Chicot County Divorce Records
Chicot County divorce records are among the oldest in Arkansas, maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Lake Village since the county was formed in 1823. This guide explains how to search Chicot County divorce records, get certified copies, use online tools, and find legal help if you need it.
Chicot County Overview
Chicot County Circuit Clerk Office
The Chicot County Circuit Clerk is located at 108 Main Street, Lake Village, AR 71653. The main phone number is (870) 265-8010, and the fax is (870) 245-8006. You can also reach the office by email at chicotclerk@arkansasclerks.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk does not keep late hours, so plan your visit or call during business hours to avoid a wasted trip.
Chicot County is the oldest county in Arkansas, created on October 25, 1823 from Arkansas County. The county takes its name from Point Chicot, a feature along the Mississippi River. Because of this long history, the Circuit Clerk holds divorce records stretching back nearly 200 years. That makes the Chicot County record set one of the most historically complete collections in the state. If you are researching older cases, the clerk's office is the primary place to start. Staff can help you locate case numbers and verify what documents are on file.
When you contact the office, it helps to have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. The more detail you can give, the faster staff can locate your record. Walk-in requests are accepted during normal business hours.
The official county page for Chicot County is available through Arkansas Association of Counties, which lists contact details and basic county information. The screenshot below shows the county listing page.
This page is a good reference for confirming the current address and phone number before you visit.
Search Chicot County Divorce Records Online
Arkansas provides a free statewide case search tool called CourtConnect, run by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts. To search Chicot County divorce cases, go to CourtConnect and select "Chicot County" from the county dropdown. Then set the case type to "14 - Domestic Relations." That filter will bring up divorce filings. Results include the case number, party names, filing date, and case status.
One thing to keep in mind: CourtConnect does not always include older records. Cases filed before the county began uploading records electronically may not appear in the search results. If you cannot find a case online, contact the Circuit Clerk directly. The clerk can check physical files and court dockets that predate the electronic system. For historical research, in-person visits to the Lake Village courthouse are often necessary.
The screenshot below shows the CourtConnect search portal for Arkansas courts.
CourtConnect is free to use and does not require an account to run basic searches.
Getting Certified Copies of Divorce Records
There are two types of documents most people need: a divorce decree and a divorce certificate. They come from different agencies. Knowing which one you need saves time.
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It contains the terms of the divorce, including any property division, custody arrangements, and other rulings. Decrees are kept by the Chicot County Circuit Clerk. To get a certified copy, you can visit the clerk's office in person or send a written request by mail. Include the case number if you have it, the names of both parties, and the year the divorce was granted. Mail requests should be sent to 108 Main Street, Lake Village, AR 71653. Fees vary based on the number of pages. The clerk can tell you the exact cost when you call.
A divorce certificate is a short summary document that confirms a divorce happened. It does not include the terms of the case. The Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records issues divorce certificates for divorces granted in Arkansas. The ADH office is located at 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. You can call them at (501) 661-2336 or toll-free at (866) 209-9482. The fee is $10 per copy, and processing typically takes 7 to 14 business days. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, access to divorce certificates through ADH is limited to the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, and others with a direct and tangible interest.
You can also order divorce certificates through VitalChek, the official third-party ordering service for Arkansas vital records. VitalChek charges $10 for the certificate, a $5 service fee, and a $1.85 processing fee. Orders placed online are generally faster than mailing a request to ADH directly.
Arkansas Divorce Laws That Apply in Chicot County
Chicot County divorce cases are governed by the same Arkansas statutes that apply statewide. Filing begins in the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations division. Both fault-based and no-fault grounds are allowed under Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-301. Fault grounds include things like adultery, cruelty, and conviction of a felony. No-fault divorce requires showing an 18-month separation period under ACA 9-12-306. That is one of the longer waiting periods in the country, so it's worth knowing before you plan your timeline.
For a divorce to be filed in Chicot County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing. Residency is established in the county where the filing party lives. After the divorce is granted, the clerk sends a notice to the Arkansas Department of Health, which records the event as a vital statistic. This is how the state maintains its centralized divorce record system separate from the court file.
Court records in Arkansas are generally considered public records under ACA 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Most divorce filings are accessible to anyone who requests them. However, records involving minor children may have certain portions sealed or restricted. If you are unsure whether a record is open, ask the clerk before traveling to the courthouse.
Legal Help in Chicot County
If you need help with a divorce case in Chicot County, several resources are available at low or no cost. The Legal Aid of Arkansas serves low-income residents across the state. They can help with divorce filings, custody matters, and other family law issues. Call ahead to confirm service areas and eligibility requirements.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership also provides online guidance on divorce and separation. Their site explains the process step by step and lists forms you can use. It is a good first stop if you want to understand what to expect before speaking with an attorney.
For attorney referrals, the Arkansas Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service at (501) 375-4606. They can connect you with a family law attorney in the southeast Arkansas area who handles Chicot County cases.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas Legal Services resource page for divorce and separation guidance.
These resources can help you understand your rights before you file or before you request records.
What Chicot County Divorce Records Contain
A full divorce case file in Chicot County can include several documents. The original petition for divorce is usually the first filing. After that, the file may include the respondent's answer, financial affidavits, temporary orders, and any agreements on custody or property. The final document is the divorce decree, which the judge signs to close the case.
Not every file will have all of these documents. Simple cases with no disputes may have just a few pages. Cases involving property, debts, or children tend to be longer. When you request a copy, you can ask for the full file or just the decree. The clerk can tell you the per-page copy fee, which is separate from the certification fee.
Chicot County records go back to 1823. That gives this county one of the deepest historical records in Arkansas. For genealogy research or older cases, the clerk's office can help you navigate older filing systems that predate electronic records. Some very old records may need extra time to locate.