Find Divorce Records in Ashley County
Ashley County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Hamburg and cover cases filed since 1848. Whether you need to look up a case online, get a certified copy of a divorce decree, or find out what options exist for obtaining a divorce certificate, this page has the key details for accessing records in Ashley County.
Ashley County Overview
Ashley County Circuit Clerk Office
The Ashley County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records in the county, including divorce cases. The office is located at 205 East Jefferson Street, Hamburg, AR 71646. Phone: (870) 853-2030. Fax: (870) 853-2082. Email: ashleycoclerk@sbcglobal.net. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
The Circuit Clerk serves as clerk for the circuit, chancery, and juvenile courts in Ashley County. This means the same office holds civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate records. When you contact the office for divorce records, be ready to provide the full names of both parties and an approximate year of filing. That information helps staff locate the right case file quickly.
Public access to court records is available during regular office hours. There is no appointment required to review records in person, but calling ahead is always a good idea. Staff can let you know if the file is available and what you will need to bring. A government-issued photo ID is standard when requesting certified copies of any court document.
The Arkansas Association of Counties Ashley County page lists current contact details for the Circuit Clerk and other county offices. Verify the address and phone before you travel, as county office information can change.
Online Search for Ashley County Divorce Cases
The free CourtConnect portal, run by the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts, lets you search Ashley County divorce cases at no cost. Go to the site, choose Ashley County from the county drop-down, and select case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by party name or by case number.
CourtConnect shows key case details: party names, filing date, case status, and hearing information. It does not show document images. What it does give you is the case number, which you need to order certified copies from the Circuit Clerk. The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts (625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-682-9400) manages the system and can assist if you run into access issues.
Ashley County records in CourtConnect go back to when the county digitized its records. Older cases, especially those from the 19th century, may only exist in paper form at the Hamburg courthouse. For those, you will need to contact the Circuit Clerk directly.
Note: CourtConnect is the official free search tool. It shows case data but not full document images. Use it to confirm a case exists and get the case number before requesting copies.
Two Types of Ashley County Divorce Records
When people ask for divorce records in Ashley County, they are usually asking for one of two things: the divorce decree or the divorce certificate. These are different documents kept by different agencies, and it matters which one you need.
The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It contains the names of both parties, the date of dissolution, grounds for divorce, any property settlement terms, and custody details if children were involved. This document is held by the Ashley County Circuit Clerk. Anyone can request a copy by contacting the clerk's office, paying the applicable copy and certification fees, and providing identification.
The divorce certificate is a summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records division. Under ACA § 20-18-305, access to divorce certificates from ADH is restricted. Only the parties named in the divorce, their immediate family, or their legal representatives can order one. The ADH office is at 4815 W Markham St Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: 501-661-2336 or 866-209-9482. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
If you need the full decree, the Ashley County Circuit Clerk is your source. If you only need proof of divorce for a legal purpose and a certificate will do, ADH handles that. Fees for both offices apply, and you should call to confirm current rates before submitting a request.
How to Get Certified Copies from Ashley County
There are a few ways to get certified copies of divorce records from Ashley County. Each method has its own steps and timeline.
In person is the fastest route. Visit the Ashley County Circuit Clerk at 205 East Jefferson Street, Hamburg, during office hours. Bring a photo ID. Give staff the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. They will pull the file and prepare certified copies. Fees are charged per page plus a certification fee. Confirm the current rate when you call or visit.
By mail, send your request to the Circuit Clerk at 205 East Jefferson Street, Hamburg, AR 71646. Include your full name, contact phone number, the names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and a check or money order for the fee. Call ahead to confirm the correct amount. Turnaround time by mail can vary.
For a divorce certificate instead of the decree, you can order online through VitalChek ($10 per copy plus a $5 processing fee and $1.85 ID verification) or in person at the ADH Little Rock office. Same-day in-person service is available if you arrive before 4:00 PM. Mail orders from ADH take 7 to 14 days.
Ashley County Divorce Filing Requirements
Divorce cases in Ashley County are filed in the Circuit Court under the 10th Judicial Circuit. State law sets the basic rules that apply to all Arkansas divorce filings, including those in Ashley County.
Arkansas requires at least one party to have lived in the state for 60 days before filing. After you file, there is a 30-day minimum waiting period before the court can grant a divorce. The court will not waive this period. The state allows both fault and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are defined in ACA § 9-12-301. No-fault divorce based on 18 months of separation is available under ACA § 9-12-306.
Ashley County was created November 30, 1848, from Drew County and Chicot County. The county is named for Chester Ashley, a U.S. Senator from Arkansas. The Circuit Clerk has maintained records from 1848 forward. Cases from the early years of the county may exist only in original paper documents at the Hamburg courthouse.
Legal Aid and Attorney Resources in Ashley County
Free and low-cost legal help is available to Ashley County residents who need assistance with divorce cases or records requests.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides free legal forms online, including the Complaint for Divorce, the Financial Affidavit, and the Child Support Worksheet. These forms apply statewide and can be used in Ashley County. The site also has plain-language guides that walk you through the filing process.
Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. If you meet the income requirements, an attorney can assist with your divorce case at no cost. Contact them early, as availability can vary. For private legal representation, the Arkansas Bar Association (400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-375-4606) provides a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with family law attorneys who practice in Ashley County and the 10th Judicial Circuit.
The screenshot below is from the Ashley County resource page on the Arkansas Association of Counties website, which lists Circuit Clerk contact information.
Use the Association of Counties page to confirm the most current office details before you send a records request or plan a visit to Hamburg.