Cleburne County Dissolution of Marriage Filings
Cleburne County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Circuit Clerk at the Heber Springs courthouse, where civil, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile court filings are all managed by the same office. This page covers how to find Cleburne County divorce records, what certified copies cost, and where to search online or in person.
Cleburne County Overview
Cleburne County Circuit Clerk Office
Circuit Clerk Heather Smith manages all court records in Cleburne County, including dissolution of marriage filings. The office is at the Cleburne County Courthouse, 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543. The mailing address is P.O. Box 543, Heber Springs, AR 72543. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the office by phone at (501) 362-8149 or by fax at (501) 362-4681. Email contact is recorder@cleburnecircuitclerkar.gov.
The Circuit Clerk serves as the official record keeper for civil, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile courts in Cleburne County. Every dissolution of marriage case filed in the county goes through this office. That means the petition, any motions filed during the case, court orders, and the final decree are all on file here. When you need an official certified copy of a divorce decree, this is the office that issues it.
The Cleburne County Circuit Clerk page shows contact details, office hours, and information about the records maintained there. Visit Cleburne County Circuit Clerk for more.
The Circuit Clerk website lists all services offered, including records access for dissolution of marriage cases and other domestic relations matters.
Search Cleburne County Divorce Records on CourtConnect
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov has full case information for Cleburne County. This is a free public tool that lets you search by party name or case number. It covers domestic relations cases including dissolution of marriage. You don't need to register or pay anything to use it.
When you search Cleburne County on CourtConnect, you'll see case type, filing date, party names, and the list of events in the case. The system doesn't provide the text of final decrees or detailed orders, but it confirms that a case exists and gives you the case number. That number is what you'll need when you contact the Circuit Clerk to request a copy. CourtConnect is updated regularly, so recent filings should appear within a short time after being entered at the courthouse.
If you know the approximate filing date, that helps narrow down the search results. Try entering just the last name of one party along with the county to see what comes up. CourtConnect also lets you search statewide if you're not certain which Arkansas county handled the case.
Note: CourtConnect shows docket entries and case status. It does not display the full text of divorce decrees. Contact the Cleburne County Circuit Clerk at (501) 362-8149 for certified copies.
Certified Copies and Access Restrictions
Certified copies of Cleburne County dissolution of marriage decrees from the Circuit Clerk's office are generally available to anyone who knows the case number and pays the fee. Decree copies from the court typically cost around $5 per certified copy. For a complete certified copy of the official court record, you submit your request to the Cleburne County Circuit Clerk either in person or by mail.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issues divorce certificates for cases finalized after 1950. The ADH charges $10 per copy plus a $5 processing fee and a $1.58 identity verification fee. Requests processed through the ADH typically take 7 to 14 days, and expedited shipping is available for an extra charge. The ADH is at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. The phone is (800) 462-0599 and office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Access to these records is restricted in some cases. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305, marriage and divorce records are exempt from general public disclosure. Only the named individual (if age 16 or older), parents, or grandparents can get a copy of those records without a court order. The Circuit Clerk applies its own access rules for court records, which are generally less restrictive than the ADH rules for vital records certificates.
Arkansas Law and Cleburne County Dissolution Cases
Every dissolution of marriage case filed in Cleburne County must comply with Arkansas state law. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301, valid grounds must be stated in the petition. The two most commonly used are general indignities and 18-month separation. General indignities under § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) involves ongoing mistreatment, contempt, or hostility toward the spouse that makes continuing the marriage unreasonable. The 18-month separation ground under § 9-12-301(b)(5) requires the parties to have lived separately for at least a year and a half.
Residency requirements under § 9-12-303 say the petitioner must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing. Then the case can't be finalized until 30 days after service, per § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). That means from the time you file to the earliest possible finalization is about 30 days minimum, though most cases take longer when contested issues arise.
Court records in Cleburne County are governed by Administrative Order No. 19, which sets the rules for public access to court files. Most civil and domestic relations records are accessible, though certain information may be sealed by court order. Arkansas FOIA under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 gives the public additional rights to access government records, including court documents not otherwise restricted.
Court Records Resources for Cleburne County
Beyond the official clerk's office and CourtConnect, there are third-party aggregators that compile public court information. These can be useful for a general search, but always confirm anything you find through official sources before using it for legal or official purposes.
Cleburne County was created on February 20, 1883, and the courthouse in Heber Springs has handled dissolution of marriage cases since the county's formation. Records go back to the county's earliest years, though older documents may not be available through online tools and require an in-person visit to review.
Legal Help and Self-Filing Resources
Cleburne County residents who need help with a dissolution of marriage case can contact legal aid organizations that serve the area. Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224 provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in qualifying cases. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423 also handles family law matters including divorce.
If you're filing on your own, AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org has guides and forms for self-represented petitioners. The site walks you through what to file, how to serve your spouse, what to bring to the hearing, and what happens after the decree is entered. The Circuit Clerk's staff cannot assist with filling out forms or advising you on how to proceed, so outside resources like AR Law Help are especially important for people without attorneys.
For attorney referrals, the Arkansas Bar Association referral service at (501) 375-4606 can connect you with a family law attorney in or near Cleburne County who handles dissolution cases.
Nearby Counties
Cleburne County sits in north-central Arkansas and is surrounded by counties with their own circuit courts and dissolution of marriage records.