The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court receives no ad valorem tax funding. All operations are supported entirely by fees for services rendered, as set by the Louisiana Legislature.
This page provides a general guide to help estimate filing costs. Because every filing is unique, actual charges may vary. Unless otherwise noted, make checks or money orders payable to Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court. Credit and debit cards are accepted in all offices except for expungements and birth/death certificates.
Civil Divisions — 24th JDC, 1st & 2nd Parish Court
All fees are established pursuant to La. R.S. 13:841 (as amended) and other relevant statutes. For assistance calculating costs, call (504) 364-3740. If you believe charges are incorrect, contact the civil suit accounting department at (504) 364-2655 or (504) 364-2912.
The cost of a new suit includes fees collected on behalf of other agencies that are not retained by the Clerk of Court and may change without notice: Judges’ Supplemental Compensation Fund, Judicial Expense Fund, Building Fund, Stenographers, Legal Assistance Program, Supreme Court Reporting System, Supreme Court Civil Case Reporting, 24th JDC Domestic Early Intervention Triage (Domestic Commissioners), and Service (Sheriff’s Office).
Many sheriffs’ offices require a separate check for out-of-parish service. View a list of parishes and their service and mileage costs: Out-of-Parish Service Fees. Make checks payable to that parish’s sheriff.
Note: Effective November 15, 2016, the 24th JDC Domestic Early Intervention Triage filing fee ($15 on certain domestic filings) was modified per Court Order. View Order.
How Advance Deposit is Apportioned — Typical Civil Suit for Damages, 24th JDC (2023)
For a full breakdown of how filing fees are distributed among agencies, see the 24th JDC Fees & Filing section.
New Suit Filings
Advance deposit amounts below are a guide and typically include one service. Larger deposits may be required for filings with multiple plaintiffs or defendants or lengthy pleadings. With few exceptions, the following costs include one service.
| Suit Type | Advance Deposit |
|---|---|
| Emancipation | $275.00 |
| Executory Process (Foreclosure) | $1,000.00 |
| Interdiction | $1,000.00 |
| Judicial Commitment | $650.00 |
| Petition for Damages | $400.00 |
| Petition to Make Judgment Executory (without Garnishment) | $500.00 |
| Petition to Make Judgment Executory (with Garnishment) | $600.00 |
| Petition for Name Change | $250.00 |
| Sequestration | $500.00 |
| Succession (Small — Under $125,000) [La. C.C.P. Art. 3422] | $200.00 |
| Succession (Large — $125,000 and over) | $400.00 |
| Tutorship (Small — Under $50,000) [La. C.C.P. Art. 4464] | $250.00 |
| Tutorship (Large — Over $50,000) | $400.00 |
Domestic Suits
| Suit Type | Advance Deposit |
|---|---|
| Divorce (with acceptance of service; no rules, TROs, or restraining orders) | $400.00 |
| Divorce (with 1 service; no rules, TROs, or restraining orders) | $500.00 |
| With a Rule | $600.00 |
| With a Rule and TRO or Restraining Order | $600.00 |
| Motion for Child Support | $300.00 |
| Motion for Contempt | $300.00 |
| Motion for Spousal Support | $300.00 |
| Petition for Child Support | $575.00 |
| Petition for Custody | $550.00 |
| Minute Entry (required for each Rule or Motion Set) | $5.00 each |
Subsequent Filings
When filing into an existing suit, cost depends on: pages in the pleading, pages of exhibits, number of parties to be served, and certified copies required. The base filing fee is $7.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. Common pleadings requiring additional deposits:
| Pleading Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Answer or Amended Answer | $25.00 |
| Answer or Amended Answer AND Cross-Claim, Third Party Demand, Reconventional Demand, etc. | $325.00 |
| Judgments (all costs must be paid; $7 first page, $5 each additional; $18 per Notice of Signing of Judgment; copy and certification costs) | Varies |
| Jury Order | $50.00 |
| Petition for Intervention | $325.00 |
| Petition for Partition | $325.00 |
| Petition for Revival of Judgment | $100.00 |
| Motion to Appoint Curator (include separate check of $600.00 payable to Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court; if executory process, check payable to Jefferson Parish Sheriff) | $275.00 |
| Motion to Appoint Special Deputy | $25.00 plus $90.00 per service per form issued |
| Motion to Compel | $150.00 |
| Motion for Contempt (Non-Domestic) | $150.00 |
| Motion to Consolidate or Transfer | $50.00 |
| Motion to Continue | $150.00 |
| Motion to Dismiss | $7 first page, $5 each additional plus ALL costs paid |
| Motion for Extension of Time | $25.00 |
| Motion for Judgment Debtor Rule | $150.00 |
| Motion for Preliminary Default | $25.00 |
| Motion to Set for Trial on Merits (jury/non-jury, 2 services) | $235.00 |
| Motion for Summary Judgment | $150.00 |
| Rule to Show Cause | $150.00 |
| Writ of Seizure (or Amended) | $225.00 |
| Writ of FIFA (fieri facias) | $225.00 |
| Writ of FIFA with Garnishment | $450.00 |
