Find Divorce Records in Fayetteville

Fayetteville divorce records are maintained by the Washington County Circuit Clerk, whose office is located right in Fayetteville at 280 N College Avenue. Residents can access public divorce decrees in person, by mail, or through the state's free online search tool. This guide covers both the decree from the Circuit Court and the restricted divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health, plus where to find legal help if you need it.

Washington County Circuit Clerk in Fayetteville

All Fayetteville divorce cases go through the Washington County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's office is at 280 N College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Call them at (479) 444-1511. Unlike many other cities in Arkansas where the clerk's office is in a different town, Fayetteville residents do not need to travel anywhere. The courthouse is right in the city, close to downtown.

Office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Clerk's office files divorce cases, handles certified copy requests, and maintains the public docket. Certified copies of divorce decrees include the full court order with all terms. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. If you don't have the case number, staff can search by name. Copy fees vary; call ahead to confirm the current rate before you visit.

Walk-in service is available. For mail requests, send your written request with party names, year, and case number to the address above. Include a check or money order for fees.

Search Fayetteville Divorce Cases Online

Arkansas provides a free public court search portal called CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. To find Fayetteville divorce records, select Washington County and set the case type to 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by party name or case number. Results show the filing date, parties involved, case status, and key docket entries.

CourtConnect does not give you the actual text of the divorce decree. It shows you that a case exists, who filed it, and what happened procedurally. If you need the decree itself, you will need to request a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk. CourtConnect is useful for confirming a divorce was finalized, getting the case number, and checking the filing date before you contact the clerk's office.

The image below shows the Arkansas CourtConnect search portal used to look up Washington County divorce cases including those from Fayetteville.

CourtConnect is updated regularly and is free to use. No account is needed.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

Two different records exist for every Fayetteville divorce, and they come from two different offices. Many people request the wrong one because they don't know the difference.

The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It contains all the terms: property division, child custody arrangements, support orders, and any other conditions the court imposed. Decrees are public records. Any person can request a certified copy from the Washington County Circuit Clerk. You do not need to be a party to the case. Walk in, provide the names and approximate date, and pay the copy fee.

The divorce certificate is a short summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). It states the names of the parties, the date of divorce, and the county. It does not include custody or property terms. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, divorce certificates are restricted records. Only the people named in the record, their attorneys, or others with a clear legal need can request them. The ADH charges $10 per certificate. You can request by calling (501) 661-2336 or (866) 209-9482, or order online through VitalChek. Keep this distinction in mind when deciding which office to contact.

Arkansas Divorce Law Basics

Fayetteville divorces are governed by Arkansas state law. The 4th Judicial Circuit handles Washington County domestic cases. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-301, fault grounds for divorce include adultery, conviction of a felony or infamous crime, and habitual drunkenness. The most widely used ground is the no-fault option: living separate and apart for 18 continuous months under ACA 9-12-306.

Arkansas requires at least 60 days of residency before filing if you moved to the state and were not married here. If you were married in Arkansas or the events that caused the divorce happened here, you can file right away. Once the judge signs the decree and the clerk records it, the case is closed. Uncontested divorces in Washington County with no children and no disputed property can sometimes resolve in a matter of weeks. Contested cases take longer depending on the issues involved.

The decree becomes a public record as soon as the clerk files it. There is no waiting period before someone can request a copy.

University of Arkansas Law Clinic and Legal Help

Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas School of Law, which runs a legal clinic that may be able to help qualifying clients with family law matters. You can reach the UA Law School Clinic at (479) 575-5602. Clinic clients work with law students supervised by licensed attorneys. Not every case qualifies, but it is worth a call if you need help and cannot afford private counsel.

Legal Aid of Arkansas also serves Washington County residents. You can reach their statewide intake at arlegalaid.org. Income guidelines apply. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership offers free self-help tools online at a.arlawhelp.org. Their divorce section includes step-by-step guides, court forms, and plain-language explanations of what to expect. For referrals to private family law attorneys in Fayetteville, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at arkbar.com or (501) 375-4606.

The Washington County Courthouse also has public terminals where you can access CourtConnect to search cases without needing your own device.

VitalChek and ADH Certificate Orders

If you need a divorce certificate rather than a decree, the ADH processes requests from Fayetteville residents the same way it handles all statewide orders. The ADH office is in Little Rock at 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44. You do not need to visit in person. You can call, mail your request, or order through VitalChek online.

VitalChek charges $10 for the certificate plus a $5 service fee and a $1.85 transaction fee. The total comes to about $16.85 per certificate. Allow several weeks for mailed orders. Online orders through VitalChek tend to process faster. You will need to submit ID documentation and, if you are not one of the named parties, proof of your legal interest in the record.

The image below shows the VitalChek Arkansas vital records ordering page, which handles divorce certificate requests statewide including for Fayetteville divorces.

VitalChek is the ADH's authorized third-party ordering service. Orders through their portal are processed by the state.

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