Little Rock Divorce Records

Little Rock divorce records are filed with the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk and are available to the public. As the state capital, Little Rock also hosts the Arkansas Department of Health, which issues restricted divorce certificates separate from full court decrees. This guide explains both record types, where to get them, how to search online, and what to expect when you visit the courthouse or submit a request by mail.

Where Little Rock Divorce Records Are Filed

All Little Rock divorce cases are filed with the Pulaski County Circuit Court, which operates under the 6th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office handles case filings, certified copies of decrees, and public access requests. The office is at 401 W Markham Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201. You can call them at (501) 340-8500. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but check ahead before you go.

Little Rock residents have a convenient advantage: the Pulaski County Courthouse is right in the city. No drive to another town is needed. The County Records Department, in Suite 103, handles certified copy requests. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $5 per page in Pulaski County, plus a $1 fee per page for the clerk's certification stamp. Bring a photo ID and know the case number if you have it, though staff can search by name and year.

Walk-ins are accepted. If you plan to request a certified copy, bring payment. Cash and checks are accepted; some offices also take credit cards. Call ahead to confirm.

Search Little Rock Divorce Records Online

The Arkansas judiciary offers a free public search tool called CourtConnect. You can use it to find Little Rock divorce cases without visiting the courthouse. Go to caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad and select Pulaski County. Set the case type to 14, which is Domestic Relations. Enter the names of either party or a case number if you have one.

CourtConnect shows case status, filing date, party names, and key docket events. It does not display the full text of the divorce decree. You will see whether a case is open or closed, who the parties are, and what hearings or orders are on record. For the actual decree with all its terms, you need a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk's office. CourtConnect is best used to confirm a case exists and get the case number before you make a records request.

The screenshot below shows the Arkansas judiciary's public CourtConnect search portal used to find Pulaski County divorce cases.

CourtConnect is updated regularly and covers cases going back many years. If a case is very old or does not appear, contact the Clerk's office directly. Some older records may have been transferred to archives.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

There are two types of Little Rock divorce records. People often confuse them, but they come from different offices and have different rules about who can get them.

A divorce decree is the full court order issued by the Circuit Court. It includes all terms of the divorce: property division, child custody, support, and any other orders the judge signed. Decrees are public records. Anyone can request a certified copy from the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk. You do not need to show a reason or prove you are a party to the case. The fee is $5 per page plus certification charges.

A divorce certificate is a short summary record created and maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). It lists the names of the parties, the date of divorce, and the county where it was granted. It does not include custody or property details. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, divorce certificates are restricted. Only the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, or others with a documented legal interest may request them. The fee through ADH is $10 per certificate. You can also order through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for an additional service fee. Because Little Rock is also home to the ADH at 4815 W Markham Street, local residents can request certificates in person.

Arkansas Divorce Law Basics for Little Rock Residents

Arkansas is a mixed-fault and no-fault divorce state. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-301, fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction, and habitual drunkenness. The most common no-fault ground is living separate and apart for 18 continuous months, set out in ACA 9-12-306. Most cases in Little Rock Circuit Court are filed on separation grounds.

There is no minimum residency period before you can file in Arkansas if you were married in the state or if the cause of divorce occurred here. If you moved to Arkansas, you need to have lived here for 60 days before filing. The 6th Circuit in Pulaski County handles a high volume of divorce cases each year given Little Rock's population size. Cases are assigned to circuit judges who handle domestic relations dockets. Uncontested divorces with no property disputes or minor children can move through the system fairly quickly. Contested cases with children, property, or financial disputes take longer.

Once a judge signs the decree and it is filed with the Clerk, the record becomes public. There is no waiting period to access a filed decree.

Mail and In-Person Requests for Certified Copies

If you can't visit the courthouse, you can request certified copies by mail. Write to Pulaski County Circuit Clerk, 401 W Markham Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if known. Include a check or money order for the copy fee. The Clerk's office will contact you if additional payment is needed.

For ADH divorce certificates in person, visit 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. You can also call (501) 661-2336 or the toll-free line at (866) 209-9482. Bring valid photo ID and be prepared to show proof of your legal interest in the record if you are not one of the named parties.

The screenshot below shows the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership page, which provides free legal help to qualifying residents with divorce matters.

Legal aid resources can help you understand what records you need and how to request them at no cost.

Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources in Little Rock

Legal Aid of Arkansas has an office at 1300 W 6th Street, Little Rock. You can call them at (501) 376-3423. They serve low-income clients and can help with divorce filings, custody matters, and understanding your rights under Arkansas law. Income guidelines apply, but their intake staff can tell you quickly whether you qualify.

The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership also offers online self-help tools at a.arlawhelp.org. Their divorce and separation section walks through the process step by step. You can find forms, plain-language guides, and links to court resources without needing an attorney. For referrals to private family law attorneys, the Arkansas Bar Association at arkbar.com or (501) 375-4606 maintains a lawyer referral service.

The Pulaski County Circuit Court also has a self-help center for pro se litigants. Ask the Clerk's office for their location and hours when you call.

Arkansas FOIA and Public Access Rules

Arkansas divorce decrees are public records under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, found at ACA 25-19-105. Any person can inspect or copy court records unless a judge has issued a specific sealing order. Sealed cases are rare and require a court finding of compelling need for privacy. In Pulaski County, the vast majority of divorce records are open and accessible at the Circuit Clerk's office or through CourtConnect.

If you believe a record should be accessible but are being denied, you can cite FOIA in writing to the Clerk's office. Requests under FOIA must be responded to promptly. If access is still denied, you can seek relief in circuit court. The Arkansas Press Association and the Arkansas ACLU also provide guidance on public records access if you need help.

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