Access Drew County Divorce Records
Drew County divorce records go back to 1846 and are held by the Circuit Clerk in Monticello, Arkansas. If you need to locate a specific divorce case, order a certified copy of a final decree, or find out what vital records the Arkansas Department of Health has on file, this guide covers all the options for Drew County divorce records, from the clerk's office address and phone number to online search tools and legal resources.
Drew County Overview
Drew County Circuit Clerk in Monticello
The Drew County Circuit Clerk's office at 210 S Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655 maintains all divorce records filed in this county. Phone is (870) 460-6250 and fax is (870) 460-6200. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Monticello is the county seat and the site of the Circuit Court for Drew County. When you contact the office, have the full names of both parties and a general idea of when the divorce was filed. That basic information is enough for staff to start a search.
Drew County was created on November 26, 1846, from portions of Bradley, Desha, and Chicot Counties. The clerk's records run from 1846 to the present. For cases filed in the 1800s or early 1900s, physical records are likely the only source. Call ahead before visiting if you are researching older records, so staff can prepare and give you a realistic expectation of what the search involves.
Monticello is home to the University of Arkansas at Monticello and is the main service city in the county. The courthouse on S Main Street is the hub for all civil and criminal court business. Parking is available in the area. Plan to arrive early in the day if you need both a records search and copies made in the same visit.
Contact details for the Drew County Circuit Clerk are also listed on the Drew County page at the Arkansas Association of Counties. That site is a reliable source for current phone numbers and addresses for all county offices.
The image below shows the Drew County entry from the Arkansas Association of Counties website, which includes current Circuit Clerk contact information.
Check there to confirm hours and contact details before making the drive to Monticello.
Drew County Divorce Records Online
The CourtConnect public access portal is the primary free tool for searching Drew County circuit court records online. It is maintained by the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts. To find a divorce case, open the portal, select Drew County, and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can enter either party's name or a case number. The system returns case status, party names, filing dates, and any scheduled hearings. Document images are not provided, but you get the case number, which is what you need to order certified copies from the clerk in Monticello.
Older cases that predate the online system may not appear in CourtConnect results. If you cannot find what you are looking for, call the Circuit Clerk at (870) 460-6250. Staff can check the paper index for cases filed before the electronic system was in place. That is especially relevant for cases from the 1970s and earlier.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 625 Marshall Street Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201 (phone: 501-682-9400) manages CourtConnect. If you have trouble using the portal, their office can assist. CourtConnect is free, requires no login, and works on any standard browser.
Divorce Decree or Certificate: Drew County Records
Two documents get requested when people look for Drew County divorce records. Each serves a different purpose, and they come from different places.
The divorce decree is the actual court order. The judge signs it to legally end the marriage. It contains every term of the divorce: property division, who takes on what debts, custody and visitation for children, child support amounts, and any alimony. This document is with the Drew County Circuit Clerk in Monticello. You need the decree if you are trying to prove the specific terms of a divorce settlement, enforce a court order, or deal with division of a pension or retirement account. A certified copy from the Circuit Clerk is the legally valid document for those purposes. The clerk charges per-page copy fees plus a certification fee. Ask about current rates when you call.
The divorce certificate is a short summary form from the Arkansas Department of Health. Under ACA § 20-18-305, ADH restricts access to direct parties, close family members, legal representatives, and those with a clear legal need. To request a certificate, contact ADH Vital Records at 4815 W Markham Street Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: 501-661-2336 or toll-free 866-209-9482, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Fee is $10 per copy. You can also order through VitalChek online.
The certificate only confirms the divorce occurred and lists basic facts. It does not include settlement terms. Make sure you know which one you need before placing any request.
Arkansas Law and Drew County Divorce Cases
Drew County divorce proceedings follow Arkansas state law. Under ACA § 9-12-301, Arkansas allows divorce on both no-fault and fault-based grounds. The no-fault route requires 18 months of separation. Fault grounds listed in the statute include adultery, willful abandonment, and others. The residency requirement under ACA § 9-12-306 is 60 days in the state before filing.
All divorce cases in Drew County go through the Circuit Court. The clerk assigns a case number at the time of filing. Once the judge signs the final decree and it is entered into the record, it becomes part of the permanent public record. Court records are accessible under ACA § 25-19-105, Arkansas's Freedom of Information Act. Most divorce records are public documents. Parts involving minor children may be sealed by court order. The clerk can confirm whether a specific record has any sealed portions.
Legal Help Available in Drew County
If you are navigating a divorce in Drew County and need guidance, several resources offer help at little or no cost.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has a free online guide covering divorce, separation, and annulment under Arkansas law. It explains each step in plain language, from filing to final decree. The site is a solid first stop for anyone who wants to understand the process before consulting an attorney.
Legal Aid of Arkansas assists low-income residents who need direct legal help. Cases involving children, domestic violence, or complex finances are the kinds Legal Aid is set up to handle. They serve clients across southeastern Arkansas, including Drew County.
The Arkansas Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for residents seeking private legal representation. You can find family law attorneys serving the Monticello area through the Bar Association's directory. Initial consultations are typically affordable.
How to Request Drew County Divorce Records
In person is the most reliable approach. Visit 210 S Main Street in Monticello on a weekday during business hours. Bring a photo ID and whatever case details you have. Staff can search the index and produce copies while you wait. Ask about the per-page copy fee and certification cost before anything is printed so you know the total.
By mail works if visiting Monticello is not feasible. Write to the Drew County Circuit Clerk at 210 S Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655. Include the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Add your return address and a check or money order for the estimated fees. Call or fax (870) 460-6200 ahead of time to confirm current fees. Allow one to two weeks for mail requests to be processed and returned.
For an ADH divorce certificate, contact the Vital Records office directly or order through VitalChek. VitalChek provides expedited processing for an added charge if you need the certificate on a tighter timeline.