St. Francis County Divorce Records
St. Francis County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Forrest City and cover cases filed since the county was formed in 1827. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, want to search case history through the free state portal, or need to understand what types of records are available, this page walks through the Circuit Clerk's details, online search options, fees, and legal help resources for the 1st Judicial Circuit.
St. Francis County Overview
St. Francis County Circuit Clerk
The St. Francis County Circuit Clerk is located at 313 S Izard Street, Forrest City, AR 72335. The office phone is (870) 261-1725. A fax line is available at (870) 261-1735. This office keeps all divorce decrees, pleadings, and case files from cases filed in St. Francis County Circuit Court. Forrest City serves as the county seat and is where the courthouse is located.
In-person visits are the most direct way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree. Bring the names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was filed. The clerk's staff can search the case index and pull the file. For mail requests, send a written request that includes the party names, the year of the divorce, your mailing address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. The clerk does not accept email requests for certified copies.
St. Francis County was formed in 1827 from Phillips County. It sits in eastern Arkansas along the Mississippi state line and is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. Divorce records from 1827 forward are on file with the Circuit Clerk in Forrest City.
The St. Francis County listing on the Arkansas Association of Counties website provides current office contact information. The image below shows that county listing, which is a useful reference for confirming hours and staff before you call or visit.
That page is maintained by the Arkansas Association of Counties and reflects current contact details for the Forrest City courthouse.
Online Divorce Records Search
Arkansas offers free public access to court case records through the CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. Select St. Francis County from the dropdown and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations to search for divorce cases. The system shows party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket activity. It does not display scanned documents, but it identifies cases and provides the case number you need to request a copy from the clerk.
CourtConnect is operated by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts, 625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-682-9400. No account is required and the search is free. Access is public under ACA § 25-19-105. Cases filed before digital records were kept may not appear in the online system. For those, call the Circuit Clerk at (870) 261-1725.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
Two separate documents carry the label "divorce record" in Arkansas, and they are not interchangeable. The divorce decree is the court's final order. It is signed by the judge and filed with the St. Francis County Circuit Clerk. The decree names both parties, sets out the grounds for divorce, gives the date of judgment, and contains all orders on property, debts, custody, and support. It is a public record. Any person may ask the Circuit Clerk for a certified copy. No special authorization is needed.
The divorce certificate is a short statistical document made by the Arkansas Department of Health. It records the fact that a divorce occurred but does not include the full terms of the court order. Under ACA § 20-18-305, certificates are restricted to the parties named in the record, their immediate family, and authorized legal representatives. For most practical purposes, the full decree from the Circuit Clerk is the right document to request. It costs $10 and is publicly available. The certificate is mainly needed when a state-issued summary format is specifically required for an official process.
Arkansas Divorce Law Overview
All divorce cases in St. Francis County are filed under Arkansas state law. ACA § 9-12-301 establishes the fault-based grounds available in the state. These include adultery, habitual drunkenness, cruel and inhuman treatment, and felony conviction, among others. Fault-based filings require evidence to support the ground claimed.
No-fault divorce is available under ACA § 9-12-306. Couples who have lived continuously separate and apart for 18 months or more may file without alleging fault. This is the most common route in St. Francis County and across the state for uncontested divorces. The grounds cited in the final decree become part of the public record held by the clerk.
Fees and How to Get Copies
Certified copies of St. Francis County divorce decrees cost $10 per copy. Additional copies of the same record may cost less. Call the clerk at (870) 261-1725 to verify the current fee before submitting a request. In-person payments are typically accepted by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the St. Francis County Circuit Clerk.
For state-issued 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, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online orders are available through VitalChek for $10 plus processing and ID verification fees. Access to certificates is restricted under state law.
Legal Resources in St. Francis County
St. Francis County residents who need help with a divorce case can access free legal services through Legal Aid of Arkansas. Eligible low-income clients may receive assistance with divorce filings, custody matters, and related family law issues. Eligibility is determined by income and case type.
Free step-by-step guides on divorce, separation, and annulment are available at the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership website. For a private attorney referral in the Forrest City area, contact the Arkansas Bar Association at 400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1100, Little Rock, phone 501-375-4606. The bar's referral service covers the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes St. Francis County.
State-Level Divorce Records Tools
In addition to the local Circuit Clerk, several state resources support St. Francis County residents who need to find or use divorce records. The Arkansas AOC at arcourts.gov administers the courts, maintains CourtConnect, and publishes court forms. The Arkansas Association of Counties site lists current contacts for every county office in the state.
The image below shows the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts website, which is the official source for court forms, CourtConnect access, and general information about the Arkansas court system including the 1st Judicial Circuit.
That resource covers court procedures across all Arkansas circuits and is the main state portal for accessing CourtConnect and court-related services.