Washington Parish Court Docket
Washington Parish court docket records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Franklinton, which serves the 22nd Judicial District Court shared with St. Tammany Parish. This north Louisiana parish along the Mississippi state line keeps civil, criminal, probate, and land records at the courthouse on Washington Street. Records are open to the public under Louisiana law, and remote access is available through statewide portals for those who cannot make the trip to Franklinton.
Washington Parish Quick Facts
Washington Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court for Washington Parish is Hon. Johnny D. Crain, Jr. His office is located at 908B Washington St. in the courthouse at Franklinton, the parish seat. The clerk manages the official court docket for the 22nd Judicial District and serves as the official recorder for all land documents filed in Washington Parish. Civil case files, criminal records, land recordings, marriage licenses, and notarial acts are all maintained at this Franklinton location.
The 22nd Judicial District is shared between Washington and St. Tammany parishes. Each parish has its own clerk of court and keeps its own records. Cases filed in Washington Parish go through the Franklinton office. Do not confuse this with records held in Covington, which handles St. Tammany Parish filings for the same district. The Washington Parish clerk's office does not have a public website; contact is by phone, fax, or email.
Appeals from Washington Parish go to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge. For a complete listing of all Louisiana clerk of court offices, use the Secretary of State's clerk directory, which covers all 64 parishes.
The First Circuit Court of Appeal at la-fcca.org covers appellate matters from parishes in southeast Louisiana, including Washington Parish, and maintains an online docket for cases appealed from the 22nd Judicial District.
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeal's website provides access to appellate opinions and docket information for cases originating in Washington Parish and the 22nd Judicial District Court in Franklinton.
| Clerk of Court | Hon. Johnny D. Crain, Jr. |
|---|---|
| Address | 908B Washington St., Courthouse, Franklinton, LA 70438 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438 |
| Phone | (985) 839-4663 |
| Fax | (985) 839-3116 |
| wpclerk@bellsouth.net | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | None |
How to Search Washington Parish Court Dockets
The most direct way to search the Washington Parish court docket is in person at the courthouse in Franklinton. Visit during regular business hours and bring the name of a party or a case number. Staff will search the docket and let you view the file. Copies of documents can be ordered during your visit. Call (985) 839-4663 or email wpclerk@bellsouth.net ahead of time to confirm current copy fees.
Online, the eClerks LA portal is the primary statewide tool for Louisiana parish records. It provides free index searches for land, civil, probate, and marriage records in participating parishes. Check the portal to see if Washington Parish is listed. Free searches return basic case information. Full document images require a paid subscription account.
The Clerk Connect platform is another option for remote access. Some parishes in the southeast Louisiana region use this system for civil and land records. Check the site to see whether Washington Parish participates. For a mail request, send to P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438. Include party names, the approximate filing year, case type, and a check for expected copy fees.
Washington Parish Court Docket Record Types
The 22nd Judicial District Court handles a full range of civil and criminal matters in Washington Parish. Civil cases cover contract disputes, property claims, personal injury suits, and successions. Criminal records document felony and misdemeanor charges and their dispositions. Probate filings include wills, succession proceedings, and interdictions. Family law matters, including divorce, custody, and support, are also filed at the district court level. All case types are entered into the official court docket by the clerk's office.
Land records are maintained at the same office. The clerk serves as the official recorder for Washington Parish, which means deeds, mortgages, liens, and UCC filings for the parish are all recorded here. These land records are separate from court case files but kept by the same staff. Anyone researching property title or outstanding liens on land in Washington Parish needs to contact the clerk's office in Franklinton. Marriage licenses and notarial acts are also filed with this office.
Washington Parish shares its northern border with Mississippi. Records involving events or properties near that state line are kept in Franklinton. Mississippi records are entirely separate and require a search through that state's court system.
Online Access to Washington Parish Dockets
Since Washington Parish has no dedicated online portal, remote searching starts with the eClerks LA portal. This is the main statewide tool for Louisiana parish records and covers land, civil, probate, and marriage records in participating parishes. Free index lookups show basic case information. Full document images need a paid account.
If Washington Parish is not fully listed on eClerks LA, request records by mail. Write to P.O. Box 607, Franklinton, LA 70438, or reach the clerk by email at wpclerk@bellsouth.net. Include party names, approximate filing dates, and a description of the specific records you need. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will confirm any fees before sending copies.
The Clerk Connect platform is also worth checking. Some parishes in this region use it for civil and conveyance records access. Both platforms work in standard browsers on desktop or mobile. Neither requires special software to use.
Public Records Access in Washington Parish
Under La. R.S. § 44:32, any person 18 or older has the right to inspect public records held by a government custodian. No reason is required. Viewing records during business hours is free. Fees apply only for copies. Court docket files in Washington Parish are public under this law. Civil filings, criminal docket entries, judgments, and recorded land documents are open to anyone who requests them.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile case files are closed under the Louisiana Children's Code. Adoption records are sealed. Grand jury proceedings are not public. Mental health records carry separate privacy protections. The clerk's staff can tell you whether a specific record is open or restricted before you send a request or make the drive to Franklinton.
If you believe a public record is being improperly withheld, the Louisiana Law Help website explains your rights and how to pursue access under state law.
Legal Help in Washington Parish
The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an attorney who practices in Washington Parish or the surrounding north Louisiana region. For residents who cannot afford private counsel, legal aid organizations serving this area may provide free civil legal help to those who qualify based on household income.
The Louisiana Law Help website has plain-language guides on clerk of court services, what records are public, and how to request them. The Louisiana Supreme Court site also links to self-help resources and court forms for users across the state.
Nearby Parishes
Washington Parish is in north Louisiana along the Mississippi border. Several neighboring parishes have their own district courts and clerk offices. Use the location of parties or events in a case to figure out which parish holds the records you need.