Jonesboro Divorce Records Search

Jonesboro divorce records are maintained by the Craighead County Circuit Clerk, with two office locations serving the county's northern and southern districts. Jonesboro, in the Northern District, is the county's primary population center. This page explains where to get certified copies of divorce decrees, how to use the state's free online search tool, how to request records from the ADH, and what local legal help is available to Jonesboro residents.

Craighead County Circuit Clerk Offices

Jonesboro divorce cases are filed with the Craighead County Circuit Court, 2nd Judicial Circuit. Like Sebastian County, Craighead is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two county seats. Jonesboro is the Northern District seat and handles the large majority of divorce cases. The Jonesboro Clerk's office is at 511 S Main Street, Suite 202, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Call (870) 933-4530.

The Lake City office at 107 Cobean Blvd, Lake City, AR 72437, (870) 237-4170, handles Southern District cases. If you are not sure which district your case was filed in, call Jonesboro first. Staff can check and redirect you if needed. Most Jonesboro residents' cases are in the Northern District. Bring a photo ID and the case number if available when visiting either office. Staff can search by name if you do not have a case number.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Certified copies cost a per-page fee. Call to confirm before visiting.

Online Search for Jonesboro Divorce Cases

The free Arkansas CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad lets you look up Jonesboro divorce cases without going to the courthouse. Select Craighead County and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can enter the names of either party or the case number. The system returns case status, filing date, party names, and docket entries for each case.

CourtConnect shows case-level information but not the full text of the divorce decree. Use it to confirm a case exists, get the case number, and verify when the decree was entered. That information helps you prepare a records request. Once you have the case number, calling the Clerk is faster and easier. CourtConnect covers both Northern and Southern District cases in Craighead County.

The image below shows the Legal Aid of Arkansas website, which serves Jonesboro area residents with low-income family law assistance including divorce matters.

Legal Aid serves qualifying clients at no cost. Call or visit their website for intake details and income guidelines.

Two Types of Jonesboro Divorce Records

When people ask for Jonesboro divorce records, they often do not know there are two distinct documents from two separate offices. Getting the right one matters.

A divorce decree is the full court order from the Circuit Court. It contains all the terms: property division, debt allocation, child custody, visitation, and support. Decrees are public records under Arkansas FOIA. Any person may request a certified copy from the Craighead County Circuit Clerk. No reason is required. Pay the copy fee, provide the names and approximate year, and the Clerk will pull the case.

A divorce certificate is a brief summary document kept by the Arkansas Department of Health. It states who was divorced, when, and in which county. It does not include property or custody terms. Under ACA 20-18-305, certificates are restricted. Only the parties, their legal representatives, or those with a documented legal interest may access them. The fee is $10. Request by calling ADH at (501) 661-2336 or (866) 209-9482, or order online through VitalChek. For legal proceedings, most attorneys want the full decree, not just the certificate.

Arkansas Divorce Law in the 2nd Circuit

Jonesboro divorces are handled under Arkansas state law in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Under ACA 9-12-301, fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction, and cruel treatment. Most Jonesboro filers use the no-fault separation ground under ACA 9-12-306, which requires 18 months of living apart with no cohabitation. Proving separation is easier than proving fault in court.

Arkansas requires 60 days of residency before filing if you came from another state and were not married in Arkansas. If the marriage or its breakdown occurred in Arkansas, you can file right away. After the judge signs the decree and the Clerk enters it into the record, it becomes publicly accessible. There is no waiting period. Uncontested divorces in Craighead County with no children or disputed property can sometimes close relatively quickly. Contested matters involving custody or significant assets take longer depending on the complexity of the dispute.

Once a case is final and the decree is recorded, it is available as a public record through CourtConnect and the Circuit Clerk.

Mail Requests and Out-of-Town Access

If you cannot visit the Craighead County Courthouse, you can request certified copies by mail. Write to the Craighead County Circuit Clerk, 511 S Main Street, Suite 202, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Include full names of both parties, the year, and the case number if you have it. Attach a check or money order for copy fees.

For older records that may have been transferred to archives, call the Clerk's office and ask. They can tell you whether the case file is on-site or stored elsewhere. Very old records may require a longer retrieval time. If you need a record urgently, an in-person visit is always the fastest method. Bring cash or a check; card payment availability varies by office.

Legal Resources for Jonesboro Divorce Cases

Legal Aid of Arkansas at arlegalaid.org provides free legal help to income-qualifying residents of northeast Arkansas including Jonesboro. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. Income guidelines apply. Call their statewide intake line or visit the website to apply. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership at a.arlawhelp.org offers free online self-help guides with court forms and step-by-step divorce instructions for pro se filers.

For private attorney referrals in Jonesboro, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at arkbar.com or call (501) 375-4606. Their referral service can help you find family law attorneys who practice in Craighead County. The Craighead County Courthouse has public computer access in some areas where you can use CourtConnect at no cost.

Below is the Arkansas CourtConnect portal for searching Jonesboro and Craighead County divorce cases online.

CourtConnect is free and requires no account. It is the fastest way to confirm a Jonesboro divorce case before contacting the Clerk.

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