Access Lincoln County Divorce Records
Lincoln County divorce records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Star City, Arkansas, and have been part of the public record since the county was established in 1871. This page explains how to search Lincoln County divorce cases online through CourtConnect, how to get a certified copy of a divorce decree from the courthouse, and how to request a short-form divorce certificate through the Arkansas Department of Health for routine administrative needs.
Lincoln County Overview
Lincoln County Circuit Clerk in Star City
The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk maintains all court records for the county, including divorce cases. The office is at 300 S Drew Street, Star City, AR 71667. Phone: (870) 628-5114. Fax: (870) 628-5931. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's staff can help with case lookups, certified copy requests, and questions about available records.
Lincoln County was created March 28, 1871 from parts of Arkansas, Cleveland, Drew, Jefferson, and Prairie Counties. It was named for Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Star City is the county seat. Records run from 1871 to the present. Older files may exist in paper form only and can take extra time to locate. When you reach out to the office, provide the full names of both parties and an approximate year. That helps staff narrow the search quickly. A photo ID is required if you pick up copies in person. Written requests by mail are also an option; ask about that process and fees when you call.
The image below is from the Lincoln County listing at the Arkansas Association of Counties, which includes current contact information for the Circuit Clerk and other county offices.
The Lincoln County page at the Arkansas Association of Counties has current office contacts and hours. Check there before visiting Star City to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
Search Lincoln County Divorce Records Online
Arkansas runs a free statewide case search portal called CourtConnect. It covers Lincoln County circuit court cases. Go to the site, choose Lincoln County from the county dropdown, and select case type 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by party name or case number, and no login is needed.
CourtConnect shows both party names, the case number, the filing date, case status, and a log of court events. Document images are not available through the portal. Once you find a case and have the case number, contact the Circuit Clerk to request a certified copy of the divorce decree. That number makes the process faster at the clerk's office, whether you call, write, or visit in person.
Older cases may not show up in CourtConnect. Records from the early 1900s or before are less likely to be in the digital database. For those, a direct written request to the clerk is the right approach. Include both party names and an approximate year, and staff will do their best to locate the file.
If you have trouble using CourtConnect or questions about a result, the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts can help. They are at 625 Marshall Street, Suite 1100, Little Rock, and can be reached at (501) 682-9400.
Getting Lincoln County Divorce Documents
Two different documents can prove a divorce occurred in Lincoln County. Each one comes from a different source, and each serves a different purpose.
The divorce decree is the full court order. It contains the judge's signature, the case number, the grounds for the divorce, all terms the court ordered, and the date the divorce was granted. The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk holds the original on file. Certified copies are available to any member of the public. Call (870) 628-5114 to ask about the current copy fee and what to include in a mail request. The decree is what you need for estate proceedings, formal name change applications, and legal matters where the specific terms of the divorce are relevant.
The divorce certificate is the short-form document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. It shows the names, date, and county of the divorce. ADH charges $10 per certified copy, and that fee is non-refundable. Call (866) 209-9482 or mail a request to: Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 W Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Include both party names, the approximate year, and the county. You can order online through VitalChek, the authorized third-party vendor, though their service adds processing fees above the state's base rate. The certificate is sufficient for routine tasks like proving marital status or applying for a new marriage license.
Arkansas Divorce Statutes and Lincoln County
All divorce cases in Lincoln County follow Arkansas state law. There are no local variations that change the filing rules or requirements.
Arkansas Code § 9-12-301 sets out the grounds for divorce. These include general indignities, adultery, habitual drunkenness, and felony conviction, among others. One spouse must have been a resident of Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing a petition. A divorce cannot be final until at least 30 days after filing, per § 9-12-306. Access to vital records, including divorce certificates, is controlled by § 20-18-305. Court records more broadly are treated as public documents under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act at § 25-19-105, with limited exceptions for sealed matters.
Free guidance on Arkansas divorce law and procedures is available through the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership. Their guides are written for people without legal training and cover both contested and uncontested divorces.
Legal Aid and Help in Lincoln County
Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. They handle family law cases including divorce. Call them early, because intake takes time. Even if you do not qualify for full representation, they can often refer you to other resources in the southeast Arkansas area.
Free divorce guides and forms are available through the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership website. These help you understand the process and what to expect at each stage, whether you have an attorney or are handling the case yourself.
To find a private family law attorney near Star City, use the Arkansas Bar Association referral service. Search by county and practice area. Many attorneys in this region of Arkansas offer a free or low-cost first consultation for divorce cases.
The image below shows the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts website, which manages CourtConnect and publishes public guides for navigating the court system.
Visit arcourts.gov for court forms, procedural guides, and access to CourtConnect for Lincoln County divorce case searches.