisdiction in Vernon Parish is split among the 30th Judicial District Court, the Leesville City Court, and the Justice of the Peace Courts. The District Court handles all felony prosecutions and presides over every stage of criminal proceedings — from bail hearings and arraignments through jury trials and sentencing. The Leesville City Court has authority over misdemeanor offenses and municipal ordinance violations within city limits. Justice of the Peace Courts resolve summary criminal matters such as traffic citations and fish and game violations, and they may accept pleas and impose sentences for third-degree misdemeanors and certain first-offense DUI charges classified as second-degree misdemeanors.

The Clerk of Court, Jeff Skidmore, serves as the custodian of all criminal records for the 30th Judicial District Court. Criminal docket entries, judgments, sentences, and case filings can be accessed at the Clerk’s office in the courthouse.

Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is the parish’s primary law enforcement agency and maintains arrest records and jail booking information.

Street Address: 1203 South Fourth Street, Leesville, LA 71446
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 649, Leesville, LA 71496
Phone: (337) 238-1311
Fax: (337) 238-4987
Chief Deputy: Calvin Turner
Chief of Detectives: Rhonda Jordan

Statewide Criminal History Checks

The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information is the statewide custodian of criminal history records. Per Louisiana law, criminal history information is restricted and available only to authorized requestors. The Internet Background Check (IBC) platform, operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, allows qualified users to submit criminal background check requests online. As of December 1, 2024, a $5 technology fee is added to all background check requests pursuant to La. R.S. 15:587 D(1). Requests can also be made by mail to:

Louisiana State Police
7919 Independence Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections maintains incarceration records for individuals in state custody. For inmates in the Vernon Parish Jail, contact the Sheriff’s Office at (337) 238-1311.

Vernon Parish Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Vernon Parish are primarily filed in the 30th Judicial District Court, which has general jurisdiction over all civil matters including personal injury claims, contract disputes, property litigation, mortgage foreclosures, and other civil actions. The Leesville City Court exercises concurrent jurisdiction over civil disputes within its monetary limits. Justice of the Peace Courts hear small claims and minor civil disputes.

Filing and Fees

The Vernon Parish Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all civil records filed in the District Court. All pleadings must be filed with the Clerk’s office on the first floor of the courthouse at 215 South 4th Street, Leesville, LA 71446. The civil services fee schedule is maintained on the Clerk’s website. Parties should note:

Filings involving a curator incur an additional $200 per curator.
Each additional defendant beyond the first adds $100 to the filing cost.
Parties must confirm that sufficient funds are on deposit with the Clerk before filing any motions in an ongoing suit; pleadings will be rejected if funds are insufficient.

E-Filing

The Clerk of Court now accepts electronic filings through eClerks LA. Instructions for e-filing new civil suits and additional documents are available on the Clerk’s e-filing page.

Copies and Certified Documents

Copy fees for civil records follow the Clerk’s published schedule:

Service	Fee
Standard copies	$2.00 per page
Conformed copy	$5.00 + copy fee
Certified copy	$10.00 + copy fee
Notary fee	$10.00
Postage	Actual amount

The eClerks LA Statewide Portal provides a free search tool that covers civil, family, and probate court records across Louisiana parishes, including Vernon Parish. This is the most accessible starting point for anyone conducting a remote search. For property-related records, the online indexing system offers conveyance and mortgage indices from November 1960 to the present on a subscription basis.

Genealogical Research

Court records in Vernon Parish date to 1871, when the parish was established. Genealogical research can be conducted at the Clerk of Court office during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).

Vernon Parish Family Court Records

Family law cases in Vernon Parish fall within the jurisdiction of the 30th Judicial District Court, which handles divorce, custody, adoption, and protective orders. The court also maintains a Self-Help Center to assist individuals who are representing themselves in legal proceedings.

Divorce

Divorce actions are filed with the Clerk of Court at 215 South 4th Street. All divorce-related records — including petitions, court orders, judgments, and decrees — are maintained by the Clerk’s office. Eligible persons may request copies of divorce records in person. Because divorce records are considered confidential vital records under Louisiana law, only authorized individuals (the named parties, their legal representatives, or persons with a direct interest) may access them during the restricted period.

