Franklin County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Franklin County dissolution of marriage records are handled by the Circuit Clerk in Ozark and are part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search for divorce cases, get certified copies of decrees, and find help with dissolution filings in Franklin County, Arkansas, which is unique in having two courthouse locations.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Circuit Clerk and Two Courthouse Locations
Franklin County is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two courthouse locations. The main Circuit Clerk office is at 211 West Commercial Street, Ozark, AR 72949. Phone is 479.667.3818. Charleston also serves as a county seat with its own courthouse. If you're not sure which location handled a specific case, start with the Ozark office. Staff there can direct you to the right location if needed.
The Circuit Clerk holds all dissolution of marriage filings for Franklin County. That includes the petition, any temporary restraining orders, financial documents filed with the court, and the final decree. Certified copies of dissolution decrees cost $5 per copy. You can request them in person at the Ozark courthouse or by mail. For mail requests, include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, a return address and daytime phone number, and a check or money order for the fee payable to Franklin County Circuit Clerk.
Franklin County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit, which covers this area of western Arkansas. The Circuit Clerk staff can confirm whether a record exists and assist with the copy request process, but they cannot provide legal advice or help you with a new filing.
Search Franklin County Dissolution Cases on CourtConnect
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the free statewide portal for searching Arkansas court cases. Franklin County dissolution of marriage cases appear in this system. No login is required, and there is no fee to search. Enter either party's name or the case number to see case-level details including the filing date, court division, case type, and hearing dates.
To search for Franklin County cases, choose Franklin County from the county drop-down list and select "Domestic Relations" as the case type. Results will show case numbers you can use when contacting the Circuit Clerk for certified copies. If a case doesn't appear in CourtConnect, it may predate the system's digital records. The Ozark office can search physical files for older cases.
Keep in mind that CourtConnect shows case summary information, not the full text of documents. You won't see the decree itself through the online portal. To get the actual decree, you must request a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk's office in Ozark or Charleston, depending on where the case was filed.
Note: Franklin County has two courthouses. If you're not sure which location handled a specific dissolution case, call the Ozark office first at 479.667.3818.
Arkansas CourtConnect provides free online access to Franklin County dissolution of marriage case records. Visit Arkansas CourtConnect to search now.
CourtConnect is updated regularly by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts and covers active and closed cases across all 75 Arkansas counties, including Franklin County.
Getting Certified Copies of Franklin County Divorce Decrees
There are two sources for official Franklin County divorce documents. The Circuit Clerk in Ozark (or Charleston for cases filed there) issues certified copies of the full dissolution decree for $5 per copy. These are the complete court records: signed by the judge, stamped with the court seal, and containing all the terms of the dissolution including property, custody, and support provisions. You need this type of document for certain legal proceedings and property transactions that require the actual court order.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issues divorce certificates for $10 per copy. These are shorter records that confirm a divorce occurred and list basic details. ADH records go back to 1923. Access is restricted to the parties, their children, parents, and grandparents, and you must show a valid government-issued photo ID. The ADH Vital Records office is at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call (800) 462-0599 with questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
For routine needs like confirming a divorce occurred, the ADH certificate is usually sufficient. For the full settlement terms or specific court order language, request the Circuit Clerk's certified copy.
Arkansas Dissolution of Marriage Statutes
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Franklin County requires stating a legal ground under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301. Arkansas is not a no-fault divorce state, so the petitioner must identify one of the recognized grounds. General indignities under § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and 18-month separation under § 9-12-301(b)(5) are the most commonly cited. General indignities covers an ongoing pattern of contempt, disrespect, and hostility that makes the marriage untenable. The separation ground is used when both parties have lived apart for a continuous 18-month period.
Residency under § 9-12-303 requires the filing party to have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing. The 30-day waiting period under § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B) applies after service is completed. Together, these rules mean most cases in Franklin County take at least 90 days from the initial filing to the final decree.
Franklin County dissolution records are generally public records subject to Arkansas FOIA under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 and Administrative Order No. 19. Some records may be restricted under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305. Contact the Circuit Clerk if you have questions about access to a specific record.
Arkansas Vital Records and Divorce Certificates
The CDC's Arkansas vital records reference page provides basic information about how to access Arkansas vital records including divorce certificates. This is a useful starting point for understanding what ADH holds and how their records differ from Circuit Clerk records. The CDC page links to ADH resources and explains which records are available and who can access them.
The CDC Arkansas vital records page explains how to access state-level divorce certificates that complement the court records held by the Franklin County Circuit Clerk. Visit CDC Arkansas Vital Records for more.
This resource explains the difference between ADH divorce certificates and Circuit Clerk certified copies, which is a common source of confusion for people requesting Franklin County divorce records.
Legal Help for Franklin County Residents
Free and low-cost legal help is available for Franklin County residents who qualify. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423 and Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224 both handle civil cases including dissolution of marriage. Call either organization to find out if you're within their service area and what income guidelines apply. Both have experience helping people navigate Arkansas family law.
AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org is a free online resource with divorce guides, court forms, and plain-language explanations of Arkansas law. The Arkansas Bar Association's lawyer referral service at (501) 375-4606 can connect you with a local attorney if you decide you want private representation for your Franklin County case.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County is in the Arkansas River valley region of western Arkansas. These neighboring counties each have their own Circuit Clerk offices handling dissolution of marriage records.