Find Divorce Records in Bentonville

Bentonville divorce records are held by the Benton County Circuit Clerk, which is located right in Bentonville at the county courthouse. As the Benton County seat, Bentonville residents have convenient access to all county court records including divorce decrees. This guide explains how to get certified copies in person or by mail, how to search cases online for free, what the difference is between a decree and a restricted certificate, and what legal resources are available locally.

Benton County Circuit Clerk in Bentonville

All Bentonville divorce cases are filed with the Benton County Circuit Court, 19th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office is at 102 NE A Street, Bentonville, AR 72712. Call (479) 271-1016. Because Bentonville is the Benton County seat, the courthouse is right in the city. Residents do not need to travel to another town for court records.

Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-in requests for certified copies of divorce decrees are accepted at the Clerk's counter. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. If you do not have a case number, the Clerk's staff can search by party names and approximate year. Certified copies are provided for a per-page fee. Call ahead to confirm current fees before your visit.

Bentonville also has a District Court at 117 W Central Avenue, (479) 254-5310. That court handles misdemeanor criminal and minor civil cases. All divorce and family law matters are filed with the Circuit Court at the Benton County Courthouse on NE A Street.

Search Bentonville Divorce Cases Online

The free Arkansas CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad lets you search Benton County divorce cases from anywhere. Select Benton County and set the case type to 14 for Domestic Relations. Enter one or both party names, or a case number if you have it. Results show filing date, case status, party names, and docket entries. No login is required and there is no fee.

CourtConnect shows case-level information but not the full text of the divorce decree. If you need the actual decree with all of the judge's orders, you need a certified copy from the Benton County Circuit Clerk. CourtConnect is useful for confirming a case exists, getting the case number, and verifying when the decree was finalized. Having the case number before you call or visit the Clerk's office saves time.

Below is an image of the Arkansas CourtConnect search portal, which Bentonville residents use to look up Benton County divorce records online.

CourtConnect is updated regularly and is free to all users. It is the best first step in any Bentonville divorce records search.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

Two types of Bentonville divorce records exist. They come from different offices and have very different access rules. Many people contact the wrong office first. Here is how to tell them apart.

A divorce decree is the full court order. It contains all of the judge's decisions: how property was divided, child custody and visitation terms, support obligations, and any other orders. Decrees are public records under Arkansas FOIA. Any person can request a certified copy from the Benton County Circuit Clerk in Bentonville. No special reason is required. Walk in, pay the per-page fee, and you can get a copy of any finalized divorce decree.

A divorce certificate is a summary record from the Arkansas Department of Health. It shows the names, date, and county of the divorce. It does not contain property or custody terms. Under ACA 20-18-305, certificates are restricted. Only the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, or others with a documented legal interest may request them. The ADH charges $10 per certificate. Order by calling (501) 661-2336 or (866) 209-9482, or use VitalChek online. For most legal and personal needs, the decree from the Circuit Clerk is the record you want.

Arkansas Divorce Law and the 19th Circuit

Bentonville divorces proceed under Arkansas state law. The 19th Judicial Circuit covers Benton County. Under ACA 9-12-301, fault grounds for divorce include adultery, felony conviction, and habitual drunkenness. Most Bentonville filers use the no-fault separation ground under ACA 9-12-306: 18 continuous months of living apart. Proving separation is more straightforward than proving fault, which is why this ground is so common.

If you moved to Arkansas from another state, you need 60 days of residency before you can file unless you were married in Arkansas or the divorce grounds arose here. After the judge signs and the Clerk enters the decree, it is a public record right away. There is no waiting period before someone can request a copy. Benton County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Arkansas, and the 19th Circuit handles a high and growing volume of family law cases. Uncontested divorces with no children or disputed property can resolve relatively quickly. Contested cases take longer depending on the issues at stake.

Mail Requests for Bentonville Divorce Records

If you cannot visit the courthouse in person, you can request certified copies by mail. Write to the Benton County Circuit Clerk, 102 NE A Street, Bentonville, AR 72712. Include the full names of both parties, the year, and the case number if known. Enclose a check or money order for the copy fee.

For ADH divorce certificate requests, you do not need to visit in person. Call (501) 661-2336 or order through VitalChek online. Mailed ADH requests go to 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Include a copy of your ID and, if you are not one of the named parties, documentation of your legal interest. VitalChek orders typically process faster than mailed requests to the ADH.

Legal Help for Bentonville Divorce Cases

Legal Aid of Arkansas serves Benton County residents including those in Bentonville. Visit arlegalaid.org for intake information. Income guidelines apply. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership at a.arlawhelp.org offers free self-help guides with court forms and step-by-step divorce instructions. This is a useful resource if you plan to handle your case without an attorney.

For private family law attorneys in Bentonville, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at arkbar.com or (501) 375-4606. The Bar's referral service can identify attorneys who regularly handle 19th Circuit domestic relations cases. Several well-established family law practices are based in Bentonville and Benton County given the area's rapid population growth.

Below is the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership site, offering free divorce guidance for Bentonville and all Arkansas residents.

The ALSP site is free and requires no account. It covers the full divorce process in plain language accessible to anyone.

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