Find Divorce Records in Searcy
Searcy residents have an advantage when it comes to divorce records: because Searcy is the White County seat, the Circuit Clerk's office is right in the city. All divorce filings for White County, including those from Searcy, are held at 300 N Spruce Street. This guide explains how to get a divorce decree, what the difference is between a decree and a certificate, and where to find free legal help in the Searcy area.
Searcy Overview
White County Circuit Clerk in Searcy
The White County Circuit Clerk, Ashley Buchanan, maintains all divorce records for White County at 300 N Spruce Street, Searcy, AR 72143. The phone number is (501) 279-6223. Because Searcy is the county seat, residents do not need to travel to another city to access records or file paperwork. The courthouse is centrally located and easy to reach from most parts of Searcy.
Divorce cases in White County fall under the 17th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court handles all civil matters including divorce, property disputes, and family law. The District Court at 401 W Arch Avenue handles misdemeanor criminal and traffic matters only. If someone refers you to the Searcy District Court for divorce records, that is the wrong office. The Circuit Clerk's office on N Spruce Street is the correct location for all divorce filings and records.
Clerk office hours are typically Monday through Friday. It is worth calling ahead to confirm hours, especially around holidays, and to ask about the current fee schedule for copies before you make a trip.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
A divorce decree is the official court order signed by the White County Circuit Court judge. It is the legal document that ends the marriage and sets out all the terms: property division, debt assignment, spousal support if any, and custody and child support if children are involved. The divorce decree is a public record. The White County Circuit Clerk will give you a copy upon request. You do not need to be a party to the case to get a copy, because divorce decrees are open under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, ACA 25-19-105.
A divorce certificate is a different document. It is a short statistical summary created by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and stored in the state vital records system. It does not include the terms of the divorce. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, divorce certificates are restricted to the parties named in the record, their attorneys, or others with a legal need. You can order a divorce certificate from the ADH Vital Records Division at 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, or by phone at (501) 661-2336. You can also order online through VitalChek for a small convenience fee.
Note: For most legal purposes in Searcy, a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk is what you will need.
Search Searcy Divorce Cases Online
The Arkansas judiciary provides a free online case search tool called CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. To search for Searcy divorce records, select White County and set the case type to 14, which stands for Domestic Relations. You can search by party name or case number. CourtConnect shows the case status, key dates, and hearing information. It does not show the actual court documents, but it can confirm whether a case exists and give you the case number, which you will need when you contact the Circuit Clerk for copies.
CourtConnect is run by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). If you have technical questions about the tool, the AOC main line is (501) 682-9400. Their website is at arcourts.gov.
The image below shows the Arkansas CourtConnect interface where Searcy residents can search for White County divorce cases at no cost.
No login is needed to use CourtConnect. Results are available to any member of the public.
Arkansas Divorce Law Overview
To file for divorce in White County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing, and the divorce decree cannot be entered until 30 days after the complaint is filed. Arkansas allows both fault and no-fault divorce. The most widely used no-fault ground is 18 months of continuous separation without cohabitation, found in Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-306. Fault grounds are listed in ACA 9-12-301 and include adultery, desertion, conviction of a felony, and habitual drunkenness, among others.
Arkansas uses equitable distribution, not community property, for dividing marital assets and debts. Equitable means fair, not automatic 50/50. The court considers each spouse's contributions, their financial situations, and other relevant factors. The terms of that division will appear in the divorce decree at the White County Circuit Clerk's office. Anyone who needs to review those terms can request a copy of the decree from the clerk.
How to Get a Copy of a Searcy Divorce Decree
To get a copy of a divorce decree from White County, visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 300 N Spruce Street in Searcy. Bring as much information as you can: the full names of both parties, the year the divorce was finalized, and the case number if you have it. Staff will search the records index and retrieve the file. There is usually a per-page copy fee. Ask the clerk about the current rate when you call or arrive.
You can also submit a written records request by mail to the White County Circuit Clerk at 300 N Spruce Street, Searcy, AR 72143. Include the names of the parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and a check or money order for the expected copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take longer than in-person requests, so plan accordingly.
- In person: 300 N Spruce Street, Searcy, AR 72143
- Phone: (501) 279-6223
- Online search: CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad
- ADH certificates: healthy.arkansas.gov or VitalChek for restricted summary records
- ADH mailing address: 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205
Legal Resources for Searcy Residents
If you need help understanding the divorce process or getting legal advice, several resources are available to White County residents. Legal Aid of Arkansas serves low-income residents across the state and handles family law matters. Visit arlegalaid.org to find out if you qualify and to start the intake process. They can advise on divorce filings, custody questions, and more.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has a plain-language online guide to divorce in Arkansas at arlawhelp.org. It covers residency requirements, grounds for divorce, and what to expect at each stage. For referrals to private family law attorneys in the Searcy area, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at arkbar.com or call (501) 375-4606. They can match you with a licensed attorney who handles White County cases.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership online guide that walks residents through the divorce and separation process step by step.
These free resources can help you understand what documents to file and what courts handle which matters.