Union Parish Public Records /Union Parish Divorce Records

Union County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Union County in 2026

UnionParishRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Union County. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, and related court filings through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage petitions, final judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and support determinations. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Union County Clerk of Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Louisiana Supreme Court's online case management system, and the Louisiana Department of Health's vital records office. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Union Parish Clerk of Court maintains an online portal through which members of the public may search civil and family court case records. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document downloads.

2. Louisiana Supreme Court Case Management System

The Louisiana Supreme Court's case management portal provides access to appellate-level records and may reference lower court proceedings. This statewide system allows searches across multiple jurisdictions and consolidates case data from district courts throughout Louisiana.

3. Louisiana Vital Records

Louisiana does not issue a separate "divorce certificate" in the same manner as a birth or death certificate; however, the Louisiana Department of Health's vital records office maintains divorce indices and may provide verification letters confirming that a divorce was recorded. Fees apply for these services.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Union Parish:

Union Parish Clerk of Court 100 East Bayou Street, Suite 105 Farmerville, LA 71241 Phone: (318) 368-3055 Union Parish Clerk of Court

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing original documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and judgments
Staff assistance for locating archived or older records

By Mail

Written requests for divorce records may be submitted by mail to the Union Parish Clerk of Court. Requests should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Approximate date of the divorce
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, though older or archived records may require additional time.

By Phone

The Clerk of Court may be reached at (318) 368-3055. Staff can confirm:

Whether a case exists in the system
The assigned case number
Current case status
The original filing date

Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any information classified as confidential by court order over the telephone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Louisiana may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may be restricted to parties of record. Attorneys may also petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a showing of good cause. The Louisiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of the divorce
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date the divorce was finalized
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of the marriage
Prior addresses in Louisiana
Names of children involved, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct Parish

In Louisiana, divorce proceedings are filed in the district court of the parish where either spouse was domiciled at the time of filing. Members of the public should search the parish of residence rather than the parish where the marriage occurred, unless the parties also resided there. Under Louisiana Civil Code § 102, a spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana for at least one year prior to filing, or the grounds for divorce must have occurred in Louisiana.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately
Allow several business days to weeks after the final hearing for the record to be indexed
Contacting the Clerk's office directly can confirm whether a recent case has been entered

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper form
Archived records may require a special retrieval request
Additional processing time should be anticipated for records more than 20 years old

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The divorce was filed in a different parish
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling discrepancies in the index
The case has not yet been finalized
Very old records stored off-site or not yet digitized
The case was sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk's office at (318) 368-3055 to request a manual search
Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
Search under both spouses' names independently
Check the Louisiana Department of Health's divorce index
Engage a professional records search service
Consult a licensed Louisiana family law attorney

What Are Union County Divorce Records?

Union Parish divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the 3rd Judicial District Court of Louisiana. These records are maintained by the Union Parish Clerk of Court as part of the permanent civil court file and constitute public records subject to applicable state law.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the complete procedural history of a dissolution proceeding, including:

Petition for divorce or separation
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and custody stipulations
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, oppositions, and court orders
Transcripts of hearings, if prepared
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:

The date the marriage was legally terminated
Division of community property and debts
Spousal support obligations, if any
Child custody and visitation arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes including remarriage, name changes, immigration proceedings, Social Security benefit claims, and estate planning.

Supporting Documents filed in the case record may include the original marriage certificate, property appraisals, financial disclosure statements, parenting plan worksheets, and any post-judgment modification orders.

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Union Parish Clerk of Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files originating in the 3rd Judicial District. The Louisiana Department of Health maintains a statewide divorce index and may provide verification of recorded divorces, though the complete case file remains with the Clerk of Court.

Legal Framework

Divorce proceedings in Louisiana are governed by the Louisiana Civil Code §§ 101–116, which establish the grounds, procedures, and legal effects of dissolution of marriage. Public access to court records is governed by the Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq., which establishes a presumption of openness for records maintained by public bodies, including courts.

Are Union County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Union Parish are public court records under Louisiana law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. However, certain categories of information within a divorce file are subject to restriction or redaction under state and federal law.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled and completed hearing dates
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents pursuant to court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access
Certain income and asset disclosures may be limited in access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be partially redacted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Medical and psychological evaluations of children are typically sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are restricted to parties and counsel
Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed to protect victim safety
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are protected under both state and federal law
Personal addresses of parties in domestic violence cases may be withheld
Mediation communications are confidential and not part of the public record

Sealed Records

A court may seal all or part of a divorce file upon motion by a party and a showing of good cause. High-profile cases, cases involving allegations of abuse, and cases with confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from public view
Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition for access to sealed materials
Researchers and media: May access public portions of the record; First Amendment considerations apply to news reporting on matters of public concern

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use that information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Union County?

The Union Parish Clerk of Court charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with La. R.S. § 13:843, which governs fees collectible by clerks of court in Louisiana.

Current Fee Structure:

Service	Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of judgment or decree	$5.00 per document + $1.00 per page
Certification seal	Included in certification fee
Search fee (manual index search)	Variable; contact Clerk's office
Electronic copy (if available)	Variable by system

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash
Money order or cashier's check payable to the Union Parish Clerk of Court
Personal checks (subject to local policy)
Credit or debit cards (availability subject to change; confirm with the Clerk's office)

Fee Waivers:

Parties who have been granted pauper status by the court pursuant to Louisiana law may be entitled to obtain copies of their own case records at reduced or no cost. A formal motion for pauper status must be filed with the court and approved prior to requesting fee waivers.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket entries at a public access terminal in the courthouse
Verbal confirmation of case existence and status by phone
Online case index searches through the Clerk's public portal, where available

What's Included in Divorce Records in Union County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Union Parish Clerk of Court contains documents generated at every stage of the proceeding, from initial filing through post-judgment enforcement actions.

