Lafayette Court Docket Records
The Lafayette court docket is maintained by the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court for the 15th Judicial District Court. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and property cases filed in Lafayette are part of this docket. You can search Lafayette court docket records through the eClerks LA portal or visit the clerk office at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse on South Buchanan Street in Lafayette.
Lafayette Quick Facts
Where to Find Lafayette Court Dockets
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court manages all docket records for the 15th Judicial District Court. The clerk office is at 800 S. Buchanan Street in Lafayette. This is where you file documents, access court records, and request copies of docket filings. The 15th JDC covers Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion parishes, but Lafayette Parish records are the focus here.
Court docket records in Lafayette are public under La. R.S. § 44:32. Any person 18 or older may view records without giving a reason. You pay fees only if you need copies. The clerk's website at lpclerk.com has more details on access and hours.
Note that the Lafayette Parish Courthouse has security restrictions. Weapons, tobacco, cellphones, smart watches, recording devices, and other electronics are not allowed inside. Plan ahead if you are visiting in person.
| Court | 15th Judicial District Court - Lafayette Parish |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 S. Buchanan St., Lafayette, LA 70501 |
| Phone | (337) 291-6400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lpclerk.com |
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court at lpclerk.com manages court docket records for the 15th Judicial District Court covering Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion parishes.
The clerk portal provides access to civil, criminal, probate, and land records for Lafayette Parish, with online search tools available through eClerks LA.
How to Search Lafayette Court Dockets Online
The main online tool for Lafayette court docket records is the eClerks LA statewide portal. This gives free index access to Lafayette Parish records. You can search by party name or case number. The index tells you whether a case was filed and gives you basic case details. Document images may require a subscription or per-page fee, depending on the platform's current structure.
When you search the Lafayette court docket, keep in mind that all filings made with the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court become part of the public record under the Louisiana Public Records Act. This includes civil petitions, motions, judgments, and property documents. Personal information in these filings may be visible to anyone who searches the docket.
Check whether Lafayette Parish is also available through Clerk Connect. This multi-parish platform covers civil, criminal, family, and property records for many Louisiana parishes. If the parish participates, you may get broader document access through Clerk Connect than through the free index alone.
For in-person access, go to the clerk office at 800 S. Buchanan St. Leave phones and electronics outside due to courthouse security rules. Staff can search by name or case number and help you get paper copies. Certified copies cost more than uncertified ones. Inspection of a file is free.
Lafayette Court Docket Record Types
The 15th JDC handles the full range of civil, criminal, and family matters for Lafayette Parish. The court docket includes several distinct categories of cases.
Civil cases cover contract disputes, property claims, personal injury actions, and other civil matters filed in the district court. Family cases include divorce, child custody, child support, interdiction, and adoption proceedings. Probate and succession cases deal with wills and estates in Lafayette Parish. Criminal cases include felonies charged by the Lafayette Parish District Attorney. Property records cover mortgages, conveyances, and related real estate filings recorded with the clerk.
Juvenile records are restricted under Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412. Sealed and adoption records are closed to public access. All other Lafayette court docket records are public under state law. You do not need to be a party to the case to look at the file.
Lafayette City Court Docket
Lafayette also has a city court that handles matters below the district court level. The Lafayette City Court deals with small civil claims and lower-level city matters. Its docket is separate from the 15th JDC docket. Contact the city court directly for records from that court.
| Court | Lafayette City Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 E. Convent St., Lafayette, LA 70502 |
| Phone | (337) 291-8735 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
City court records are kept separately from the 15th JDC records at the parish clerk's office. If you need records from a matter handled at the city court level, call that office before making the trip to 800 S. Buchanan.
Getting Copies of Lafayette Docket Records
To get copies of court docket records in Lafayette, you have a few options. The easiest path for many people is to start online with eClerks LA to confirm the case, then use Clerk Connect for document images. If you need certified copies, you must contact the Lafayette Parish Clerk's office. Certified copies carry an official seal and are needed for legal uses like appeals, estate proceedings, or title work.
Viewing records in person at the clerk office is free under Louisiana law. The clerk's staff can pull records by name or case number. Bring photo ID. For older archived records, call ahead to confirm whether they are on site or in storage. Some older files may not be available at the counter and may take time to retrieve.
Legal Help for Lafayette Court Cases
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provides free civil legal help to eligible residents in Lafayette and the surrounding Acadiana region. The Louisiana State Bar Association offers a statewide referral service for private attorneys. Louisiana Law Help has step-by-step guides on how to search court records and understand what you find on the court docket. The Louisiana Supreme Court website covers court structure statewide.
Nearby Cities with Court Docket Pages
These nearby cities also have court docket pages for cases in those areas.
- New Iberia - Iberia Parish, 16th JDC
- Bossier City - Bossier Parish, 26th JDC
- Lake Charles - Calcasieu Parish, 14th JDC
- Baton Rouge - East Baton Rouge Parish, 19th JDC
Lafayette Parish Court Docket Records
For more on the parish court system, search tools, and clerk resources, visit the Lafayette Parish court docket page.