Conway County Divorce Records
Conway County divorce records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Morrilton, the county seat of Conway County, and date back to 1825 when the county was established. This page explains how to search Conway County divorce records, get certified copies, use online tools, and find legal help in the area.
Conway County Overview
Conway County Circuit Clerk — Morrilton, AR
The Conway County Circuit Clerk is located at 117 S. Moose Street, Morrilton, AR 72110. The main phone number is (501) 354-9611, and the fax is (501) 354-9614. You can email the office at conwaycircuitclerk@sbcglobal.net. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard courthouse hours. When you contact the clerk, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. That information helps staff locate the case without delay.
Conway County was created on October 20, 1825 from Pulaski County. It was named for Henry Wharton Conway, who served as a territorial delegate to Congress. The county seat is Morrilton. The Circuit Clerk has maintained divorce and other court records since 1825. The office participates in the Arkansas CourtConnect system, meaning recent cases should be searchable online. For older cases that were not digitized, an in-person or written request to the Morrilton courthouse is the way to go.
Note: This page covers Conway County, which has its county seat in Morrilton. The city of Conway is in Faulkner County and is a separate jurisdiction. If you are looking for records from the city of Conway, see Faulkner County.
The Arkansas Association of Counties page for Conway County lists current contact and county information. The screenshot below shows that listing.
Check this page to verify the most current mailing address and phone number before you send a records request.
Searching Conway County Divorce Records Online
Arkansas operates a free statewide case search tool called CourtConnect, managed by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts. To search Conway County divorce cases, go to CourtConnect, select "Conway County" from the county list, and set the case type to "14 - Domestic Relations." Results include case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status. Because the Conway County office participates in the CourtConnect system, recent filings are generally available online.
The Arkansas Court Records portal also provides a search interface for Conway County court filings. The screenshot below shows that portal.
Neither tool covers records from before electronic filing began. For older cases, contact the Circuit Clerk directly at (501) 354-9611 or email conwaycircuitclerk@sbcglobal.net. Staff can search physical docket books going back to 1825.
Getting Certified Copies of Conway County Divorce Records
Two types of documents are commonly requested when someone needs proof of a divorce. They come from different agencies and serve different purposes. It is important to know which one you need before you send a request.
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It includes all the terms: property division, custody, support, and any other rulings. The decree is the controlling document for most legal purposes. Certified copies of decrees are held by the Conway County Circuit Clerk in Morrilton. To get one, visit the clerk's office at 117 S. Moose Street or mail a written request. Include both parties' names, the case number if available, and the year of the divorce. Call (501) 354-9611 to ask about current per-page copy fees and certification fees before you send payment.
A divorce certificate is a short summary document issued by the state. It confirms the divorce happened and lists the names and date, but does not include the terms of the case. Certificates are issued by 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 processing typically takes 7 to 14 business days. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, these certificates are available only to the named parties, legal representatives, and those with a direct and tangible interest in the record.
For faster service, you can order through VitalChek. VitalChek charges $10 for the certificate, plus a $5 service fee and a $1.85 processing fee. Online orders generally process faster than mailed requests to ADH.
Divorce Law in Conway County
Conway County divorce filings go into the Circuit Court under the 5th Judicial Circuit, Domestic Relations division. Arkansas allows both fault-based and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are listed under Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-301 and include adultery, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and conviction of a felony. No-fault divorce requires continuous separation for 18 months under ACA 9-12-306. That is a long waiting period compared to many states, and the separation must be uninterrupted.
To file in Conway County, at least one party must have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days before the petition is filed. Once the court grants the divorce, the clerk notifies the Arkansas Department of Health, which enters it into the statewide vital records database. That is how the ADH divorce certificate record is created. It is a separate record from the court file and the decree.
Conway County divorce records are public under ACA 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Some records involving minor children may have restricted portions. If you have questions about whether a specific file is accessible, ask the clerk before traveling to Morrilton.
Legal Help for Conway County Residents
Residents of Conway County who need free legal help can contact Legal Aid of Arkansas. They assist income-eligible clients with divorce filings, custody matters, and other family law issues. Call to verify eligibility for central Arkansas residents. The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides a free online guide to divorce and separation, including forms and step-by-step explanations. It is a useful resource if you want to understand the process before speaking with an attorney.
For paid attorney referrals, the Arkansas Bar Association can be reached at (501) 375-4606. They run a lawyer referral service and can point you to a family law attorney familiar with Conway County and the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Conway County vs. the City of Conway
This is a common point of confusion. Conway County and the city of Conway are two different things in two different locations. Conway County has its seat in Morrilton. The city of Conway is located in Faulkner County, about 25 miles away. If you are looking for divorce records from the city of Conway, you need to contact the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk, not the Conway County Circuit Clerk.
This distinction matters when you use online search tools as well. When you select "Conway County" in CourtConnect or other case search systems, you will see cases filed in the Morrilton courthouse, not in the city of Conway. Always verify which county handled the divorce before you submit a request or run a search. The clerk's office can confirm this if you give them the names and year.