| Writ of Possession | $225.00 |
Parish Court Filings (1st & 2nd Parish Court)
| Filing Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application for Peace Bond | $375.00 |
| Motion & Order for Trial — Judicial Eviction | $375.00 plus bond amount determined by the court |
| Petition for Trial De Novo | $375.00 plus bond amount determined by the court |
Miscellaneous Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Divorce | $18.00 |
| Curator Fee (separate check payable to Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court) | $600.00 |
| Exhibits (Documents) | $2.00 per page (Front + Back) |
| Exhibits (Objects) | $5.00 per object (Plus $2.00 per page of any document on the object) |
| Exhibits (Digital) Video/Audio/Software | $5.00 per 100 MB |
| Filing any Document (base per-page fee — does not include issuing, service, photocopy, or certification charges) | $7.00 first page; $5.00 each additional |
| Mailing (Postage) Costs | Actual charges incurred |
| Minute Entry | $5.00 per each motion to be taken up |
| NSF Charge | $25.00 |
| Service | $90.00 |
| Subpoenas & Subpoenas Duces Tecum | $90.00 |
| Swearing Witness or Juror | $2.50 each |
Photocopy Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Photocopy (not certified) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified Copy | $5.00 per document, plus copy costs |
| Act of Congress Certification | $5.00 per document, plus copy costs |
| Clocked Conformed Copy | $3.00 per document |
| E-Mailed Copies | $1.00 per page |
A note about service copies: If service of a pleading is required, the Clerk must certify one service copy per service. Certification costs $5.00 per document. If the Clerk makes the copies, add $1.00 per page. When filing in-person, provide an extra copy for return to your office, otherwise copy charges will apply.
Jury Trials
An advance deposit for exhibits may be required if the parties anticipate an exhibit-intensive trial. All costs must be paid prior to the conclusion of the trial. Exhibits cost $2.00 per page / $5.00 per object introduced.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Jury Filing Fee (non-refundable; collected each time a jury is prayed for per La. R.S. 13:3049.1) | $150.00 plus applicable document filing costs |
| Jury Bond | $2,000 for the first day; $400.00 each additional day, plus applicable document filing costs |
| Jury Order | $50.00 |
| Exhibits (Documents) | $2.00 per page (Front + Back) |
| Exhibits (Objects) | $5.00 per object (Plus $2.00 per page of any document on the object) |
| Swearing Witness or Juror | $2.50 each |
“La. R.S. 13:3049.1 in pertinent part provides: When a civil party litigant prays for a jury trial, a jury filing fee in the sum of $150.00 shall be paid at the time of request. The jury filing fees shall be retained and assessed as costs of court for the operation of the jury commission. Accordingly, the said deposit is nonrefundable, irrespective of whether or not the case is set for jury trial. So, I suggest that you apply for jury trial only after you are substantially certain that you want one … within the time limit imposed by law, however.”
— Jon Gegenheimer, Clerk of Court, October 31, 2011
Appeals
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Motion for Appeal (includes notice to two attorneys, filing of the appeal court’s decision, and issuing the cost estimate; the Clerk will issue an Estimate of Appeal Cost covering transcript costs, La. Fifth Circuit filing fee, and record duplication) | $250.00 + $80.00 each additional attorney (after two) |
Refund of Unused Court Costs
Occasionally, the entire advance deposit is not used during the life of a suit. Since 1991, the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court has maintained a policy of issuing refunds of unused advance deposit costs to attorneys of record or pro se litigants pursuant to Louisiana law.
La. R.S. 13:842(B) states that refunds shall be issued “if a period of five years elapses without any pleadings being filed and the suit has been completely inactive during this five-year period.” The clerk has also established internal criteria to issue refunds when: 1) five years have elapsed since any pleading advancing the case has been filed; 2) final termination of the suit; or 3) upon written request of the attorney of record or pro se litigant.
Before issuing a refund, a deputy clerk examines the suit’s docket ledger to ensure all charges were applied correctly. Refund checks are issued monthly to the attorney of record or the party who advanced the funds. Suit balances shown on JeffNet are estimates and may require adjustment before a refund can be issued.
For questions about civil case refunds and billing, call (504) 364-2912.
Criminal Divisions — 24th JDC, 1st & 2nd Parish Court
Pursuant to La. R.S. 13:847 and La. R.S. 44:9, the Clerk of Court collects fees for services performed by its criminal records division. Fees for filings enumerated in the statute are collected post-conviction by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff from defendants cast with fines.
