Search Cleveland County Dissolution of Marriage Decrees
Cleveland County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Circuit/County Clerk in Rison and go back to the county's formation in 1873. This page explains how to search for Cleveland County divorce cases, request certified copies, and use online tools to find records without visiting the courthouse.
Cleveland County Overview
Cleveland County Clerk Office: Divorce and Court Records
In Cleveland County, a single office serves as both the Circuit Clerk and County Clerk. Jimmy Cummings holds this combined role and manages court records, probate records, land records, and marriage records all from the same location. The office is at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. You can call at (870) 325-6521 or (870) 325-6214. The office handles dissolution of marriage filings, issues certified copies of divorce decrees, and also maintains marriage license records going back to 1880.
Court records in Cleveland County go back to 1873, when the county was created on April 17 of that year. This is a small county with a single clerk's office, which means the same staff handles everything. If you're not sure whether to ask for a court record or a county record, just describe what you need and the clerk can direct you to the right file type.
The combined clerk structure in Cleveland County is common in smaller Arkansas counties. It doesn't change how dissolution of marriage records are stored or who can access them. The rules for access and copies are the same as in larger counties. Records are public unless sealed by a court order, and certified copies are available to anyone who requests them and pays the fee.
The court records resource for Cleveland County explains what records the county maintains and how to access them for dissolution of marriage and other case types. Visit Cleveland County Court Records for more.
This resource covers the types of records available in Cleveland County, including dissolution of marriage case files and the process for getting copies.
Online Search for Cleveland County Dissolution of Marriage Cases
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is available for Cleveland County case searches. The portal is free and open to anyone. You can search by name, case number, or case type. Select Cleveland County from the county dropdown, then choose domestic relations or civil as the case category. Enter one party's last name and browse the results to find the case you're looking for.
CourtConnect shows the case filing date, parties, case type, and a list of docket entries. It does not show the full text of court documents. If you find the case on CourtConnect, write down the case number and contact the clerk's office in Rison to request a certified copy. Have the case number ready when you call or write, as it speeds up the records request process significantly.
Note: Cleveland County CourtConnect data covers recent filings. For older dissolution of marriage records, contact the clerk's office directly at (870) 325-6521.
Getting Copies of Cleveland County Divorce Records
There are two main ways to get a copy of a Cleveland County dissolution of marriage record. The first is a certified copy of the decree from the clerk's office. This document contains the full terms of the dissolution as ordered by the court. It includes any agreements on property, child custody, child support, and alimony. Certified copies are typically around $5 each and can be requested in person or by mail. Send your written request to Jimmy Cummings, 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665, with the party names, approximate date, and the required fee.
The second option is a divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). These certificates are shorter documents that confirm a divorce occurred and list the names and date. They don't include case terms or orders. The ADH is at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, and the phone number is (800) 462-0599. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. A divorce certificate costs $10 per copy. Only the named parties, their children, parents, and grandparents can request ADH certificates, and you must show a valid photo ID.
Cleveland County marriage records from the clerk's office date to 1880. Divorce records go back to 1873. If you're looking for a very old dissolution record, the county clerk is more likely to have the original filing than the ADH, which only keeps vital records certificates for more recent divorces.
Dissolution of Marriage Requirements Under Arkansas Law
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Cleveland County means following Arkansas state statutes. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301 lists the valid grounds for divorce in Arkansas. The most common ones are general indignities and 18-month separation. General indignities under § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) means one spouse has treated the other with ongoing contempt, hostility, or cruelty that makes staying in the marriage unreasonable. An 18-month separation under § 9-12-301(b)(5) requires that the parties lived apart for at least that long, and it does not require proof of fault by either party.
Before you file in Cleveland County, you must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days under § 9-12-303. After the other party is served with the dissolution petition, a 30-day waiting period kicks in under § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). The court cannot grant the divorce until that waiting period is up. Most uncontested cases in a small county like Cleveland may move relatively quickly once the waiting period ends, but contested issues over property or children can extend the timeline considerably.
Public Records Access and Privacy Rules
Arkansas court records, including dissolution of marriage files in Cleveland County, are generally open to the public under Administrative Order No. 19. This order governs how courts handle public access to their records. Most case documents are available for inspection and copying unless a specific judge has ordered them sealed. The Arkansas FOIA statute at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 supports this access and sets rules on how quickly government offices must respond to records requests.
Some exceptions apply. If a dissolution case involves minor children, certain documents related to custody evaluations or sealed financial disclosures might not be available. Judges can also seal specific portions of a case record for other reasons. But in general, the final decree and basic case filings are accessible to any member of the public who asks.
The ADH vital records certificates have stricter access rules than court records. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305, those certificates can only be given to the named parties or their close family members. If you don't qualify under those rules, you may still be able to get the full decree from the court even if you can't get the ADH certificate.
Legal Resources for Cleveland County Residents
People in Cleveland County looking for help with a dissolution of marriage case can contact legal aid organizations in the area. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423 and Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224 both serve clients in south-central Arkansas depending on location and case type. Qualifying is based on income and the nature of the case. Call ahead to ask whether they can take your matter.
For self-represented filers, AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org is one of the best free resources available in the state. The site has plain-language divorce guides, links to Arkansas court forms, and step-by-step instructions for completing the process without an attorney. The Arkansas Bar Association at (501) 375-4606 can also connect you with a private attorney if you want professional help with your case.
Nearby Counties
Cleveland County is in south-central Arkansas, bordered by other counties with their own circuit courts for dissolution of marriage filings.