Drew County Dissolution of Marriage Case Search
Drew County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Monticello and are available for public access through the clerk's office and Arkansas CourtConnect. This page explains how to find divorce case records, request certified copies of decrees, and get help if you need legal assistance in Drew County.
Drew County Overview
Drew County Circuit Clerk Dissolution of Marriage Office
The Drew County Circuit Clerk is Beverly Burks. The office is located at 210 S. Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655. Phone is (870) 460-6250. You can also reach the office by email at drewcountycircuitclerk@yahoo.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This office is the primary source for all Drew County dissolution of marriage records.
The Circuit Clerk's office holds the complete file for each dissolution case filed in Drew County. That includes the original petition, all court orders, any financial records filed with the court, and the final decree. Certified copies of final decrees cost $5 per copy. You can request copies in person during office hours or by mail. For a mail request, send the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, a return address, and a check or money order payable to Drew County Circuit Clerk. Include a daytime phone number in case staff have questions.
The email address is useful for general inquiries about records availability before you make a trip to the courthouse. Staff can confirm whether a record exists but cannot give legal advice or help you with a new filing.
The Drew County Circuit Clerk website has office details, contact information, and instructions for accessing dissolution of marriage and other civil records. Visit Drew County Circuit Clerk for current office information.
The Circuit Clerk page shows hours, contact details, and how to request certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees in Drew County.
Online Search for Drew County Divorce Cases
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the free statewide tool for searching court cases. Drew County dissolution of marriage cases are in this system. You can search at no cost without creating an account. Enter either party's name or the case number to pull up case details. The system shows the filing date, case type, court division, and hearing schedule.
To search for Drew County cases specifically, choose Drew County from the county list and select "Domestic Relations" as the case type. The results list will show case numbers, which you can use when requesting certified copies from the Circuit Clerk. Keep in mind that CourtConnect shows summary data, not the full content of documents. You won't see the decree text itself through the online portal.
If you're looking for older cases and they don't appear in CourtConnect, contact the Circuit Clerk directly. Records from earlier decades may be in physical files that haven't been digitized yet. The clerk's staff can search those records manually.
Note: CourtConnect is updated regularly but may not include every Drew County dissolution case, especially older records. When in doubt, call the Circuit Clerk at (870) 460-6250.
Getting Copies of Drew County Dissolution Decrees
Certified copies of Drew County dissolution of marriage decrees come from the Circuit Clerk's office. The fee is $5 per copy. These are the full court documents: signed by the judge, sealed by the court, and including all terms of the dissolution. You'll need this type of copy if you're changing a deed, completing a legal proceeding that requires the court order, or need to show specific provisions of the settlement to another court or agency.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issues divorce certificates for $10 per copy. These are shorter documents that confirm a divorce occurred, with basic information like names, date, and county. ADH records go back to 1923 and are restricted to the parties, their children, parents, and grandparents. A government-issued photo ID is required. The ADH office is at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call (800) 462-0599 for help. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
For simple proof of divorce, the ADH certificate is often sufficient and can sometimes be obtained more quickly than a Circuit Clerk copy if you're ordering by mail. For the full decree with all terms, the Circuit Clerk is your source.
Arkansas Dissolution of Marriage Law
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Drew County follows Arkansas state law. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301, you must state a recognized legal ground. The two most common grounds are general indignities under § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and 18-month separation under § 9-12-301(b)(5). General indignities covers persistent disrespect, contempt, and hostility that make the marriage untenable. The 18-month separation ground applies when parties have lived apart for that full period without resuming the marriage relationship.
Residency rules under § 9-12-303 require the filing party to have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before the case can be filed. After the other party is served, the case cannot be finalized for at least 30 days, per § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). Most Drew County cases take at least 90 days from first filing to final decree, assuming no major disputes arise during the process.
Most Drew County dissolution records are available for public inspection. Administrative Order No. 19 governs court record access in Arkansas, and Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 covers FOIA. Some records may be restricted under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305 for up to 50 years. The Circuit Clerk can answer questions about whether a specific record is open to the public.
Vital Records and the Arkansas Department of Health
The Arkansas Department of Health maintains statewide vital records for divorce certificates, marriage licenses, births, and deaths. For Drew County divorces, ADH holds certificates from 1923 onward. This is separate from the court record held by the Circuit Clerk. The ADH certificate is useful when you need to confirm a divorce happened but don't need the full terms of the settlement.
You can request ADH records in person at the Little Rock office, by mail, or through designated third-party vendors. Processing times vary. Phone requests are not accepted for records release, but you can call (800) 462-0599 to ask questions about the process. If you need a rush copy, in-person visits to the ADH office in Little Rock are usually the fastest option.
Note: ADH divorce certificates are not the same as certified court copies. If a legal proceeding requires the court's official decree, you must get it from the Drew County Circuit Clerk, not from ADH.
Legal Help for Drew County Residents
Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224 and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423 both serve Drew County residents who qualify for free or low-cost civil legal help. Dissolution of marriage cases are among the services they can assist with. Both organizations have income guidelines, so call ahead to ask about eligibility before requesting help.
AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org is a free online resource with guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for people who want to handle their own dissolution case. The Arkansas Bar Association's lawyer referral service at (501) 375-4606 can connect you with a local attorney. Many attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation, which can help you decide whether to hire help or proceed on your own.
Neighboring Counties
Drew County is in southeastern Arkansas. These counties border Drew County and each has its own Circuit Clerk handling dissolution of marriage records.