Copies and services are provided at no charge to law enforcement agencies and indigent defendants. The general public, non-indigent defendants, and attorneys not representing an indigent defendant pay the following:
| Service | Statutory Authority | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Photocopies | La. R.S. 13:847(A)(3) | $1.00 per page |
| Conformed copies (clocked, not certified) | La. R.S. 13:847(A)(4) | $3.00 per copy |
| Certification of copies | La. R.S. 13:847(A)(5) | $5.00 per copy plus copy costs |
| Criminal history search (one name per search) | La. R.S. 13:847(A)(6) | $20.00 per search |
| Extract of court minutes | La. R.S. 13:847(A)(7) | $10.00 ($15.00 certified) |
| Postage (USPS and common carriers) | La. R.S. 13:847(A)(8) | Actual costs; minimum $0.46 per mailing |
Expungements
Credit card payments are not accepted for expungement fees. Expungement fees are nonrefundable even if the expungement is denied (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 983).
All applicants must also obtain a Review of Record from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA 70058 — (504) 363-5541. The Review of Record fee is $50.00 (non-refundable, cash only) and must be obtained within 60 days prior to filing.
| Expungement Type | Payable To | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Felony or Misdemeanor — Total: $550.00 | Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court (cash, check, or USPS money order) | $300.00 |
| Louisiana State Police (USPS money order only) | $250.00 | |
| DWI — Total: $600.00 | Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court (cash, check, or USPS money order) | $300.00 |
| Louisiana State Police (USPS money order only) | $250.00 | |
| Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (USPS money order only) | $50.00 |
Juvenile Court
Adoptions & Related Filings
| Filing Type | Breakdown | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Adoptions (Private) | Clerk of Court Fee: $150.00 | $189.00 |
| Judges’ Supplemental Compensation Fund: $31.50 | ||
| Judicial Building Fund: $7.00 | ||
| La. Judicial College Fund: $0.50 | ||
| Adoptions (State Agency) | Clerk of Court Fee: $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Gestational Carrier | Clerk of Court Fee: $150.00 | $189.00 |
| Judges’ Supplemental Compensation Fund: $31.50 | ||
| Judicial Building Fund: $7.00 | ||
| La. Judicial College Fund: $0.50 | ||
| Voluntary Transfer of Custody | Clerk of Court Fee: $75.00 | $114.00 |
| Judges’ Supplemental Compensation Fund: $31.50 | ||
| Judicial Building Fund: $7.00 | ||
| La. Judicial College Fund: $0.50 | ||
| Special Immigrant Petition | Clerk of Court Fee: $75.00 | $114.00 |
| Judges’ Supplemental Compensation Fund: $31.50 | ||
| Judicial Building Fund: $7.00 | ||
| La. Judicial College Fund: $0.50 |
Acknowledgments
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Recording Act | $10.00 |
| Act of Acknowledgment / No Acknowledgment | $20.00 |
Other Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Curator Fee | $600.00 |
| Photocopy (not certified) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified Copy | $5.00 per document plus copy charges |
Marriage Licenses & Passports
Marriage Licenses
By Louisiana law, the Clerk of Court transfers over forty percent of marriage license fees to the Program for Victims of Family Violence.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage License | $27.50 |
| Certified Copy of Marriage License | $10.00 each |
| Uncertified Copy of Marriage License | $5.00 each |
| Waiver (if required) | $4.00 per waiver |
Accepted payment: cash, money order, personal check, certified/cashier’s check, credit card, or debit card.
Passports
Passport fees are set by the U.S. Department of State and subject to change. Use the State Department Fee Calculator for current amounts. Checks and money orders for State Department fees are payable to U.S. Dept. of State.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Execution Fee (per passport, payable to Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court) | $35.00 |
| Passport Photo Service | $10.00 |
Accepted payment for Clerk of Court fees: cash, money order, check, debit card, or credit card.
Note: Applicants must submit a certified copy and one photocopy of their birth certificate and/or original naturalization papers with the application. The Clerk may make copies for an additional $1.00 per page.
The Clerk of Court does not process passport renewals — renewals must be mailed directly to the State Department by the applicant. Children’s passports issued under age 15 cannot be renewed; a new passport is required every 5 years.
Mortgage & Conveyance
All fees are charged in accordance with La. R.S. 13:844 and other relevant statutes. For assistance or to dispute a charge, call (504) 364-2950 or (504) 364-2947. JeffNet users may have filings charged to their account with written authorization on file. Printed copies cost $0.75 per page (computer-generated) or $1.00 per page (copied from paper).
