Clark County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Clark County dissolution of marriage cases are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Arkadelphia and stored as part of the county's civil court record system. This page covers how to search for divorce records, get certified copies, and find the offices that handle these cases in Clark County, Arkansas.
Clark County Overview
Clark County Circuit Clerk Divorce Records
The Clark County Circuit Clerk's office is the primary place to file and access dissolution of marriage records. Circuit Clerk Brian Daniel and his staff manage all civil and domestic relations filings at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the Circuit Clerk by phone at (870) 246-4281 or by email at brian.daniel@clarkcircuit.com.
The Circuit Clerk handles the official record for every divorce case filed in Clark County. That includes the original petition, any orders issued during the case, and the final decree. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $5 each. If you need a certified copy, you can request it in person at the second floor office. Staff members Kendra Nash, Sandra Peterson, Misty Ward, and Anna Brazeal assist the public with records requests.
The Circuit Clerk does not provide legal forms or legal advice. For forms and guidance on how to file for dissolution of marriage, visit AR Law Help, which has free resources for self-represented individuals.
[Lead-in: The Clark County Circuit Clerk website provides contact details, hours, and records access information for dissolution of marriage cases.] Visit Clark County Circuit Clerk for more.
The Circuit Clerk page lists staff, office hours, and how to request court records including dissolution of marriage decrees.
Search Clark County Dissolution of Marriage Cases Online
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the free statewide portal for searching court cases. Clark County dissolution of marriage cases appear in this system, and you can search by name, case number, or case type at no cost. The portal shows basic case details: parties involved, filing date, case type, and hearing dates. It does not always include the full text of documents or final decrees, but it gives you enough to confirm whether a case exists and what court handled it.
To search for a Clark County divorce, go to CourtConnect, select Clark County from the county list, and choose "Domestic Relations" or "Civil" as the case type. Enter the name of either party. Results show case numbers that you can then use when requesting certified copies from the Circuit Clerk's office.
Note: Arkansas CourtConnect is a public tool. Some older Clark County cases may not appear in the online system. For records filed before the system went digital, contact the Circuit Clerk directly.
Getting Certified Copies of Clark County Divorce Decrees
Certified copies of Clark County dissolution of marriage decrees are available from two sources depending on what you need. The Circuit Clerk issues certified copies of the full divorce decree for $5 per copy. These are the official court documents that show the terms of the dissolution, including property division, custody, and support orders. You can request copies in person at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, or by mail. Include a written request with the full names of both parties, the approximate filing date, and a check or money order for the fee.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issues divorce certificates, which are simpler documents that confirm a divorce took place. These cost $10 per copy and are available only to the named parties, their children, parents, or grandparents. You must show a government-issued photo ID to prove your relationship. The ADH office is located at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call (800) 462-0599 for more information. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
If you just need proof that a divorce was finalized and you don't need the full decree, the ADH certificate is typically quicker and cheaper. But if you need the actual terms of the settlement, you need the Circuit Clerk's certified copy.
Arkansas Dissolution of Marriage Law and Clark County Filings
Arkansas is not a no-fault divorce state in the traditional sense. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301, a petitioner must state a recognized ground for divorce. The two most common are general indignities and 18-month separation. General indignities under § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) cover repeated contempt, hostility, and ongoing mistreatment that makes the marriage impossible to continue. Separation for 18 consecutive months under § 9-12-301(b)(5) is another option if both parties have lived apart.
There is a 30-day waiting period after service before a divorce can be finalized, per § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). Residency rules under § 9-12-303 require the filing party to have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing, and the case cannot be finalized until 30 days after filing, putting the minimum total at around 90 days.
Clark County court records, including divorce cases, are governed by Administrative Order No. 19, which makes most civil and domestic relations records available for public inspection. Arkansas FOIA under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 also supports public access to court records, with some limitations on sensitive information.
Clark County Clerk and Vital Records
The Clark County Clerk, Tracy Pruitt, maintains separate records that are sometimes confused with Circuit Clerk records. County Clerk records include marriage licenses and some older historical documents. The County Clerk's phone is (870) 246-4491 and the fax is (870) 246-6505. You can reach Tracy Pruitt at tracy@clarkcountyarkansas.com.
If you need a marriage license rather than divorce records, that's the County Clerk's office. For dissolution of marriage records specifically, the Circuit Clerk is the right office.
The Clark County Clerk page has information on marriage licenses and related services available through that office. Visit Clark County Clerk for more.
The County Clerk handles marriage licenses and historical records but does not manage dissolution of marriage case files.
Third-Party Clark County Court Records Resources
Beyond the official Circuit Clerk and CourtConnect portal, some third-party resources aggregate Clark County court information. These are useful for initial searches but should not be treated as official sources for legal purposes. Always verify any information you find through a third-party site with the Circuit Clerk or CourtConnect before relying on it.
The Arkansas Counties profile for Clark County covers general government structure and office contacts. Visit Arkansas Counties - Clark for more.
The county profile page lists key offices and contacts that may help you locate records or understand the county's government structure.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources for Clark County
If you can't afford an attorney, several organizations serve Clark County residents who need help with dissolution of marriage cases. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services can be reached at (501) 376-3423. Legal Aid of Arkansas serves the northern and eastern parts of the state and can be contacted at (870) 972-9224. Both organizations offer free or low-cost legal help to those who qualify based on income.
The Arkansas Bar Association's lawyer referral service is available at (501) 375-4606. This is a good first step if you're not sure whether you need an attorney or just some general guidance. AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org has plain-language guides on Arkansas divorce law, forms you can use, and a checklist of steps to take when filing on your own.
Note: The Circuit Clerk's staff cannot give legal advice. They can tell you what records exist and how to get copies, but they cannot help you fill out forms or advise you on your case.
Nearby Counties
Clark County borders several other Arkansas counties, each with their own Circuit Clerk offices and dissolution of marriage records. If you're not sure which county handled a particular case, it helps to know what counties are nearby.