Access El Dorado Divorce Records

El Dorado is the seat of Union County, and the Circuit Clerk's office that holds all divorce records is located right in the city at 101 N Washington Street. Residents searching for El Dorado divorce records, copies of a divorce decree, or verification of a past case can get what they need without traveling to another city. This guide covers the filing office, online search options, and how to tell the difference between a decree and a certificate.

Union County Circuit Clerk in El Dorado

The Union County Circuit Clerk maintains all divorce case records at 101 N Washington Street, El Dorado, AR 71730. The office phone number is (870) 864-1910. El Dorado is the Union County seat, which means the courthouse is in the city itself. Residents do not need to drive to another town to request records or file divorce paperwork. The Union County Circuit Court operates under the 11th Judicial Circuit South.

El Dorado also has a District Court at 204 N West Avenue, (870) 863-5078. That court handles misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic violations only. It does not process divorce cases and does not hold divorce records. If you need divorce-related documents, always contact the Circuit Clerk at 101 N Washington Street, not the District Court.

Hours for the clerk's office are typically standard business hours on weekdays. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and to ask about the current fee schedule for copies. Some complex cases may require extra time to retrieve if older files are in off-site storage.

Decree vs. Certificate: Two Different Documents

A lot of people come to the clerk's office not knowing which document they need. The divorce decree is the full legal order issued by the Union County Circuit Court judge. It covers every aspect of the divorce: property and debt division, any support obligations, and if children are involved, custody and child support. The decree is on file with the Circuit Clerk and is open to the public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, ACA 25-19-105. You do not have to be one of the parties to get a copy.

The divorce certificate is a separate, restricted record kept by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Vital Records Division. It is a brief statistical summary that shows the names and the date but does not include any terms of the divorce. Under ACA 20-18-305, certificates can only be accessed by the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, or others who can document a legal need. To order from ADH, contact them at 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, or call (501) 661-2336. Online orders are available through VitalChek for an additional convenience fee of $1.85.

Search El Dorado Divorce Cases on CourtConnect

Arkansas offers a free public case search at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad, known as CourtConnect. To look up El Dorado divorce cases, select Union County from the drop-down and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. Enter one or both party names or the case number if you have it. CourtConnect shows you case status, important dates, and hearing information. It does not display the actual court documents, but it is a fast way to confirm whether a case exists and to get the case number before contacting the clerk.

The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) maintains this tool. If you have trouble using it, the AOC main line is (501) 682-9400 and their website is arcourts.gov.

The screenshot below shows the CourtConnect public access search page where you can look up El Dorado and Union County divorce case records for free.

CourtConnect requires no account or login. It is free to use for any member of the public.

Divorce Law in Arkansas

El Dorado residents who want to file for divorce in Union County must meet Arkansas residency requirements. At least one party must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing. The court cannot issue a final divorce decree for at least 30 days after the complaint is filed. Arkansas law provides both fault and no-fault grounds. The 18-month separation ground under ACA 9-12-306 is the most common no-fault option. Fault grounds listed in ACA 9-12-301 cover adultery, willful desertion, felony conviction, habitual drunkenness, and a few other specific situations.

Arkansas courts divide marital assets using equitable distribution, not community property. This means assets and debts are split fairly based on the facts of the case, not automatically 50/50. The specific division will be reflected in the divorce decree filed at the Union County Circuit Clerk's office. Anyone who needs to review the terms of a past El Dorado divorce can request a copy of the decree.

Steps to Get an El Dorado Divorce Decree

In person is usually the fastest way. Go to 101 N Washington Street, El Dorado, AR 71730 and give the clerk's staff the full names of both parties and the year the divorce was finalized. If you have the case number, bring it. Staff will search the index and pull the file. Copy fees are charged per page; ask the clerk when you call or arrive to confirm the current rate. Certified copies cost a bit more than plain copies but are often required for legal or official purposes.

You can also submit a records request by mail. Send a letter to the Union County Circuit Clerk at 101 N Washington Street, El Dorado, AR 71730. Include the names of the parties, the year, the case number if available, and a check or money order for the estimated fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed up the return. Mail requests generally take longer to process than in-person visits.

• In person: 101 N Washington Street, El Dorado, AR 71730
• Phone: (870) 864-1910
• Online: CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad (case lookup only)
• ADH certificates (restricted): VitalChek or (501) 661-2336

Legal Resources for El Dorado Residents

Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to Union County residents. Legal Aid of Arkansas serves people who meet income guidelines and handles family law cases including divorce. Their website is arlegalaid.org. They can assist with filing, understanding your rights, and navigating the court system in El Dorado.

The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership also offers a helpful guide at arlawhelp.org that walks through the divorce process in plain terms. For private attorney referrals in the El Dorado area, the Arkansas Bar Association at (501) 375-4606 or arkbar.com can connect you with licensed family law attorneys who practice in Union County.

The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership resource page, shown below, provides step-by-step guidance on separation and divorce for Arkansas residents including those in El Dorado.

Free legal help through Legal Aid of Arkansas is available for those who qualify based on household income and case type.

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