Clay County Divorce Records Search
Clay County divorce records are filed through the Circuit Clerk and maintained across two district courthouse locations in northeast Arkansas. This page explains how to find Clay County divorce records, request certified copies from the right office, use online tools, and access legal resources if you need help.
Clay County Overview
Clay County Circuit Clerk Offices
Clay County is one of a small number of Arkansas counties with two county seats, which means divorce cases are filed in one of two district courthouses depending on where the parties live. The main Circuit Clerk office is located at 151 South Second Avenue, Piggott, AR 72454. The phone number is (870) 598-2674, and the fax is (870) 598-2813. You can reach the office by email at clay123@centurytel.net. For cases filed in the Western District, the Corning courthouse handles filings. When you contact the clerk, it helps to specify which district your case is in. If you are not sure, tell the clerk the city where both parties lived at the time of the divorce. Staff can point you to the right location.
Clay County was created on March 24, 1873, carved out of Greene County and Randolph County. It was named for John M. Clay, who served as a state representative. Court records have been maintained since 1873, giving the county over 150 years of divorce filings. When calling or writing to request records, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. That cuts down on search time significantly.
The Arkansas Association of Counties page for Clay County lists current contact details and district information. The screenshot below shows that county listing.
Check this page to confirm current phone numbers or mailing addresses before you submit a records request.
Searching Clay County Divorce Records Online
The state's free online case search system, CourtConnect, allows you to search Clay County divorce cases without visiting the courthouse. Go to CourtConnect, select "Clay County" from the county list, and choose case type "14 - Domestic Relations" to filter for divorce cases. Results include the case number, party names, filing date, and case status. This is the fastest way to find a case number before you request a certified copy.
CourtConnect covers cases that have been entered into the statewide electronic system. Older cases, especially those from the 1800s or early 1900s, may not be in the system at all. If a case does not appear online, the next step is to call the clerk's office in Piggott or Corning. Staff can search physical docket books and court files that were never digitized. In-person visits are sometimes the only way to locate historical records.
The screenshot below shows the CourtConnect public access portal for Arkansas courts.
CourtConnect is free to use. No account or login is needed for basic case searches.
Getting Copies of Clay County Divorce Records
Before you request a copy, decide whether you need a divorce decree or a divorce certificate. They are different documents from different agencies.
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It details the terms of the divorce, including any rulings on property, custody, and support. Decrees are kept by the Clay County Circuit Clerk. You can request a copy in person at either district courthouse or by mailing a written request to 151 South Second Avenue, Piggott, AR 72454. Include the case number if available, the full names of both parties, and the year of the divorce. The clerk charges a per-page fee for copies plus a fee for certification. Call the office to get the current rates before you send payment.
A divorce certificate is a brief summary document maintained by the state, not the county. Certificates confirm that a divorce happened and list the names, dates, and county, but they do not include the terms. The Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records issues these certificates. Their office is at 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. You can call them at (501) 661-2336 or (866) 209-9482. The fee is $10 per copy. Most orders take 7 to 14 business days. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, these certificates are restricted to the named parties, legal representatives, and people with a direct interest in the record.
You can order a certificate faster through VitalChek. The cost is $10 for the certificate plus a $5 service fee and a $1.85 processing fee. Online orders through VitalChek are generally processed faster than mailed requests to ADH.
Arkansas Divorce Law and Clay County Filings
Divorce cases in Clay County are filed in the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations division. The case goes to whichever district courthouse covers the area where the petitioner lives. Arkansas allows both fault and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are defined under Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-301 and include adultery, cruelty, and felony conviction. No-fault divorce requires proving an 18-month continuous separation under ACA 9-12-306. That is a long waiting period compared to many other states.
At least one party must have been an Arkansas resident for a minimum of 60 days before filing. Once a divorce is granted, the Circuit Clerk sends notice to the Arkansas Department of Health, which enters the event into the statewide vital records system. That is how the ADH divorce certificate record is created, separate from the court file.
Divorce records in Clay County are public records under ACA 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Most filings are available to any member of the public who requests them. Records that involve minor children may have sealed or restricted portions. Ask the clerk if you are unsure about access to a specific file.
Legal Help for Clay County Residents
People in Clay County who need legal assistance with a divorce case can reach out to several low-cost resources. Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal services to income-eligible residents and can help with divorce filings and family law matters. Call their office to check eligibility requirements for northeast Arkansas residents.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has an online guide to divorce and separation that explains the process, lists court forms, and describes your rights under Arkansas law. It is a good starting point if you are not sure what steps to take.
For private attorney referrals, the Arkansas Bar Association can be reached at (501) 375-4606. They operate a lawyer referral service and can connect you with a family law attorney familiar with Clay County proceedings.
Two Districts, One County
Clay County's two-district structure is worth understanding before you request records. Cases filed in the Western District are handled at the Corning courthouse, while Eastern District cases go to the Piggott courthouse. The district is based on where the petitioner lives. If you are not sure which district handled a case, give the clerk's office the city of residence for the parties at the time of the divorce. Staff can verify which courthouse has the file.
This split can create confusion if you go to the wrong courthouse. It also means that some record databases may show cases from both districts together while others might separate them. When using CourtConnect, Clay County results should include cases from both districts, but it is worth confirming with the clerk if a case you expect to find does not show up in the search results.
Clay County divorce records go back to 1873. Requests for very old records may need additional time, especially if the files have not been scanned. The clerk's office can let you know what to expect when you make your request.