Lafayette Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Lafayette are maintained by the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court at 800 S. Buchanan Street, which holds over 16 million records dating back to 1823. Lafayette also has a city court that handles smaller civil claims and eviction cases within city limits. You can search Lafayette civil court records online through ClerkConnect and the free eClerks LA index portal, visit the courthouse in person, or request records by mail. Note that electronic devices including phones and cameras are not permitted inside the Lafayette Parish Courthouse.

Lafayette Parish Handles Civil Filings

All civil court cases in Lafayette go through Lafayette Parish. The 15th Judicial District Court handles the full range of civil matters for the parish and is served by the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk maintains records going back to 1823 and holds over 16 million documents across all record types. That depth of records makes this one of the most robust local archives in south Louisiana.

Lafayette City Court at 105 East Convent Street handles civil cases within city limits up to $20,000 and small claims of $5,000 or less. The city court also handles evictions when the annual rent does not exceed $36,000. For larger civil suits, the 15th Judicial District Court at the parish courthouse handles the case, and records go through the parish clerk's office at 800 S. Buchanan Street.

Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court

Louis J. Perret serves as the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court. The office is at 800 S. Buchanan Street in Lafayette and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk's website is lpclerk.com, and online records are accessible through ClerkConnect at clerkconnect.lpclerk.com. A free index search for land records is also available through www2.lpclerk.com. The eClerks LA portal at eclerksla.com provides a free index search covering all 64 parishes.

One important note for anyone planning a courthouse visit: "The following items are prohibited in the Lafayette Parish Courthouse: Weapons, Tobacco Products, Cellphones, Recording Devices, Cameras, All Electronic Devices." Leave your phone in the car or at home before going inside. This applies to all visitors, including attorneys and court staff.

How to Search Lafayette Civil Court Records

The eClerks LA portal at eclerksla.com offers free index searches for Lafayette Parish civil, land, marriage, and probate records. As the clerk's office states: "A FREE index search for Land, Civil, Marriage, and Probate records are available on the eClerks LA portal." This is the best starting point for anyone who just needs to find a case and does not need document images right away. Index results show party names, filing dates, and case types.

ClerkConnect at clerkconnect.lpclerk.com gives paid subscribers access to document images and more detailed case data. This is the right tool if you need to view the actual filed papers, not just the index. Subscription rates vary; check the portal for current pricing. One ClerkConnect account works across all participating parishes in Louisiana.

A free land records search is available at www2.lpclerk.com. If you are looking for property-related civil records like mortgages or conveyances, start there before paying for a full subscription.

In person, visit the clerk's office at 800 S. Buchanan Street during business hours. Remember to leave all electronic devices outside or in your vehicle. Bring a party name or case number. Inspection of any civil record is free under La. R.S. § 44:1-41. Copies have fees. Ask the staff at the counter for current rates.

The screenshot below shows the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court homepage at lpclerk.com, which is the starting point for online civil record access, ClerkConnect subscriptions, and free land record searches for Lafayette cases.

Civil Court Records in Lafayette

Lafayette Parish civil records go back to 1823. The clerk's office holds over 16 million records across civil suits, land records, marriage licenses, and probate filings. That is a large archive. If you need a historical civil record tied to a Lafayette property or court case from many decades ago, there is a good chance the clerk's office has it.

The 15th Judicial District Court handles civil cases at the parish level. Cases include personal injury suits, contract disputes, property and succession matters, foreclosures, and family law filings. Civil cases within city limits and under the dollar threshold may go to Lafayette City Court at 105 East Convent Street. City court also handles evictions when the annual rent amount does not exceed $36,000.

All civil records are public under La. R.S. § 44:1-41 unless sealed by a court order. Sealed records, adoption files, and juvenile matters are not publicly available. For the vast majority of civil cases, you can inspect the file at no cost and pay only for copies. Copy fees are set by the clerk's office. Call (337) 291-6400 before visiting to ask about current rates.

The courthouse electronic device rule is strict. No phones, cameras, or recording equipment are allowed inside. Plan accordingly if you intend to take notes by hand or bring printed materials. Staff at the clerk's counter can make copies for you from case files. You do not need to bring your own equipment to get copies.

Types of civil records available in Lafayette include personal injury and accident case files, contract and debt suits, property title disputes, succession and probate filings, mortgage foreclosures, landlord-tenant evictions, and civil money judgments. Each of these is part of the public record and can be searched through eClerks LA, ClerkConnect, or in person at the courthouse.

Nearby Cities

New Iberia is southeast of Lafayette and is served by Iberia Parish courts. It is the closest qualifying city to Lafayette with its own civil court records page.