Izard County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Izard County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Melbourne and date back to 1889, following records losses before April 1869 and a courthouse fire later that year. This page covers where to search for divorce cases, how to request copies, and the key resources for accessing dissolution of marriage records in Izard County, Arkansas.
Izard County Overview
Izard County Circuit Clerk Divorce Records
The Izard County Circuit Clerk in Melbourne is the office that maintains all dissolution of marriage case files. The mailing address is PO Box 327, Melbourne, AR 72556. You can reach the office by phone at 870-368-4328 during regular courthouse hours, Monday through Friday. Staff manage all civil and domestic relations filings, including every dissolution of marriage case filed in Izard County.
Izard County divorce records begin in 1889. Two major record losses account for the gap before that date. Records were lost before April 11, 1869, and a courthouse fire in 1889 destroyed most of what had accumulated between then and that point. From 1889 forward, however, the records are intact. If you are searching for a case from before 1889, the Circuit Clerk can explain what, if anything, survives from that period.
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees cost $5 each. You can request them in person at the Melbourne courthouse or by mail. For mail requests, include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of filing or the case number if you have it, and a check or money order for the fee made out to the Izard County Circuit Clerk.
The clerk's office does not provide legal forms or give legal advice. For free guides and forms related to Arkansas dissolution of marriage proceedings, visit AR Law Help.
Search Izard County Dissolution of Marriage Cases Online
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the free public portal for searching court case information across Arkansas. Izard County dissolution of marriage cases appear in this system. You do not need an account to search. The portal shows party names, case type, filing date, and hearing dates. It does not always have the full decree or all attached documents, but you can confirm a case was filed and get the case number you need for requesting a certified copy.
To search Izard County cases, go to CourtConnect and select Izard County from the county list. Choose "Domestic Relations" as the case type and enter one party's last name. If the case is in the system, it will appear with its case number. Write it down because you will need it when contacting the clerk.
Cases filed before the digital records era may not appear online. For those, your only option is a direct request to the Circuit Clerk at 870-368-4328.
Note: Izard County is a smaller rural county. Records staff manage multiple duties. Calling ahead before a visit or a mail request is a good idea.
Certified Copies of Izard County Dissolution Decrees
After a dissolution of marriage is finalized in Izard County, two kinds of official documents are available. The Circuit Clerk issues certified copies of the court decree, which is the full legal document that records every order the judge entered. Property division, custody terms if children were part of the case, support obligations, and debt allocation are all in this document. Certified copies cost $5 each from the Circuit Clerk's office.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issues divorce certificates. These are brief summary documents that confirm a dissolution occurred and state the names of the parties and the date. They are not the court decree itself. ADH certificates cost $10 each and are only available to the named parties, their children, parents, or grandparents. Valid government photo ID is required. The ADH office is at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call (800) 462-0599. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Certificates are on file back to 1923.
If you only need to prove the divorce happened, the ADH certificate is often faster and cheaper to get. If you need the terms of the order for legal or financial matters, you need the Circuit Clerk's certified copy.
Arkansas Dissolution of Marriage Law and Izard County
Arkansas requires a stated legal ground for dissolution of marriage. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301, the petition must identify at least one recognized ground. The two used most often in Izard County and across the state are general indignities under § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and 18-month separation under § 9-12-301(b)(5).
General indignities covers persistent contempt, hostility, or mistreatment that makes continuing the marriage unreasonable. Separation requires the parties to have lived apart for 18 consecutive months without cohabitation. Both grounds are relatively straightforward to plead, though you still need to prove them to the court's satisfaction.
Residency is covered by § 9-12-303, which requires the filing party to have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before the petition is filed. After service is made on the other party, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can finalize the case, per § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). From start to finish, the process typically takes at least 90 days, often longer if any issues are disputed.
Izard County dissolution of marriage records are public under Administrative Order No. 19 and Arkansas FOIA at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105. Courts may seal specific items in individual cases, but the basic record is available for public review.
Izard County Genealogy and Historical Records
Izard County's record history is notable for the two major gaps caused by record loss and the courthouse fire. Researchers working on genealogy projects should know that records from before 1869 are largely gone, and records between 1869 and 1889 were destroyed by fire. From 1889 onward, however, dissolution of marriage records are intact and accessible through the Circuit Clerk.
For genealogical work, the Izard County page at the research and genealogy archive gives a useful overview of what records are available and from what years. It can help researchers plan their requests before contacting the clerk. Always contact the clerk directly to confirm what is available for a specific time period or case.
The Izard County genealogy resource lists record types, date ranges, and sources available for this county including dissolution of marriage filings. Visit Izard County Genealogy Resource for this resource.
This resource documents what records exist for Izard County and from what years, which is especially useful given the county's record loss history.
Legal Aid Resources for Izard County Residents
Izard County residents who need legal help with a dissolution of marriage case and cannot afford a private attorney have several options. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services can be reached at (501) 376-3423. Legal Aid of Arkansas, which focuses on northern and eastern Arkansas, is at (870) 972-9224. Both provide free or low-cost help to those who qualify by income. They handle dissolution of marriage cases, including contested custody and property matters.
The Arkansas Bar Association's lawyer referral line is (501) 375-4606. This service can connect you with an attorney who handles family law in the area for an initial consultation. AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org provides free guides, forms, and checklists specifically for Arkansas dissolution of marriage cases. It is well-suited for people who plan to file without an attorney.
Note: Circuit Clerk staff can locate files and explain the copy process, but they cannot give legal advice or help you fill out court forms.
Nearby Counties
Izard County is in north-central Arkansas. Dissolution of marriage cases may have been filed in a bordering county depending on where the parties lived. Each county maintains its own records through its Circuit Clerk.