Access Madison County Divorce Records
Madison County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Huntsville and are part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases filed in Madison County go through the circuit court, and the clerk holds the official record of every case. This page explains where to find Madison County divorce records, how to request certified copies, what documents are available, and how Arkansas law governs access to divorce case files in this county.
Madison County Overview
Madison County Circuit Clerk in Huntsville
The Madison County Circuit Clerk office in Huntsville is the primary source for divorce records in the county. The office is at 201 W Main Street, Huntsville, AR 72740. Phone: (479) 738-2215. Fax: (479) 738-2219. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The courthouse is in downtown Huntsville. If you are coming from outside the county, call ahead to confirm hours and to ask whether the record you need has been digitized or still exists only in paper form.
To request a record in person, bring a valid photo ID and know the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Having the case number from a prior CourtConnect search will make the process faster. Staff can locate most recent cases quickly. Very old records, including those from the 1800s when the county was first formed, may be in original paper form and could take more time to retrieve.
Madison County was created in 1836 from Washington County and named for President James Madison. As one of the original Arkansas counties, it has court records going back nearly 190 years. The Arkansas Association of Counties page for Madison County provides current contact information for the courthouse and clerk's office.
The image below shows the Madison County Circuit Clerk listing from the Arkansas Association of Counties resource directory.
The Arkansas Association of Counties maintains up-to-date contact information for the Madison County Circuit Clerk and other county offices.
Search Madison County Divorce Cases Online
The statewide CourtConnect public access portal includes Madison County circuit court records. Go to the portal, select Madison County, and set the case type to 14 for Domestic Relations. Search by the last name of either party or by case number. The tool is free and does not require a login.
CourtConnect displays basic case information: party names, case number, filing date, hearing history, and whether the case is open or closed. It does not show document images or the actual text of the divorce decree. Once you have the case number, contact the Huntsville courthouse to order a certified copy. Include the case number in your request to help staff locate the file without delay.
If a case does not appear in CourtConnect, it may predate electronic records, have a different spelling in the system, or be part of a batch that has not yet been uploaded. In that situation, calling the clerk's office directly is the best next step. The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 501-682-9400 can also help with technical questions about the online search system.
The CourtConnect portal provides access to Madison County domestic relations case data at no cost to the public.
Use CourtConnect to look up Madison County divorce cases by name or case number before contacting the clerk for certified copies.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Madison County
Two separate documents can prove a divorce in Arkansas, and they are held by two different agencies. Getting clear on which one you need before you contact anyone will save you a round trip to the wrong office.
The divorce decree is the full court order signed by the circuit judge in Madison County. It includes the names of both parties, the case number, the date the divorce became final, the grounds cited, and all terms of the dissolution including property division, support, and custody. The Madison County Circuit Clerk holds this document. It is a public record and anyone can request a certified copy. Call (479) 738-2215 to ask about the current copy fee before visiting or mailing a request. There is no eligibility requirement to access a divorce decree.
The divorce certificate is a separate summary document created by the Arkansas Department of Health. Under ACA § 20-18-305, this record is restricted by state law. Only the parties to the divorce, their immediate family members, or their authorized legal representatives can request it. The certificate is used mainly for vital records tracking and public health statistics. For legal purposes, the divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk is almost always the document you need. The ADH certificate does not contain the full terms of the case and is not a substitute for the court order.
Note: For most legal uses including remarriage and name change, the decree from the Circuit Clerk is the correct record to request.
Requesting Certified Copies in Madison County
You can request certified copies of Madison County divorce records in person or by mail. The in-person route at 201 W Main Street, Huntsville is the fastest. Bring a government-issued photo ID, the names of both parties, and the divorce year. Staff will locate the case and can typically provide copies during your visit for recent cases. If the record predates digital filing, the process may take a bit longer.
For mail requests, write a letter with your full name, mailing address, the names of both parties, the year of divorce, and a case number if you have one. Include a check or money order payable to the Madison County Circuit Clerk. Mail to 201 W Main Street, Huntsville, AR 72740. Always call (479) 738-2215 first to confirm the current fee before sending payment. The office will mail the certified copy once the request is processed.
To request an ADH divorce certificate, 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. Online orders are available through VitalChek at a cost of $10 plus $5 processing and $1.85 for ID verification. Remember that eligibility requirements apply for the ADH certificate under state law.
Arkansas Divorce Law in the 4th Judicial Circuit
All divorces in Madison County are governed by Arkansas state law. ACA § 9-12-301 defines the fault-based grounds that can be used in a divorce petition, including adultery, felony conviction, habitual drunkenness, cruel and barbarous treatment, general indignities, and willful desertion for one year or more. Any of these can be cited in a Madison County divorce case when the facts support them.
The no-fault option under ACA § 9-12-306 requires 18 consecutive months of separation. Either party can petition for divorce on this ground without proving wrongdoing by the other spouse. This is a widely used ground in Arkansas, particularly in uncontested cases where both parties agree the marriage is over. Both fault and no-fault grounds are available to Madison County filers regardless of how long the marriage lasted.
Records access in Madison County is governed by ACA § 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. This law makes most circuit court divorce records public. Some portions of a case file may be restricted if they involve sealed proceedings or records directly related to minor children, but the final divorce decree is generally available to the public without restriction.
Legal Resources for Madison County
Legal Aid of Arkansas serves low-income residents statewide, including those in Madison County. They can provide free assistance with civil legal matters including divorce. Check their website or call to see if you qualify for services. Free legal help can make a significant difference in cases involving children or contested property.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership website provides free, plain-language guidance on divorce in Arkansas. It covers how to file, what grounds to use, how to handle service of process, and what to expect in court. This is a useful resource for anyone in Madison County who is new to the process and trying to understand their options before spending money on an attorney.
The Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, phone 501-375-4606, offers a lawyer referral service. If your Madison County divorce involves disputes over custody, significant assets, or complex property issues, a licensed family law attorney can help you protect your interests. The bar association can match you with attorneys who practice in northwest Arkansas near Madison County.