Access Benton County Divorce Records
Benton County divorce records can be searched online through CourtConnect and a county subscription portal, or requested in person at the Circuit Clerk office in Bentonville. This page covers everything you need to know about finding and obtaining divorce records in Benton County, including unique features like the county's online records archive and details about where divorces granted before and after 1950 are stored.
Benton County Overview
Benton County Circuit Clerk: Where to Start
The Benton County Circuit Clerk is located at 102 NE A Street, Bentonville, AR 72712. The main clerk phone number for general court inquiries is (479) 271-1015, and (479) 271-1016 is used for court dockets. Fax: (479) 271-1019. For archived records specifically, you can email archives@bentoncountyar.gov. The Recorder's Office, which handles recorded documents, is at 215 East Central, Room 202, Bentonville, AR 72712, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The county also has a separate County Clerk office for marriage records at 215 East Central Avenue, Bentonville, AR 72712, (479) 271-1013. If you are remarrying and need proof of a prior divorce, you will need a certified copy of the divorce decree. Benton County requires a certified copy of the divorce decree as part of the marriage license application process. The marriage license fee is $60.00 cash (exact change) or $62.80 by credit or debit card.
When you contact the Circuit Clerk for divorce records, have the full names of both parties and the year of the divorce ready. For divorces from before 1950, the county itself holds the records. For divorces from after 1950, records may also be available through the Arkansas Department of Health. The Circuit Clerk's office is your best starting point regardless of the year.
Online Access to Benton County Divorce Records
Benton County offers more online access options than most Arkansas counties. The state's free CourtConnect portal lets you search circuit court cases by party name or case number. Select Benton County from the drop-down and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations to find divorce filings. CourtConnect shows case status, party names, filing dates, and hearing records. It does not display document images.
Beyond CourtConnect, Benton County maintains an online subscription portal for recorded documents. Public records index data is available from May 3, 1945 to the present, and document images are available from January 31, 1933 to the present. The Benton County Circuit Clerk search records page provides details on how to access the subscription service.
The image below shows the Benton County Circuit Clerk public records access page, where you can learn about online access options and subscription services.
This page covers what records are available online, what requires an in-person visit, and how to set up access to the full document image archive.
The Benton County court records search is another resource that can help you find case information. The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts (625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-682-9400) manages the statewide CourtConnect system.
Benton County's Split Archive: Before and After 1950
One thing unique to Benton County is how its divorce records are divided by year. Divorces issued before 1950 are located at the county and must be requested through the Benton County Circuit Clerk. Divorces issued after 1950 can be found through the county or through the Arkansas Department of Health.
This split matters if you are looking for an older divorce. Records from the 19th and early 20th centuries are held only in Bentonville. The courthouse experienced a fire in 1865 that destroyed many early records, so records from that era may be incomplete or missing entirely. The Circuit Clerk has Court Records from 1837 and Land Records from 1837 as well, suggesting some records survived the fire or were reconstructed over time.
For post-1950 divorces, you have more flexibility. You can contact the Circuit Clerk directly, use the online subscription portal for document images from 1933 forward, or request the divorce certificate through the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office. Keep in mind that ADH certificates are restricted under ACA § 20-18-305 to direct parties, family, or legal representatives.
The image below shows the Benton County online records search interface, which provides document image access for records going back to 1933.
Use the subscription portal for post-1933 records when you want to review a document image before ordering a certified copy.
Types of Benton County Divorce Documents
Like all Arkansas counties, Benton County has two main types of divorce documents: the divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk and the divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health.
The divorce decree is the full court order. It is a public record held by the Benton County Circuit Clerk. It includes names, case number, grounds for divorce, date of dissolution, and any terms covering property, support, or custody. Anyone can request a certified copy by contacting the clerk's office, presenting ID, and paying the applicable fees. Call ahead to confirm current copy and certification rates.
The divorce certificate is issued by the ADH Vital Records division and is a much shorter document. Under ACA § 20-18-305, access is restricted. Only the named parties, close family, or legal reps can obtain one from ADH. The ADH office is at 4815 W Markham St Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: 501-661-2336 or 866-209-9482. Online orders through VitalChek cost $10 per copy plus a $5 processing fee and $1.85 ID verification. Same-day in-person service is available if you arrive at the ADH Little Rock office before 4:00 PM.
Note: If you are applying for a marriage license in Benton County after a prior divorce, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. A certificate alone may not satisfy the county clerk's requirement. Confirm what is needed with the County Clerk office at (479) 271-1013.
Filing Divorce in Benton County
Benton County divorce cases are heard in the Circuit Court under the 19th Judicial Circuit. Arkansas law requires at least one party to have been a state resident for 60 days before filing. After the petition is filed, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can grant a divorce.
Arkansas allows both fault and no-fault divorces. Fault grounds are listed in ACA § 9-12-301. The no-fault option under ACA § 9-12-306 requires an 18-month separation period. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, at ACA § 25-19-105, makes divorce decrees public records. That means anyone can request a copy, not just the parties involved. The ADH certificate is the exception since it carries its own access restriction.
Legal Resources for Benton County Divorce Cases
Benton County residents have access to several legal aid and self-help resources for divorce cases.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides free forms and guides for divorce filings across the state. Key forms include the Complaint for Divorce, the Financial Affidavit, and the Child Support Worksheet. The site also explains residency and procedural requirements in plain language.
Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free legal help to qualifying low-income residents throughout the state, including Benton County. Contact them early in your case. For private representation in a Benton County divorce, the Arkansas Bar Association (400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-375-4606) can refer you to family law attorneys who handle cases in the 19th Circuit.