Court records in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, are available through several channels. OuachitaParishCourt.org allows you to view public information about court cases in the parish. Additionally, records can be searched through online portals of official court institutions, directly at the clerk of court's office, and through public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to the court system, hearing calendars, obtaining document copies, and fees.
Ouachita Court System & Jurisdictions
Ouachita Parish is part of the 4th Judicial District of Louisiana, which also serves Morehouse Parish. The district has eleven judges who handle civil and criminal cases of general jurisdiction.
4th Judicial District Court — the main court of the parish. Here's what it handles:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Civil suits with no monetary limit
- Family matters: divorce, custody, alimony, adoption
- Probate matters (the judicial process of distributing property after death)
- Juvenile matters
For traffic violations and minor offenses within the city of Monroe, the Monroe City Court operates. This court also has jurisdiction over small civil claims up to a legally defined amount and cases involving violations of city ordinances.
Federal cases involving the parish are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Federal case searches are available through the PACER system. General information about the state's judicial branch can be found on the official Louisiana website.
Ouachita Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the hearing schedule for today, tomorrow, or the current week, refer to one of the following sources:
- 4th Judicial District Court Website — 4jdc.com publishes information about online court and the schedule of sessions for district judges.
- Clerk of Court's Office — Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court maintains a case registry and can confirm the date and time of a hearing by phone or in person.
- Public Terminals — Terminals are installed in the courthouse on South Grand Street in Monroe, where you can check the status of a case and the date of the next session.
Call the clerk's office at 318-327-1444 if you need to confirm whether a hearing has been rescheduled. The schedule may change due to weather conditions or a judge's decision.
How to Get a Copy of a Ouachita Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court. There are two types of copies:
- Certified copy — has the clerk's seal and signature, accepted as an official document in court, government agencies, and for real estate transactions.
- Uncertified copy — a regular photocopy for informational purposes, costs less.
Ways to Obtain
- In-person. Visit the clerk's office during business hours. Bring valid identification and the case number if you know it.
- By mail. Send a written request with the full name of the party, type of case, and case number (if available). Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online. Through the Clerk Connect portal on the clerk's website, you can find civil, criminal, and land records. Some documents are available for viewing, but obtaining a certified copy usually requires in-person or mail requests.
Certified copies of divorce decrees are issued exclusively by the clerk of the court in the parish where the decree was issued — this is a requirement of the Louisiana Department of Health.
Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court
Ouachita Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for the clerk of court's services are set according to Louisiana law. The current list of fees is published on the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court's website in the "Fees" section. Below are approximate rates — confirm exact amounts before applying.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name) | Depends on the type of search; check with the clerk |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | ~$1.00 |
| Certified copy (first page) | ~$5.00 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | ~$1.00 – $2.00 |
| Document registration (Recording Department) | Depends on the type of document |
| Criminal background check through Louisiana State Police | $26.00 + $5.00 technology fee |
Payment at the clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Some online services may accept credit cards.
If you need a state-level criminal background check, use the Internet Background Check system of the Louisiana State Police — the cost of the check is $26 plus a $5 technology fee according to Louisiana Revised Statute 15:587D.(1). For local arrest records, contact the Records/Identification Department of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office.