Montgomery County Divorce Records
Montgomery County divorce records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Mount Ida, the county seat. This page explains how to search Montgomery County divorce records, request certified copies from the clerk or the state, use the free online search tool, and find legal help if you need it during or after the divorce process.
Montgomery County Overview
Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Office
The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk is located at 105 Highway 270 E, Mount Ida, AR 71957. The main phone number is (870) 867-3521. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk is the central point of contact for all divorce case files in Montgomery County, including the original petition, court orders, and the final decree.
Montgomery County was formed from parts of Hot Spring and Polk counties. It is one of the smaller counties in Arkansas by population, which means the clerk's office handles a manageable caseload and staff can often assist you more quickly than in larger counties. When you contact the office, have both parties' full names and an approximate year of the divorce ready. A case number, if you have it, speeds up any search. For older records, the clerk may need extra time to locate physical files, so calling ahead before a visit is always a good idea.
The Arkansas Association of Counties listing for Montgomery County provides current contact information and an overview of county services. The image below shows that listing page.
Confirm current hours and contact details before making the trip to Mount Ida or mailing a request.
Searching Montgomery County Divorce Cases Online
The state of Arkansas offers a free online search tool called CourtConnect. This is the primary way to find Montgomery County divorce records without visiting the courthouse. Go to CourtConnect, choose "Montgomery County" from the county list, and set the case type to "14 - Domestic Relations." Results show party names, the case number, the filing date, and the current case status. Not every historical case appears in CourtConnect, particularly those from before the county began using electronic records. For older cases, contact the Circuit Clerk directly.
CourtConnect is maintained by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts at 625 Marshall Street, Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 682-9400. The AOC oversees court records across all 75 Arkansas counties. If you have trouble navigating CourtConnect or need technical help, the AOC can provide guidance.
When searching online, try both the petitioner's name and the respondent's name. Divorce records are indexed under both parties in CourtConnect, so searching one name that does not appear may miss a case where that person was the respondent rather than the petitioner.
The screenshot below shows the statewide CourtConnect portal used to search Montgomery County divorce cases and other court records.
Use the case type filter set to 14 to narrow results to domestic relations cases, which include all divorce filings.
Certified Copies of Montgomery County Divorce Records
There is an important difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate. Both relate to the same divorce event, but they come from different offices, cost different amounts, and carry different levels of access restriction.
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It is the legal document that ends the marriage and may include rulings on property division, debt responsibility, child custody, visitation, and support. The decree is kept by the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. To get a certified copy, visit the clerk's office at 105 Highway 270 E in Mount Ida, or mail a written request. Your request should include both parties' names, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if known. The clerk charges a per-page copy fee plus a certification fee. Call ahead at (870) 867-3521 to get the exact current fees and estimated processing time for mail requests.
A divorce certificate is a summary document maintained by the state, not the county. It confirms the divorce occurred and lists names, dates, and the county where the case was filed, but it does not include any of the case terms. Certificates are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records at 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call them at (501) 661-2336 or toll-free at (866) 209-9482. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The certificate fee is $10 per copy.
Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, access to divorce certificates is restricted. Only the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, and those who can show a direct and tangible interest may receive a certificate. This restriction does not apply to the divorce decree, which is a public court record.
You can also order divorce certificates through VitalChek. The total cost is $10 for the certificate plus a $5 service fee and a $1.85 ID verification fee. Online orders through VitalChek are often processed faster than mailing a direct request to the ADH office.
The image below shows the VitalChek Arkansas vital records ordering page.
VitalChek is the authorized third-party vendor for Arkansas vital records orders placed online.
Divorce Law and Filing in Montgomery County
All Montgomery County divorce cases are filed in the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations division, located in Mount Ida. Arkansas law allows both fault-based and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are defined under Arkansas Code Annotated 9-12-301 and include adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment, habitual drunkenness, and conviction of a felony. No-fault divorce requires an 18-month separation period as outlined in ACA 9-12-306. The 18-month requirement is longer than most states, so it affects how soon a case can move forward. Both statutes are available through the Arkansas Code online.
To file a divorce case in Montgomery County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before the petition is filed. The petition is filed in the county where the petitioner resides. After the judge grants the divorce, the Circuit Clerk sends notice to the Arkansas Department of Health, which creates the statewide vital records entry. That is what becomes the divorce certificate on file with ADH.
Most Montgomery County divorce records are public under Arkansas Code Annotated 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Portions of files involving minor children may be sealed. Ask the clerk if you are unsure whether a specific record or section is available to the public.
Legal Aid and Attorney Resources
Montgomery County residents who need help with a divorce case have options for free or low-cost legal services. Legal Aid of Arkansas serves income-eligible residents statewide. They handle divorce filings, custody, and other family law matters. Call to ask about eligibility and to schedule a consultation.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership offers a free online guide to divorce, separation, and annulment in Arkansas. The site walks through the process step by step and links to downloadable court forms. If you want to understand what to expect before meeting with an attorney, this is a good starting point.
For referrals to private attorneys familiar with western Arkansas courts, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 1100, Little Rock, or by phone at (501) 375-4606. They can connect you with family law attorneys who handle cases in the 18th Judicial Circuit.
The image below shows the Arkansas Bar Association website, which offers a lawyer referral service.
The bar association referral service can help you find a licensed attorney for Montgomery County divorce matters.
What Montgomery County Divorce Records Contain
A typical divorce case file at the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk includes the original petition for divorce, the respondent's answer if the case was contested, any temporary orders issued during the case, and the final decree. Contested cases with property disputes or child custody issues tend to be larger files with more documents. Simple uncontested cases may have only a few pages.
Divorce decrees are not restricted. Anyone can request a copy. The decree shows the case style, names of the parties, the grounds stated for the divorce, and the judge's rulings. If the case involved custody or support, those orders are in the decree as well. For genealogy research or legal verification, the decree is the most complete source.
Copy fees vary. The clerk charges by the page and adds a certification fee for official copies. Current fees are available by phone at (870) 867-3521. If you need a large file or multiple cases, ask the clerk about the estimated total before submitting a request.