Carroll County Divorce Records
Carroll County divorce records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Berryville, with cases filed based on which district the parties reside in. Carroll County has two county seats, Berryville for the Eastern District and Eureka Springs for the Western District, which affects where divorce cases are filed and where records are kept. This guide covers how to search Carroll County divorce records, how to obtain copies of the divorce decree, and how the ADH certificate system works for this county.
Carroll County Overview
Carroll County Circuit Clerk: Two Districts, One County
Carroll County is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two county seats. The Eastern District courthouse is in Berryville, and the Western District courthouse is in Eureka Springs. Divorce proceedings are filed in the district where the parties reside. If you are not sure which district applies to a case you are researching, start with the Berryville office. Staff there can direct you to the Eureka Springs location if needed.
The Circuit Clerk's main office is at 210 West Church Street, Berryville, AR 72616. Phone: (870) 423-2022. Fax: (870) 423-7400. Email: carrollclerk@arkansasclerks.com. When you contact the office, have both party names and an approximate year for the divorce ready. That information lets staff narrow the search to the right case file. Bring a government-issued photo ID if you are requesting certified copies in person.
The Carroll County Clerk's office in Berryville also provides marriage and divorce-related services. The Carroll County marriage and divorce records page has information about what services the County Clerk provides and how to access them. For divorce decrees specifically, the Circuit Clerk is the right office. For marriage records, the County Clerk handles those separately.
Searching Carroll County Divorce Records Online
Carroll County is part of the statewide CourtConnect public access portal. The portal is free to use. Go to CourtConnect, select Carroll County from the county list, and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations to search divorce cases. You can search by party name or by case number. Results show the names of both parties, the case number, the filing date, case status, and hearing history.
CourtConnect does not display document images. But the case number it returns is exactly what you need when contacting the Circuit Clerk to order certified copies of the divorce decree. The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts (625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-682-9400) operates CourtConnect and can assist with portal access questions.
The image below shows the Carroll County court records search page, which provides supplemental access to case information beyond what CourtConnect offers.
The Carroll County court records search is another tool to use when you need to confirm a case or find details not shown in the state portal.
Carroll County Divorce Records: Decree vs. Certificate
Two documents can serve as evidence of a divorce in Carroll County. They come from different agencies and carry different levels of detail. Knowing which one you need before making a request will save you time and frustration.
The divorce decree is the complete court order. It is held by the Carroll County Circuit Clerk in Berryville or Eureka Springs depending on the district. The decree has both party names, case number, the date the divorce was granted, legal grounds, and any property or custody terms. Divorce decrees are public records in Arkansas under ACA § 25-19-105. Anyone can request a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk, not just the parties involved.
The divorce certificate is a different story. The certificate is a brief summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records division. Under ACA § 20-18-305, ADH does not release divorce certificates to the general public. Only the named parties, their immediate family, or their legal representatives can request this document from ADH. The ADH does not issue the full divorce decree and cannot substitute for the Circuit Clerk when someone needs the complete court order.
To get a copy of the full divorce decree for Carroll County, contact the Circuit Clerk at (870) 423-2022 or visit the Berryville courthouse. For the certificate, if you qualify, contact ADH 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.
Note: The full divorce decree is available from the Carroll County Circuit Clerk and is not restricted to the parties. The ADH divorce certificate is a separate document and is access-restricted under state law. For most legal purposes, the certified copy of the decree from the clerk's office is the better document to request.
How to Get Certified Copies from Carroll County
Certified copies of Carroll County divorce records can be obtained in person, by mail, or through ADH for the certificate version.
In person at the Berryville courthouse is the fastest option. Go to the Circuit Clerk at 210 West Church Street, Berryville. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties. Staff will locate the file, prepare copies, and collect the applicable fees. Call (870) 423-2022 beforehand to confirm current copy fees and that the record is available.
By mail, send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 210 West Church Street, Berryville, AR 72616. 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 get the correct fee amount. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits.
For the ADH divorce certificate, online orders go through VitalChek. The cost is $10 per copy plus a $5 processing fee and $1.85 ID verification. In-person orders at the ADH Little Rock office are processed same-day if you arrive before 4:00 PM. Mail orders from ADH take 7 to 14 days.
Divorce Law in Carroll County
Carroll County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers northwest Arkansas. Divorce filings in Carroll County follow the same Arkansas state law rules that apply everywhere in the state. At least one party must have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days before filing. After the petition is filed, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can grant the divorce.
Arkansas recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Fault grounds are set out in ACA § 9-12-301. No-fault divorce based on 18 months of separation is authorized by ACA § 9-12-306. Carroll County was established from what was originally Washington County territory, and the county has been part of the 19th Circuit as northwest Arkansas courts have developed. Cases in both the Eastern District and the Western District follow the same procedural rules, with the two courthouses serving different parts of the county geographically.
The image below is from the Carroll County marriage and divorce records page on the county website, which covers what the County Clerk office provides related to marriage and divorce records.
The county website page explains which office handles which records, and is a useful first stop when figuring out where to send your request.
Legal Resources for Carroll County
Carroll County residents who need legal help with a divorce case or records request have access to free and low-cost services.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides free downloadable forms for Arkansas divorce filings. You can get the Complaint for Divorce, the Financial Affidavit, and the Child Support Worksheet from their site. These forms work for Carroll County filings in either the Eastern or Western District. Their guides also explain the step-by-step process in plain language.
Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. If you meet the income guidelines, they can assist with your divorce case at no cost. Contact them early in your case to check eligibility. For private representation in Carroll County, the Arkansas Bar Association (400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-375-4606) offers a lawyer referral service covering the 19th Judicial Circuit.