St. Landry Parish Court Records

St. Landry Parish court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Opelousas and cover civil, criminal, probate, and land records going back many decades. The office is recognized as one of the most advanced clerk offices in Louisiana, offering online research access through its DOCUNET system so residents can find what they need without a trip to the courthouse.

St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Office

The St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court handles all court filings and public record requests for the 27th Judicial District. The main office sits in the Opelousas courthouse and serves as the central hub for civil cases, criminal dockets, successions, and land records. Staff can help you find a case, pull a document, or guide you through the request process. The clerk notes that both the courthouse and the online DOCUNET portal are available for research, so you have options depending on your location and needs.

Research in the recording department can be done at the courthouse in Room 37 in the basement. The clerk prefers that researchers use the online DOCUNET form when possible, as it reduces wait times and allows staff to prepare records in advance. Marriage licenses are available by appointment only. Call the office and ask for extension 28 to schedule your appointment before you come in.

Note: Marriage license appointments are required. Walk-in requests for marriage licenses will not be processed without prior scheduling via phone.

St. Landry Parish Court Records Online Access

The DOCUNET system gives remote access to St. Landry Parish court records and recorded documents. To use it, you fill out the DOCUNET request form on the clerk's website at stlandry.org. Once submitted, the office processes your request and provides access or copies of the records you need. This system covers land records, civil filings, and other recorded documents maintained by the clerk's office.

The clerk's office is described as one of the most advanced in Louisiana and possibly the nation, and that reputation is driven in part by this online research capability. Not every document type is available through DOCUNET, so if you are looking for criminal case records or sealed court files, you may need to contact the office directly or visit in person.

The DOCUNET portal is the primary tool for remote research in St. Landry Parish. Using it before you visit the courthouse can save time for both you and the clerk's staff.

Types of Court Records in St. Landry Parish

The 27th Judicial District handles a wide range of case types, and the clerk maintains records for all of them. Civil records include contract disputes, tort claims, and property matters. Criminal records cover felony and misdemeanor cases filed in district court. Probate and succession records are also kept here, which is where wills get filed and estates are settled. Land records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are recorded in a separate department of the same office.

Traffic and minor offense cases may be handled at the city court level depending on where the incident occurred. For cases in Opelousas or other municipalities in the parish, check with the relevant city court clerk in addition to the parish clerk. The 27th JD also handles family law matters such as custody, support orders, and protective orders. Those records are part of the civil docket but may have restricted access depending on the nature of the case and the parties involved.

Note: Some family court records, particularly those involving minors, are not available for public inspection. Contact the clerk's office to confirm access before making a trip.

Public Records Law and St. Landry Parish Access Rights

Louisiana's public records law gives residents the right to inspect and copy records held by government offices. Under La. R.S. 44:1, public records are broadly defined and include court filings, judgments, and recorded documents. The right of access under La. R.S. 44:31 applies to any person, meaning you do not have to be a party to a case to request its records.

The clerk is required to respond to requests promptly. Under La. R.S. 44:33.1, the office must acknowledge a written request and provide a timeline for fulfillment. If records are voluminous or require significant staff time to compile, fees may apply to cover the cost of production. Standard copy fees are set by statute. The clerk cannot deny access to public court records without a legal basis, such as a court order sealing the file or a statutory exemption under La. R.S. 44:32.

How to Get St. Landry Parish Court Records

You have a few ways to get court records from the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court. The simplest is to use the DOCUNET online form on the clerk's website. Fill in the details of what you need, submit the form, and the staff will get back to you with the records or let you know the next step. This works well for land records and many civil filings.

If you want to research in person, go to Room 37 in the basement of the courthouse at 118 S. Court Street in Opelousas. Bring whatever information you have about the case or document you are looking for, such as a case number, party name, or approximate date. Staff are there to help guide your search, but they cannot give legal advice on how to use the records you find.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the mailing address at P.O. Box 750, Opelousas, LA 70571. Include the specific records you need, your contact information, and a check or money order for any applicable fees. The office will process your request and send copies back to you.

For urgent requests or questions about a specific case, call (337) 942-5606 during office hours and speak with a staff member directly.

St. Landry Parish Criminal Background Searches

Criminal background searches are available through the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court. These searches check the criminal case index maintained by the clerk's office and cover cases filed in district court. You can request a search by name, and the office will confirm whether records exist for that individual in its system.

Keep in mind that the clerk's criminal index only covers cases handled in the 27th Judicial District. Cases from other parishes will not appear in this search. For a statewide criminal history check, you would need to contact the Louisiana State Police or use the state's official background check service. The clerk's search is useful for verifying parish-level case history and is often sufficient for many purposes.

Note: The clerk's office staff are trained professionals but cannot give legal advice. For questions about what a criminal record means or how it affects you, consult a licensed attorney.

Nearby Parishes

Court records must be requested from the parish where the case was filed.