Arkansas County Divorce Records
Arkansas County divorce records date back to 1818, making this one of the oldest court record collections in the state. If you need to search or get a copy of a divorce record filed in Arkansas County, this guide covers the Circuit Clerk offices, online search tools, fees, and how to get certified copies through the right channels.
Arkansas County Overview
Arkansas County Circuit Clerk Offices
Arkansas County is one of only a few counties in Arkansas with two county seats, which means it also has two district courts. The Southern District courthouse sits in DeWitt, and the Northern District operates out of Stuttgart. Divorce proceedings are filed in the district where the parties reside, so you need to know which district applies to your case before requesting records.
The Circuit Clerk's main office is located at 101 Court Square, DeWitt, AR 72042. You can reach the office by phone at (870) 946-4219, or by fax at (870) 946-4399. The email address is accoclerkmelissa@centurytel.net. Staff are generally available Monday through Friday during standard courthouse hours. When you visit or call, have the full names of the parties and an approximate year of the divorce. That speeds up the search significantly.
Because the county has two seats, if you are not sure which district handled a particular divorce case, start with the DeWitt office. Staff there can often redirect you to the Stuttgart location if the filing was in the Northern District. Bring a government-issued photo ID whenever you visit in person, whether for a search or to request copies.
You can also reach the Arkansas County resource page through the Arkansas Association of Counties, which lists contact details for all county offices including the Circuit Clerk.
Search Arkansas County Divorce Cases Online
The state of Arkansas offers free online access to circuit court case information through the CourtConnect public access portal, managed by the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts. To search for divorce cases in Arkansas County, go to CourtConnect, select Arkansas County from the county list, and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by party name or by case number if you have it.
The screenshot below shows the CourtConnect search portal, which is the main free tool for finding court case details across Arkansas.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts (625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-9400) oversees the CourtConnect system and can help if you have trouble accessing case data. CourtConnect shows case status, party names, filing dates, and hearing dates. It does not show full document images, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number to use when requesting certified copies.
Once you have the case number from CourtConnect, you can contact the Circuit Clerk directly to order certified copies of the divorce decree.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Arkansas County
There are two distinct documents people request when looking for Arkansas County divorce records, and they come from two different agencies. The divorce decree is the full court order. It contains the names of the parties, the grounds for divorce, property division, custody arrangements if children were involved, and the judge's signature. This document is filed with and held by the Arkansas County Circuit Clerk.
The divorce certificate is a shorter summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Under ACA § 20-18-305, the ADH restricts access to divorce certificates. Only direct parties to the divorce, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a documented need can get a copy from ADH. The ADH Vital Records office is at 4815 W Markham St Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: 501-661-2336 or 866-209-9482, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
If you need the full decree rather than just the certificate, go directly to the Arkansas County Circuit Clerk. That office is not subject to the same restrictions as ADH for records access, though you should expect to pay a per-page copy fee plus a certification fee. Fees can change, so confirm current rates when you call.
Note: The divorce decree and the divorce certificate are not the same document. The decree is the court order from the Circuit Clerk. The certificate is a summary from the Arkansas Department of Health. Make sure you request the right one for your purpose.
Getting Certified Copies of Arkansas County Divorce Records
You have three main ways to get certified copies of a divorce decree from the Arkansas County Circuit Clerk: in person, by mail, or online through the ADH for the certificate version.
In person is the most direct option. Go to 101 Court Square in DeWitt during courthouse hours. Bring a photo ID and the names and approximate date of the divorce. Staff will locate the file and prepare certified copies while you wait or within a short turnaround time. Pay the clerk's copy fee, which typically runs a few dollars per page plus a certification fee. Confirm the current rate when you call ahead.
By mail, write to the Circuit Clerk at 101 Court Square, DeWitt, AR 72042. Include your full name, a daytime phone number, the names of both parties, the approximate year, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Allow several weeks for processing. Call first to confirm the current fee before you send payment.
For the divorce certificate only, the ADH Vital Records office handles mail and online orders. Online orders cost $10 per copy plus a $5 processing fee and $1.85 ID verification through VitalChek. Same-day in-person service is available at the ADH Little Rock office if you arrive before 4:00 PM. Mail orders take 7 to 14 days.
Arkansas Divorce Law Basics for Arkansas County Filers
Arkansas County falls under the 1st Judicial Circuit. Divorce cases here are governed by state law, specifically the Arkansas Code Annotated. The state recognizes both fault and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are listed under ACA § 9-12-301 and include adultery, cruel treatment, and other specific causes. The no-fault route requires an 18-month separation period under ACA § 9-12-306.
There is a 60-day residency requirement. At least one party must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing. After filing, there is a 30-day minimum waiting period before the court can grant a divorce. These timelines apply statewide, including in Arkansas County. Courts cannot waive the waiting period under normal circumstances.
The county's records go back to December 15, 1818, when Arkansas County was established from original Arkansas County territory. That makes it one of the oldest counties in the state, and the Circuit Clerk holds records from that year forward. Historical divorce records, particularly those from the 19th century, may require more time to locate.
Legal Help for Arkansas County Divorce Cases
If you need help understanding the process or filling out forms, several free and low-cost resources serve Arkansas County residents.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides free legal forms and self-help guides for divorce. Key forms include the Complaint for Divorce, the Financial Affidavit, and the Child Support Worksheet. These are available online and can help you understand what is required before you file.
Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents. If you meet the income guidelines, an attorney can help you with your divorce case at no charge. Contact them early in the process. The Arkansas Bar Association (400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-375-4606) can refer you to a private family law attorney if you need full representation. Their lawyer referral service connects you with attorneys who handle cases in Arkansas County.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership website, which has divorce forms and plain-language guides for self-represented filers.
Both Legal Aid and the Legal Services Partnership can help you understand whether you qualify for free help or need to hire a private attorney.
Arkansas County Circuit Clerk and the 1st Judicial Circuit
Arkansas County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. The county's unique two-seat structure means divorce cases can be filed in either DeWitt or Stuttgart depending on where the parties live. When searching records, it helps to know which seat handled the case. The CourtConnect portal will show the district as part of the case information.
The Circuit Clerk maintains all domestic relations records, which includes divorce decrees, separation agreements, custody orders, and property settlement records. All of these documents are part of the public court record and can be accessed through the Circuit Clerk's office. Some older records may only be available in paper form and require an in-person visit to review.
The Arkansas Association of Counties maintains contact information and links for all county offices. The county image below is from their county resource page for Arkansas County.
Use that resource to confirm the most current office information before you visit or mail a records request.