Search Marion County Divorce Records
Marion County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Yellville and go back to the county's formation in 1835. All divorce filings in Marion County pass through the 3rd Judicial Circuit, and the clerk holds the complete case files. This guide explains how to find and request Marion County divorce records, how to use the CourtConnect online search tool, and how Arkansas law draws the line between the divorce decree held at the courthouse and the divorce certificate held by the state.
Marion County Overview
Marion County Circuit Clerk Office in Yellville
The Marion County Circuit Clerk in Yellville is the official keeper of all divorce records for the county. The office is at 300 E Old Main Street, Yellville, AR 72687. Phone: (870) 449-6226. Fax: (870) 449-6606. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Yellville is a small county seat in the Ozarks, and the courthouse serves all of Marion County's circuit court needs including divorce filings.
Before visiting, call ahead to confirm hours and verify the office can help you on the day you plan to come. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and know the names of both parties in the divorce along with the approximate year. If you have a case number from a prior CourtConnect search, bring that too. For older records that have not been digitized, staff may need extra time to retrieve the physical file from storage.
Marion County was created in 1835 from Izard County. It was named for Francis Marion, the Revolutionary War general from South Carolina known as the "Swamp Fox." As one of the older Arkansas counties, Marion has court records going back nearly two centuries. The Arkansas Association of Counties page for Marion County lists current contact information for all county offices.
The image below comes from the Arkansas Association of Counties listing for the Marion County Circuit Clerk in Yellville.
Check the Arkansas Association of Counties for current contact details and any updates to Circuit Clerk office hours in Marion County.
Search Marion County Divorce Cases Online
The free statewide CourtConnect portal covers Marion County circuit court cases. Select Marion County from the county drop-down and set the case type to 14 for Domestic Relations to find divorce cases. You can search by either party's name or by case number. The portal is public and free with no registration required.
CourtConnect gives you case summary data: party names, filing date, case number, court events, and whether the case is open or closed. Document images are not available in the portal. Once you find the case number, contact the Marion County Circuit Clerk at (870) 449-6226 to order a certified copy of the divorce decree. Having the case number ready will make the request much smoother.
Older Marion County cases, particularly those predating the electronic records era, may not appear in CourtConnect at all. If your search returns no results for a case you know was filed, contact the Yellville courthouse directly. The clerks there can search the paper indexes for older records. The Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 501-682-9400 can also help with CourtConnect access issues.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate: Marion County
There are two documents in Arkansas that prove a divorce occurred, and they come from completely different agencies. Knowing which one is right for your purpose before you start will prevent delays and unnecessary contact with the wrong office.
The divorce decree is the full court order from the Marion County circuit court. It is the primary legal record of the divorce. The decree contains the names of both parties, the case number, the date granted, the grounds for divorce, and all court-ordered terms including property division, support obligations, and custody. The Marion County Circuit Clerk holds this document. It is a public record. Any person may request a certified copy by contacting the clerk in Yellville. Copy fees apply. Call (870) 449-6226 to ask about current fees before sending a mail request or visiting in person.
The divorce certificate is a summary document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. It is not a court order and does not contain the full terms of the case. Under ACA § 20-18-305, access to the divorce certificate is restricted to direct parties, immediate family, and authorized legal representatives. It is used mainly for vital records and statistical tracking by the state. For legal needs such as proof of divorce for remarriage, immigration, or a court proceeding, the full divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk is the correct document. Don't request the ADH certificate when what you actually need is the court order.
Note: The divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk is public and has no access restrictions under Arkansas law.
How to Get Marion County Divorce Records
In-person requests at the Yellville courthouse are the most direct way to get certified copies. Visit the Marion County Courthouse at 300 E Old Main Street, Yellville. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties plus the year of the divorce. Staff will search the records and provide copies. For recent cases, the process is usually same-day. For older records, it may take longer if the file is in storage or has not been scanned.
Mail requests should include a letter with your full name, return address, the names of both parties in the divorce, the approximate year, and a case number if you have one. Include a check or money order made payable to the Marion County Circuit Clerk. Mail to 300 E Old Main Street, Yellville, AR 72687. Always call (870) 449-6226 first to confirm the current copy fee so you send the right amount. The office will mail the certified copy to you after processing.
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 $5 processing and $1.85 for ID verification. Eligibility requirements under ACA § 20-18-305 apply to ADH certificate requests.
Arkansas Divorce Law in the 3rd Judicial Circuit
Marion County is in the 3rd Judicial Circuit, and all divorce filings in the county follow Arkansas state law. ACA § 9-12-301 sets out the fault-based grounds for divorce recognized in Arkansas. These include adultery, felony conviction, habitual drunkenness, cruel and barbarous treatment, general indignities, willful desertion for one year, and others listed in the statute. Any of these grounds can be used in a Marion County divorce petition when the circumstances apply.
The 18-month separation no-fault ground under ACA § 9-12-306 allows either spouse to file based solely on living apart for 18 consecutive months. No proof of fault is needed. This is a commonly used ground in Arkansas for couples who simply want to end the marriage without a contested hearing over cause. Arkansas requires that at least one spouse have been a resident of the state for 60 days before filing, and the case must be pending for at least 30 days before a final order can be entered.
Access to Marion County divorce records is governed by ACA § 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Most circuit court records are public under this statute. Sealed records and filings involving minor children may have restricted sections, but the final divorce decree is generally available to anyone who requests it from the clerk's office.
Legal Aid and Help for Marion County Residents
Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal services to low-income residents including those in Marion County. If you qualify based on income, Legal Aid may be able to help you navigate a divorce case, understand your rights, or prepare paperwork. Visit their website or call to ask about eligibility and service availability in north-central Arkansas.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has a free guide online that walks through the divorce process in Arkansas step by step. It covers how to file, what grounds to use, how to deal with property and children, and what happens in court. This is a helpful starting point for Marion County residents who are considering divorce but don't yet know where to begin.
The Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, phone 501-375-4606, offers a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a licensed family law attorney in or near Marion County. If your case involves disputed custody or significant property, getting legal counsel before you file is a smart move. The bar association verifies attorneys are in good standing before making a referral.