Ouachita County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Ouachita County dissolution of marriage records are on file with the Circuit Clerk in Camden, covering all family law cases handled in the county's circuit court. Whether you need a certified copy of a final decree, want to look up a case, or need to know how to file a new petition, this page explains what you need to know and where to go. Records go back to shortly after a courthouse fire destroyed earlier files in December 1875, so cases from 1876 forward are generally complete.
Ouachita County Overview
Ouachita County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk for Ouachita County is located at 145 Jefferson St SW, Camden, AR 71701. Phone: (870) 837-2230. This office handles all civil case filings including dissolution of marriage petitions, decrees, and related documents. Staff can look up records by party name or case number and will let you know the current fee before you pay for copies.
Walk-in access during regular courthouse hours is the fastest way to get certified copies or review an open file. If you need records by mail, send a written request that includes both parties' full names and the approximate year of filing. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for the applicable fee. Calling ahead to confirm the fee is a good idea before sending a check.
Ouachita County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Dissolution cases filed here are indexed under that circuit in both the local records system and the statewide CourtConnect database.
Search Ouachita County Dissolution Cases
You can look up Ouachita County dissolution of marriage cases online using the Arkansas CourtConnect portal. The system lets you search by party name or case number and returns filing dates, case status, and docket entries. Full document images are not always available online, but you can confirm case existence and get the case number you need for a more detailed clerk request.
Visit CourtConnect to search Ouachita County circuit court records. Select civil cases and choose Ouachita County from the dropdown list.
The Arkansas Law Help divorce resource provides plain-language guidance on searching for dissolution records and understanding what Arkansas courts maintain at the county level, which is directly useful when navigating Ouachita County's Circuit Clerk process.
For official and up-to-date records, the Circuit Clerk's office and CourtConnect are the most reliable sources for Ouachita County dissolution cases.
Records After the 1875 Fire
A courthouse fire on December 19, 1875 destroyed Ouachita County's earlier court records. Records from that date forward are generally complete and accessible through the Circuit Clerk. If you are searching for a dissolution case from before that fire, it is unlikely that the original court file survived. Researchers may want to check alternative sources such as the Arkansas State Archives for any surviving documents from that period.
For cases filed after 1875, the clerk's office holds the physical files. More recent cases are also indexed in CourtConnect. If you cannot find a case in the online system, it may predate the digital records or may still be in physical-only format at the courthouse.
Note: Arkansas law restricts dissolution records to parties, their immediate family, and authorized individuals for 50 years after the case is closed. After that period, records are treated as fully public. If you are not a party to the case, you may need to document your relationship or provide authorization from a party before the clerk can release the file.
Certified Copies and Document Requests
Certified copies of dissolution decrees cost $5 per page in Arkansas. Certification adds an official seal and signature, which is required for legal uses such as changing your name on a passport, Social Security record, or state-issued ID. A plain copy will not work for those purposes.
To request copies by mail, write a letter with both parties' names, the year the case was filed, and the type of copy you need. Send the request to the Circuit Clerk at 145 Jefferson St SW, Camden, AR 71701. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Calling first to verify the fee and confirm the record is on file is always worthwhile.
The Arkansas Department of Health also maintains a statewide index of dissolution and divorce records. You can reach that office at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205 or by calling 800-462-0599. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The ADH issues certificates of record for $10 each. This is a summary record, not a copy of the court decree.
How to File for Dissolution in Ouachita County
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Ouachita County requires that at least one spouse has lived in Arkansas for 90 continuous days before the petition is filed. This is required by Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-303. You submit the petition to the Circuit Clerk in Camden and pay the filing fee at that time. The current fee is approximately $165, though court costs may add to that amount.
Arkansas does not have a simple no-fault option. You must cite a legal ground in your petition. The most commonly used grounds are general indignities under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and an 18-month separation under § 9-12-301(b)(5). After filing and service, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can issue a final decree. This requirement comes from § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B).
Uncontested cases where both parties agree on property, debt, and any child-related matters tend to resolve more quickly. Cases with disputes typically require additional hearings and can take several months or more to finalize.
Legal Help in Ouachita County
If you need guidance and cannot afford an attorney, Arkansas Legal Aid provides free or low-cost services. You can call (501) 376-3423 or (870) 972-9224. The AR Law Help divorce page provides forms, instructions, and plain-language explanations of the process. It is one of the best free resources in the state for self-represented filers.
The Circuit Clerk's staff can tell you which forms are needed and where to file them. They cannot advise you on legal strategy or tell you what grounds to choose. For those questions, a legal aid attorney or a private family law attorney is the right resource.
Cases involving minor children require a parenting plan. The court may also set a hearing for contested issues before entering a final decree. If both parties agree on everything, the process is simpler and usually does not require a courtroom appearance beyond the final hearing.
Nearby Counties
Ouachita County is in south-central Arkansas. The counties that border it are listed below. Each has its own circuit clerk and may hold records you need if the filing was in a different county.