Search Arkansas Divorce Records
Arkansas divorce records are public court documents filed at the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the case was heard. The state has 75 counties, and each one maintains its own set of divorce case files. Many counties now offer online case searches through their own portals or through the statewide CourtConnect system. For the complete case file or a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. They can pull records by party name or cause number and make copies while you wait.
Arkansas Divorce Records Overview
Where to Find Arkansas Divorce Records
The Circuit Clerk's office is where divorce records are kept in Arkansas. Each of the 75 counties has its own Circuit Clerk that falls under one of the state's judicial districts. The clerk keeps the full case file for every divorce filed in the county. That file holds the Original Petition for Divorce, the answer or waiver, financial disclosures, and the Final Decree of Divorce. The Circuit Clerk in each county manages these records and can make copies for you.
Arkansas also has a state-level vital records office. The Arkansas Department of Health, Division of Vital Records keeps a central index of divorces going back to 1968. They can issue a divorce verification letter but not the full court documents. If you need the actual decree or judgment, you have to contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. ADH can confirm that a divorce took place and give you the county and approximate date, which helps when you don't know where to start looking.
Note: For divorce decrees and full case files, go to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. The Arkansas ADH Division of Vital Records only issues divorce verification letters, not copies of court documents.
How to Search Divorce Records in Arkansas
Arkansas gives you several ways to search for divorce records. Online access is the fastest option for basic case details. Visiting the courthouse in person works best when you need certified copies or want to review the full case file.
The CourtConnect system is a statewide public access portal for court case information. It covers District Courts in many Arkansas counties. You can search by party name, cause number, or case type. The system shows party names, case status, hearing dates, and docket entries. It is free to use. Not every county is on the system yet, but the number keeps growing. Many larger counties like Pulaski, Benton, and Washington also run their own online search portals. Visit courts.arkansas.gov to run a search.
To search on CourtConnect, you need:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- County where the case was filed (or search statewide)
- Approximate year of the filing if you have it
You can also go to any Circuit Clerk's office in person. Head to the county where the divorce was filed. The clerk can pull up records and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Some counties let you request copies by mail if you can't visit in person. Call the Circuit Clerk first to ask about their process and fees.
The Arkansas CourtConnect public search portal lets you search dissolution of marriage cases across Arkansas counties by party name or case number at no cost.
Enter a full name or partial name in CourtConnect to pull up matching cases, then note the cause number before contacting the Circuit Clerk for certified copies.
Types of Divorce Records in Arkansas
Arkansas uses the term "divorce" in common practice, though the legal filings reference "Suit for Dissolution of Marriage." The key document is the Final Decree of Divorce, which is the court order that ends the marriage. This paper lays out all the terms: property division, custody arrangements, child support, and spousal maintenance. Once a judge signs it and the case is final, the marriage is over.
An Agreed Decree is what you get when both spouses agree on everything. They sign a settlement agreement, and the court enters the decree based on that deal. When spouses can't agree, the case goes to trial, and the judge decides the terms in a contested decree. Either way, the final document goes into the court file at the Circuit Clerk's office.
A divorce case file in Arkansas usually has:
- Original Petition for Divorce
- Citation and proof of service (or waiver of service)
- Answer from the other spouse (if filed)
- Sworn Inventory and Appraisement of property
- Temporary orders for custody or support
- Parenting plan or conservatorship order (if children are part of the case)
- Settlement agreement or trial findings
- Final Decree of Divorce
Most of these documents are public. Anyone can ask the Circuit Clerk for copies. Some items like financial statements may be sealed in certain situations. Records involving minors may also have restricted access.
The Arkansas vital records statutes reference page outlines how Arkansas law governs access to vital records tied to dissolution of marriage, including which documents are restricted and which are open by default.
This reference is useful when you need to understand what legal authority applies before submitting a records request to a Circuit Clerk or the Arkansas Department of Health.
Arkansas Divorce Laws and Rules
All divorce law in Arkansas is in the Arkansas Family Code Chapter 6. This chapter covers everything from filing the petition to dividing property to setting up custody. The law uses the term "Suit for Dissolution of Marriage" as the formal name for divorce proceedings.
Under Arkansas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have been a domiciliary of Arkansas for six months before filing. You also need to have been a resident of the county where you file for at least 90 days. If both spouses live in different Arkansas counties, either county works. Military members stationed in Arkansas can also file here.
Arkansas allows both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. Under Arkansas Family Code § 6.001, the court can grant a divorce on the no-fault ground of "insupportability," which means the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage and there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation. Fault grounds include cruelty, adultery, conviction of a felony, abandonment, living apart for at least three years, and confinement in a mental hospital.
60-Day Waiting Period: Arkansas law requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized, under Arkansas Family Code § 6.702. The court cannot grant the divorce until at least 60 days after the suit was filed. Exceptions exist in cases involving family violence.
Arkansas is a community property state. Under Arkansas Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides marital property in a way the court deems "just and right." Community property is generally anything acquired during the marriage. Separate property includes what each spouse owned before marriage, plus gifts and inheritances received during marriage, as long as it was kept separate.
