Search Faulkner County Divorce Records
Faulkner County divorce records date back to 1873 and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Conway, Arkansas. This guide covers how to search for divorce cases using the free CourtConnect online portal, how to get certified copies of a divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk, how to order a divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health, and what the difference is between those two documents. You will also find information on fees, public computer access in Conway, and legal resources for county residents.
Faulkner County Overview
Faulkner County Circuit Clerk Office in Conway
The Faulkner County Circuit Clerk is at 801 Locust Street, Conway, AR 72034. Phone is (501) 450-4909 and fax is (501) 450-4958. The clerk's office holds all divorce records filed in Faulkner County since 1873. Office hours are standard weekday courthouse hours. The office also serves as the ex-officio county recorder, so it handles a wide range of public records beyond just divorce cases.
Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County and one of Arkansas's larger cities. The courthouse is easy to find on Locust Street near the center of town. Parking is available nearby. When you visit, bring a government-issued photo ID. Have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce ready. That information gets the search started quickly.
One thing worth knowing: records filed before January 1, 2009, may not be available through the CourtConnect online portal. Older cases may exist only in the physical record system at the clerk's office. If you are looking for a case from before 2009, call the clerk directly rather than assuming the online search will turn up results. Staff can tell you right away whether the record you need is in the electronic or paper system.
Free public access terminals are available at the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk's office itself. You can use these to search CourtConnect at no cost. There is no fee for searching or viewing records on those terminals. Printing and certified copies do have fees, which you should confirm at the counter.
The official Faulkner County Circuit Clerk page has current contact details, department information, and other resources. That is the most reliable source for up-to-date office hours and any fee schedules the county publishes online.
Additional information for searching divorce records in Faulkner County can be found at the Faulkner County divorce records guide, which covers the process in detail.
The screenshot below shows the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk divorce records resource page, which walks through the search process and options for getting copies.
That page is a good starting reference before you contact the clerk or visit in person.
Free Public Access to Faulkner County Divorce Cases
The CourtConnect portal, maintained by the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts, is the free public search tool for Faulkner County circuit court records. To search for a divorce case, open CourtConnect, select Faulkner County from the county dropdown, and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by the name of either party or by case number. The portal returns case status, filing dates, party names, and court hearing information. Document images are not available through CourtConnect, but the case number you find there is what you take to the Circuit Clerk to request certified copies.
Keep in mind the 2009 cutoff mentioned above. Cases filed before January 1, 2009, may not show up in CourtConnect results. If you need an older case, the clerk's physical records are your only option.
Beyond the clerk's office, the Faulkner County Library at 1900 Tyler Street, Conway, AR 72032 provides free public computer access. You can use those computers to search CourtConnect and other online resources at no cost. This is useful if you do not have home internet access or prefer a library setting for your research.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 625 Marshall Street Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201 (phone: 501-682-9400) operates the CourtConnect system. Contact them if you run into problems accessing the portal or have questions about the data it contains.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Faulkner County
This is one of the most common points of confusion when people search for Faulkner County divorce records. There are two distinct documents, they serve different purposes, and they come from two different agencies. Getting the wrong one wastes time and money.
The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the Circuit Court judge. It is the legal document that ends the marriage and sets out all the terms. The decree specifies how property is divided, who is responsible for which debts, custody arrangements and visitation schedules if children are involved, child support amounts, and alimony if any was awarded. This document is filed with and held by the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk at 801 Locust Street in Conway. If you need to prove the specific terms of a divorce settlement, enforce a court order, or complete a legal process tied to the divorce, the decree is the document you need. A certified copy of the decree from the Circuit Clerk is a legally valid document you can use in court, with banks, with employers processing a name change, and with government agencies.
The divorce decree also matters for a specific financial instrument called a qualified domestic relations order, or QDRO. If the divorce involved splitting a pension, 401(k), or other retirement account, a QDRO is required to actually transfer those funds. The Circuit Clerk can confirm whether a QDRO was filed in a particular case, but drafting a new QDRO or modifying one requires legal assistance. The decree is the starting document for that process, not the certificate.
