Access Cleburne County Divorce Records
Cleburne County divorce records are split between two agencies depending on when the divorce was granted, which makes knowing where to look especially important before you start your search. This page explains how to find Cleburne County divorce records, get certified copies, search online, and understand the pre-1950 versus post-1950 records division.
Cleburne County Overview
Cleburne County Circuit Clerk Office
The Cleburne County Circuit Clerk is located at 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543. The main phone is (501) 362-8149, and the fax is (501) 362-4622. The email address is dguffey@shuddenlinkmail.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Circuit Clerk serves as clerk of the circuit court, chancery court, and juvenile court. The clerk also acts as the ex-officio recorder for the county, which means land records, court filings, and other official documents all flow through this office.
Cleburne County was created on February 20, 1883 from parts of Van Buren, White, and Independence Counties. It was named for Patrick Cleburne, a Confederate general who was born in Ireland and died in the Battle of Franklin in 1864. The Circuit Clerk has maintained court records including land records and divorce records since 1883. When you contact the office, have both parties' names and the year of the divorce ready. That basic information lets staff narrow the search quickly.
The county listing through the Arkansas Association of Counties provides current contact details. The screenshot below shows that page.
Verify contact information here before mailing a records request or making a trip to the courthouse.
Pre-1950 vs. Post-1950 Divorce Records
This is the most important thing to know about Cleburne County divorce records. Where the record is held depends on when the divorce was granted.
Divorces issued prior to 1950 are located at the Cleburne County Circuit Clerk's office in Heber Springs. If you need a record from before 1950, contact the clerk directly at (501) 362-8149 or visit the courthouse at 301 West Main Street. These older records are part of the court's equity files and are not available online. You will need to visit or mail a request. Give the clerk as much detail as you have, including approximate year and full names. Older records sometimes require more time to locate.
Divorces issued after 1950 can also be found through the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records, which began tracking statewide divorce data more systematically from 1950 onward. The ADH 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 certificate copy. Processing takes 7 to 14 business days.
Note: Divorces before 1950 are held at the Cleburne County Circuit Clerk in Heber Springs. Divorces from 1950 onward can also be requested through the Arkansas Department of Health. Always confirm which office has your record before submitting a fee.
Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, divorce certificates from ADH are restricted to the named parties, their legal representatives, and those with a direct and tangible interest in the record.
Online Search Tools for Cleburne County Divorce Cases
Arkansas provides a free statewide case search tool called CourtConnect, managed by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts. To look up Cleburne County divorce cases, go to CourtConnect, select "Cleburne County" from the county dropdown, and set the case type to "14 - Domestic Relations." The search returns case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status for cases in the electronic system.
You can also search through Arkansas Court Records, which indexes Cleburne County court filings and provides a separate search interface. This can help if you want to cross-check a result or search by a different field. The screenshot below shows the court records search portal.
Both tools are useful for recent cases. Older records that were never digitized will not appear in online searches. For those, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk directly.
Getting Certified Copies in Cleburne County
A divorce decree and a divorce certificate are two different documents. The decree is the full court order from the judge. It lists the terms of the divorce, including any property division, custody arrangements, and other rulings. The Circuit Clerk in Heber Springs keeps certified copies of decrees. To request one, visit the clerk's office or mail a written request to 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543. Include the case number if you have it, both parties' names, and the year of the divorce. The clerk can quote you the current per-page and certification fees when you call.
A divorce certificate is the brief summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. It confirms the divorce happened and gives the names and date, but does not include the terms. For divorces after 1950, you can order one directly from ADH or through VitalChek. VitalChek charges $10 for the certificate plus a $5 service fee and a $1.85 processing fee. Online orders through VitalChek are often faster than mailing a request to ADH.
Divorce Law and Filing in Cleburne County
Divorce cases in Cleburne County are filed in the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations division. Arkansas recognizes both fault and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are listed under Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-301 and include adultery, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and felony conviction. No-fault divorce requires demonstrating an 18-month continuous separation under ACA 9-12-306. This separation requirement is longer than most states, so it affects how long a no-fault case takes from start to finish.
To file in Cleburne County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before the petition is filed. Once the divorce is granted, the clerk notifies the Arkansas Department of Health to add the event to the statewide vital records database. Most court files are public records under ACA 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, though records involving minor children may have sealed portions. Ask the clerk if you have questions about access to a specific file.
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal services to income-eligible residents in Cleburne County. They assist with divorce filings, custody matters, and other family law issues. Call to confirm eligibility before scheduling. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has an online guide to divorce and separation that explains the filing process and lists forms you can download. It is a useful resource if you are not sure what steps to take or what documents to prepare.
For paid attorney referrals, the Arkansas Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (501) 375-4606. They can connect you with a family law attorney who handles cases in Cleburne County and the surrounding area.