Getting a Divorce in Louisiana.

Before you file, confirm:

• You are domiciled in Louisiana and have lived here at least six months (La. C.C. art. 10; La. C.C.P. art. 3941).
• You have lived separate and apart from your spouse continuously without reconciliation for the required time (180 or 365 days).
• You are ready to divide the community property (or already have a signed agreement).

Before you fill out anything, collect:

• Certified copy of your marriage license (from the parish clerk where you married).
• Your Louisiana driver's license or state ID (proof of domicile).
• A separate mailing address / proof of separation (lease, utility bill, bank statement dated after separation).
• Your spouse's current mailing address for service.
• Full legal names and dates of birth of any minor children of the marriage.
• List of community property and debts (cars, house, retirement, credit cards, joint accounts).

Pick the packet that matches your grounds and whether you have minor children:

Open the packet in Microsoft Word (or Google Docs, or LibreOffice). Every blank has a bracketed prompt like [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]. Replace each with your information. Rules of thumb:

• Use full legal names, not nicknames.
• Dates should be spelled out or written month-day-year with no abbreviations.
• Do not delete any paragraphs unless the packet explicitly says "OPTIONAL — delete if not applicable."
• Sign every page that requires it. The Verification page must be signed in front of a notary.

The Petition must be sworn to before a notary. Find a notary at a bank, a UPS Store, or a public library. Some parish Clerks of Court offer notary services at the filing window. Bring photo ID.

Attach these to your Petition:

• Order Directing Service of Petition 💾 Service Order
• Civil Case Cover Sheet 💾 Cover Sheet
• Final Judgment of Divorce (you bring this to the final hearing) 💾 Final Judgment
• If you cannot afford the filing fee: 💾 IFP Affidavit

Take everything to the Clerk of Court in the parish where you (or your spouse) are domiciled.

• Filing fee is typically $350–$450 depending on parish. Ask the clerk for the current amount before you go.
• Bring the original and enough copies for service (one for each defendant, plus one for you).
• If you filed an IFP Affidavit, the clerk will accept it, forward to a judge for approval, and process the filing once approved.
• Ask the clerk for a filed-stamped copy of everything for your records.

Louisiana requires personal or domiciliary service by the sheriff (or, if your spouse is out of state, long-arm service). Options:

• Personal service through sheriff: The sheriff in the parish where your spouse lives will hand-deliver the papers. Cost varies ($50–$150).
• Waiver of Service: If your spouse agrees, they can sign an Acceptance of Service and Waiver and skip the sheriff step.
• Long-arm service (spouse out of state): See the Absent Defendant Guide.
• Spouse cannot be located: Also covered in the Absent Defendant Guide — you will need a Curator Ad Hoc.

Article 103.1: The court can proceed after service — but only if you can prove you already lived apart for the required 180/365 days before filing.

Article 102: The clock starts on filing. Wait 180 or 365 days, then file a Rule to Show Cause Why Divorce Should Not Be Granted.

If your spouse contests: The court sets a contradictory hearing. Both sides present testimony and evidence.

If your spouse does not respond within 15 days (30 for long-arm): You can confirm a default. La. C.C.P. art. 1702 lets the court render divorce on your testimony under oath if the matter is uncontested.

What to bring to any divorce hearing:

• Certified copy of marriage license
• Photo ID
• Sheriff's return of service (or long-arm affidavit or Curator's answer)
• A corroborating witness (someone who knows you are Louisiana-domiciled and lived apart)
• The completed but unsigned Final Judgment of Divorce for the judge to sign
• Any signed Community Property Settlement Agreement or Consent Judgment on Custody

After the judge signs, ask the clerk for at least three (3) certified copies. You will need them for:

• Social Security name change (if applicable)
• Driver's license update
• Retirement plan administrator
• Health insurance
• Your permanent records

Each certified copy costs a few dollars. Order all you need at once.