Bradley County Divorce Records Lookup
Bradley County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Warren and go back to the county's formation in 1840. If you need to search for a divorce case, get a certified copy of a divorce decree, or find out what options exist for obtaining records through the state, this page has the specific details for Bradley County.
Bradley County Overview
Bradley County Circuit Clerk Office in Warren
The Bradley County Circuit Clerk maintains all court records for the county, including divorce cases dating back to 1840. The office is at 101 East Cedar Street, Warren, AR 71671. Phone: (870) 226-2272. Fax: (870) 226-8404. Email: bradleyclerk@arkansasclerks.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
When you contact the office, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce ready. Staff can search the records by party name or case number and locate the correct file. If you want to request certified copies, bring a government-issued photo ID. Staff will let you know what fees apply at the time of your visit.
Bradley County was created December 18, 1840, from Union County and Drew County. The county is named for Hugh Bradley, a soldier in the War of 1812. The Circuit Clerk has maintained records since the county's founding in 1840. That is nearly 185 years of court records. Very old cases, particularly those from the 19th century, may only be available in original paper form and will take more time to locate.
The Bradley County page on the Arkansas Association of Counties website provides current contact information for the Circuit Clerk and other county offices. Verify details there before traveling to Warren or mailing a request.
Online Search Options for Bradley County Cases
Bradley County is included in the statewide CourtConnect public access portal, which is free to use. At CourtConnect, select Bradley County and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations to search for divorce filings. You can search by party name or by case number. The system returns basic case data: party names, filing date, case status, and event history. Document images are not available through CourtConnect.
Getting the case number from CourtConnect is a useful first step. Once you have it, you can contact the Circuit Clerk directly to order certified copies. The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts (625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-682-9400) runs CourtConnect and can help if you have questions about how to use the portal.
Not all older Bradley County records may appear in CourtConnect. The system reflects digitized records, and cases from the 19th and early 20th centuries may not be in the database. For those, the Circuit Clerk's office in Warren is the only option.
What Records Are Available: Decree and Certificate
Two types of divorce documents are commonly requested for Bradley County cases, and they come from two different agencies. The divorce decree is the complete court order. It has the names of both parties, the case number, the grounds for divorce, the date the divorce was granted, and any terms covering property, support, or child custody. The Bradley County Circuit Clerk holds this record. It is a public court record, and anyone can request a certified copy.
The divorce certificate is a separate, shorter document from the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records division. Under ACA § 20-18-305, the ADH cannot release divorce certificates to the general public. Access is limited to the parties named in the divorce, their immediate family members, and their legal representatives. 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.
Most people looking for proof of a divorce in Bradley County should start with the Circuit Clerk's office in Warren. The decree is a full public record, and the clerk's staff can help you locate it by name or case number.
Note: The divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk and the divorce certificate from ADH are two different documents. The decree has more detail and is not access-restricted. The certificate is restricted to parties, family, and legal reps under state law.
Getting Copies of Bradley County Divorce Decrees
There are a few ways to get a certified copy of a Bradley County divorce decree. The method you choose will depend on how quickly you need it and whether you can travel to Warren.
In person is the fastest way. Go to the Circuit Clerk at 101 East Cedar Street, Warren, during office hours. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties. Staff will find the file and prepare copies. There is a per-page fee plus a certification fee. Call ahead at (870) 226-2272 to confirm current rates before your visit.
By mail, write to the Circuit Clerk at 101 East Cedar Street, Warren, AR 71671. Include your name, a daytime phone number, the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a check or money order for the copy fees. Call to confirm the correct fee amount before mailing. Processing by mail takes longer than in-person requests.
For a divorce certificate from ADH, online orders go through VitalChek at $10 per copy plus a $5 processing fee and $1.85 ID verification. In-person orders at the ADH Little Rock office are processed the same day if you arrive before 4:00 PM. Mail orders from ADH take 7 to 14 days. Remember that only qualifying individuals can order from ADH under the access restrictions at ACA § 20-18-305.
Divorce Filing Rules for Bradley County
Bradley County divorce cases are filed in the Circuit Court under the 10th Judicial Circuit. Arkansas requires at least one party to be a state resident for 60 days before filing. A 30-day waiting period applies after the petition is filed, and the court cannot grant a divorce until that period has passed.
Both fault and no-fault divorce are available in Arkansas. Fault grounds are in ACA § 9-12-301. No-fault divorce based on 18 months of separation is authorized by ACA § 9-12-306. Divorce decrees are public records under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, ACA § 25-19-105. That means any person can request and obtain a copy of a divorce decree from the Bradley County Circuit Clerk, not just the parties involved.
Legal Aid Resources for Bradley County
Several free and low-cost resources are available to Bradley County residents who need legal help with a divorce or records request.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides free downloadable divorce forms for Arkansas, including the Complaint for Divorce, the Financial Affidavit, and the Child Support Worksheet. These forms work for cases filed in Bradley County. The site also explains the divorce process in plain language, which is helpful if you are handling the case without an attorney.
Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free legal help to low-income residents who qualify. If your income meets their guidelines, an attorney can assist with your divorce case at no cost. The Arkansas Bar Association (400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-375-4606) runs a lawyer referral service that covers the 10th Judicial Circuit. They can connect you with family law attorneys who handle Bradley County cases.
The image below is from the Bradley County page on the Arkansas Association of Counties website, the best source for current county office contact information.
Check the Association of Counties page to confirm the most current phone and address details before contacting the Circuit Clerk in Warren.