Saline County Divorce Records
Saline County divorce records are kept by Circuit Clerk Myka Bono Sample at the courthouse in Benton, and the county falls under the 22nd Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to find and get copies of Saline County divorce records, what the online search tools show, the fees involved, how decrees differ from state-issued certificates, and what legal help is available for residents of Benton, Bryant, and the rest of the county.
Saline County Overview
Saline County Circuit Clerk
The Saline County Circuit Clerk's office is located at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 113, Benton, AR 72015. The office is led by Myka Bono Sample. The main phone number is (501) 303-5615. A fax line is available at (501) 303-5640. You can also reach the office by email at myka.sample@salinecounty.org. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains all divorce decrees and case files for cases filed in the 22nd Judicial Circuit serving Saline County.
To request a certified copy of a divorce decree in person, visit Suite 113 at the Benton courthouse. Bring the names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was filed or granted. The staff can search the case index and issue a copy during your visit in most situations. For mail requests, send a written request to the Suite 113 address with party names, the filing year, your return address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Processing times vary; call or email before mailing to ask what to expect.
The Saline County clerk's office is unusual among smaller Arkansas counties in offering an email contact option, which makes it easy to ask general questions before visiting. However, certified copy requests still require in-person or mail submission with payment.
The Saline County website has information about the Circuit Clerk's office and the services it provides. The image below shows the county's online records information page, which lists current contacts and services.
That page reflects current information from the Saline County government site and is a good first stop before calling or visiting the office.
Online Search for Saline County Divorce Cases
Arkansas provides a free public case search tool at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. Select Saline County and use case type 14 for Domestic Relations to search for divorce cases. The system shows party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket events. It does not show scanned documents, but it provides the case number needed to request a copy from the clerk. CourtConnect is maintained by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts and is free to use with no account required.
Additional online access to Saline County court records is available through the Arkansas Court Kiosk at arcourtkiosk.org, which covers Saline County Circuit Court cases. Another third-party resource aggregating public records is available at arkansascourtrecords.us/saline/. These tools can supplement your search but the official CourtConnect portal is the most comprehensive and authoritative source for Arkansas court records.
The image below shows the Saline County court records search interface available through the court records resource site, giving you an idea of what case information is publicly accessible.
That view shows the type of case index data available when searching Saline County divorce cases through public records tools.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
There are two different documents that get called "divorce records," and they come from different agencies with different access rules. The divorce decree is the full court order. It is signed by the circuit court judge and filed with the Saline County Circuit Clerk. The decree names both parties, states the grounds for the divorce, gives the date it was granted, and includes all orders about property division, debts, and custody or support if children were involved. The decree is a public record under ACA § 25-19-105. Any person may request a certified copy from Circuit Clerk Myka Bono Sample without providing a reason.
The divorce certificate is a short summary document produced by the Arkansas Department of Health. It records the event of a divorce but does not include the full terms of the court's order. Under ACA § 20-18-305, certificates are restricted to the parties named, their immediate family, and authorized legal representatives. For almost all routine purposes, the full decree from the Saline County Circuit Clerk is what you need. It costs $10, it is public, and it contains far more information than the certificate.
Arkansas Divorce Grounds
Saline County divorce cases are governed by Arkansas state law. ACA § 9-12-301 sets out the fault-based grounds recognized in Arkansas, including adultery, habitual drunkenness, cruel and inhuman treatment, and felony conviction. Fault grounds require evidence presented at a court hearing. Most Saline County divorce cases do not use fault grounds.
The no-fault route under ACA § 9-12-306 is more common. A couple that has lived separate and apart for at least 18 consecutive months can file for divorce without assigning blame. This is the standard approach for uncontested cases. Whatever grounds are used, the final decree is filed with the Saline County Circuit Clerk and becomes a public record.
Fees and How to Order Copies
Certified copies of Saline County divorce decrees cost $10. Additional copies of the same record may cost less. Call (501) 303-5615 or email myka.sample@salinecounty.org to confirm current fees before submitting your request. In-person payments are accepted by cash, check, or money order. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the Saline County Circuit Clerk.
To order a state-issued divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health, contact the Vital Records office 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 for $10 plus a $5 processing fee and $1.85 ID verification charge. State certificates are subject to restricted access under law.
Legal Help in Saline County
Residents of Saline County who need help with a divorce can contact Legal Aid of Arkansas for free civil legal services if they meet income eligibility requirements. Legal Aid can assist with divorce filings, custody disputes, and related family law matters. Check the website or call to confirm current intake procedures.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership offers free guides on divorce and separation that walk through the process step by step. For a private attorney referral in the Benton and Bryant area, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, phone 501-375-4606.
Two qualifying cities in Saline County have their own records pages: Benton and Bryant. Residents of either city file divorce cases through the same Saline County Circuit Clerk at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 113, Benton.