Child custody rules are in Arkansas Family Code Chapter 153. Arkansas uses the term "conservatorship" instead of custody. The court uses the best interest of the child standard. Arkansas looks at multiple factors when deciding conservatorship, including the child's physical and emotional needs, the stability of each home, and the plans each parent has for the child. Joint managing conservatorship is the presumption in Arkansas.
Divorce Filing Fees in Arkansas
Filing for divorce in Arkansas costs roughly $250 to $400. The exact fee varies from county to county since each Circuit Clerk sets its own schedule within state guidelines. In larger counties like Pulaski, the filing fee runs about $165. Benton and Washington counties charge similar amounts. The petitioner pays this fee when filing the Original Petition for Divorce.
Service of process adds to the cost. You can have the constable or sheriff serve the papers for about $75 to $100, depending on the county. Private process servers charge their own rates. If both spouses agree, the respondent can sign a Waiver of Service and skip the cost of a process server entirely.
Getting copies of existing divorce records has its own fees. The Circuit Clerk charges per page for plain copies, usually $1 per page. Certified copies cost more, typically $2 per page plus a certification fee. Fees vary by county, so call the specific court to ask. The ADH Division of Vital Records charges $20 for a divorce verification letter from their central index.
Fee waivers are available for people who can't afford to pay. You file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. You need to show your income and expenses. The court reviews your statement and decides if you qualify. If you receive certain government benefits or earn below 125% of the federal poverty line, you generally qualify. Forms are available at the courthouse or on the Arkansas Judiciary website.
Tip: Filing fees change from time to time. Contact the Circuit Clerk in your county or check their website to confirm the latest costs before you file.
How to Get Copies of Arkansas Divorce Records
To get copies of a divorce record in Arkansas, contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. You can visit in person or call the clerk's office. They can pull up the file by name or cause number. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for things like name changes or proving your marital status to another agency.
You can also search for basic case info online at courts.arkansas.gov. The CourtConnect system shows case status, party names, and docket entries for participating counties. It does not have full document images in most cases. For the actual Final Decree of Divorce or other papers from the file, you need to contact the courthouse.
Some counties accept requests by mail. You usually send a written request with the case details and a check or money order for the copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Wait times depend on the court's workload. In-person requests can often be handled the same day. Mail requests may take a week or two.
For a basic verification that a divorce happened, you can contact the Arkansas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Unit. They keep a statewide index of divorces from 1968 to the present. The fee is $20. You can request a verification online through Arkansas.gov, by mail, or in person at their office in Little Rock. Visit healthy.arkansas.gov for instructions.
The CDC Arkansas vital records page lists how to get certified divorce certificates and verifications through the Arkansas Department of Health, including mailing addresses and current fees.
If you need a divorce verification for a legal or government purpose, the CDC guide points you to the right Arkansas agency and explains what each type of record can be used for.
Legal Help for Divorce in Arkansas
Several organizations offer legal help with divorce in Arkansas. Legal Aid programs serve people with low income across the state. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services covers central Arkansas. Call (501) 376-3423 to ask about their family law services. Legal Aid of Arkansas handles cases in the rest of the state at (870) 972-9224.
The State Bar of Arkansas runs a lawyer referral service. Call (501) 375-4606 to get connected with a family law attorney in your area. The first consultation fee depends on the attorney. You can also find attorneys through the State Bar's online directory at arkansasbar.com.
ArkansasLegalAid at arlegalaid.org has self-help guides and forms for people who want to handle their own divorce. The Arkansas Judicial Branch also provides standardized divorce forms through the Arkansas Judiciary website. Many courthouses have a self-help desk or law library where staff can point you to the right forms, though they can't give legal advice.
The Arkansas Law Help divorce guidance page breaks down the dissolution process in plain language, covering grounds, residency rules, forms, and what to expect at each step.
AR Law Help is a free resource and a good first stop for anyone trying to understand their options before hiring an attorney or filing on their own.
Are Divorce Records Public in Arkansas
Yes. Court records in Arkansas are generally public under Arkansas Government Code Chapter 552, the Arkansas Public Information Act, as well as the rules governing access to judicial records. You do not have to be one of the parties. You don't need to give a reason for your request. Most of the case file is open to anyone who asks at the Circuit Clerk's office.
Some parts of divorce files have restricted access. Financial documents like tax returns and detailed asset statements may be sealed. Social security numbers and account numbers get redacted from public filings. Records involving minors, including custody evaluations, may also have limited access. A party can ask the court to seal other records if they can show good cause, but this is not common. The judge decides whether sealing is warranted based on privacy concerns and public interest.
The RCFP guide to Arkansas court record access covers the legal framework for accessing court files in Arkansas, including what the state's open records laws require courts to make available to the public.
The RCFP guide is a useful reference if you run into resistance when requesting records, as it cites the specific statutes that support public access to court filings.
Most divorce records in Arkansas are open to the public. Financial source documents and some child-related reports may have restricted access.
Browse Arkansas Divorce Records by County
Each of Arkansas's 75 counties has its own Circuit Clerk that handles divorce cases. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for divorce records in that area.
Divorce Records in Major Arkansas Cities
Residents of major cities file for divorce at the Circuit Court in their county. Pick a city below to find out where to go for divorce records in that area.