Lonoke County Divorce Records Search
Lonoke County divorce records are on file with the Circuit Clerk in the city of Lonoke and can be accessed in person, by mail, or through the statewide CourtConnect online portal. Lonoke County is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit East, and all divorce filings are handled through the circuit court. This guide explains who holds the records, how to get certified copies, and what you need to know about the different types of divorce documents available under Arkansas law.
Lonoke County Overview
Lonoke County Circuit Clerk Office
The Lonoke County Circuit Clerk maintains divorce records and all other circuit court filings for the county. The office is located at 301 N. Center Street, Suite 202, Lonoke, AR 72086. Phone: (501) 676-2316. Fax: (501) 676-3014. The current Circuit Clerk is Deborah Ogleshy. You can also reach the office by email at deborah.ogleshy@lonokecircuitclerk.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
When visiting or contacting the clerk's office, have the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce ready. This will help staff locate the correct case file quickly. If you already have a case number from a CourtConnect search, include it in any request. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for in-person visits. For mail requests, include your contact information and a payment for the copy fee. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before mailing anything.
One important note about Lonoke County: divorce records from before 1950 may only be available through the county clerk's office, not through the statewide vital records system. Records filed after 1950 are more likely to appear through both the Circuit Clerk and the Arkansas Department of Health. The official Lonoke County Circuit Clerk page has current hours and contact details.
The image below shows the Lonoke County Circuit Clerk office listing from the official county website.
Visit lonokecounty.org for the most current information on Circuit Clerk services, hours, and how to submit record requests.
Search Lonoke County Divorce Cases Online
Arkansas offers free public case lookup through CourtConnect, the statewide portal managed by the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts. Select Lonoke County from the county list and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations to search for divorce cases. You can search by either party's name or by case number. No account is needed and there is no charge to use the tool.
CourtConnect returns basic case data: party names, case number, filing date, hearing history, and current status. It does not show actual document images or the full text of orders. Use the case number you find in CourtConnect to order certified copies from the clerk's office. This is the most efficient way to prepare a records request. If a case is not showing up online, it may predate the electronic records system or have a different name spelling than what you searched. In that situation, contact the clerk directly.
The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-682-9400, manages CourtConnect. They can assist with technical access issues or questions about case information in the online system.
Decree vs. Certificate: What Lonoke County Has
Two distinct documents exist to confirm a divorce in Arkansas, and they serve different purposes. Knowing which one you need before you request anything will save time and prevent unnecessary back-and-forth with the wrong agency.
The divorce decree is the court order entered by the circuit judge in Lonoke County. It is the primary legal document for the divorce. The decree contains the case number, the names of both parties, the date the divorce was finalized, the legal grounds, and all court-ordered terms covering property, debts, support, and custody. The Lonoke County Circuit Clerk holds this document. It is a public record under Arkansas law, and any person can request a certified copy. Contact the clerk's office at (501) 676-2316 to ask about copy fees and the process for requesting records by mail or in person.
The divorce certificate is a separate summary record held by the Arkansas Department of Health. Under ACA § 20-18-305, this document is restricted. Only the parties to the divorce, their immediate family members, or their authorized legal representatives can get a copy. The certificate was primarily created for vital records tracking, not as a legal instrument. For most practical and legal purposes, the full divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk is the correct document to request. Pre-1950 Lonoke County divorces may require the county-level records directly, as ADH may not have the certificate on file for older cases.
Note: Lonoke County divorces before 1950 may only exist at the county office and may not be in ADH's vital records system.
How to Request Certified Copies in Lonoke County
The fastest way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree is to visit the Lonoke County Courthouse in person at 301 N. Center Street, Suite 202. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties plus the year of the divorce. Staff will search the records and can usually provide copies the same day for recent cases. Older records, especially those from several decades ago, may take a day or more to locate if they have not been scanned into the system.
To submit a request by mail, write a letter that includes your full name, return address, the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and any case number you have found. Make a check or money order payable to the Lonoke County Circuit Clerk and include it with the letter. Mail to 301 N. Center Street, Suite 202, Lonoke, AR 72086. Call (501) 676-2316 first to confirm current copy fees so your payment is correct. You can also email deborah.ogleshy@lonokecircuitclerk.com with questions about the process.
For ADH divorce certificates, 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. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can also order online through VitalChek for $10 plus a $5 processing fee and $1.85 for ID verification. Eligibility requirements apply under ACA § 20-18-305.
Arkansas Divorce Law in the 23rd Judicial Circuit
Lonoke County falls within the 23rd Judicial Circuit East. All divorce filings in the county are subject to Arkansas state law. ACA § 9-12-301 sets out the fault-based grounds for divorce in Arkansas, including adultery, felony conviction, habitual drunkenness, cruel treatment, and willful desertion for one year. Any of these grounds can be cited in a Lonoke County divorce petition when applicable.
The no-fault ground under ACA § 9-12-306 allows either spouse to file based on 18 months of continuous separation. No proof of wrongdoing is required. This is a common ground in uncontested divorces across Arkansas, including those filed in Lonoke County. At least one spouse must have been a resident of Arkansas for 60 days before filing, and the case must sit open for at least 30 days before a final decree can be entered.
Under ACA § 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, most divorce records filed in circuit court are public documents. Anyone can request access to the divorce decree and basic case information. Sealed records or matters involving minor children may have restricted portions, but the final order is generally available.
Legal Help for Lonoke County Residents
Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free civil legal services to qualifying residents, including help with divorce cases. Lonoke County residents who meet income guidelines may be able to get representation or advice through Legal Aid's central Arkansas offices. Visit their website to find out how to apply.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has a detailed online guide on divorce and separation in Arkansas. It walks through the process of filing, explains your rights regarding property and custody, and covers what to expect if your case is uncontested. The guide is free and does not require creating an account.
The Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, phone 501-375-4606, runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney near Lonoke County. If your case involves contested custody or significant property, getting legal counsel early in the process is worth the cost. The bar association can help you verify an attorney's license and standing before you hire.