Search Fort Smith Divorce Records

Fort Smith divorce records are held by the Sebastian County Circuit Clerk, with two offices serving the county's northern and southern districts. Fort Smith, the second largest city in Arkansas, sits in the Northern District. This guide covers where to find divorce decrees, how to use the state's free online search tool, what to know about the two-seat county structure, and how to get a certified copy whether you visit in person or submit your request by mail.

Sebastian County Circuit Clerk Offices

Fort Smith divorce cases are filed with the Sebastian County Circuit Court, 12th Judicial Circuit. Sebastian County has two county seats, which is unusual in Arkansas. Fort Smith serves as the Northern District seat, and Greenwood is the Southern District seat. If you lived in or near Fort Smith when your divorce was filed, your case is almost certainly in the Northern District.

The main Fort Smith clerk's office is at 35 S 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Call (479) 782-1046. For cases two or more years old, records may be stored at the Parker Annex at 40 S 4th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901, (479) 784-1581. When you call about a case, ask which location holds it. If you are not sure which district handled a case, call the Fort Smith office first. They can confirm or redirect you to the Greenwood office at (479) 996-4175 for Southern District cases.

Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-in requests are accepted at both locations.

How to Search Fort Smith Divorce Cases Online

The Arkansas judiciary runs a free public search tool called CourtConnect. Go to caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad, select Sebastian County, and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by the names of the parties or by case number. The system shows filing date, parties, case status, and key docket events.

CourtConnect does not show the text of the divorce decree. What it does show is enough to confirm a case exists, identify the case number, and see whether it reached a final judgment. That information is useful when you are preparing to request a certified copy from the Clerk's office. The portal covers cases from both the Fort Smith Northern District and the Greenwood Southern District, so be sure you are looking at the right district when reviewing results.

The image below shows the Arkansas judiciary's CourtConnect portal used to search Fort Smith and Sebastian County divorce records.

CourtConnect is free and requires no account or login. Check it before contacting the Clerk's office to gather case details in advance.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Fort Smith

There are two types of Fort Smith divorce records, and they come from completely different offices. Knowing which one you need saves time and avoids a wasted trip.

A divorce decree is the full court order from the Circuit Court. It contains all the details of the divorce: how property was divided, what child custody terms apply, support obligations, and any other court orders. Decrees are public records. Anyone can request a certified copy from the Sebastian County Circuit Clerk. You do not need to be a party to the case or show a reason. The fee is paid at the time of the request. Walk in, call, or send a mail request with the party names, year, and case number.

A divorce certificate is a brief summary issued by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). It lists the parties' names, the date of divorce, and the county. It does not contain property or custody terms. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, divorce certificates are restricted. Only the named parties, their legal representatives, or others with a clear legal need may request them. The ADH charges $10 per certificate. Order by calling (501) 661-2336 or (866) 209-9482, or use VitalChek online for an additional service fee. For most purposes related to legal proceedings or property matters, you want the decree from the Circuit Clerk, not the certificate from ADH.

Arkansas Divorce Law and the 12th Circuit

Fort Smith divorces proceed under Arkansas state law in the 12th Judicial Circuit. Under ACA 9-12-301, fault-based grounds include adultery, felony conviction, and habitual intoxication. Most Fort Smith filers use the no-fault separation ground under ACA 9-12-306, which requires 18 continuous months of living apart. The 12th Circuit handles a substantial caseload given Fort Smith's size.

Arkansas requires 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 grounds for divorce arose in the state, you can file immediately. Uncontested divorces with no minor children and no disputed assets can move through the court relatively quickly. Contested matters with property, children, or support disputes take longer. Once the judge signs and the Clerk records the decree, it is a public record with no additional waiting period before someone can request a copy.

Fort Smith also has a District Court at 901 S B Street. That court handles misdemeanor criminal and small civil matters. District Court does not handle divorces. All family law and divorce cases go to Circuit Court.

Public Records and FOIA in Fort Smith

Divorce decrees in Fort Smith are public records under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, ACA 25-19-105. Any person can inspect or copy them. The city of Fort Smith also has a public records page at fortsmithar.gov/government/public-records for city-level records, though divorce cases are handled by the county, not the city.

Sealed cases exist but are rare. A judge must make a specific finding to seal a divorce case. The vast majority of Fort Smith divorce records are open. If you are denied access, you can cite FOIA in writing to the Clerk. Arkansas courts must respond promptly to FOIA requests. For guidance on navigating a denial, the Arkansas Press Association can point you to resources.

Mail requests to the Circuit Clerk should include full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if known. Include payment for copy fees. The Clerk will contact you if more information or payment is needed.

Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources for Fort Smith

Legal Aid of Arkansas serves Fort Smith area residents. Visit arlegalaid.org for intake information. Income limits apply, but legal aid staff can tell you quickly whether you qualify. They handle family law matters including divorce cases. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has free online divorce guides at a.arlawhelp.org with step-by-step help for pro se litigants.

For referrals to private family law attorneys in the Fort Smith area, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at arkbar.com or (501) 375-4606. The Bar Association's referral service can connect you with attorneys who handle divorce and domestic relations cases in Sebastian County.

The image below shows the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership website, a free resource for Fort Smith residents needing help with divorce matters.

The ALSP site is free and does not require a login. It covers divorce, separation, custody, and related topics in plain language.

Nearby Arkansas Cities