Effective April 7, 2017, the Clerk of Court contracted with Jefferson Certificate Corp. (217 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, LA 70053) to prepare mortgage and conveyance certificates. For sheriff’s sales, plaintiffs no longer need to supply certificates — the Sheriff contacts Jefferson Certificate Corp. directly. For ordinary acts of sale or mortgage: (504) 361-0206.
Document Recording
| Pages | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 – 5 pages | $105.00 |
| 6 – 25 pages | $205.00 |
| 26 – 50 pages | $305.00 |
| 51 or more pages | $305.00 for first 50 pages; $5.00 per page thereafter |
Fees above include all parts of the act plus attachments (exhibits, riders, powers of attorney, property descriptions, tax certificates, surveys, etc.). Pages larger than 8½″ × 14″ add $20.00 per oversized page.
Services included: one certified true copy of the recorded document (or e-certification) and indexing of up to ten names. Additional names beyond the tenth are $5.00 each.
Fees are for one book designation (e.g., conveyance or mortgage only). For multiple book designations (e.g., mortgage and conveyance), multiply the fee by the number of designations.
Effective August 1, 2018: Pursuant to La. R.S. 13:754 (as amended by Act No. 202, 2018 Regular Session), all clerks of court must participate in LCRAA and collect a $5.00 per recording fee, charged once per instrument regardless of the number of book classifications.
Effective August 1, 2017: All mortgage inscription releases and promissory notes will be recorded and assigned standard recordation information. Filers receive a Notice of Recordation. To receive a Notice of Cancellation in addition to the Notice of Recordation, add $10.00 per inscription released.
Exceptions
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Release of Mortgage with Original (paraphed) Note — One MOB | $10.00 |
| Act or Affidavit to Cancel a Single Mortgage, Lien, or Privilege | $55.00 |
| Mortgage Cancellation Attestation (Notice of Cancellation) | $10.00 per MOB |
| Affidavit of Identity (La. R.S. 9:5503) — First page | $18.00 |
| Affidavit of Identity (La. R.S. 9:5503) — Each additional page | $6.00 |
Additional Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Attachments | File Act of Deposit |
| Late attachment of clerk’s mortgage & conveyance certificates | File Act of Deposit |
| Indexing beyond 10th name (per La. law, includes maiden name and all married first/last names and variations) | $5.00 per name |
| Marginal notation for reference | No Charge |
| Clocked Conformed Copy (if supplied at time of filing) | $5.00 per copy per document |
| Social Security No. Compliance Fee (La. C.C.P. Art. 1922(C)) — applies when last four digits of debtor’s SSN are not included on money judgments and liens | $25.00 per debtor |
Certificates
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Mortgage Certificate — First name | $20.00 |
| Mortgage Certificate — Each additional name | $10.00 |
| Lien & Privilege Certificate — First name | $20.00 |
| Lien & Privilege Certificate — Each additional name | $10.00 |
| Certificate Preparation (Mortgage only, if prepared by clerk staff) | $40.00 |
| Certificate Preparation (Lien & Privilege, if prepared by clerk staff) | $40.00 |
Photocopies & Other
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy only (not certified) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (clerk makes copy) | $10.00 per document plus copy costs |
| Certified copy (copy provided to clerk at time of filing) | $10.00 per document (after the first supplied copy) |
UCC (Uniform Commercial Code)
All fees are charged in accordance with La. R.S. 10:9-525 and other relevant statutes. For assistance or to dispute a charge, call (504) 364-2950 or (504) 364-2947. For more information about the UCC, visit the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.
UCC1 — One Debtor
Fees below include a $5.00 prepaid termination fee.
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Financing Statement | $30.00 |
| Financing Statement with Assignment | $35.00 |
| Financing Statement re: “as extracted collateral” or fixture filing | $40.00 |
| Financing Statement (Transmitting Utility) | $205.00 |
| Financing Statement (Public Finance Transaction) | $105.00 |
| Additional pages | $2.00 per page |
| Additional Debtor Names | $10.00 each |
| Non-Standard Form Fee | $15.00 each |
UCC3 — One Debtor
| Amendment Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Amendment | $25.00 |
| Continuation | $25.00 |
| Assignment | $25.00 |
| Debtor Correction | $25.00 |
| Master Assignment / Amendment | $5.00 per financing statement |
| Termination ($5.00 per debtor prepaid at original filing) | N/A |
| Additional Debtors Named on Original | $5.00 each |
UCC11 — Search
The UCC11 Search form is available on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| UCC Certificate (per debtor name) | $30.00 (add $1.00 for each listing after the 10th) |
| Copies of Documents | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of Copies | $10.00 per copy |
Birth & Death Certificates
Accepted payment: cash, check, and money order only. Credit cards are not accepted for birth/death certificate fees.
| Certificate Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $34.00 |
| Birth Certificate & Birth Card (sold as pair only) | $48.00 |
| Death Certificate | $26.00 |