Izard County Divorce Records Search
Izard County divorce records are held by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Melbourne, Arkansas, and have been maintained since the county was established in 1825. This page explains where to search Izard County divorce cases online, how to request certified copies, the difference between a divorce certificate and a full divorce decree, and what local and state resources are available to help you through the process.
Izard County Overview
Izard County Circuit Clerk Office
The Izard County Circuit Clerk keeps all court filings for the county, including divorce cases. The office is at 1 Court Square, Melbourne, AR 72556. Phone: (870) 368-4310. Fax: (870) 368-7822. Staff can help you request copies of divorce decrees, look up a case number, or explain what documents are on file.
Izard County was created October 27, 1825 from Independence County, making it one of the older counties in the state. It was named for George Izard, the second Governor of the Arkansas Territory. Records run from 1825 to the present, though the oldest files may exist only in original paper form and could take staff extra time to locate. If you plan to visit, bring the names of both parties and an approximate date so the clerk can narrow the search quickly. Bring a photo ID. Calling ahead is a good idea, especially if you need records from the 1800s.
The Izard County page at the Arkansas Association of Counties has current contact details for county offices, including the Circuit Clerk. Use it to confirm hours or look up additional staff contact information before you travel to Melbourne.
The image below is from the county records directory that lists Izard County court offices and contact information.
Check the listing above for the most current hours. The clerk's office is the starting point for any request involving actual court documents from an Izard County divorce case.
Search Izard County Divorce Cases Online
Arkansas provides a free public search tool called CourtConnect. You can use it to look up Izard County divorce cases without visiting the courthouse. Select Izard County from the dropdown, then choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. Search by party name or case number.
CourtConnect shows the names of both parties, the case number, the filing date, the current status, and a log of court events. It does not show scanned images of the actual documents. For a certified copy of the divorce decree, you will need to contact the Circuit Clerk directly using the case number you find in CourtConnect. That number helps the office pull the physical file.
If CourtConnect does not return the result you expect, try different name spellings or a broader date range. Older cases may not appear in the online system at all. In those situations, a direct call or letter to the clerk's office is the better path.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts manages CourtConnect and can help if you have technical problems or questions about what a result means. Their office is at 625 Marshall Street, Suite 1100, Little Rock, and can be reached at (501) 682-9400.
Divorce Certificate vs. Divorce Decree in Izard County
There are two separate documents that prove a divorce happened in Izard County. Most people need one or the other depending on the purpose, so it helps to understand the difference before you make a request.
The divorce certificate is a short summary document. It lists the names of both parties, the date the divorce was granted, and the county where it was filed. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issues certified divorce certificates for divorces that occurred in Arkansas. The fee is $10 per copy, and you can reach ADH at (866) 209-9482. You can also order through VitalChek, the authorized third-party vendor, though their service adds processing and verification fees on top of the $10 base rate. The ADH mailing address for vital records requests is: Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 W Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. This document works well for things like updating a Social Security record or proving marital status.
The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It includes the case number, grounds for divorce, property division terms, custody orders if children were involved, and all other conditions. The Izard County Circuit Clerk holds this document. It is a public record, and certified copies are available to anyone who requests them. The clerk's office can tell you the current copy fee when you call. This document is often needed for estate matters, legal name changes, or any situation where the full terms of the divorce matter.
Arkansas Divorce Laws That Apply in Izard County
Divorce in Arkansas is governed by state law, so the same basic rules apply in Izard County as in every other county. A few key statutes are worth knowing.
Arkansas Code Annotated § 9-12-301 sets out the grounds for divorce in the state. These include things like general indignities, adultery, habitual drunkenness, and felony conviction, among others. One spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing, and the divorce cannot be finalized until at least 30 days after it is filed. These waiting and residency rules come from § 9-12-306. The statute governing who can access vital records like the divorce certificate is found at § 20-18-305, which sets out eligibility requirements. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, found at § 25-19-105, covers access to court records more broadly and generally treats them as public records unless a specific exception applies.
For plain-language help with divorce law, the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has guides on separation, divorce, and annulment written for people without legal training. The site is free to use.
Legal Help and Other Resources
If you need help with a divorce case in Izard County and cannot afford an attorney, there are a few resources worth knowing. The Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to people with low income. They handle family law matters including divorce. Eligibility is based on income, and not every case can be taken, but the organization is a good first call.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership offers self-help guides online at no cost. These are useful even if you do not qualify for full legal aid. They explain the process step by step in clear language.
If you want to find a licensed attorney in the area, the Arkansas Bar Association has a lawyer referral directory on its website. You can search by county or practice area. Many family law attorneys offer a free or low-cost first consultation.
The state also publishes divorce-related forms and procedural guides through the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts. These can help you understand what to expect at each stage of the process, even if you have a lawyer handling your case.
Vital Records and State-Level Divorce Records
The Arkansas Department of Health holds divorce records going back to 1923 for the entire state. These are summary records, not full court files. They are useful for genealogy research, legal name changes, or confirming a prior divorce when applying for a marriage license.
To order a certified divorce certificate from ADH, call (866) 209-9482 or mail a request to Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 W Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the county where it was granted. The fee is $10 per copy and is non-refundable. You can also order through VitalChek if you prefer an online process, though extra service fees apply.
The image below shows the CourtConnect public access portal, which is the primary online search tool for Izard County divorce cases in the circuit court system.
Use CourtConnect to look up case numbers before contacting the clerk, as it saves time for both you and the office staff.