Calhoun County Divorce Records
Calhoun County divorce records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Hampton and date back to the county's formation in 1850. This page covers how to search for divorce cases in Calhoun County, how to get a certified copy of a divorce decree, what makes the county certificate different from what you get from the Circuit Clerk, and where to find free legal help in the area.
Calhoun County Overview
Calhoun County Circuit Clerk in Hampton
The Calhoun County Circuit Clerk is located at 309 West Main Street, Hampton, AR 71744. The mailing address is PO Box 1175, Hampton, AR 71744. Phone: (870) 798-2515. Fax: (870) 798-2428. Email: hogskinholidays@hotmail.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Calhoun is a smaller, rural county, and the clerk's office staff are generally helpful when you call or come in. They can locate divorce case files by party name or case number. If you are not sure of the exact case number, giving staff both party names and the approximate year is usually enough to find the right record. The office provides certified copies with proper identification and payment of applicable fees.
Calhoun County was created December 6, 1850, from Bradley, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties. It was named for John C. Calhoun, the seventh Vice President of the United States. The Circuit Clerk has maintained records from 1850 forward. Very old records from the 19th century may only exist in paper form and can take more time to locate. If you are researching a historical record, let the staff know when you call so they can give you a realistic timeframe.
The Calhoun County page on the Arkansas Association of Counties website lists current contact information for the Circuit Clerk and other county offices. Check it before traveling to Hampton or mailing a request.
Searching Calhoun County Divorce Cases Online
Calhoun County is included in the statewide CourtConnect public access portal. CourtConnect is free to use. Go to the site, select Calhoun County from the county list, and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by party name or by case number. The portal returns basic case data: the names of the parties, the case number, the filing date, case status, and any scheduled hearing dates.
CourtConnect does not display document images. However, it will confirm whether a case exists and give you the case number, which is the main piece of information you need when contacting the Circuit Clerk to order certified copies. If you cannot find a case in CourtConnect, it may predate the county's digitization of records, in which case the Hampton courthouse is the only option.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts (625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-682-9400) maintains CourtConnect. Contact them if you have technical problems with the portal or questions about the search results.
Calhoun County Divorce Records: Decree and Certificate
When someone asks for a divorce record in Calhoun County, they are usually looking for one of two documents. These documents come from two different places and serve different purposes. Knowing which one you need before you make a request saves time.
The divorce decree is the full court order issued by the Circuit Court. It includes the names of both parties, the case number, the date the divorce was granted, the legal grounds used, and any terms regarding property division or child custody. The Calhoun County Circuit Clerk holds this document. Divorce decrees are public court records in Arkansas. Under the state Freedom of Information Act, ACA § 25-19-105, any member of the public can request a certified copy. You do not have to be a party to the case.
The divorce certificate is a shorter summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records division. This document is restricted. Under ACA § 20-18-305, ADH can only release divorce certificates to the named parties, their immediate family, or 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.
For most purposes, the Circuit Clerk is the right place to start. The decree has more detail, is not access-restricted, and the Hampton office staff can assist you directly.
Note: Do not confuse the divorce decree with the divorce certificate. The decree is from the Calhoun County Circuit Clerk in Hampton. The certificate is from the Arkansas Department of Health. Only qualifying individuals can get the certificate from ADH. The decree is open to the public.
How to Get Certified Copies in Calhoun County
You can get certified copies of Calhoun County divorce records in person, by mail, or through ADH for the certificate version. Each method has different steps and timeframes.
In person is the most direct approach. Go to the Circuit Clerk at 309 West Main Street, Hampton, during office hours. Bring a photo ID. Tell staff the names of both parties and the approximate year. They will find the file and prepare certified copies. Fees cover a per-page charge plus a certification fee. Call (870) 798-2515 before your visit to confirm the current rates and that the record is available.
By mail, send your written request to PO Box 1175, Hampton, AR 71744. Include your full name, a daytime phone number, the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a check or money order for the fees. Call first to confirm the correct fee. Mail requests take longer to process than in-person requests.
For the ADH divorce certificate, 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 receive same-day service if you arrive before 4:00 PM. Mail orders take 7 to 14 days.
Arkansas Divorce Law and Calhoun County Court
Calhoun County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases in the county follow Arkansas state law. The state requires at least one party to have been a resident of Arkansas for 60 days before filing a divorce petition. After filing, there is a 30-day minimum waiting period before the court can grant the divorce. Courts across Arkansas, including those in Calhoun County, cannot waive this waiting period under normal circumstances.
Arkansas allows both fault and no-fault divorce. Fault-based grounds are listed in ACA § 9-12-301. A no-fault divorce based on 18 months of separation is available under ACA § 9-12-306. The no-fault route is the most common in current filings. Either way, the divorce decree becomes a public court record once the case is closed.
Legal Help for Calhoun County Residents
Free legal resources are available for Calhoun County residents dealing with divorce or records access.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership offers free legal forms and plain-language guides for divorce cases statewide. You can download the Complaint for Divorce, the Financial Affidavit, and the Child Support Worksheet directly from their website. These forms are valid for filings in Calhoun County.
Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents. Contact them to find out if you are eligible for free help with your divorce case. For private representation in Calhoun County, 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 10th Circuit. A referral through the Bar Association is a good way to find someone familiar with courts in the Calhoun County area.
The image below shows the Calhoun County page from the Arkansas Association of Counties site, which is the most reliable source for current office contact details in Hampton.
Verify the phone number and address on that page before you contact the Circuit Clerk or plan a visit to Hampton.