Washington Parish Court Records Search
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Washington Parish sits in the Florida Parishes region of southeastern Louisiana, with Franklinton serving as the parish seat. Its court system covers the full range of legal proceedings, from felony criminal prosecutions and civil disputes to family law, probate matters, and juvenile cases. The Washington Parish Clerk of Court, Johnny D. Crain, Jr., maintains the official repository for district court records and serves as the primary custodian for most court filings generated within the parish.
People searching for court records in Louisiana have several pathways available, including visits to clerk of court offices, online search tools, and written record requests. The LouisianaCourts.us website can assist in locating publicly available case information and navigating the state’s court system. Records may be accessed through official clerk offices, public terminals, and the parish’s own electronic search platform, depending on the type of case and the requestor’s needs.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington Parish?
The Washington Parish Clerk of Court manages records for the 30th Judicial District Court and handles all civil, criminal, probate, and family law filings at the parish courthouse. Knowing which search method to use — online, in person, or by mail — can save significant time.
Online Search via Washington Parish eSearch
The Clerk’s office provides a dedicated electronic records portal for searching land, civil, and court records. The Washington Parish Records eSearch system offers tiered subscription access:
| Access Level | Fee | Print Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Day (24-hour) access | $20.00 | $1.00 per page |
| 1 Month (30-day) access | $75.00 | $1.00 per page |
This portal allows users to search by party name, case number, and document type for land records, civil filings, and court indices. E-recording of land documents is also available through third-party partners listed on the Clerk’s online services page.
In-Person Search
The Clerk’s office is open for in-person record searches at the Washington Parish Courthouse. Staff can assist in locating case records when you provide a case number, party names, or the approximate filing date. A criminal search fee of $20.00 per name applies when requesting criminal record searches through the office.
Washington Parish Clerk of Court
Physical Address: 908-B Washington Street, Franklinton, LA 70438
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438
Phone: (985) 839-4663
Fax: (General): (985) 839-3116
Civil Fax: (985) 839-2925
Criminal Fax: (985) 839-7271
Email: washparcoc@yahoo.com
Mail Requests
Written requests can be mailed to the Clerk’s office at P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438. The office accepts payment by check or money order for mail requests. Include party names, the approximate case date, and the type of record sought. As of May 1, 2025, copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $10.00 per certification fee.
Are Court Records Public in Washington Parish?
Louisiana’s foundational open-records law, the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 44:1 et seq.), establishes that public records — including most court documents — must be made available to any person who requests them. Under this statute, the right of access is broadly construed, and custodians of records are required to respond promptly to inspection or copy requests.
Despite this broad presumption of access, several categories of Washington Parish court records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile court records — Under Louisiana Children’s Code Article 412, all records and reports concerning matters before the juvenile court — except traffic violations — are confidential and cannot be disclosed except as specifically authorized by law.
- Expunged records — Once a court orders expungement, those records are removed from public access and are generally not available without a further court order.
- Adoption records — Adoption proceedings are sealed to protect the privacy of all parties involved.
- Certain family law matters — Cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, and similar sensitive proceedings may carry restricted access to protect vulnerable individuals.
- Sealed records — Any record sealed by judicial order is withheld from public inspection regardless of case category.
Requestors seeking restricted or sealed records must demonstrate a legitimate legal purpose or obtain a court order authorizing disclosure. The Clerk’s office can advise on the proper procedure for filing such a request.
Washington Parish Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Washington Parish are heard by the 30th Judicial District Court, which has original jurisdiction over all felony charges and serious criminal matters. Misdemeanors, traffic citations, and DUI cases are handled at the municipal level through the Bogalusa City Court for matters arising within that city.
30th Judicial District Court (Criminal Division)
Address: 908 Washington Street, Franklinton, LA 70438
Clerk of Court Phone: (985) 839-4663
Criminal Fax: (985) 839-7271
Bogalusa City Court
Address: 202 Arkansas Avenue, Bogalusa, LA 70427
Phone: (985) 732-6204
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Criminal court records maintained by the Clerk of Court include misdemeanor and felony filings, indictments, motions, hearing records, sentencing documentation, and expungement orders. These can be searched through the Washington Parish eSearch portal or requested directly from the Clerk’s office. A criminal records search fee of $20.00 per name is assessed for in-office requests.
For arrest records, current inmate status, and information about individuals held in the parish jail, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office maintains an active inmate search and handles criminal records inquiries. The Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (985) 839-3434. State-level criminal background checks are processed through the Louisiana State Police.
