Union County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Union County dissolution of marriage cases are filed with the Circuit Clerk in El Dorado and cover the full range of domestic relations proceedings under Arkansas law. The clerk's office holds filed petitions, final decrees, and related court documents for cases going back many decades. Whether you need to confirm a divorce is final, get a certified copy of a decree, or look up an active case, the Circuit Clerk is the right place to start. El Dorado residents and those who filed in Union County can search records online through CourtConnect or visit the courthouse directly for in-person access.

Union County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk handles all dissolution of marriage filings in Union County. The office is located at 101 North Washington, Suite 201, El Dorado, AR 71730. You can reach them by phone at (870) 864-1940. Office hours follow standard state courthouse hours. The clerk accepts new filings, processes service requests, and maintains the official record for every case filed in Union County.

When you file for dissolution in Union County, the clerk assigns a case number and opens a file. That file holds every document submitted to the court, from the original petition through the final decree and any post-judgment motions. If you need a certified copy of a decree for a name change, a mortgage application, or another legal purpose, the Circuit Clerk can provide one. Certified copies cost $5 each. Plain (uncertified) copies are available as well, though most agencies that ask for a divorce decree want a certified version.

Union County covers 1,039 square miles, making it the largest county by area in Arkansas. The historic El Dorado courthouse serves the entire county. You can learn more about county offices and services at the Union County official website.

Search Union County Dissolution Cases Online

Arkansas CourtConnect is the primary online tool for searching dissolution of marriage cases in Union County. The system is free to use and does not require an account. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case status, hearing dates, and the list of filed documents. Most documents filed after 2000 are available to view and print online.

Go to caseinfo.arcourts.gov and select Union County under the circuit court search option. Enter the names of one or both parties. The system may return multiple results if the names are common, so check the case number and filing date to confirm you have the right file. Older cases filed before CourtConnect's coverage period may only be available by visiting the courthouse in person.

Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Union County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Union County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 90 days before filing, as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-303. The 90-day period must be complete before the court can enter a final decree. You file the petition at the Circuit Clerk's office on North Washington Street. There is a filing fee of approximately $165, though the amount can vary based on the complexity of the case and whether there are children involved.

Arkansas is not a pure no-fault state. You must list a ground for divorce in your petition. Common grounds include general indignities under § 9-12-301(b)(3)(C) and an 18-month separation period under § 9-12-301(b)(5). The separation ground is often used when both parties agree on all terms and simply want the marriage ended without any showing of fault. General indignities is one of the most common grounds filed in Arkansas courts and does not require proof of any specific act.

After filing, Arkansas law requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can issue a final decree. This rule comes from § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B). Even if both parties agree on everything, the court will not finalize the case until at least 30 days have passed from the filing date. Most uncontested cases in Union County take 30 to 90 days total from filing to final decree, depending on the court's schedule and how quickly the paperwork is completed.

Arkansas Grounds and Legal Framework

Union County cases fall under the same state law that governs all Arkansas dissolution proceedings. The primary statute is § 9-12-301, which sets out all recognized grounds. Cases involving property division, spousal support, and custody are addressed through the same court filing but may take longer to resolve if the parties disagree.

Public access to dissolution records is governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 (the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act) along with Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19. These rules determine what is available to the public versus what is sealed or restricted. Financial affidavits and documents containing Social Security numbers are typically restricted. The final decree itself is generally public once the 50-year restriction under § 20-18-305 does not apply.

Vital Records and ADH Divorce Certificates

After a Union County dissolution case is finalized, the court sends a report to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The ADH maintains a statewide index of divorces granted in Arkansas. If you need proof that a divorce occurred but only want a certificate rather than a full court decree, you can request a divorce certificate from the ADH.

The ADH Vital Records office is at 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: 800-462-0599. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. A divorce certificate from ADH costs $10. This document confirms the date and county of the divorce but does not include the specific terms of the decree. For anything requiring the actual terms, such as property division or custody arrangements, you need a certified copy from the Union County Circuit Clerk.

Circuit Clerk Website and Resources

Visit unioncountyar.com/circuit-clerk.php to find current information about the Union County Circuit Clerk, including contact details and office services. The page lists the clerk's address and phone number and may have links to forms or procedures for filing. The main Union County website also has a directory of county offices if you need to contact another department alongside your dissolution case.

The Union County Circuit Clerk office serves as the official repository for all court filings. Visit unioncountyar.com/circuit-clerk.php for clerk details and available services.

The Circuit Clerk's page lists contact information and filing details for Union County court proceedings.

For a broader look at county services, the Union County official website provides a directory of offices and resources available to residents.

The county website provides contact information and links to various county departments.

Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources

If you need help with a dissolution case in Union County and cannot afford an attorney, free legal resources are available. AR Law Help provides guides on divorce and separation under Arkansas law, including plain-language explanations of the filing process and what to expect in court. The site covers topics like how to serve your spouse, what forms to use, and how the 30-day waiting period works.

You can also call Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224 or (501) 376-3423 to ask about free or low-cost legal help. Legal aid can assist eligible clients with uncontested divorces and may be able to help with paperwork preparation. For contested cases involving significant assets or custody disputes, consulting a private attorney is advisable.

Cities and Nearby Counties

Union County includes the city of El Dorado, which qualifies for its own records page. See El Dorado dissolution of marriage records for city-specific information. Other communities in Union County include Smackover, Norphlet, Huttig, and Junction City, but these smaller towns do not have separate pages. All filings for the county, regardless of where in Union County the parties live, go through the Circuit Clerk in El Dorado.

Counties bordering Union include Ashley County to the east, Bradley County to the north, Calhoun County to the northwest, Columbia County to the west, and Louisiana to the south. Each has its own circuit court and clerk. If you are unsure which county to file in, the general rule is that you file where you currently live, not where you were married.