The Civil Department handles all facets of civil suits, Clerk’s suits, adoptions, successions and all matters relating thereto.   There are three sections or workgroups, each performing particular functions.

Advance Deposits    Processing    Records

 Civil Filing & Advance Deposits

• "Filing" includes the acceptance of documents and entering them into the public record, indexing of suits into the computer system, and tracking associated costs.

  As prescribed by LRS §13:850, the Civil Department accepts fax filings of any document which is a part of a civil action. The fax number for the Civil Filing is 225.686.1867. 

• In accordance with LRS §13:842, the Civil Department collects advance payment from the plaintiff for the anticipated costs that will be incurred in the processing of litigation. In accordance with LRS §13:843, it also collects all additional accrued costs from the party incurring them – including, but not limited to, the costs of a jury trial, the costs of taking depositions, and expert witness fees.
• No civil pleadings will be filed or service perfected without an advance deposit.
• To receive certified copies of judgments, all outstanding court costs must be paid.
• All outstanding court costs must be paid before a suit can be dismissed.
• Click here for a Civil Advance Deposit fee schedule.

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For more information, call the Clerk of Court’s Office at 225.686-2216 and ask for Civil Advance Deposits

 Civil Processing

The Civil Processing section is responsible for the "processing" of civil suits, Clerk’s suits, adoptions, successions and tutorships.

"Processing" includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:

• Preparation of all civil summonses (subpoenas)
• Distribution of civil summonses to the appropriate Sheriff’s Office for service
• Scheduling of court dates for specific actions (set "Rules")
• Review of motions for Preliminary Default
• Preparation of all civil writs (e.g., writ of seizure, writ of fifa, etc.)
• Distribution of civil writs to the Sheriff’s Office for service

The Civil Processing section also assists victims of domestic violence and can refer them to the Southeast Spouse Abuse Program office at 888.411.1333, where it can be determined if the situation meets the criteria for issuance of a restraining order.

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For more information, call the Clerk of Court’s Office at 225.686-2216 and ask for Civil Processing

 Civil Records

The Civil Records section is responsible for the placing of all pleadings into civil suit, Clerk suit, adoption, tutorship or succession jacket folders for retention by the Clerk. They also assist the public with searches of both the computerized and physical civil records. 

Civil Records deputy clerks answer questions concerning the suit record; for example, they can tell if a defendant has been served or the date on which a trial or rule has been scheduled (set).

Adoptions of minors are sealed under Louisiana Law. These records may not be accessed unless ordered by the District Court.

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For more information, call the Clerk of Court’s Office at 225.686-2216 and ask for Civil Records