Lafayette County Divorce Records Lookup
Lafayette County divorce records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Lewisville, Arkansas, and have been on file since the county was established in 1827. This page covers how to search Lafayette County divorce cases online through the free CourtConnect portal, how to request certified copies of a divorce decree from the courthouse, and how to order a short-form divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health for administrative purposes.
Lafayette County Overview
Lafayette County Circuit Clerk in Lewisville
The Lafayette County Circuit Clerk keeps all court records for the county, including divorce case files. The office is at 2 Courthouse Square, Lewisville, AR 71845. Phone: (870) 921-4872. Fax: (870) 921-4874. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can assist with case lookups, certified copy requests, and questions about what records are available and how to get them.
Lafayette County was created October 15, 1827 from Hempstead County. It was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, the French military officer who assisted the American cause during the Revolutionary War. Court records go back to 1827, though the oldest paper files may take extra time to locate. When requesting a record, provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. That helps staff find the right case without a lot of back-and-forth. Bring a photo ID if you visit the clerk's office in person.
The image below is from the Lafayette County page at the Arkansas Association of Counties, which lists current contact information for the Circuit Clerk and other county offices.
The Lafayette County listing at the Arkansas Association of Counties has up-to-date contact details. Check there before calling or visiting Lewisville to make sure the information is current.
Search Lafayette County Divorce Cases Online
The state's free public access portal, CourtConnect, covers Lafayette County circuit court records. Go to the portal, select Lafayette County from the county list, and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. Search by party name or case number. No account is required.
CourtConnect returns basic case data: 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 document images. If you find the case you need, write down the case number and then contact the Circuit Clerk to request a certified copy of the divorce decree. Having that number ready makes the process faster at the clerk's office.
If the search does not return what you expect, try different name spellings or expand the date range. Cases from several decades ago may not be fully digitized. In those situations, a phone call or written request to the clerk is the most direct way to locate the file.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts manages CourtConnect. They are at 625 Marshall Street, Suite 1100, Little Rock, and can be reached at (501) 682-9400 if you have technical issues or questions about search results.
Divorce Certificate vs. Decree: Lafayette County
Two different documents can confirm a divorce in Lafayette County. They serve different purposes, so it helps to know which one fits your situation before making a request.
The divorce decree is the full court order. It includes the judge's signature, the case number, the grounds for divorce, any property and custody terms, and the date the divorce was granted. The Lafayette County Circuit Clerk keeps this document, and certified copies are available to any member of the public. Call (870) 921-4872 to ask about current copy fees and how to submit a request in person or by mail. The decree is what you need for legal proceedings, estate matters, or any situation where the specific terms of the divorce are at stake.
The divorce certificate is a short summary. It lists the names, the date, and the county. The Arkansas Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for $10 per copy (non-refundable). To order, call ADH at (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 year, and the county where the divorce was granted. You can also order through VitalChek, the authorized third-party vendor, though additional processing fees apply on top of the $10 base rate.
For most routine purposes like updating a Social Security record or proving marital status, the ADH certificate is sufficient. For legal proceedings that require the full divorce order, request the decree from the Circuit Clerk in Lewisville.
Arkansas Divorce Law Essentials
Lafayette County courts follow the same state divorce law as every other Arkansas county. No local ordinances change the rules for filing or finalizing a divorce.
Arkansas Code § 9-12-301 lists the acceptable grounds for divorce in the state. These include general indignities, adultery, habitual drunkenness, and felony conviction, among several others. One party must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing. A divorce will not be finalized until at least 30 days after the petition is filed. These requirements appear in § 9-12-306. Access to vital records like the divorce certificate is governed by § 20-18-305. Court records fall under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act at § 25-19-105, which makes them publicly accessible with limited exceptions.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has plain-language guides on every stage of the divorce process. These are free to read online and are written for people without legal training. They are a good place to start before you meet with an attorney.
Legal Aid and Help for Lafayette County Residents
If cost is a barrier to getting legal help, start with Legal Aid of Arkansas. They handle civil cases including divorce for income-qualifying residents at no charge. Call early, as their intake process takes time and available slots fill up. Even if they cannot take your case, they can often point you in the right direction.
Free self-help materials on divorce are available through the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership. Their website has guides on filing, court hearings, and what to expect after a divorce is finalized. The guides are available any time at no cost.
If you want to find a private attorney, the Arkansas Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. Search by county and select family law. Many attorneys in southwest Arkansas offer a reduced-fee or free first consultation.
The image below shows the VitalChek ordering page for Arkansas vital records, which is one option for ordering a certified divorce certificate from ADH.
Visit VitalChek to order a certified Arkansas divorce certificate online. The $10 state fee applies, plus VitalChek's additional service charges.