Find Divorce Records in Pope County
Pope County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Russellville and go back to the county's formation in 1829. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree for a legal matter or want to search case history online, this page covers the Pope County Circuit Clerk's contact details, the free CourtConnect search tool, fees, what each type of record contains, and where to turn for legal help in the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Pope County Overview
Pope County Circuit Clerk
The Pope County Circuit Clerk holds all divorce records filed in the county. The office is located at 100 W Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. The main phone number is (479) 968-7499. Russellville serves as the county seat and is where the courthouse is located. If you are coming in person, the clerk's office is in the main courthouse building on Main Street in downtown Russellville.
You can get a certified copy of a divorce decree by visiting in person or sending a written mail request. For a mail request, include the full names of both parties, the year the divorce was filed or granted, and a check or money order for the copy fee. The clerk does not process email requests for certified copies. Call ahead to confirm current hours and payment methods accepted before making a trip.
Pope County joined the Arkansas circuit court system in 1829 when it was carved out of Crawford County. Records from that founding year forward are available through the clerk. Divorce cases filed in Pope County fall under the 5th Judicial Circuit.
The Pope County listing on the Arkansas Association of Counties website provides up-to-date contact information for county offices. The image below shows that listing, which is useful for verifying the clerk's hours and current staff before you visit or call.
That page is a reliable source for current contact details and is maintained by the statewide county association.
Online Divorce Case Search
Arkansas provides free public access to court case records through the CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. To search Pope County divorce cases, select Pope from the county list and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. The system shows case numbers, party names, filing dates, and events on the case docket. It does not provide scanned documents, but it tells you whether a case exists and gives you the information needed to request a copy from the clerk.
CourtConnect is run by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts, 625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-682-9400. The database covers cases across all Arkansas counties in one place. No login is needed, and the search is free to use. Cases filed before the electronic system was set up may not appear online. For older records, contact the Pope County Circuit Clerk directly.
The image below shows the Pope County court records interface, which gives you an idea of what information is available through local and online sources.
This view reflects the type of case index information you can expect to find when searching Pope County divorce records through official channels.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
People often ask for a "divorce record" without knowing there are two separate documents, and the difference matters. A divorce decree is the court's final order ending the marriage. It is filed with and stored by the Pope County Circuit Clerk. The decree contains the names of both parties, the legal grounds for the divorce, property division terms, and any custody or support orders if children were part of the case. The decree is a public record. Anyone can request a copy from the clerk with no special justification required.
A divorce certificate is a different document. It is created by the Arkansas Department of Health as a statistical summary of the divorce event. It does not contain the full terms of the court order. Under ACA § 20-18-305, the state restricts access to divorce certificates. Only the parties named in the record, their immediate family, and authorized legal representatives may get a copy. For most practical needs, such as proving you are divorced for a name change or new marriage license, the full decree from the clerk is what you actually need and is far simpler to get.
Arkansas Divorce Grounds
Divorce cases in Pope County proceed under Arkansas state law. ACA § 9-12-301 lists the fault grounds recognized in Arkansas. These include adultery, habitual drunkenness, cruel treatment, felony conviction, and several other specific causes. Using a fault ground requires the filing party to present evidence in court.
The more common path in Pope County is no-fault divorce based on separation. Under ACA § 9-12-306, a couple that has lived separate and apart for at least 18 consecutive months may file for divorce without fault allegations. This approach is used in most uncontested cases and typically results in a smoother process. The grounds cited in the decree, whatever they are, become part of the public record kept by the clerk.
Fees and How to Get Copies
The fee for a certified copy of a divorce decree in Pope County is $10. Additional copies of the same document cost less. The clerk can confirm the current schedule. In-person payments may be accepted by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Pope County Circuit Clerk along with your written request, the names of both parties, and the approximate year of the divorce.
If you need a divorce certificate from the state rather than the full decree, 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, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also order through VitalChek online for $10 plus processing and ID verification fees. Remember that access to state-issued certificates is restricted by law.
Legal Help in Pope County
Residents of Pope County who need help with a divorce case can turn to several no-cost or low-cost legal resources. Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free civil legal services to income-eligible clients. If you qualify, they can help with divorce filings, custody matters, and other family law issues.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership has free online guides that explain the divorce process in plain language, including what forms to file and how to handle uncontested cases. For a referral to a private attorney practicing in the 5th Judicial Circuit, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, phone 501-375-4606.
The city of Russellville is the county seat of Pope County and has several family law attorneys and legal aid offices within the city. If you live in Russellville, local attorneys are familiar with the Pope County courthouse and the Circuit Clerk's procedures.