Webster Parish Court Records

A Webster Parish court record is a formal document generated as part of a legal process conducted within the parish's judicial system. These records may include case numbers, case titles, names of involved parties, attorneys' names, presiding judges, hearing dates and times, filings, judgments, and dispositions. They serve as valuable resources for legal professionals, litigants, and members of the public, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the preservation of judicial integrity.

Are Court Records Public in Webster Parish?

Yes. Under Louisiana state law, particularly the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. Rev. Stat. § 44:1 et seq.), the public has a general right to inspect and copy court records, including those maintained by the Webster Parish Clerk of Court. Any person aged 18 or older may request access to these records, subject to statutory exemptions and applicable fees. The Clerk of Court will process such requests promptly, making non-exempt information accessible as required by law.

However, not all court documents are publicly available. Certain records are exempted from disclosure for privacy, security, or confidentiality reasons. Examples of nonpublic documents commonly withheld under Louisiana statutes, court rules, or judicial orders include, but are not limited to:

• Paternity and adoption records
• Juvenile court records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Attorney work products
• Expunged and sealed records
• Gestational surrogacy records
• Pretrial services program records
• Mental health and medical records
• Domestic violence reports and certain victim-related information
• Sexual assault or child abuse victim records
• Court administration memoranda or internal advisory opinions
• Financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and related personal identifiers (La. R.S. 44:11)
• Employment investigation records, personnel files, and certain law enforcement investigatory records (La. R.S. 44:3)
• Unexecuted arrest and search warrants

Webster Parish Court Records Search

Individuals seeking court records in Webster Parish may search through the Webster Parish Clerk of Court's Office. This office is located at:

Webster Parish Clerk of Court
410 Main Street
Minden, LA 71055
Phone: (318) 371-0366
Fax: (318) 371-0222

The Clerk's Office charges nominal fees for copying and certifying court records. Generally, copies are $1 per page, while certified copies incur an additional $5 certification fee per page, though exact costs may vary. Requestors may search in person during regular office hours (usually Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or utilize online tools if available. The Clerk may also partner with third-party vendors to provide basic case information free of charge, with expanded access at an additional fee.

Webster Parish Courts

Webster Parish falls under the jurisdiction of the 26th Judicial District Court, which it shares with Bossier Parish. The 26th Judicial District Court has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters originating within Webster Parish. Appeals from this district typically move to the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal. The addresses and contact information of the county's courthouses are as follows:

Webster 26th Judicial District Court
410 Main Street,
P.O. Box 370,
Minden, LA 71055
Phone: (318) 371-0366
Fax: (318) 371-0226

Minden City Court
P.O. Box 968,
Minden, LA 71058
Phone: (318) 377-4308
Fax: (318) 371-1335

Springhill City Court
101 Machen Drive,
P.O. Box 86,
Springhill, LA 71075
Phone: (318) 539-4213
Fax: (318) 539-2605

Justice of the Peace District 1
216 Leton Cutoff Road,
Shongaloo, LA 71072
Phone: (318) 624-1879

Justice of the Peace District 1
1267 Hilltop Road,
Shongaloo, LA 71072
Phone: (318) 539-4931
Fax: (318) 539-3619

Justice of the Peace District 3
685 Elmo Burton Loop,
Minden, LA 71055
Phone: (318) 371-2482

Justice of the Peace District 5
1518 Diamond T Road,
Heflin, LA 71039
Phone: (318) 377-2414
Phone: (318) 465-9218

Justice of the Peace District 5
385 Martha Woods Road,
Heflin, LA 71039
Phone: (318) 349-3797

Cotton Valley Mayor's Court
478 Resident Street,
P.O. Box 415,
Cotton Valley, LA 71018
Phone: (318) 832-4283
Fax: (318) 832-4856

Dixie Inn Mayor's Court
60 Shell Street,
Dixie Inn, LA 71055
Phone: (318) 377-6855
Fax: (318) 377-9173

Doyline Mayor's Court
P.O. Box 626,
Doyline, LA 71023
Phone: (318) 745-2625
Fax: (318) 745-2658

Dubberly Mayor's Court
3465 Highway 531,
P.O. Box 69,
Dubberly, LA 71024
Phone: (318) 371-9528
Fax: (318) 377-7879

Heflin Mayor's Court
122 North Church Street,
P.O. Box 198,
Heflin, LA 71039
Phone: (318) 377-9799
Fax: (318) 382-0111

Sarepta Mayor's Court
24448 Highway 371,
P.O. Box 338,
Sarepta, LA 71071
Phone: (318) 847-4333
Fax: (318) 847-4198

Shongaloo Mayor's Court
P.O. Box 74,
Shongaloo, LA 71072
Phone: (318) 846-2876

Sibley Mayor's Court
345 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 128,
Sibley, LA 71073
Phone: (318) 377-0345
Fax: (318) 377-0361

Webster Parish Criminal and Civil Records

All criminal and civil records associated with cases filed in Webster Parish are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Civil actions, criminal cases, probate matters, and other legal proceedings filed in the 26th Judicial District Court are indexed and stored here. These records may be reviewed in person or searched online if the Clerk's Office provides remote access through an electronic portal. Certified copies requested in person incur the standard fees mentioned above.

Webster Parish Marriage and Divorce Records

The Webster Parish Clerk of Court's Office is the official repository for marriage licenses and divorce judgments granted within the parish. Requestors may obtain these records in person at the Clerk's Office or, when available, through an online subscription service offered by the Clerk. Marriage licenses and divorce decrees can be accessed for a nominal fee:

• Marriage certificates: Typically $1 per page for standard copies and an additional $5 per page for certified copies.
• Divorce records: Same fee structure as marriage records.

To request either record, the inquirer must furnish the custodian with details of the event to facilitate the search. Specifically, they will be required to provide the names of the parties involved, the date of the marriage or when the decree was issued, and the location of the event.

Webster Parish Birth and Death Records

Most birth and death records are maintained at the state level by the Louisiana Department of Health. Under Louisiana law, recent birth and death records are confidential and become public after a mandated confidentiality period (100 years for birth records and 50 years for death records, as per La. R.S. 40:41 et seq.). To obtain a confidential birth or death record in Webster Parish, eligible individuals (e.g., the person named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized representatives) must submit proper identification, fees, and applications to the Louisiana Vital Records Registry or visit the Webster Parish Clerk of Court since the Clerk's Office is authorized as a partner location for such requests. Requesters can expect to pay the following fees:

• Birth certificate: Approximately $34
• Death certificate: Approximately $26

Birth/death record requests may be addressed to:

Louisiana Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160

Webster Parish Property Records

Property deeds, mortgages, conveyances, and related real estate records in Webster Parish are kept by the Webster Clerk of Court's Conveyance and Mortgage Records divisions. Records are available for inspection in person during office hours. The Clerk's Office may also provide an online search portal. Standard fees for property record copies are around $2 per page, with certified copies costing an additional $10 plus the per-page fee. Online searches may be free for basic index information, with a fee for image downloads.

Webster Parish Court Records Online

Aside from direct online portals offered by the Webster Parish Clerk of Court or the 26th Judicial District Court, third-party providers like Louisianacourtrecords.us compile and aggregate public court records. These commercial websites enable name-based or case number searches across multiple jurisdictions, often providing basic case data at no cost and charging subscription fees for comprehensive reports.