Lafayette County Dissolution of Marriage Records Search
Lafayette County dissolution of marriage records have been maintained without interruption since the county was formed in 1827, making this southwest Arkansas county one of the few with no major record losses. This page covers how to find divorce case filings, request certified copies, and access Lafayette County dissolution of marriage records through the Circuit Clerk in Lewisville and online tools.
Lafayette County Overview
Lafayette County Circuit Clerk Dissolution of Marriage Records
The Circuit Clerk's office at 2 Courthouse Square, Lewisville, AR 71845 handles all dissolution of marriage case filings and record access for Lafayette County. The phone number is 870-921-4633. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular courthouse hours. All civil and domestic relations case files are kept here, including every petition, court order, and final decree filed since the county's formation in 1827.
Lafayette County has not experienced the courthouse fires or records losses that affected many other Arkansas counties. Records are complete from 1827. That is a significant archive for a rural county in southwest Arkansas. Genealogical researchers working on family histories in this region will find Lafayette County records unusually intact for cases going back nearly two centuries.
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees cost $5 each. You can request them in person at 2 Courthouse Square or by mailing a written request. Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the year the case was filed, and a check or money order made out to the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk. Include a return address so the copies can be mailed back.
For free forms and guidance on how to file for dissolution of marriage in Arkansas, use AR Law Help. The clerk's staff do not provide legal advice or help with forms.
Search Lafayette County Dissolution of Marriage Cases Online
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov provides free access to court case records for all Arkansas counties, including Lafayette County. You can search for dissolution of marriage cases without registering or paying. The portal displays party names, case type, filing dates, and hearing entries. Full case documents are not always available online, but the portal gives you a quick way to confirm whether a case exists and to retrieve the case number you need for requesting certified copies.
To search Lafayette County cases, choose the county from the dropdown and select "Domestic Relations" as the case type. Type in a party's last name. If the case is in the digital system, it will appear with its case number and key dates. For very old cases from before the digital era, contact the Circuit Clerk directly. The records exist on paper in Lewisville even if they are not in the online system.
Note: Lafayette County is a small rural county. Records staff handle multiple duties. Calling ahead at 870-921-4633 before visiting or mailing a request is recommended.
Certified Copies of Lafayette County Dissolution Decrees
When a dissolution of marriage case is finalized in Lafayette County, two types of official documents become available. The Circuit Clerk in Lewisville provides certified copies of the court decree for $5 per copy. The decree is the full court order. It includes all terms: property division, debt responsibilities, custody arrangements if children were involved, and any support obligations the court ordered. This is the document needed for anything that requires knowing the specific terms of the divorce.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) provides a separate document, the divorce certificate. This is a summary record that confirms a dissolution of marriage occurred and shows the names of the parties and the date. It does not include the court's orders. ADH certificates cost $10 each. Only the named parties or their close family members (children, parents, grandparents) can request them, and valid government-issued photo ID is required. The ADH office is at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. You can call (800) 462-0599, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. ADH records go back to 1923.
For name changes and remarriage, the ADH certificate often works. For property, financial, or custody matters, you need the Circuit Clerk's certified copy of the full decree.
Arkansas Dissolution of Marriage Law in Lafayette County
Arkansas does not allow simple no-fault divorce. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301, the petition must state a recognized ground for dissolution of marriage. The two most common grounds used in Lafayette County and statewide are general indignities at § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and 18-month separation at § 9-12-301(b)(5). General indignities involves repeated hostile, contemptuous, or demeaning treatment. Separation requires 18 consecutive months of living apart without any return to cohabitation.
Residency requirements at § 9-12-303 state that the filing party must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before the petition can be filed. After the other party is served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter a final decree, per § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). The minimum realistic timeline is around 90 days, though most cases take longer.
Lafayette County dissolution of marriage records are public records under Administrative Order No. 19 and Arkansas FOIA at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105. Courts can seal specific items in individual cases, but the basic case record is open for public inspection at the Circuit Clerk's office in Lewisville.
Lafayette County Genealogy and Historical Divorce Records
Lafayette County's continuous record archive from 1827, with no courthouse disasters on record, makes it one of the better county-level archives in southwest Arkansas for genealogical research. Researchers looking for dissolution of marriage cases from the 19th century can contact the Circuit Clerk directly with names and approximate dates. Staff will need to locate physical records for older cases, but the material should be available.
The genealogy resource for Lafayette County covers what types of records exist and the date ranges for each type. It is a good starting point before contacting the clerk, especially for researchers who are not yet certain what years are relevant to their search.
The Lafayette County genealogy resource lists available records including dissolution of marriage filings, the years covered, and sources for this county. Visit Lafayette County Genealogy Resource for this resource.
This resource documents Lafayette County records from 1827 forward, including dissolution of marriage filings and the offices that hold them.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources in Lafayette County
Lafayette County residents who need help with a dissolution of marriage case and cannot afford a private attorney can reach the Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423. This organization covers much of southwest Arkansas. Legal Aid of Arkansas serves the northern and eastern regions and operates at (870) 972-9224. Both provide free or low-cost legal assistance to qualifying individuals, and domestic relations cases are among the types they handle most often.
The Arkansas Bar Association's referral service is at (501) 375-4606 and connects callers with local attorneys for initial consultations. AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org provides free guides and forms specifically for Arkansas dissolution of marriage cases. The guides are written in plain language for people without legal training and are regularly updated to reflect current law and procedures.
Note: The Circuit Clerk's office in Lewisville can help you find records and request copies, but staff are not permitted to give legal advice or assist with filling out court forms.
Nearby Counties
Lafayette County is in the far southwest corner of Arkansas. If a dissolution of marriage was filed in a neighboring county, that county's Circuit Clerk holds those records separately.