Search the Ouachita Parish Court Docket
The Ouachita Parish court docket covers civil, criminal, probate, and land case records filed in the 4th Judicial District Court, based in Monroe. Whether you need to look up a current case or find older filings, this page covers the main search tools, clerk contact information, online access options, and your rights under Louisiana public records law.
Ouachita Parish Quick Facts
Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court
Hon. Dana Benson is the elected Clerk of Court for Ouachita Parish. Her office in Monroe handles all court filings, maintains the official docket, and processes public records requests. The 4th Judicial District serves both Ouachita and Morehouse parishes. The clerk's office provides services across several departments, with staff in each area handling specific types of filings and requests.
| Clerk of Court | Hon. Dana Benson |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 S. Grand St., Monroe, LA 71201 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 1862, Monroe, LA 71210-1862 |
| Phone | (318) 327-1444 |
| Fax | (318) 327-1436 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | www.opclerkofcourt.com |
The clerk's official website at opclerkofcourt.com describes the office's department structure and available services. The office processes a wide range of information across different departments -- civil filings, criminal records, land records, and UCC filings are all handled by dedicated staff. Fees for any specific transaction or recording are listed on the fees page of the website.
The image below shows the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court's website. It is the starting point for finding specific department contact information and understanding how the office is organized.
Source: opclerkofcourt.com
The Louisiana Secretary of State also maintains a directory of parish clerks at coraweb.sos.la.gov with current contact details for Ouachita and all other parishes.
How to Search Ouachita Parish Court Dockets
Ouachita Parish court dockets are accessible online through eClerks LA and Clerk Connect, in person at the courthouse in Monroe, or by written mail request. Online access is the most common route for attorneys and title professionals.
eClerks LA provides free index searches for Ouachita Parish cases. You can look up cases by party name or case number and see basic filing information at no cost. Full document images require a subscription. Clerk Connect offers more complete access with case inquiry tools and supports e-filing for the 4th Judicial District. Ouachita Parish is active on Clerk Connect, and e-filing is available for attorneys.
In-person searches at 301 S. Grand St. are the best approach for older records or complex requests. The office handles a high volume of filings given Ouachita's population. It helps to arrive with a case number or party name. Staff across the different departments can direct you to the right records index. You can inspect records free of charge. Copies run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies take more time to prepare.
Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 1862. Be specific about the case type, party names, and approximate filing year. Call (318) 327-1444 before mailing if you have a complex or large request.
Ouachita Parish Court Docket Record Types
The 4th Judicial District Court for Ouachita Parish handles a wide range of cases. Civil dockets include contract disputes, personal injury suits, property matters, and family law cases such as divorce, custody, and child support. Criminal dockets cover misdemeanor and felony cases ranging from DWI and drug offenses to more serious crimes. Probate and succession cases, interdictions, and adoption proceedings (adoption files are restricted) are also part of the court's work.
Land records are a major function of the clerk's office. Mortgage filings, conveyances, UCC documents, and liens are maintained separately from court case files but in the same office. These records are frequently used by real estate professionals, attorneys, and lenders doing title and lien work in the Monroe area. All land records are open to the public under the same rules as court dockets.
Online Access to Ouachita Parish Records
Ouachita Parish offers strong online access. The clerk's website at opclerkofcourt.com is the primary resource. From there, you can navigate to online services, fee schedules, and links to the main record search platforms.
Clerk Connect provides subscription-based access to civil, criminal, land, and UCC records. E-filing is active for Ouachita Parish, making it a key tool for attorneys who file regularly in Monroe. eClerks LA gives free index access with paid options for document images. Both platforms work in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox without any special software.
Ouachita Parish Docket Access and Public Records Law
Under La. R.S. § 44:32, any adult in Louisiana can inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours. No reason is required. This right applies to all public court records maintained by the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court.
Most Ouachita Parish docket records are open. Civil filings, criminal case entries, land records, court orders, and judgments are generally available. Restricted records include juvenile files (Children's Code Art. 412), adoption records, grand jury materials, mental health proceedings, and sealed cases. If a record is restricted, the clerk will let you know it is unavailable. They are not required to explain the specific reason beyond stating the legal basis.
Copy fees fall between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee. For large case files, inspect the record on-site first to identify which specific documents you need before ordering copies. The office's fee schedule is posted on the clerk's website.
Legal Help for Ouachita Parish Cases
Louisiana Law Help offers free plain-language information about the clerk of court system and how to navigate public records requests. The Louisiana State Bar Association provides a referral service connecting people with licensed attorneys for a short paid consultation. This is a good option if you need to decide whether to hire a lawyer or handle a matter on your own.
The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport handles appeals from Ouachita Parish. Information about the appellate process is at la2nd.org. Federal cases in the Monroe area go through the Western District of Louisiana, with records on PACER. The Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans is the state's highest court for appeals beyond the circuit level.
Cities in Ouachita Parish
Monroe is the parish seat and the largest city in Ouachita Parish. It is also the primary city in the Monroe metropolitan area, which includes West Monroe across the Ouachita River.
Nearby Parishes
Ouachita Parish is in northeast Louisiana. It shares the 4th Judicial District with Morehouse Parish.