Basic Case Information:

Case caption including case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the matter
Attorneys of record for each party
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (in Louisiana, the primary no-fault ground is living separate and apart for the requisite period under Louisiana Civil Code § 103), claims regarding community property, requests for spousal support, and any relief sought regarding minor children.

The Response or Answer contains the respondent's position on each allegation, admissions or denials, any counterpetition, and the respondent's independent requests for relief.

Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and sworn answers, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and estimated values
Debt inventory covering all community obligations
Real property appraisals
Business valuations
Personal property appraisals and expert reports

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

The Parenting Plan specifies legal custody (decision-making authority), physical custody and primary domicile, the regular timesharing schedule, holiday and summer schedules, transportation arrangements, and provisions governing relocation. The Child Support Worksheet reflects both parties' income, the number of overnights with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses, producing the support amount ordered by the court.

Custody evaluations, home studies, and guardian ad litem reports, where ordered, are part of the case file but are frequently sealed or restricted to parties and counsel.

Support Documents:

Alimony or interim spousal support orders specify the type of support (interim, final periodic, or lump sum under Louisiana law), the amount, duration, payment schedule, and conditions for modification or termination.

Settlement Documents:

The Consent Judgment or Judgment of Divorce incorporating a Partition of Community Property resolves all issues by agreement, covering the division of all community assets and debts, spousal support terms, child-related provisions, tax treatment of transfers, and attorney fee allocations. Mediation agreements, where reached, may be incorporated into the final judgment but mediation communications themselves remain confidential.

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders may address interim custody, support, use of the family home, and restraining orders during the pendency of the proceeding. The Final Judgment of Divorce is the court's definitive order dissolving the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, all property and support determinations, custody and child support orders, and the judge's signature and court seal.

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is issued separately when retirement plan benefits are divided, directing the plan administrator to distribute a portion of benefits to the alternate payee.

Post-Judgment Documents:

The case file may also contain petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions alleging non-compliance, income deduction orders for support enforcement, and any liens filed in connection with property division.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Sealed settlement terms
Mediation communications

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Union County

Proof of divorce in Union Parish is obtained through the Union Parish Clerk of Court in the form of a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce. This document bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally recognized for purposes of remarriage, name change applications, immigration filings, Social Security claims, and other official proceedings.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case by searching the Clerk's online portal or contacting the office directly at (318) 368-3055 to obtain the case number.
Submit a written request in person, by mail, or through any available electronic request system, specifying the case number, names of both parties, and the approximate date of the divorce.
Pay the applicable certification fee as described in the fee schedule above.
Receive the certified copy in person at the courthouse or by mail if a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment are included with a mail request.

Union Parish Clerk of Court 100 East Bayou Street, Suite 105 Farmerville, LA 71241 Phone: (318) 368-3055 Union Parish Clerk of Court

For verification purposes only, the Louisiana Department of Health's vital records office may provide a divorce verification letter confirming that a dissolution of marriage was recorded in the state's index. This verification letter is not a substitute for a certified copy of the court judgment but may satisfy certain administrative requirements.

Members of the public who require proof of divorce for immigration purposes should note that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services typically requires a certified copy of the final court judgment rather than a vital records verification letter.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Union County?

A divorce proceeding in Union Parish is presumptively a public court record; however, specific portions of the file or, in limited circumstances, the entire case may be made confidential by court order.

Records That May Be Confidential:

Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents as a matter of standard court practice
Mental health evaluations, psychological assessments, and substance abuse treatment records submitted in connection with custody proceedings are restricted from public access
Guardian ad litem reports and custody evaluation reports are typically sealed and available only to parties, counsel, and the court
Domestic violence allegations, supporting affidavits, and evidence submitted in connection with protective orders may be sealed to protect the safety of the victim
Mediation communications are confidential by operation of law and are never part of the public record
The court may seal all or part of a case file upon a party's motion and a demonstrated showing of good cause, balancing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests at stake

The legal basis for confidentiality in Louisiana family law proceedings is found in the Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq., as well as applicable court rules governing the redaction of sensitive personal identifiers. Federal law, including HIPAA, provides additional protections for medical and mental health records submitted in any court proceeding.

How Long Does Union County Keep Divorce Records?

The Union Parish Clerk of Court retains divorce case files in accordance with the Louisiana Supreme Court's records retention schedules, which govern the preservation of civil court records throughout the state.

Retention Periods:

Final judgments of divorce and decrees are retained permanently as part of the court's permanent judgment record
Complete case files, including all pleadings, orders, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case under standard civil records retention guidelines
Cases involving minor children may be retained for a longer period, as orders affecting children remain subject to modification until the child reaches the age of majority
Post-judgment modification and enforcement records are retained as part of the original case file and follow the same retention schedule
Paper records predating electronic filing systems may be stored in off-site archival facilities; retrieval of these records may require additional processing time
Records that have been microfilmed or digitized as part of preservation efforts remain accessible through the Clerk's office regardless of the age of the original paper file

Members of the public seeking records older than 20 years are advised to contact the Union Parish Clerk of Court directly at (318) 368-3055 to confirm availability and arrange retrieval from archival storage. The Louisiana Secretary of State's archives division may also hold historical court records for certain parishes.