Find Prairie County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Prairie County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Des Arc and cover all family law cases processed in the county's circuit court. Prairie County is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two county seats, Des Arc and DeValls Bluff, though the Circuit Clerk's office operates out of Des Arc. Records go back to 1855, as a fire on September 16, 1854 at the original seat of Brownsville destroyed the earlier documents. This page explains how to access, request, and file dissolution records in Prairie County.
Prairie County Overview
Prairie County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk for Prairie County is at PO Box 278, Des Arc, AR 72040. Phone: (870) 256-4434. The physical courthouse is in Des Arc, which is the primary county seat. Walk-in visits during regular courthouse hours are the most direct way to access case files or request certified copies. Staff can look up records by party name or case number and will advise on fees before processing your request.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written letter with both parties' full names, the approximate year the case was filed, and what type of copy you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Call ahead to confirm the fee and verify the case is on file before sending your check. This is especially useful for older cases that may not be in the digital system.
Prairie County is in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Dissolution cases filed here are indexed under that circuit and are available through CourtConnect for more recent filings. Older cases may be in physical format only at the Des Arc courthouse.
Note: Prairie County has two county seats: Des Arc and DeValls Bluff. The Circuit Clerk operates out of Des Arc. If you are unsure which seat handles the records you need, call the clerk's office at (870) 256-4434 to confirm before traveling.
Prairie County Dissolution Records Online
You can search Prairie County circuit court cases online using Arkansas CourtConnect. The portal lets you look up dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. Results include case status, filing dates, and a list of docket entries. Full document images are not always available online, but the basic case data gives you what you need to follow up with the clerk for more detail.
Go to CourtConnect and select civil cases to search Prairie County dissolution of marriage records. The system covers cases across all Arkansas circuit courts and is updated regularly.
For cases that do not appear in CourtConnect, contact the clerk directly. Older filings or cases from before digital indexing began may only be in physical format at the courthouse.
Records After the 1854 Brownsville Fire
A fire at Brownsville on September 16, 1854 destroyed Prairie County's earliest records. The county's archives are complete from 1855 forward. Cases from before that date are essentially unavailable in their original form. Researchers looking for very early Prairie County records may want to check the Arkansas State Archives or historical genealogy databases for any surviving documentation.
For cases from 1855 onward, the Circuit Clerk in Des Arc holds the files. More recent cases are also in CourtConnect. If you cannot find a case in the online portal, call the clerk to search the physical records. Staff can usually track down older files by hand with the right identifying information.
Certified Copies and Record Requests
Certified copies of dissolution decrees are $5 per page. You need a certified copy for legal uses such as name changes on official documents or proceedings that require proof of dissolution. A plain copy is not acceptable for those purposes. The clerk can produce a certified copy while you wait if you visit in person.
Mail requests go to PO Box 278, Des Arc, AR 72040. Include both parties' names, the year the case was filed, what you need, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Call (870) 256-4434 to confirm the exact fee before sending your request.
The Arkansas Department of Health maintains a statewide index of divorce and dissolution records dating back to 1923. Their office is 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. The ADH issues a certificate of record for $10 that confirms the dissolution took place but is not the same document as the court decree.
See the CDC's Arkansas vital records page for more context on how Arkansas organizes divorce and vital record access, including which agency handles each type of request.
That resource explains the difference between the ADH's certificate of record and the court-issued decree, which helps you decide which document you actually need before making your request.
Filing for Dissolution in Prairie County
At least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 90 days before the petition is filed. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-303 requires this. You file at the Circuit Clerk's office in Des Arc and pay the filing fee at that time. The fee is approximately $165. Additional court costs may apply depending on the specifics of your case.
Arkansas requires a stated ground for the dissolution. The most common grounds are general indignities under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and an 18-month continuous separation under § 9-12-301(b)(5). After filing and service, a 30-day wait is required before the court can enter a final decree, as set by § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B).
Uncontested cases where both parties agree on property, debt, and any children-related issues tend to move through the system faster. Cases with disputes or minor children will need at least one hearing before a final decree is issued. If children are involved, the court requires a parenting plan before the case can close.
Access Restrictions and Privacy Rules
Arkansas law limits access to dissolution records for 50 years after a case is closed. Only the parties to the case and their immediate family can get the file during that period without special authorization. After 50 years, records become fully public under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305.
Bring valid government-issued ID when requesting a restricted file in person. Family members may need to show proof of their relationship. If you have a court order or legal authorization, bring a copy. The clerk will confirm what documentation is needed before releasing the file.
Legal Help and Resources
Legal aid services in Arkansas can be reached at (501) 376-3423 or (870) 972-9224. The AR Law Help divorce page provides free forms, plain-language instructions, and a step-by-step guide to the dissolution process in Arkansas. It is a solid first stop if you plan to file on your own.
The Circuit Clerk can tell you which forms to use and where to file them. They cannot give legal advice, but they can answer procedural questions. For guidance on grounds, contested issues, or complex property matters, contact a licensed Arkansas family law attorney or call legal aid to ask about free or reduced-cost representation.
Nearby Counties
Prairie County is in central Arkansas, east of the state's center. The counties listed below share borders with Prairie County and each has its own circuit clerk and courthouse.