Paragould Dissolution of Marriage Records

Paragould residents file and search dissolution of marriage records at the Greene County Circuit Clerk's office, located in the courthouse here in town. As the county seat of Greene County, Paragould is home to the court that holds all divorce and dissolution case files for this part of northeast Arkansas. This page explains how to find those records, who has access, how to request copies, and what the Arkansas dissolution process looks like from a Paragould filer's perspective.

Greene County Circuit Clerk in Paragould

All dissolution of marriage cases for Paragould and Greene County go through the Greene County Circuit Clerk's office at 320 West Court Street, Room 124, Paragould, AR 72450. Call 870-239-6330 to reach the office by phone. The clerk is the official custodian of all civil and domestic court records for the county, including dissolution cases.

The Greene County Circuit Clerk can provide copies of dissolution filings, orders, and final decrees. Certified copies of dissolution decrees are available to spouses and close relatives. Certified copies carry the court seal and are the versions required by agencies that need proof of a final dissolution. Plain copies cost less and are available to anyone with a valid public records request. Call ahead to confirm the current per-page fee before visiting.

To request records by mail, send a written request with the full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and the cause number if you have it. Include payment for the copy fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will pull the file and return copies by mail. In-person requests are often processed the same day. Mail requests may take a few days depending on the office workload.

How to Search Paragould Dissolution Cases Online

The Arkansas CourtConnect portal is the state's free public search tool for court case information. You can use it to search for dissolution of marriage cases filed in Paragould and Greene County. The portal is at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. No login is required. Anyone can run a name search at no cost.

CourtConnect returns case-level data: party names, filing date, case type, judge, and current status. Filter by county to focus your search on Greene County cases. If you have a cause number, the search is faster and more precise. The portal shows what is on the docket. It usually does not display the full text of decrees or orders. For the actual documents, contact the Greene County Circuit Clerk directly.

CourtConnect is updated regularly from the Arkansas courts system. Results are current as of the most recent update. If a case was just filed, it may take a short time to appear. For recent filings not yet showing in the portal, call the Greene County clerk at 870-239-6330 to check directly.

Arkansas Department of Health Divorce Certificates

The Arkansas Department of Health keeps a statewide index of divorces from 1923 to the present. ADH can issue a divorce certificate that confirms a dissolution took place in Arkansas. The fee is $10 per copy. You can request a certificate online, by mail, or in person at their Little Rock office. Visit healthy.arkansas.gov for request forms and instructions.

An ADH certificate shows the names of both parties, the county where the case was filed, and the approximate date. It doesn't contain the terms of the decree or any details about property, custody, or support. If you just need basic confirmation that a dissolution occurred in Arkansas and you know both parties' names, an ADH certificate is often the simplest approach. It's cheaper and faster than requesting a certified court copy when full case details aren't needed.

For the actual court file, including the Final Decree of Dissolution and all supporting documents, you need the Greene County Circuit Clerk. ADH and the court are separate systems. ADH holds the vital records index. The Circuit Clerk holds the original case files. Both are valid sources depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

Arkansas Dissolution Laws That Apply in Paragould

Filing for dissolution in Paragould requires 60 days of Arkansas residency for at least one spouse before the petition is filed. That rule is in Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-307. You file in the county where either spouse lives. Paragould residents file in Greene County at the courthouse on West Court Street.

Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301, Arkansas accepts both fault and no-fault grounds for dissolution. The two most common grounds are general indignities and 18-month separation. General indignities is a broad category covering conduct that makes the marriage intolerable for the other spouse. The separation ground is used when both parties have lived apart for 18 months or more. Other grounds like adultery, cruelty, and felony conviction are valid but less commonly used in modern filings.

After the petition is filed and the other party is served, a 30-day waiting period begins. The court cannot finalize a dissolution until that window passes. Simple agreed dissolutions can be completed relatively quickly after that. Contested cases take longer, especially when disputes over property, custody, or support require hearings and court rulings.

Public Access to Paragould Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Arkansas are public court records. Anyone can request access under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, the state's Freedom of Information Act. You don't need to be a party to request a copy of a dissolution case file from the Greene County Circuit Clerk. The clerk can deny access only to sealed records or specific documents protected by court order.

Some documents within a dissolution file can have restricted access. Financial source documents, social security numbers, and account numbers are typically redacted from public filings. Records involving minor children, such as custody evaluations, may also have limited access. The bulk of the case file, including the petition and final decree, is generally open. If you're not sure whether a specific document is accessible, call the Greene County Circuit Clerk and ask before making the trip.

Legal Help for Dissolution in Paragould

Arkansas Legal Services helps qualifying individuals with family law matters including dissolution. They serve Greene County and can assist with the filing process, custody issues, and related legal questions. Income eligibility applies. Contact their intake line to see if you qualify for assistance in the Paragould area.

AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org is a free online resource with plain-language guides on Arkansas dissolution law. The site covers the full process from deciding whether to file to what happens after the final decree is entered. It's useful for understanding your options before meeting with an attorney or deciding to handle the case yourself.

Paragould City Clerk Online Resources

The screenshot below is from the City of Paragould's official website. The city clerk maintains municipal records including ordinances and council minutes. Dissolution of marriage records are not held by the city clerk. They are at the Greene County Circuit Clerk at 320 West Court Street.

Visit the City of Paragould online at paragould.org for city government information and services. For dissolution records, contact the Greene County Circuit Clerk at 870-239-6330.

The Paragould City Clerk handles city government records only. All dissolution of marriage case files for Paragould are maintained by the Greene County Circuit Clerk at the courthouse on West Court Street.

Nearby Cities for Dissolution Records

Other cities in northeast Arkansas that need dissolution records also work through their county circuit clerks. The cities listed below have their own pages with local details.