Find Garland County Divorce Records
Garland County divorce records are filed with the Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse in Hot Springs, and the county has participated in the statewide CourtConnect system since the late 1990s. Whether you need to look up a case online, get a certified copy of a decree, or understand the fees involved, this page covers the key steps for searching records in the 18th Judicial Circuit.
Garland County Overview
Garland County Circuit Clerk Office
The Garland County Circuit Clerk handles all court filings in the 18th Judicial Circuit, including domestic relations cases. Circuit Clerk Kristie Womble Hughes runs the office at 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 204, Hot Springs, AR 71901. You can reach the office by phone at (501) 622-3600 or (501) 622-3630. The fax number is (501) 609-9043, and the email address is kristie@garlandcounty.org. You can also find current contact details on the Garland County Circuit Clerk page.
To request a divorce record, you can visit Room 204 in person or send a written request by mail. If you write in, include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, the case number if you have it, a copy of your photo ID, and the required search fee of $5.00 per name searched. Certified copies run $10.00 per document. The office typically processes requests within three to five business days. Call or email ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before sending payment.
Marriage records are held by a different office. If you need marriage records, those are in Room 103 at the same address, handled by the County Clerk. Marriage record copies cost $1.00 each, or $5.00 for a certified copy.
The Garland County courthouse is in downtown Hot Springs, near Hot Springs National Park. Parking is available nearby, but the area can be busy during tourist season. Plan to arrive early if you are visiting in person.
Search Garland County Divorce Cases Online
Garland County participates in the state's free case search system. You can use the CourtConnect public access portal to look up divorce cases filed in Garland County without going to the courthouse. Select Garland County from the county list and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations. Search by party name or case number.
For divorces finalized after 1997, CourtConnect is the fastest way to confirm a case and get the case number. The system shows party names, filing dates, case status, and court events. It does not show the full text of the decree or other filed documents, but it gives you what you need to order copies from the Circuit Clerk.
The image below shows the CourtConnect search interface. It is the main free tool the state provides for looking up circuit court filings, including divorce cases in Garland County.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts (625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-682-9400) manages the CourtConnect system. Contact them if you run into problems with the portal or cannot find a case you expect to be there.
You can also browse Garland County court record summaries at the Garland County court records page on Arkansas Court Records, which aggregates publicly available case information.
Divorce Records at the Garland County Courthouse
Garland County divorce records go back to 1873, when the county was created from Saline County. Court records and divorce filings from county formation are on file with the Circuit Clerk. The clerk's office holds the original divorce decrees, any amendments, custody modifications, and related pleadings.
The divorce decree is the primary document most people need. It contains the court order ending the marriage, the judge's signature, the names of both parties, property division terms, and custody arrangements if children were involved. This document is a public record. Anyone can request a copy from the Circuit Clerk, though you must pay the copy fee and show identification.
A separate document called the divorce certificate is issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. That certificate is a short summary, not the full court order. Access to ADH certificates is restricted under state law to direct parties, family members, and people with a documented legal need. If you need the full decree, the Garland County Circuit Clerk is the right office.
The screenshot below is from a Garland County divorce records resource page, which provides additional guidance on accessing records through the county.
Use the clerk's office directly for official certified copies rather than relying on third-party sites for documents that need to hold up in legal proceedings.
Garland County Divorce Record Fees and Processing
The Garland County Circuit Clerk charges $5.00 per name for a records search. Certified copy fees are $10.00 per document. These fees are set by state law and apply to domestic relations records including divorce decrees. Call (501) 622-3600 or email kristie@garlandcounty.org before you visit or mail a request to confirm those rates have not changed.
Processing takes about three to five business days for most requests. Older records that exist only in paper form may take longer if staff need to locate and pull physical files. When you request a record, give as much detail as you can. Full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it all help reduce the time it takes to find the right file.
For the ADH divorce certificate, the fee is $10 per copy. You can order by phone at 866-209-9482 or online through VitalChek. VitalChek adds a processing fee and an identity verification charge on top of the base copy cost.
Note: The $5 search fee and $10 certified copy fee are for the Circuit Clerk's office. The ADH divorce certificate fee is separate and goes through a different agency. Do not send payment to the wrong office.
Garland County Divorce Laws and the 18th Circuit
Garland County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases filed here follow Arkansas state law. The state allows both fault and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are set out in ACA § 9-12-301 and cover adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment, habitual drunkenness, and several other causes. The no-fault route requires an 18-month period of separation under ACA § 9-12-306.
At least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing. After filing, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can grant a final divorce. Courts cannot waive this waiting period. Cases that involve children, significant property, or disputes over custody typically take longer than the minimum timeline.
Garland County's records date back to 1873. The County Clerk holds marriage records from 1874, and the Circuit Clerk has divorce and other court records from the year the county was formed. You can also view an overview of Garland County court record resources at the Arkansas Court Records site for Garland County.
The image below is from that court records resource page, showing the types of case information available for Garland County.
For official documents and certified copies, always go to the Circuit Clerk or ADH directly rather than relying on aggregated summaries.
Legal Help for Garland County Divorce Cases
Several free and low-cost resources are available if you are filing for divorce in Garland County or need help understanding the process.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides free self-help guides and downloadable court forms. You can find the Complaint for Divorce, the Financial Affidavit, and other required forms on their site. The guides walk you through what each form does and what information courts require.
Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free legal assistance to residents who meet income guidelines. If you qualify, an attorney can help with your divorce case at no charge. For those who do not qualify for free help, the Arkansas Bar Association (501-375-4606) runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with family law attorneys who practice in Garland County and the 18th Circuit.
The image below shows the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership website, which is a good starting point for self-help forms and guides before you visit the courthouse.
If you are not sure whether you qualify for free legal help, contact Legal Aid of Arkansas directly. They screen applicants by income and case type.