Washington Parish Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Washington Parish is filed with the 30th Judicial District Court and maintained by the Clerk of Court. The district court hears general civil matters including contract disputes, property litigation, tort claims, and appeals. The Clerk of Court also handles small claims (clerk’s suits), which are a distinct category of limited civil proceedings.
Civil records maintained by the Clerk include: petitions and complaints, motions, judgments, property dispute filings, divorce decrees, name change petitions, and appeal records. To request civil records:
- Identify the case by party name, approximate filing year, or case number.
- Visit the Clerk’s office in person at 908-B Washington Street, Franklinton, or search through the eSearch portal.
- Submit a written or in-person request and pay the applicable copy fee of $1.00 per page (effective May 1, 2025).
- For certified copies, an additional $10.00 certification fee per document applies.
Mail requests are accepted at P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438, with payment by check or money order. The office also accepts cash, check, money order, and credit/debit for in-person payments.
The full Washington Parish Clerk of Court fee schedule provides detailed costs for filings, recordations, mortgage certificates, and other civil services. Fees include a Louisiana Clerk Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) portal fee of $5.00 per La. R.S. 13:754 and a Washington Parish Government surcharge of $15.00 per La. R.S. 33:1236(55)(a), which are built into general recordation fees. A research/preparation fee of $15.00 applies to records requiring staff research assistance.
Washington Parish Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, legal separation, domestic violence proceedings, adoptions, tutorships, and name changes — fall under the jurisdiction of the 30th Judicial District Court sitting in Franklinton. Juvenile matters, including delinquency cases and proceedings for children in need of care, are handled separately by the parish juvenile court division.
Divorce and Custody Records
Divorce and custody proceedings are filed with the Clerk of Court and are part of the district court’s civil docket. To obtain divorce decrees or custody orders, contact the Clerk’s office directly and provide the names of both parties and the approximate year the proceedings were filed. Certified copies of divorce documents cost $10.00 per certification plus the $1.00-per-page copy fee. The Clerk also maintains court forms for common family law filings.
Marriage Records
The Washington Parish Clerk of Court is the official custodian for marriage licenses issued in the parish. Certified copies of marriage licenses are available at $10.00 per license through the Clerk’s office. Marriage records may also be requested through the Louisiana Department of Health Center for Vital Records and Statistics, which handles statewide vital record requests.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Washington Parish are maintained by the Louisiana Department of Health. Under Louisiana law, birth records are confidential for 100 years from the year of birth, and death records are confidential for 50 years. Access during these restricted periods is limited to the individual named, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. Current fees from the LDH are $15.00 per certified birth certificate copy and $7.00 per certified death certificate copy. Records can be requested in person, by mail, or through the LDH’s online services.
Juvenile Court Records
Juvenile proceedings in Washington Parish are confidential under Louisiana Children’s Code Article 412. Records from cases involving delinquent children or children in need of care are not accessible to the general public. The 30th Judicial District Court’s juvenile division handles these matters, and access to records requires a court order or demonstrated statutory authority.
Washington Parish Probate Court Records
Louisiana does not maintain a separate probate court. In Washington Parish, all succession (estate administration), will probate, tutorships (guardianships of minors), interdictions (conservatorships), and trust proceedings are handled by the 30th Judicial District Court, with records kept by the Washington Parish Clerk of Court.
Probate and succession records have been held by Louisiana district court clerks since 1845 and are generally open to public inspection unless sealed by court order. Common records in this category include last wills and testaments, letters testamentary, inventories of estate assets, final judgments of possession, and guardianship or tutorship appointment orders.
How to Access Washington Parish Probate Records:
- In person: Visit the Clerk’s office at 908-B Washington Street, Franklinton, LA 70438, and request records by the decedent’s name and approximate date of death or filing. A research fee of $15.00 applies to requests requiring staff assistance.
- Online: Search the Washington Parish Records eSearch portal for probate cases indexed in the system, subject to the applicable daily or monthly subscription fee.
- By mail: Submit a written request to P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438, with payment by check or money order. Include the decedent’s full name, the approximate year of the succession filing, and the type of document requested.
Copy fees for probate documents follow the standard schedule: $1.00 per page for plain copies and $10.00 per certification for certified copies. For mail requests, actual postage costs are charged in addition to copy fees. The Washington Parish Clerk of Court’s website provides access to current forms, the complete fee schedule, and online filing options for attorneys and legal professionals handling succession and probate matters.