Ouachita County Divorce Records Search

Ouachita County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Camden and span the county's case history going back to 1842. This page explains how to search Ouachita County divorce records online, get certified copies of a decree from the clerk, order a divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health, and connect with legal help in the area.

Ouachita County Circuit Clerk Office

The Ouachita County Circuit Clerk is located at 145 Jefferson Avenue SW, Camden, AR 71701. The main phone number is (870) 837-2210. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk maintains all divorce case records for Ouachita County, which includes original petitions, hearing transcripts where applicable, court orders, and final decrees for both contested and uncontested cases.

Ouachita County was established in 1842 from Union County and is named for the Ouachita River, which runs through the area. The county has a longer and more complete marriage and divorce record set than many Arkansas counties of similar size. The Ouachita County clerk's office has marriage records dating back to 1917, which reflects the relatively consistent record-keeping practices in Camden over the decades. When contacting the office, have both parties' names and the approximate year of the divorce. A case number speeds up any search. For older records, call ahead before visiting to confirm that specific files are accessible.

The Arkansas Association of Counties listing for Ouachita County has current contact details for the clerk's office and other county services. The image below shows that listing.

Use this resource to verify current address and phone information before submitting a records request.

Searching Ouachita County Divorce Cases Online

The primary online tool for Arkansas court records is CourtConnect, which is free and open to the public. It is operated by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts at 625 Marshall Street, Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 682-9400. To search Ouachita County divorce records, go to CourtConnect, select "Ouachita County" from the county list, and set the case type to "14 - Domestic Relations." Results include case numbers, party names, filing dates, and current status information. This tool is the fastest way to confirm whether a case exists in the electronic system.

CourtConnect does not cover every case. Cases filed before the county began using the statewide electronic records system may only exist in physical form at the courthouse in Camden. If you do not find a case online, call the clerk at (870) 837-2210 and ask about physical records. Search both party names separately in CourtConnect, because cases appear under both the petitioner and the respondent.

The screenshot below shows the CourtConnect public access portal used for Ouachita County and all other Arkansas counties.

Set the case type to 14 - Domestic Relations when searching to filter results to divorce cases only.

Divorce Decrees and Certificates in Ouachita County

Arkansas has two different types of divorce records. Both relate to the same legal event, but they are held by different agencies and have different access rules. Knowing the difference saves time.

A divorce decree is the court order signed by the judge. It is the full legal document that ends the marriage. It may include terms on property division, debts, child custody, visitation, and support payments. The Ouachita County Circuit Clerk holds this record. To get a certified copy, visit the clerk's office at 145 Jefferson Avenue SW in Camden, or mail a written request. Include both parties' names, the case number if you have it, and the approximate year of the divorce. The clerk charges a per-page copy fee plus a certification fee for official copies. Call (870) 837-2210 to get the current fee amounts and to ask about mail turnaround times. Decrees are public records. Anyone may request a copy.

A divorce certificate is a summary document maintained by the state. It confirms the divorce occurred and lists names, dates, and the county, but it does not include the case terms. The Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records issues these certificates at 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Reach ADH at (501) 661-2336 or (866) 209-9482, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The fee is $10 per certificate. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305, divorce certificates are restricted. Only the parties named in the record, legal representatives, and others with a direct and tangible interest may get a copy. This restriction applies only to certificates, not to the court decree.

Online certificate orders are available through VitalChek at $10 plus a $5 service fee and $1.85 ID verification fee. Online processing is often faster than a direct mail request to ADH.

Divorce Law and Circuit Court in Ouachita County

All Ouachita County divorce cases are filed with the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations division, at the courthouse in Camden. Arkansas allows both fault and no-fault divorce. Fault grounds are listed 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 18 months of separation, as set out in ACA 9-12-306. Both statutes are available through the Arkansas Code online. The 18-month requirement is one of the longest separation periods in the country, so it plays a significant role in the timeline of no-fault cases filed in Ouachita County.

To file in Ouachita County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before the petition is filed. The petition goes to the county where the petitioner resides. After the divorce is granted, the Circuit Clerk notifies ADH, which creates the statewide vital records entry for the event. That entry becomes the certificate on file with ADH, separate from the court decree held at the courthouse.

Under ACA 25-19-105, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, most divorce records are open to the public. Sections of files involving minor children may be sealed. Ask the clerk if you are unsure about access to a particular file or document.

Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals for Ouachita County

Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free legal help to income-eligible residents throughout the state. They handle divorce cases, custody matters, and other family law issues. Call to check eligibility and schedule a consultation. Ouachita County residents in Camden and the surrounding area may qualify for services.

The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership runs a free online guide covering divorce, separation, and annulment in Arkansas. The guide walks through the process from start to finish and links to forms you can download and use to file your own case.

To find a private attorney in the 11th South Judicial Circuit, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 1100, Little Rock, or by phone at (501) 375-4606. The bar's referral service can match you with a family law attorney who handles cases in Ouachita County.

What Ouachita County Divorce Files Contain

A typical Ouachita County divorce case file includes the original petition, the respondent's answer if the case was contested, any temporary orders, financial disclosures where required, and the final decree. Contested cases involving property or custody disputes tend to be much larger files. Simple uncontested cases are usually shorter, often just the petition and the signed decree.

Ouachita County records date back to 1842. That is over 180 years of court history. Files from the 1800s and early 1900s are in physical storage, and searches for those records take more time. If you are doing genealogy research or need a historical record, call the clerk ahead of time to discuss availability. Recent cases in the CourtConnect system are much faster to locate and confirm before you make the trip to Camden or mail a request.

Copy fees are set by the county and are charged per page plus a certification fee. Call the clerk at (870) 837-2210 to get current amounts before submitting a paid request.

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