The divorce certificate is a short abstract form issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. It confirms that a divorce occurred and lists the parties' names, the date, and the county where it was filed. That is about all it contains. Under ACA § 20-18-305, ADH restricts access to these certificates. Only direct parties to the divorce, immediate family members, authorized legal representatives, or those with a documented legal need can obtain one from ADH. The certificate does not include settlement terms, custody details, or property division. It is useful for confirming that a divorce happened but cannot substitute for the decree in most legal and financial contexts.
To order a divorce certificate from ADH, contact the Vital Records office 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. The fee is $10 for the first copy and $8 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can also order through VitalChek online, which offers expedited processing for an added fee.
Still not sure which document fits your need? Call the agency, court, or institution you plan to submit the document to and ask which form they accept. That one question eliminates guesswork entirely.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas Court Records page explaining divorce records including the distinction between decree and certificate documents in Arkansas.
That page is a useful reference if you want a plain-language breakdown before contacting the clerk or ADH.
Arkansas Law Governing Faulkner County Divorce
All divorce cases in Faulkner County are governed by Arkansas state law. Under ACA § 9-12-301, Arkansas allows both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. No-fault divorce requires 18 months of legal separation. Fault grounds include adultery, willful abandonment, and others listed in the statute. The residency requirement under ACA § 9-12-306 is 60 days of Arkansas residency before filing.
Cases are filed in the Circuit Court's domestic relations division. The clerk assigns a case number at filing and tracks the case from the initial petition through any hearings to the final decree. Once the judge signs the decree and the clerk enters it, the case is closed and the decree becomes a permanent public record. Access to court records is established under ACA § 25-19-105, Arkansas's Freedom of Information Act. Most divorce records are accessible to the public. Portions involving minor children may be sealed by the judge's order. Ask the clerk about the status of any specific record before assuming full access.
The circuit court also handles any post-decree matters, such as modifications to custody or child support, enforcement actions, and related proceedings. All of those subsequent filings are also public records held by the Circuit Clerk under the same original case number.
Fees and Copy Costs in Faulkner County
Searching records using the public access terminals at the clerk's office is free. Viewing case information on CourtConnect is also free. Printing and certified copies are where fees apply.
The certification fee is $10.00 per document for certified copies of court records from the Circuit Clerk. Per-page copy fees apply on top of that. The clerk's office can tell you the exact current rates when you call or visit. Do not assume the rates listed on any website are current. Fees can change, and asking directly is the only way to get accurate figures.
For ADH divorce certificates, the fee is $10.00 for the first copy and $8.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. If you need multiple copies, ordering them together saves money compared to ordering separately. VitalChek adds a service fee for online orders, so weigh that against the convenience of ordering from home versus calling ADH directly.
Legal Resources for Faulkner County Residents
Several organizations provide legal help to people dealing with divorce in Faulkner County.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has a free online guide to divorce, separation, and annulment in Arkansas. It walks through the process step by step in plain language, covering forms, service of process, hearings, and final decrees. It is worth reading before you decide whether to hire an attorney or proceed on your own.
Legal Aid of Arkansas offers direct legal assistance to income-qualifying residents. Cases involving custody disputes, domestic violence, or significant assets are the types they handle. Their offices serve clients across central Arkansas, and Faulkner County is within their service area.
For private legal representation, the Arkansas Bar Association lawyer referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in the Conway area. Many attorneys offer a low-cost initial consultation that helps you understand what you are dealing with before committing to full representation.
Getting Copies of Faulkner County Divorce Records
In person at 801 Locust Street in Conway is the most direct method. Go during weekday hours, bring a photo ID, and have case details ready. For most cases filed after 2009, staff can search the electronic system and make copies quickly. For older records, staff may need more time to locate the physical file.
By mail is an option if visiting Conway is not practical. Write to the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk at 801 Locust Street, Conway, AR 72034. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a return mailing address. Enclose a check or money order for the estimated fees. Call (501) 450-4909 or fax (501) 450-4958 to confirm current rates before mailing your request.
For ADH divorce certificates, use the contact details above or order through VitalChek. Standard mail processing through ADH can take several weeks. Expedited options through VitalChek are available for an additional fee.