Child Custody and Support

The Domestic Relations section of the court handles matters involving financial support of children and spouses. This office is a branch of the 30th Judicial District Court. Note that the Domestic Relations office does not handle custody or visitation disputes, which are adjudicated separately through the District Court’s civil division.

Domestic Violence

Protection from abuse orders are issued by the District Court. Victims’ identifying information in domestic violence cases is exempt from public records disclosure.

Adoption

Adoption proceedings are handled by the District Court, and all adoption-related documents are confidential. These records are not accessible to the general public.

Marriage Licenses

The Clerk of Court’s Marriage License department issues marriage licenses in Vernon Parish. Key requirements:

Fee: $40.00
Contact: (337) 238-4345 or (337) 239-2830
Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk’s office before 4:00 p.m.
Required documents: Certified birth certificate under seal, valid photo identification (driver’s license, government ID, or passport), Social Security number for each party, and a copy of any previous divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married.
Age requirement: No license issued to anyone under 16; applicants aged 16–17 require judicial authorization and written parental consent.
Waiting period: 24 hours from the time and date of issuance, unless a judicial waiver is obtained from a District Judge or Justice of the Peace (La. R.S. 9:242).
Expiration: The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance (La. R.S. 9:235).
Ceremony: May be performed by a Minister of the Gospel or a Justice of the Peace, within Louisiana’s territorial limits, in the presence of two witnesses of full age (La. R.S. 9:244).

Marriage indices are available through the online indexing system, but copies of marriage certificates must be obtained from the Clerk’s office. Marriage records less than 50 years old are confidential and available only to the named parties, their parents, descendants, spouses, or legal representatives. Records older than 50 years are transferred to the Louisiana State Archives and are publicly accessible.

Birth and Death Records

Birth and death certificates may be obtained in person at the Clerk of Court’s office. Applicants for a birth certificate must appear in person with valid identification. The Louisiana Department of Health — State Registrar and Vital Records — also issues these records:

State Registrar & Vital Records
628 North 4th Street
P.O. Box 629
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0629
Phone: (225) 342-9500 | Fax: (225) 342-5568

Under the Louisiana Vital Statistics Law, birth records are confidential for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Within those periods, only the record subject, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives may obtain copies.

Vernon Parish Probate Court Records

Louisiana uses the term “succession” rather than “probate” to describe the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. The 30th Judicial District Court has jurisdiction over all succession matters in Vernon Parish, including the probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, administration of estates, trust matters, guardianships (tutorships), and estate disputes.

Filing a Succession

Succession proceedings are initiated by filing a petition with the Clerk of Court. The filing deposit for a standard succession in Vernon Parish is approximately $350. All pleadings are submitted at:

Vernon Parish Clerk of Court
215 South 4th Street
P.O. Box 40
Leesville, LA 71446
Phone: (337) 238-1384

The Clerk of Court accepts e-filings for succession matters through the eClerks LA portal. Before filing motions in an existing succession proceeding, parties should contact the Civil Services office to verify that sufficient funds are on deposit.

Succession Records

Succession records — including inventories, accountings, judgments of possession, and court orders — are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are generally available to the public. Copies may be obtained in person during regular business hours. Standard copy fees apply ($2.00 per page for regular copies; $10.00 plus copy fees for certified copies).

Guardianships (Tutorships)

Under Louisiana law, guardianship of a minor is called a tutorship, and guardianship of an incapacitated adult is called an interdiction or curatorship. These proceedings are filed in the District Court and maintained by the Clerk of Court.

Searching Probate Records

The eClerks LA Statewide Portal includes probate court records in its free search tool, allowing users to locate succession filings across Louisiana parishes. For in-person research, the Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No purses, backpacks, or cell phones are permitted in the courthouse.

The Vernon Parish Assessor’s Office may also be a useful resource for individuals researching property connected to an estate. The Assessor maintains property records and offers a property search tool that can be queried by owner name, property address, subdivision, or township.

Vernon Parish Assessor
310 East Courthouse Street
P.O. Box 1535
Leesville, LA 71446
Phone: (337) 239-2167