Search Little River County Divorce Records
Little River County divorce records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Ashdown and cover all cases filed in the 8th Judicial Circuit. This page explains where to find those records, how to request certified copies, and what you need to know about the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate in Arkansas. Whether you need a record for legal use or just want to confirm a case was filed, the steps below cover each option available to you.
Little River County Overview
Little River County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk in Ashdown is the primary keeper of all divorce records filed in Little River County. The office is at 100 N 2nd Street, Ashdown, AR 71822. Phone: (870) 898-7211. Fax: (870) 898-7215. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, though it is a good idea to call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and check for any closures.
When you visit or contact the clerk's office, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce ready. Staff will use this information to locate the case file. If you know the case number from a prior CourtConnect search, bring that as well. Certified copies typically require a government-issued photo ID. Fees for copies and certifications vary, so call the office to confirm current rates before mailing a payment.
Little River County was created in 1867 from Sevier County. It takes its name from the Little River, which flows through the southwestern corner of Arkansas. The county has been part of the 8th Judicial Circuit since Arkansas restructured its circuit court system. The Arkansas Association of Counties page for Little River has current contact information and links to county offices.
The image below shows the Little River County Circuit Clerk listing from the Arkansas Association of Counties directory.
Visit the Arkansas Association of Counties for additional contact details and updated office information for Little River County.
Search Little River County Divorce Cases Online
Arkansas provides free online case lookup through CourtConnect, the statewide public access portal operated by the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts. Select Little River County from the county drop-down and set the case type to 14 for Domestic Relations. You can search by the name of either party or by case number if you have it.
CourtConnect shows basic case information: party names, case number, filing date, hearing dates, and case status. It does not provide document images or the full text of orders. The case number you pull from CourtConnect is what you will need when you contact the Circuit Clerk to order a certified copy of the actual divorce decree. Keep a note of it before you close the search session.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-682-9400, manages CourtConnect and can help with access issues. If a case does not appear online, it may predate the electronic system or have been filed under a different spelling. In that case, contact the clerk directly.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Little River County
There are two separate documents that prove a divorce happened in Arkansas, and they come from two entirely different agencies. Many people confuse them, and requesting the wrong one wastes time and money. Knowing which one you need before you start will make the process much faster.
The divorce decree is the full court order issued by the circuit judge. It contains the case number, the names of both parties, the date the divorce was granted, the legal grounds cited, and all terms of the settlement including property division and custody arrangements if children were involved. The Little River County Circuit Clerk holds this document. Any member of the public can request a certified copy. There is no restriction on who can access it. Call the Ashdown office at (870) 898-7211 to ask about copy fees and how to submit a written request if you cannot visit in person.
The divorce certificate is a separate summary document created and held by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office at 4815 W Markham St Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Under ACA § 20-18-305, access to the divorce certificate is restricted. Only direct parties to the divorce, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives may request it. The certificate is primarily used for statistical and vital records purposes rather than as a legal proof document. For most legal needs, the decree from the Circuit Clerk is the correct record to request.
Note: The divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk is public. The divorce certificate from ADH is restricted by state law.
Requesting Certified Copies in Little River County
You have two main ways to get certified copies of Little River County divorce records: visit the Ashdown courthouse in person or submit a written request by mail. In-person visits are the fastest option. Bring a valid photo ID, the names of both parties, and the approximate divorce year. Staff can usually locate the file while you wait or within the same day depending on how far back the record goes.
Mail requests require a written letter that includes your full name, contact information, the names of both parties in the divorce, and the year of the divorce. Include a check or money order for the copy fee made out to the Little River County Circuit Clerk. Call (870) 898-7211 first to confirm the current fee amount before mailing anything. The office will mail the certified copy back to you once they process the request.
For divorce certificates (the restricted ADH summary record), contact the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records at 4815 W Markham St Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, phone 501-661-2336 or toll-free 866-209-9482. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The fee for a divorce certificate is $10 through ADH. You can also order through VitalChek for an additional processing fee of $5 plus $1.85 for ID verification.
Arkansas Divorce Laws That Apply in Little River County
Arkansas divorce law sets the rules for all counties, including Little River. Under ACA § 9-12-301, the state recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction, habitual drunkenness, cruel treatment, and others listed in the statute. The 18-month separation ground under ACA § 9-12-306 allows either party to file for divorce based on continuous separation alone, without having to prove fault.
Arkansas requires that at least one spouse be a resident of the state for 60 days before filing and that the case be pending for at least 30 days before the court can grant a final decree. These rules apply in Little River County just as they do everywhere in the state. The Circuit Court in Ashdown handles all divorce filings for the county, and the judge assigned to the 8th Judicial Circuit presides over contested and uncontested cases alike.
Public access to court records in Arkansas is governed by ACA § 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Most divorce records are public documents under this statute. Sealed records or records involving minor children may have restricted portions, but the basic case file including the final decree is generally available to anyone who requests it.
Legal Help for Little River County Residents
If you need legal assistance with a divorce in Little River County, several resources are available at no cost or low cost. Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal services to income-qualifying residents across the state, including family law matters like divorce. Their offices serve southwest Arkansas, which includes Little River County.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership maintains a detailed online guide on divorce, separation, and annulment under Arkansas law. The guide covers filing procedures, grounds, custody, property division, and how to handle an uncontested case without an attorney. It is a good starting point if you are not sure what steps to take.
The Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, phone 501-375-4606, runs a lawyer referral service. If your case is complex or contested, this is the best way to find a licensed family law attorney in or near Little River County. The bar association can also help you verify that an attorney is in good standing before you hire them.
The Arkansas Bar Association maintains a family law resource page with information on finding attorneys and understanding your rights in a divorce case.
Contact the Arkansas Bar Association at 501-375-4606 to use the lawyer referral service or get general guidance on family law resources in southwest Arkansas.
Online Statewide Divorce Record Resources
Beyond the local courthouse, a few statewide resources can help you find or order divorce records connected to Little River County. CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the best free starting point. It covers all circuit courts in Arkansas and is updated regularly.
The CourtConnect portal operated by the Arkansas judiciary gives free public access to case data from all Arkansas circuit courts including Little River County.
Use CourtConnect to search Little River County domestic relations cases by party name or case number at no cost.
For vital records certificates, the Arkansas Department of Health handles all requests statewide. VitalChek provides an online ordering option for those who cannot visit the ADH office in Little Rock. Both channels are described in the Requesting Certified Copies section above.