Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Lee County
Lee County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Marianna and have been maintained in good condition since 1873. This page explains how to search for divorce filings, request certified copies, and use the online tools and local office that manage dissolution of marriage case records in Lee County, Arkansas.
Lee County Overview
Lee County Circuit Clerk Dissolution of Marriage Records
The Circuit Clerk at the Lee County Courthouse in Marianna is the office responsible for all dissolution of marriage case files in the county. Court records date to 1873 and are in good condition. The clerk manages all civil and domestic relations filings, including every petition, order, and final decree entered in dissolution of marriage cases since that date.
To search for a dissolution of marriage case in person, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse in Marianna during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. Bring the full names of both parties and an approximate year when you visit. Having those details ready makes the process faster, especially for older cases that require locating physical files.
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees cost $5 each from the Circuit Clerk. You can get them in person or request them by mail. For a mail request, provide the names of the parties, the case year or number, and a check or money order made out to the Lee County Circuit Clerk. Include your return address so the copies can be sent back to you.
The clerk's staff cannot give legal advice or help fill out court forms. For free resources on Arkansas dissolution of marriage filings, visit AR Law Help.
Search Lee County Dissolution Cases Online
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov provides free access to court case records across Arkansas, including Lee County. No registration is required. Dissolution of marriage cases filed in Marianna appear in the system. You can search by name, case number, or case type. The portal shows party names, filing dates, case type, and hearing entries. Full documents and decrees are not always available through the portal, but you can confirm a case was filed and get the case number you need to request certified copies from the clerk.
To search Lee County divorce cases, choose Lee County from the dropdown, select "Domestic Relations" as the case type, and enter a party's last name. Results will show any matching cases with their case numbers and dates. For older cases that were not entered into the digital system, a direct request to the Circuit Clerk in Marianna is necessary.
Note: Lee County is a smaller rural county. It is a good idea to call the courthouse ahead of a visit or before mailing a records request to confirm current hours and procedures.
Certified Copies of Lee County Dissolution of Marriage Decrees
After a dissolution of marriage case is finalized in Lee County, the main source for official documents is the Circuit Clerk in Marianna. Certified copies of the court decree cost $5 each. The decree is the full court order that records every decision the judge made in the case. Property and debt division, custody and visitation if children were involved, support obligations, and any other terms the court ordered are all in this document. You need this for any legal or financial matter that depends on what the settlement actually said.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issues a separate document called a divorce certificate. ADH certificates are summary records that confirm a dissolution took place but do not contain the court's orders. They cost $10 each. The ADH only provides them to the named parties, their children, parents, or grandparents, and you must show valid government-issued photo ID when ordering. The ADH address is 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call (800) 462-0599 for more information. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. ADH has records going back to 1923.
For purposes like a name change, proving marital status for remarriage, or a passport application, the ADH certificate is usually accepted. For matters involving property, custody, or the specific orders in the case, you need the certified copy from the Lee County Circuit Clerk.
Arkansas Dissolution of Marriage Law and Lee County Filings
Arkansas does not offer a simple no-fault divorce. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301, the person who files the petition must state and prove a recognized ground. The two grounds used most often in Lee County and statewide are general indignities and 18-month separation. General indignities at § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) covers persistent contemptuous, hostile, or humiliating treatment. Separation at § 9-12-301(b)(5) requires the parties to have lived apart for 18 consecutive months with no resumption of cohabitation.
The residency requirement under § 9-12-303 is 60 days in Arkansas before the petition can be filed. After service is made on the other party, the court cannot issue a final decree for at least 30 days, per § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). Most Lee County dissolution cases take longer than the 90-day minimum because of contested issues, discovery, or hearing availability in the 1st Circuit.
Dissolution of marriage records in Lee County are public records under Administrative Order No. 19 and Arkansas FOIA at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105. A court can seal specific documents in a particular case, but the general case file is available for public inspection at the Circuit Clerk's office in Marianna.
Lee County Genealogy and Historical Divorce Records
Lee County dissolution of marriage records from 1873 forward are in good condition and represent an intact archive for genealogical research into east Arkansas families. Researchers working on family histories who need to trace marital status changes in the late 1800s or early 1900s should contact the Circuit Clerk in Marianna with names and a date range. Staff can locate older physical records when given enough identifying information.
The genealogy resource for Lee County lists the types of records available and the dates from which they are on file. It is a good planning resource before you contact the clerk. Always verify any information you find through a third-party source with the clerk before relying on it.
The Lee County genealogy resource covers records available for this county including dissolution of marriage filings, archive dates, and source details. Visit Lee County Genealogy Resource for this resource.
This resource documents what records exist for Lee County, including dissolution of marriage filings from 1873 forward, and the archives where they are held.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources in Lee County
Lee County residents who need legal assistance with a dissolution of marriage case and qualify by income can contact Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224. This organization serves eastern Arkansas and handles family law matters including dissolution of marriage, custody, and support cases. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423 also provides statewide services. Both offer free or low-cost help.
The Arkansas Bar Association's referral service at (501) 375-4606 connects people with local attorneys for initial consultations. For self-represented individuals, AR Law Help at arlawhelp.org has free forms, plain-language guides, and a checklist of steps to follow when filing for dissolution of marriage without an attorney. The guides are written for a general audience and explain each step of the Arkansas process.
Note: The Circuit Clerk's office in Marianna can help locate records and explain how to request copies, but staff are not permitted to give legal advice or assist with completing court forms.
Nearby Counties
Lee County is in east Arkansas near the Mississippi River. If a dissolution of marriage was filed in a neighboring county, that county's Circuit Clerk holds those records separately.