Jacksonville Divorce Records Lookup

Divorce records for Jacksonville residents are maintained by the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk in Little Rock, about 15 miles from Jacksonville. Jacksonville is in Pulaski County, so all divorce cases filed by Jacksonville residents go through the Pulaski County Circuit Court at 401 W Markham Street, Suite 100, Little Rock. This guide covers how to get copies, how to search online, and the key difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate under Arkansas law.

Where Jacksonville Divorce Records Are Kept

Jacksonville is a city in Pulaski County, which means all divorce cases filed by Jacksonville residents are handled by the Pulaski County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's office is at 401 W Markham Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201. The phone number is (501) 340-8500. Little Rock is about 15 miles south of Jacksonville, so in-person records requests do require a short drive. There is no divorce clerk in Jacksonville itself.

Jacksonville has its own District Court at 1 Municipal Drive, (501) 982-5880. That court handles local misdemeanor and traffic matters. It does not process divorces and does not hold divorce records. If you call the Jacksonville District Court looking for a divorce record, they will refer you to the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk in Little Rock. The same applies if you are trying to file a new divorce case: you file at the Circuit Court in Little Rock, not at the Jacksonville District Court.

Pulaski County is Arkansas's most populous county and the home of the state capital. The Pulaski County Circuit Court handles a large volume of civil and family law cases. When you call the clerk's office, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce ready to speed up the search.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

Many Jacksonville residents come looking for a divorce record without knowing which type of document they actually need. The divorce decree is the main document. It is the full court order signed by the Pulaski County Circuit Court judge at the time the divorce was granted. It sets out all the terms: how the couple's property and debts were split, whether spousal support applies, and if there are children, all custody and support arrangements. The decree is a public record. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, ACA 25-19-105, anyone can get a copy from the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk without stating a reason.

A divorce certificate is something separate and different. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Vital Records Division maintains these as short statistical summaries. A certificate shows the names of the parties and the date but does not include any of the terms of the divorce. Under ACA 20-18-305, certificates are restricted to the named parties, their legal representatives, or persons with a documented need. To order a certificate from ADH, contact the Vital Records Division at 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, or call (501) 661-2336. You can also order online through VitalChek for a small convenience fee.

Free Online Case Search for Jacksonville Divorces

You can search Jacksonville divorce cases through the Arkansas CourtConnect system at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. No account is needed. Select Pulaski County and set the case type to 14 for Domestic Relations. Enter the party names or the case number to search. CourtConnect shows the case status, filing dates, and scheduled hearings, but it does not let you view the actual documents. Once you find the case number, you can use it to speed up your request when you contact the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk.

The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) manages CourtConnect. The AOC phone number is (501) 682-9400 and their site is arcourts.gov. CourtConnect is updated regularly and is a reliable way to confirm whether a case was filed in Pulaski County.

The screenshot below shows the CourtConnect public search portal. Jacksonville residents can use it to look up Pulaski County divorce cases at no cost.

CourtConnect is available to the general public around the clock. No login or registration is required to search.

Arkansas Divorce Law Basics

To file for divorce in Pulaski County, at least one spouse must have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days before the complaint is filed. A judge cannot enter a final decree until at least 30 days after filing. Arkansas allows both fault and no-fault divorce. The most common no-fault ground is 18 months of uninterrupted separation without cohabitation, which is governed by ACA 9-12-306. Fault grounds listed in ACA 9-12-301 include adultery, willful desertion for one year, felony conviction, and habitual drunkenness.

Arkansas courts use equitable distribution to divide marital property. The court splits assets and debts fairly based on the specific facts of the case, not automatically 50/50. The outcome of each Pulaski County divorce case will be spelled out in the final decree filed with the Circuit Clerk. Jacksonville residents who want to review the terms of a past divorce can request a copy of that decree.

How to Request a Jacksonville Divorce Decree

The most direct option is to visit the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk in person at 401 W Markham Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201. The drive from Jacksonville takes about 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Bring the full names of both parties and the year the divorce was granted. A case number is helpful but not required. Staff will search the index and pull the file. Ask about the current copy fee when you call ahead at (501) 340-8500.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk at the address above, include identifying information about the case, and send a check or money order for the copy fee. Mail requests typically take longer than in-person requests, sometimes a week or more. Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope so copies can be returned to you promptly.

• In person: 401 W Markham Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201
• Phone: (501) 340-8500
• Online: CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad
• ADH certificates (restricted): (501) 661-2336 or VitalChek online

Legal Help for Jacksonville Residents

Jacksonville residents who need help with a divorce case can reach Legal Aid of Arkansas at arlegalaid.org. Legal Aid serves low-income residents across the state with civil matters including family law. They have experience with Pulaski County cases and can assist with filing and understanding your rights. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership at arlawhelp.org also provides a plain-language guide to Arkansas divorce law that is a good first read for anyone starting the process.

For private attorney referrals, the Arkansas Bar Association handles referrals by county and practice area. Call (501) 375-4606 or visit arkbar.com. Because Jacksonville is in Pulaski County, there are many family law attorneys in the Little Rock metro area who regularly handle cases in the Pulaski County Circuit Court.

The resource page for the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership, shown below, is a free tool that guides Jacksonville residents through the divorce process from start to finish.

Free legal guidance is available through the Legal Services Partnership and Legal Aid of Arkansas for eligible residents.

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