Find Washington Parish Civil Court Records
Washington Parish civil court records are filed and maintained at the Clerk of Court office in Franklinton, Louisiana. The clerk participates in eClerks LA for statewide index searching and serves as the official keeper of all civil case filings, judgments, and court documents for the parish. You can search Washington Parish civil court records online through eClerks LA or visit the Franklinton courthouse in person during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
Washington Parish Quick Facts
Washington Parish Clerk of Court
Johnny Crain Jr. serves as the Washington Parish Clerk of Court. The office at 900 Pearl St. in Franklinton handles all civil case filings for the parish and is the official keeper of civil court records. Like all Louisiana clerks, this is a self-supporting office funded by statutory fees rather than parish tax revenue.
The clerk's office handles civil court filings, land records, mortgages, marriage licenses, and notarial acts for Washington Parish. The office participates in eClerks LA, the free statewide portal that gives public users index-level access to civil records across all 64 Louisiana parishes. Staff are available at the Franklinton courthouse during regular business hours to assist with record searches and copy requests.
Washington Parish is a rural north shore parish that borders Mississippi to the east. The parish seat of Franklinton is the center of legal activity for the area. If you have a civil case or need records from this part of Louisiana, the Franklinton courthouse is the right place to start. Call ahead if you have a complex request or need to verify which records are available before making the trip.
| Clerk of Court | Johnny Crain Jr. |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 Pearl St. Franklinton, LA 70438 |
| Phone | (985) 839-4663 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Washington Parish Civil Court Records
You can search Washington Parish civil court records online through eClerks LA or in person at the Franklinton courthouse. eClerks LA is the fastest starting point for remote searches and is free to use without a subscription.
Washington Parish participates in eClerks LA, the statewide portal run by the Louisiana Clerks' Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) under La. R.S. 13:754. This free system provides index-level access to civil, land, marriage, and probate records across all 64 Louisiana parishes. You can search by party name or document type and get basic case data at no cost. Results include party names, filing dates, and case types.
eClerks LA at eclerksla.com provides free civil record index searches for Washington Parish and all other Louisiana parishes.
The Washington Parish Clerk of Court in Franklinton maintains all civil court records for the parish and assists the public with record searches and copy requests during business hours.
For in-person access, go to 900 Pearl St. in Franklinton. Bring photo ID and either the name of a party in the case or the case number. Staff will search the records and pull the file for you. If you need certified copies, fees apply at the time of your request. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write out what you need, include payment for anticipated copy costs, and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Call the office at (985) 839-4663 first if your request is complex or involves a large number of documents.
Online Civil Record Access for Washington Parish
The primary online access tool for Washington Parish civil records is eClerks LA. This free statewide portal provides index-level searches without any subscription or registration for basic results. You can search civil, land, marriage, and probate records across all 64 Louisiana parishes in one session.
The Washington Parish Clerk of Court participates in eClerks LA, which provides free online index access to civil records for the parish at eclerksla.com. For full document access, visit the Franklinton courthouse in person.
For document images and full case file access beyond what the index provides, an in-person visit to the Franklinton courthouse is the most reliable option. Staff can pull the full file for review at no charge. You only pay when you ask for copies to be made.
Under La. R.S. sect. 44:1-41, the Louisiana Public Records Act, inspection of civil court records is free. You pay only for copies. Standard rates are $1.00 per page for plain uncertified copies. Certified copies cost more. Call the office at (985) 839-4663 to confirm current copy fees before visiting or sending a mail request.
Civil Court Records in Washington Parish
The Washington Parish Clerk of Court maintains all civil filings for the 22nd Judicial District within the parish. Civil cases include personal injury suits, contract disputes, property matters, debt collection actions, successions, and family law cases. All pleadings, motions, and court orders are part of the public record unless a judge seals them.
Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 251 places the duty to maintain and provide access to civil court records on the Clerk of Court. Anyone can request to view a case file. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to give a reason. Inspection is free under state law.
Records not open to the public include adoption files, juvenile court matters, mental health proceedings, sealed records, and expunged filings. Ask the clerk's office staff if you are unsure whether a specific record is accessible before making the trip to Franklinton.
The clerk also maintains land records, mortgages, marriage licenses, and notarial acts for Washington Parish. If you are researching property ownership or family history in this part of Louisiana, the Franklinton courthouse holds all official parish documents. For older records, in-person access is especially important, as historical filings may not be fully indexed in the online system.
Fees for Washington Parish Civil Records
Inspecting civil court records is free in Washington Parish under the Louisiana Public Records Act. You pay only for copies. Standard rates are $1.00 per page for plain uncertified copies. Certified copies cost more. Call the office at (985) 839-4663 to get the current fee schedule before visiting or sending a mail request.
eClerks LA index searches are free with no subscription needed. Mail requests should include payment for anticipated copy costs and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Allow time for staff to process your request. Processing time in a rural parish can vary based on request volume and staffing levels.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border or are near Washington Parish. Civil cases are filed in the parish where at least one party lived at the time of filing or where the subject of the dispute is located. If you are not sure which parish holds a record, check party addresses from when the case was filed.