Texarkana Divorce Records Search

Texarkana straddles the Arkansas-Texas state line, which creates some confusion about where to file and where to find divorce records. This page covers the Arkansas side only. Residents of the Arkansas portion of Texarkana file divorce cases in Miller County Circuit Court at 400 Laurel Street. Texas-side residents file in Texas courts, not here. This guide explains the process, how to access records, and what the difference is between a decree and a certificate under Arkansas law.

Arkansas Side vs. Texas Side: Know Where to File

Texarkana is unique because it is split between two states. The state line runs through the middle of the city. Arkansas-side residents live in Miller County, Arkansas, and their divorces fall under Arkansas law. Texas-side residents live in Bowie County, Texas, and their divorces are governed by Texas law and filed in Texas courts. This page covers the Arkansas side only.

For Arkansas-side Texarkana residents, the correct filing office is the Miller County Circuit Clerk at 400 Laurel Street, Texarkana, AR 71854. The phone number is (870) 774-3381. Texarkana is the Miller County seat, so the courthouse is in the city itself. You do not need to travel elsewhere to file or to request records. Miller County falls under the 8th Judicial Circuit.

The Texarkana District Court at 220 Texas Boulevard handles misdemeanors and traffic cases only. That court does not process divorces and does not hold divorce records. If you are looking for a Texarkana, Arkansas divorce record, go to the Miller County Circuit Clerk on Laurel Street, not the District Court.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

Two different agencies keep two different records of a divorce in Arkansas, and understanding the distinction will save you time. The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the Miller County Circuit Court judge. It contains everything the court ordered: how property and debts are divided, whether one spouse owes support to the other, and custody and child support terms if children are involved. The divorce decree is a public record. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, ACA 25-19-105, any person can request a copy from the Miller County Circuit Clerk without needing to explain why.

The divorce certificate is a different document. It is a short summary kept by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Vital Records Division. It shows the names of the parties, the date, and the county, but it does not list any of the divorce terms. Under ACA 20-18-305, this certificate is restricted. Only the named parties, their attorneys, or others who document a legal need can get a copy from ADH. To order from ADH, contact the Vital Records Division at 4815 W Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, or call (501) 661-2336. Online orders go through VitalChek. The fee is $10 plus $5 for the search, with a $1.85 convenience fee if ordering online.

Search Texarkana Divorce Cases Online

The free Arkansas CourtConnect system at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad allows anyone to search for divorce cases in Miller County at no cost. Select Miller County and case type 14 (Domestic Relations) to search for Texarkana divorce records. You can enter the names of the parties or the case number if you have it. CourtConnect shows case status, important dates, and other case information, but it does not display the actual court documents. For copies, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk.

The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) runs CourtConnect. Their main number is (501) 682-9400 and the website is arcourts.gov. Note that Texas divorce records are not on this system. If you are looking for a Texas-side Texarkana divorce, you would need to search Bowie County, Texas records through a Texas court portal.

The image below shows the Arkansas CourtConnect public case search interface, where you can search Miller County divorce records for the Arkansas side of Texarkana.

CourtConnect is free and does not require registration. It updates as cases move through the Arkansas court system.

Arkansas Divorce Law for Texarkana Residents

To file for divorce in Miller County, at least one spouse must have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days before the complaint is filed. The divorce cannot be finalized until at least 30 days after filing. Arkansas provides both fault and no-fault divorce. The most used no-fault ground is 18 months of separation without cohabitation under ACA 9-12-306. Fault grounds under ACA 9-12-301 include adultery, willful desertion for one year, felony conviction, and habitual drunkenness, among others.

Arkansas uses equitable distribution for marital property. Courts divide assets and debts fairly, not necessarily 50/50. The final terms appear in the Miller County divorce decree. For Texarkana residents with property or income in Texas, the situation can get complicated. An attorney familiar with both Arkansas and Texas law may be worth consulting if your situation crosses state lines.

How to Get a Texarkana Divorce Decree

To get a certified copy of a divorce decree from the Arkansas side of Texarkana, visit the Miller County Circuit Clerk at 400 Laurel Street, Texarkana, AR 71854. Bring the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. If you know the case number, bring it too. Staff will search the index and retrieve the record. Ask about the current per-page copy fee when you call ahead. Certified copies often cost slightly more than standard photocopies.

Mail requests are also processed by the Miller County Circuit Clerk. Write to 400 Laurel Street, Texarkana, AR 71854, include the names, year, and case number if available, and send payment for the estimated fee along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time for mail requests is generally a few business days to a week, depending on the volume of requests and the age of the case.

• In person: 400 Laurel Street, Texarkana, AR 71854
• Phone: (870) 774-3381
• Online case search: CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad
• ADH certificates (restricted): (501) 661-2336 or VitalChek

Legal Help for Texarkana, Arkansas Residents

If you live on the Arkansas side of Texarkana and need help with a divorce, Legal Aid of Arkansas can assist low-income residents with civil family law matters. Visit arlegalaid.org to check eligibility and apply. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership also has free online guidance at arlawhelp.org. It covers Arkansas divorce law, residency requirements, and the filing process in plain language.

For private attorney referrals in the Texarkana area, the Arkansas Bar Association at (501) 375-4606 or arkbar.com can match you with licensed family law attorneys. Several family law firms in Texarkana handle both Arkansas and Texas matters, which may be relevant if your situation involves property or residence on both sides of the line.

The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership divorce guide, shown below, explains the process for Arkansas residents and is a useful first stop for Texarkana residents on the Arkansas side.

Legal aid services are available at no cost for qualifying low-income residents on the Arkansas side of Texarkana.

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