Polk County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Polk County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Mena and cover all family law cases processed through the county's circuit court. A courthouse fire in 1883 destroyed the earlier records, so complete files begin from roughly that period onward. Whether you need to search for an existing case, request a certified copy of a decree, or file a new dissolution petition, this page gives you the key contacts and steps for Polk County.
Polk County Overview
Polk County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk for Polk County is Michelle Heath Schnell. The office is at 507 Church Avenue, Mena, AR 71953. Phone: (479) 394-8100. Email: cco.polk@att.net. The clerk handles all civil case filings including dissolution of marriage petitions and final decrees. You can reach the clerk's office by phone or email to confirm fees, check record availability, or ask about filing procedures before you make the trip.
Walk-in visits during regular courthouse hours are the most direct way to get certified copies or review a file. If you send a mail request, include both parties' names, the year the case was filed, what type of copy you need, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Email is also a good way to get an initial answer about fees or whether a record is on file before committing to a mail request.
Polk County is in the 9th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. All dissolution cases filed here are indexed under that circuit and are searchable through CourtConnect for cases that have been entered into the digital system.
Polk County Dissolution of Marriage Case Search
Arkansas CourtConnect is the public portal for searching circuit court cases across the state. You can look up Polk County dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. The system returns case status, filing dates, and docket entries. Full documents are not always viewable online, but the basic case data helps you confirm a case exists and gives you the case number for a more detailed request.
Go to CourtConnect to search Polk County circuit court records. Select civil cases and choose Polk County from the county dropdown.
The Polk County profile on arcounties.org provides current contact information for county offices and can help you confirm which office handles the type of record you need.
That resource lists multiple county offices and their contact details, which is useful if you need to contact more than one office for different aspects of your record request.
A county services aggregator also has information about Polk County offices. See Polk County services for an additional reference point.
Keep in mind that official county and state sources are always the most reliable for current fee schedules and contact information.
Records Available After 1883
A courthouse fire in 1883 destroyed Polk County's earlier records. From that point forward, records are generally complete and on file with the Circuit Clerk. If you need records from before 1883, very little from that period likely survived. The Arkansas State Archives may have some documentation, but original court files from pre-1883 are effectively gone.
For dissolution cases filed after 1883, the clerk holds the physical file. More recent cases are also indexed in CourtConnect. If a case does not appear online, call the clerk directly and ask staff to search the physical records. Older cases in particular may require a manual search.
Note: Arkansas law restricts access to dissolution records for 50 years after a case closes. Only the parties, their immediate family, and authorized individuals can access restricted files. After 50 years, records become fully public under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305. Bring valid ID when requesting restricted records.
Certified Copies and Fees
Certified copies of dissolution decrees are $5 per page in Arkansas. You need a certified copy for name changes on official documents such as a Social Security card, passport, or state-issued ID. A plain copy will not meet legal requirements for those purposes.
To get copies by mail, send a written request to Circuit Clerk Michelle Heath Schnell at 507 Church Avenue, Mena, AR 71953. Include both parties' full names, the year of filing, and the type of copy you need. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Email cco.polk@att.net to confirm the fee before sending payment.
The Arkansas Department of Health also has a statewide index of dissolution and divorce records starting from 1923. You can reach that office at 4815 West Markham St, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: 800-462-0599. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Their certificate of record is $10 and confirms the dissolution but is not a copy of the court decree itself.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Polk County
At least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 90 consecutive days before filing. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-303 sets this requirement. You file the petition with the Circuit Clerk at 507 Church Avenue in Mena. The filing fee is approximately $165, and court costs may add to that amount. Ask the clerk for the current fee schedule when you file.
Arkansas does not have a simple no-fault process. You must state a legal ground in your petition. General indignities under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and 18-month separation under § 9-12-301(b)(5) are the most commonly used options. After the petition is filed and served, a 30-day wait is required before a final decree can be issued under § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B).
If both parties agree on all issues, the case can often be handled with limited court appearances. If children are involved, the court requires a parenting plan. Contested property or custody matters will need additional hearings and may significantly extend the time to finalize the case.
Legal Help and Resources
Legal aid services are available in Arkansas at (501) 376-3423 or (870) 972-9224. The AR Law Help divorce page provides free forms, step-by-step instructions, and plain-language explanations of the dissolution process. It is built for people who want to handle their case without an attorney.
Circuit Clerk Michelle Heath Schnell can be reached at cco.polk@att.net for procedural questions. Staff can tell you which forms are required and how to file them, but they cannot give legal advice. For questions about grounds, contested issues, or child custody, a licensed Arkansas family law attorney is the right resource.
If you qualify based on income, legal aid organizations can provide free or reduced-cost representation. Contact one of the legal aid numbers above to find out what services are available in Polk County.
Nearby Counties
Polk County is in western Arkansas near the Oklahoma border. The counties listed below share borders with Polk County and each has its own circuit court.