Search Cleveland County Divorce Records
Cleveland County divorce records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Rison and date back to 1873 when the county was formed. This page covers how to find Cleveland County divorce records, get certified copies, use the online case search, and access legal help when you need it.
Cleveland County Overview
Cleveland County Circuit Clerk Office
The Cleveland County Circuit Clerk is located at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. The main phone number is (870) 325-6521. No fax or public email address has been confirmed for this office, so calling ahead is strongly recommended before you visit or mail a records request. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call to confirm the exact hours before your visit.
Cleveland County was created on April 17, 1873 from parts of Bradley, Dallas, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties. It was originally called Dorsey County and renamed in 1885 to honor Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. The Circuit Clerk has maintained divorce records since the county's formation in 1873. Records are available for public inspection during regular office hours. When you call or write, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce ready. That will help staff search more quickly.
The Cleveland County page through the Arkansas Association of Counties provides current county contact information. The screenshot below shows that listing.
Check this page to verify current contact details before submitting your records request.
Note: No fax or email address was confirmed for the Cleveland County Circuit Clerk. Call (870) 325-6521 to confirm office hours and request procedures before visiting or mailing any documents.
Searching Cleveland County Divorce Cases Online
The state provides a free online search tool called CourtConnect, operated by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts. To search Cleveland County divorce records, go to CourtConnect, select "Cleveland County" from the county dropdown, and choose case type "14 - Domestic Relations." The results show case numbers, party names, filing dates, and current case status. This tool works well for recent cases that have been entered into the statewide electronic system.
CourtConnect does not include all historical records. Cases filed before the county began using the electronic system may not appear in the online results. If you do not find a case online, the Circuit Clerk in Rison is the next place to look. Staff can search paper records and older docket books. For very old cases, an in-person or written request to the clerk may be the only way to confirm whether a record exists.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas CourtConnect public access portal.
CourtConnect is free and does not require an account to run basic case searches.
Certified Copies of Cleveland County Divorce Records
If you need a certified copy of a divorce record from Cleveland County, you have a few options depending on what type of document you need and when the divorce was granted.
A divorce decree is the full court order that ended the marriage. It contains the judge's rulings on property, custody, debt, and other terms. Decrees are held by the Cleveland County Circuit Clerk in Rison. You can request a certified copy by visiting the courthouse at 20 Magnolia Street or by mailing a written request to the same address. Include the full names of both parties, the case number if available, and the year of the divorce. Call the office first at (870) 325-6521 to ask about current per-page and certification fees. Since no fax or email was confirmed, phone and mail are the main ways to communicate with this office.
A divorce certificate is a short summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, not the county. It confirms the divorce happened and lists the names and date, but does not include the terms of the case. You can order one from the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records at 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call them at (501) 661-2336 or (866) 209-9482. The fee is $10 per copy, and most orders process in 7 to 14 business days. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, these certificates are restricted to the named parties, legal representatives, and those with a direct and tangible interest.
You can also order through VitalChek, which processes orders faster. VitalChek charges $10 for the certificate plus a $5 service fee and a $1.85 processing fee.
Divorce Law in Cleveland County
All Cleveland County divorce cases are filed in the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations division. Arkansas allows 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, among others. No-fault divorce requires proving an 18-month continuous separation under ACA 9-12-306. That 18-month period is one of the longer separation requirements in the country and affects how long a no-fault case takes.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Arkansas for 60 days before filing. The case is filed in the county where the petitioner lives, which is Cleveland County if that is where the petitioner resides. After the divorce is granted, the Circuit Clerk reports the event to the Arkansas Department of Health, which records it as a statewide vital statistic.
Most Cleveland County divorce records are public under ACA 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Files involving minor children may have restricted portions. Contact the clerk if you have questions about access to a specific record.
Legal Resources for Cleveland County
Legal Aid of Arkansas serves low-income residents across the state and can help with divorce filings and related family law matters. Call to confirm eligibility and schedule a consultation. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides a free online guide to divorce and separation, including court forms and step-by-step explanations of the process. It is a useful first step before hiring an attorney.
For attorney referrals, the Arkansas Bar Association can be reached at (501) 375-4606. They run a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney familiar with south Arkansas courts, including those in Cleveland County.
What Cleveland County Divorce Files Contain
A typical divorce case file at the Cleveland County Circuit Clerk may include the original petition for divorce, the respondent's answer, financial disclosures, temporary orders, and the final decree. Simple uncontested cases often have just a few documents. Cases involving property, children, or contested terms are longer and more detailed.
You can ask for the full file or just the final decree when you make your request. The clerk will tell you what is available and how much certified copies cost per page. Cleveland County records go back to 1873. Older files may need additional time to locate, especially if they have not been scanned into any digital system.