Access Russellville Divorce Records
Russellville is the seat of Pope County, which means the Circuit Clerk's office that holds all divorce records is right in the city at 100 W Main Street. Residents do not need to travel to another city to file for divorce or to request copies of divorce decrees. This guide covers exactly where to go, how to search for cases online through CourtConnect, and the important distinction between a public divorce decree and a restricted divorce certificate under Arkansas law.
Russellville Overview
Pope County Circuit Clerk in Russellville
The Pope County Circuit Clerk is located at 100 W Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. The phone number is (479) 968-7499. Because Russellville is the Pope County seat, there is no need to drive to a different city for divorce records. The courthouse is centrally located in downtown Russellville. Pope County falls under the 5th Judicial Circuit, and the Circuit Court handles all civil and family law matters for the county, including divorce.
Russellville also has a District Court at 203 S Boston Avenue, (479) 968-1129. That court handles misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic cases. It does not process divorce cases and does not keep divorce records. If someone points you to the Russellville District Court for a divorce record, that is not the right office. The Pope County Circuit Clerk at 100 W Main Street is where all divorce records are filed and stored.
Additional information about the Pope County courthouse and clerk's office is available through the Arkansas Association of Counties at arcounties.org/counties/pope/. Call ahead to confirm current office hours and the fee schedule before visiting.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
Understanding which document you actually need will save you time and confusion. The divorce decree is the full court order issued by the Pope County Circuit Court judge when a divorce is granted. It contains all the terms: property and debt division, spousal support if applicable, and custody and child support terms if there are children. The decree is a public record. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, ACA 25-19-105, any person can request a copy from the Pope County Circuit Clerk. You do not have to be a party to the divorce to ask for it.
The divorce certificate is a completely different document kept by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Vital Records Division. It is a short statistical summary showing the names of the parties and the date of the divorce. It does not include any of the terms the court ordered. Under ACA 20-18-305, divorce certificates are restricted. Only the named parties, their legal representatives, or those with a documented legal need may obtain a copy from ADH. To order, contact ADH at 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, or call (501) 661-2336. Online orders are available through VitalChek. The standard fee is $10 plus a $5 search fee, with an additional $1.85 for online orders.
Note: For most Russellville residents, the divorce decree from the Pope County Circuit Clerk is the right document to request since it is public and more comprehensive.
Search Russellville Divorce Cases on CourtConnect
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the free public portal for searching court cases. To search for Russellville divorce records, select Pope County and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. Enter the names of the parties or a case number to search. CourtConnect shows case status, filing dates, and scheduled hearings. It does not let you view the documents themselves, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number, which is useful when you contact the Circuit Clerk for copies.
CourtConnect is run by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The AOC phone number is (501) 682-9400 and their site is at arcourts.gov. No login or account is required to use the public search feature.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas CourtConnect portal where Russellville residents can search Pope County divorce case records at no charge.
CourtConnect is available to the public around the clock and updates as cases move through the court system.
Arkansas Divorce Law Overview
Filing for divorce in Pope County requires that at least one spouse have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days before the complaint is filed. The court cannot enter a final decree for at least 30 days after filing. Arkansas allows both fault and no-fault divorce. The no-fault ground used most often is 18 months of uninterrupted separation without cohabitation under ACA 9-12-306. Fault grounds listed in ACA 9-12-301 include adultery, willful desertion for one year, felony conviction, and habitual drunkenness, among several others.
Arkansas divides marital property through equitable distribution. The court splits assets and debts fairly based on the specific facts of the case. The terms of every Pope County divorce are in the final decree filed with the Circuit Clerk. Russellville residents who need to review those terms can request a copy of the decree as a public record.
How to Get a Russellville Divorce Decree
The simplest approach is to visit the Pope County Circuit Clerk in person at 100 W Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. The courthouse is in downtown Russellville and is easy to find. Bring the full names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. A case number from CourtConnect will speed up the search. Call (479) 968-7499 before your visit to ask about the current copy fee and office hours. Certified copies typically cost more than plain photocopies but are often required for remarriage, estate matters, or other legal proceedings.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Pope County Circuit Clerk at 100 W Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. Include the names of the parties, the year, and the case number if available. Enclose a check or money order for the estimated copy fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests may take a few business days to a week depending on the clerk's current workload and the age of the case.
- In person: 100 W Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801
- Phone: (479) 968-7499
- County info: arcounties.org/counties/pope/
- Online case lookup: CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad
- ADH restricted certificates: (501) 661-2336 or VitalChek
Legal Help for Russellville Residents
Russellville residents who need legal assistance with a divorce can contact Legal Aid of Arkansas through arlegalaid.org. Legal Aid serves low-income residents across Arkansas with free civil legal help, including family law and divorce cases in Pope County. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership also maintains a free online guide to divorce and separation at arlawhelp.org. It is a good starting point if you are unsure how the process works.
For private attorney referrals in the Russellville area, the Arkansas Bar Association can connect you with licensed family law attorneys who practice in Pope County. Call (501) 375-4606 or visit arkbar.com. Several attorneys in the Arkansas River Valley area handle Pope County Circuit Court cases on a regular basis.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership guide shown below provides free, plain-language guidance on divorce for Russellville residents and others in Pope County navigating the Arkansas courts.
Free legal resources are available for Russellville residents through Legal Aid of Arkansas and the Legal Services Partnership online guide.