Get your certified Louisiana Divorce Certificate

Fees for obtaining a Louisiana divorce certificate vary by parish. Contact the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was finalized for exact pricing. The Louisiana Vital Records Registry may also provide divorce verifications.

A Louisiana divorce certificate (verification) is a short-form document confirming the divorce occurred. A divorce decree (judgment) is the full court order from the parish court containing all settlement details such as property division, custody, and support orders. Most legal purposes require the decree rather than the verification.

In Louisiana, eligible requesters include either party named in the divorce, immediate family members, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the record on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) from an authorized party.

Louisiana divorce records are generally public records unless sealed by court order. You can request divorce documents from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was finalized.

If your Louisiana divorce certificate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must request a replacement from the county where the divorce was recorded.

If you lose your divorce certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the COUNTY.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the county health department. Some counties may accept walk-ins; check with the specific county where the divorce record is filed.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the County.
      
      Varies by COUNTY.
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The county will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The design and security elements of these certificates can differ significantly from state to state.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified divorce certificate may also include:

Corrections and amendments are usually handled by the county clerk’s office that issued the certificate. Divorce certificates can be amended if information was entered incorrectly at the time the certificate was created. You must follow county law requirements and provide documentation to support any changes. Some amendments may also require court orders.

Common errors that may need correction include:

• Misspelled names
• Incorrect dates
• Wrong location information

The County may require you to provide legal documentation to verify changes and obtain court orders for specific amendments, along with original or certified copies of supporting documents.

When filing a vital record with a foreign government, an apostille certification is often required. An apostille for Louisiana vital records can be acquired through the Secretary of State's Commissions Division or Vital Records Online (VRO).

VRO offers online apostille services that are accepted by governments and organizations in over 100 countries. Their service includes professional assistance for obtaining apostilles for divorce certificates in all 50 states, starting at $149, plus government fees.

Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.

If you request by mail, you’ll need to provide the following:

1. A written request for the apostille or certificate stating the country to which the document will be sent. Our office will determine which authentication is appropriate for the receiving documents. Please include a daytime telephone number.
2. Completed the Authentication Request Form.
3. The original notarized document, with the printed name of the notary underneath his/her signature, must accompany the request form.
4. The notarization must fully comply with Louisiana Notary Law, or the document will be returned for correction. We do not accept photocopies of birth or death certificates.
5. To order a copy of your birth certificate, see Vital Records Registry.
6. The fee is $20.00 per certificate issued, except for adoptions, which are $10.00 per certificate.

Mail-in Orders:

Courier Orders: