Mississippi County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Mississippi County dissolution of marriage records are maintained at two Circuit Clerk offices, one in Osceola and one in Blytheville. The county has dual seats, and the courthouse district where a case was filed depends on which part of the county the parties lived in at the time of the divorce. Both offices are part of the same circuit court system and both can provide certified copies of dissolution decrees. Arkansas CourtConnect provides online case searches covering both Mississippi County courthouse locations. Certified copies cost $5 per page at either clerk's office.
Mississippi County Overview
Two Circuit Clerk Locations in Mississippi County
Mississippi County is one of the few Arkansas counties with two separate courthouse locations serving different districts. The Osceola courthouse Circuit Clerk is located at 200 West Hale Ave and can be reached at 870-563-6471. The Blytheville courthouse Circuit Clerk is at 200 West Walnut and can be reached at 870-762-2332. Both offices handle civil court filings including dissolution of marriage cases for their respective districts.
When searching for a specific dissolution case, you need to know which courthouse district handled it. Generally, if the parties lived in the northern part of the county near Blytheville, the case was filed in Blytheville. If they lived in the southern part near Osceola, it was filed there. If you are not sure, you can call either office and ask. Staff can often check both locations or direct you to the right one. CourtConnect searches both locations simultaneously, which makes it a useful starting point before you decide which office to contact.
Both offices maintain the full set of dissolution case documents for their respective districts. The filing date, case number, and parties involved are typically enough information to locate a file at either courthouse. The clerk can then provide copies, confirm what is in the file, and advise on fees before you submit a formal records request.
Mississippi County Dissolution of Marriage Search
The main online search tool for Mississippi County dissolution records is Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. This free portal covers both Mississippi County courthouse locations and lets you search by name, case number, or filing date. A single search should return results from both Osceola and Blytheville courthouse records, which is useful when you are not sure where a case was filed.
The Arkansas vital records statute reference provides a useful overview of the laws governing access to dissolution and divorce records in Arkansas, including the 50-year restriction rules that apply to Mississippi County cases at both the Osceola and Blytheville courthouses.
Review the access rules before submitting a request so you know what documentation you may need to bring to either courthouse location.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Mississippi County
To file for divorce in Mississippi County, you must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-303 before the filing date. You file the petition at the Circuit Clerk in your courthouse district, either Osceola or Blytheville. The filing fee is around $165. Cases with children or contested property may cost more when additional motions are filed. A $10 fee is also required for the Arkansas Department of Health to record the state-level divorce certificate.
Arkansas law requires a legal ground for divorce. The relevant statute is Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301. Most people use either general indignities under subsection (b)(3)(C) or 18 months of continuous separation under subsection (b)(5). After the judge grants the divorce, a 30-day period under § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B) must pass before the decree is final. Neither party can remarry during that 30 days.
Mississippi County is in northeast Arkansas. Legal help is available through Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423, and the eastern Arkansas legal aid line can be reached at (870) 972-9224. The AR Law Help website provides a plain-language overview of the Arkansas divorce process for people who are navigating it without legal representation.
Mississippi County Court Record Access Rules
Dissolution of marriage records in Mississippi County are public court records under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 and Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19. These rules allow public access to most civil court filings. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy of a dissolution file. The clerk may ask for a request form and applicable fees, but public access is the default rule.
The state-level divorce certificate held by the Arkansas Department of Health is a separate record governed by § 20-18-305. ADH certificates are restricted for 50 years after the event. If you need the court file, go to the Circuit Clerk at either the Osceola or Blytheville courthouse. If you need the ADH certificate, contact them at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, or call 800-462-0599.
Note: Mississippi County has two courthouse locations. To determine which courthouse has a specific dissolution of marriage case, contact the Blytheville office at 870-762-2332 or the Osceola office at 870-563-6471 and ask which district handled the case.
Contents of a Mississippi County Dissolution File
A dissolution of marriage case file in Mississippi County generally contains the original petition, the response from the other party if one was filed, any temporary orders issued during the case, and the final decree. The decree is the primary document most people need. It states that the marriage is legally dissolved and sets out the terms for property, support, and if applicable, child custody and support.
Larger case files come from contested matters. These can include financial affidavits, written motions from both sides, parenting plans, hearing transcripts, and court orders on specific issues. Simple uncontested divorces have fewer pages. The clerk at either courthouse can tell you what is in a specific file before you pay for copies. This is worth doing when you are not sure how many pages a file contains or whether the document you need is actually in the file you are requesting.
Nearby Counties in Northeast Arkansas
Mississippi County is at the northern tip of Arkansas along the Mississippi River. Neighboring counties also maintain dissolution of marriage records through their local Circuit Clerks.