Pulaski County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Pulaski County is Arkansas's most populous county, and its Circuit Clerk handles a high volume of dissolution of marriage filings each year. The clerk's office in Little Rock keeps records for all divorce cases filed in the county, and you can search case information online or request documents in person at the courthouse on West Markham Street.

Pulaski County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit and County Clerk for Pulaski County is Terri Hollingsworth. The main office sits at 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. General office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For dissolution of marriage matters specifically, you can reach the Chancery Clerk division at (501) 340-8411. The Civil and Criminal Circuit Clerk line is (501) 340-8431. The main switchboard for the office is (501) 340-8500.

Dissolution of marriage cases in Pulaski County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division. When a case is filed, the clerk assigns a case number and retains the official record of all filings, orders, and final decrees. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, the clerk charges $5.00 per copy. You can pick up certified copies in person or have them mailed to you after submitting a written request with payment.

The Pulaski County Circuit Clerk website provides online access to several record types, including marriage license searches, DBA searches, and ministers' credentials searches. For full case information including dissolution filings, the primary online tool is Arkansas CourtConnect.

Visit pulaskiclerkar.gov to access the clerk's online services.

The clerk's site also lists contact details for each division, which helps you reach the right desk quickly.

Search Pulaski County Dissolution of Marriage Cases

Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the main online portal for searching court records statewide. Pulaski County cases are well represented in the system. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal returns case type, filing date, parties, and a list of docket entries. Final decrees and other filed documents may be viewable directly, depending on the case.

CourtConnect is free to use for basic searches. Some older cases may not appear, especially those filed before the system was implemented. For those, you need to contact the clerk's office directly and request a manual search. Staff can look up records by name and date range.

The Pulaski County Court website provides additional information about court divisions, schedules, and services. It is a good starting point if you are unsure which division handles your case type.

Visit pulaskicountycourt.org for court division details and scheduling information.

The court site links to dockets, judge assignments, and clerk contact details for each division.

Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Pulaski County

To file in Pulaski County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing. Arkansas requires 90 days of total residency before a final decree can be granted under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-303. You file the complaint at the Circuit Clerk's office on West Markham Street. The clerk's staff can tell you which forms you need, though they cannot give legal advice.

Filing fees start at around $165. That covers the initial complaint. Additional motions, service of process fees, and other costs can add to the total. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income. Ask the clerk for the Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis if you think you may qualify.

Arkansas does not have no-fault divorce in the traditional sense. You must state a legal ground. Common grounds include general indignities under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) or an 18-month separation period under § 9-12-301(b)(5). There is also a 30-day waiting period after service under § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B) before a decree can be entered. Cases with minor children or contested property take longer.

Grounds and Waiting Periods

Arkansas is a fault-based divorce state. You need a recognized ground to get a dissolution of marriage. The most commonly used grounds are general indignities (§ 9-12-301(b)(3)(C)) and 18-month continuous separation (§ 9-12-301(b)(5)). General indignities covers a range of conduct that makes living together intolerable. The separation ground requires 18 full months of living apart with no cohabitation.

After you file and serve your spouse, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period. The court cannot grant a final decree until that window closes. If your spouse contests the divorce, the case goes to a hearing. If both parties agree on all terms, they can submit a settlement agreement and request a default or uncontested hearing.

Vital Records and the ADH Certificate

When a court grants a dissolution of marriage in Pulaski County, the clerk sends a report to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The ADH maintains a statewide index of divorces granted since 1923. You can order a certified copy of a divorce certificate from ADH directly. Their office is at 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. The phone number is 800-462-0599. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm.

The fee for an ADH certified divorce certificate is $10. This document confirms that a divorce occurred but does not include the full terms of the decree. For property settlements, custody orders, or other case details, you need a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk's office, not ADH. Many people need both documents, so plan accordingly.

Access Rules and Privacy

Under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305, dissolution of marriage records are restricted to the parties and their immediate family for 50 years after the case closes. After that period, records become fully public. Arkansas CourtConnect and FOIA requests under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 and Administrative Order No. 19 govern what can be released and to whom.

If you are a party to a case, you have full access to your own records. Third parties, such as attorneys or authorized representatives, can access records with proper credentials. Sealed records or those involving minors may have additional restrictions regardless of the 50-year rule.

Cities and Nearby Counties

Pulaski County includes several cities with their own populations. Little Rock is the county seat and the largest city. Little Rock and North Little Rock are both served by the same Circuit Clerk in Little Rock. Jacksonville residents also file at the Pulaski County courthouse.

Neighboring counties include Saline County to the south, Faulkner County to the north, Lonoke County to the east, and Perry County to the west. Each has its own Circuit Clerk. If you live near a county line, confirm which county you are filing in based on your address.

For Saline County filings, see the Saline County dissolution of marriage page. For a full list of counties, visit the Arkansas counties directory.