Find Divorce Records in Logan County
Logan County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are available through the courthouse in Paris (Northern District) or Booneville (Southern District). Logan County is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two county seats, which affects where divorce cases may be filed. This guide covers how to find and request Logan County divorce records, how to search online through CourtConnect, and what the difference is between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate under Arkansas law.
Logan County Overview
Logan County Circuit Clerk: Two County Seats
Logan County is unusual among Arkansas counties in that it has two county seats: Paris in the Northern District and Booneville in the Southern District. Each district has its own courthouse and Circuit Clerk operation. If you are looking for a divorce record, which courthouse holds it depends on where the case was originally filed. Many older cases were filed in the Northern District (Paris), but cases filed in the southern part of the county may be at the Booneville courthouse.
The primary contact for the Northern District is the Circuit Clerk office at 25 W Walnut Street, Paris, AR 72855. Phone: (479) 963-2164. Fax: (479) 963-2965. If your case was filed in or near Booneville, contact that district's courthouse directly to confirm which office holds the record. Office hours for both locations are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Calling ahead is recommended, especially if you are traveling to the courthouse from outside Logan County.
Logan County was created in 1871 from parts of Scott, Yell, Pope, and Johnson counties. It was originally called Sarber County and was renamed Logan County in 1875. The 5th Judicial Circuit covers Logan County within the Arkansas court system. The Arkansas Association of Counties page for Logan lists current contact information for both courthouses.
The image below is from the Logan County Circuit Clerk page on the Arkansas Association of Counties website, which covers both courthouse locations.
The Arkansas Association of Counties maintains current contact details for both Logan County district offices, including the Circuit Clerk.
Search Logan County Divorce Cases Online
The statewide CourtConnect public access portal covers Logan County circuit court cases. Go to the portal, select Logan County from the county list, and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations to search divorce cases. You can search by the last name of either party or by a known case number. The tool is free and no registration is needed.
CourtConnect provides case summary information: party names, case number, filing date, scheduled hearing dates, and case status. Document images are not available through the portal. Once you find the case number you need, contact the appropriate Logan County Circuit Clerk office (Paris or Booneville, depending on which district handled the case) to order certified copies. Having the case number speeds up the request considerably.
The Logan County court records page shows how cases from both districts appear in the Arkansas public records system.
The Logan County records resource can supplement CourtConnect for cases that may not appear in the online system.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-682-9400, manages CourtConnect statewide. Contact them if you have trouble locating a case or need guidance on what the search results mean.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Logan County
Arkansas maintains two separate records of every divorce, and they come from two different agencies. Understanding the difference before you request anything will save you time and prevent the frustration of getting the wrong document.
The divorce decree is the actual court order signed by the circuit judge. It is a full legal document that includes the names of both parties, the case number, the date the divorce was granted, the grounds for divorce, and all terms decided by the court including property division, support obligations, and child custody if applicable. The Logan County Circuit Clerk holds this document at the appropriate district courthouse. It is a public record, and anyone can request a certified copy by contacting the clerk's office in Paris or Booneville. Fees for copies and certifications apply. Call (479) 963-2164 to ask about current rates before visiting or mailing a request.
The divorce certificate is a different, shorter document. It is a summary record created by the Arkansas Department of Health and is filed with ADH's Vital Records office at 4815 W Markham St Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Under ACA § 20-18-305, access to divorce certificates is restricted. Only direct parties to the divorce, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives can request one. For legal matters such as remarriage, name changes, or court proceedings, the divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk is generally the correct document to use. The certificate is more often used for vital records and statistical purposes.
Note: If you need to prove a divorce for legal purposes, request the decree from the Circuit Clerk, not the certificate from ADH.
How to Request Logan County Divorce Records
You can get certified copies of Logan County divorce records in person or by mail. In-person visits to the Paris or Booneville courthouse are the most direct option. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and know the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. If the case is recent, staff can usually locate it quickly. Older records may take more time if they have not been digitized.
For mail requests, write a letter that includes your full name, mailing address, the names of both parties to the divorce, the year or approximate year of the divorce, and the reason you need the record. Include a check or money order for the copy fee made payable to the Logan County Circuit Clerk. Mail it to the Northern District office at 25 W Walnut Street, Paris, AR 72855, or to the Southern District in Booneville if that is where the case was filed. Call first to confirm fees and mailing procedures.
For divorce certificates from ADH, contact the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records at 501-661-2336 or 866-209-9482. Online ordering is also available through VitalChek for a fee of $10 plus $5 processing and $1.85 for ID verification. Remember that ADH certificates are restricted and require eligibility documentation.
Arkansas Divorce Law in the 5th Judicial Circuit
All divorces in Logan County are governed by Arkansas state law regardless of which district the case is filed in. ACA § 9-12-301 lists the fault-based grounds recognized in Arkansas: adultery, conviction of a felony, habitual drunkenness, cruel and barbarous treatment, general indignities, and willful desertion for one year, among others. These grounds apply in the 5th Judicial Circuit just as they do statewide.
The 18-month separation ground under ACA § 9-12-306 is the no-fault option. If both spouses have lived separately and apart for at least 18 consecutive months, either party can file for divorce without proving fault. This is one of the more common grounds used in uncontested divorce cases across Arkansas. At least one spouse must have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days before filing, and the case must be pending for at least 30 days before a final decree can be entered.
Public access to court records in Logan County is governed by ACA § 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Most divorce case files are open to the public under this law. Sealed filings or records involving minor children may have restricted content, but the divorce decree itself is generally a public document available to any requestor.
Legal Aid and Resources for Logan County
Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to low-income residents, including family law cases such as divorce. Logan County residents in need of representation or legal advice on a divorce matter may qualify for services through Legal Aid. Check their website or call to find out if you are eligible.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has a free online guide covering divorce and separation in Arkansas. It explains the filing process, residency requirements, how to handle custody and property, and what to expect in both contested and uncontested cases. This is a useful first stop if you are considering filing and want to understand the process before you hire an attorney.
The Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, 501-375-4606, runs a lawyer referral service. If your Logan County divorce case involves disputed property, child custody, or other complex issues, a referral from the bar association can connect you with a licensed family law attorney who practices in or near Logan County.