Van Buren County Divorce Records
Van Buren County divorce records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Clinton, the county seat of this central Arkansas county. This page explains how to search divorce cases online, request a certified copy of a divorce decree from the Clinton courthouse, and obtain a divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health. Note that Van Buren County is the county, which is different from the city of Van Buren, located in Crawford County to the west and served by a separate city page.
Van Buren County Overview
Van Buren County Circuit Clerk Office
The Van Buren County Circuit Clerk is located at 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031. Phone: (501) 745-4140. Fax: (501) 745-3304. This office is the official keeper of all court records in Van Buren County, including divorce cases filed in the Circuit Court under the 20th Judicial Circuit. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours at the Clinton courthouse.
Van Buren County was created in 1833 from parts of Conway, Izard, and Independence counties and is named for President Martin Van Buren. The county is located in the Arkansas River Valley and Ozark foothills region of central Arkansas. The Circuit Clerk has maintained court records from the county's early days. Records from the 1800s may only exist in paper form at the courthouse. For those older cases, a direct request to the clerk is the way to go. Call (501) 745-4140 ahead of time to ask about availability for any case that might predate the county's digital records.
When you contact the clerk about a divorce record, have both parties' full names and a rough estimate of the year the case was filed. That information helps staff locate the right file. A government-issued photo ID is standard when you pick up certified copies in person. Calling ahead before any visit is always a good idea to confirm hours and current fees.
The screenshot below is from the Van Buren County page on the Arkansas Association of Counties website, which lists current contact details for county offices in Clinton including the Circuit Clerk.
Check this page before visiting or mailing a request to confirm the most current phone number and address for the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk in Clinton.
Searching Van Buren County Divorce Cases Online
The Arkansas CourtConnect portal is a free online tool for searching Van Buren County divorce cases without visiting the Clinton courthouse. On the site, select Van Buren County from the county drop-down and choose case type 14 for Domestic Relations. Search by party name or by case number.
CourtConnect shows party names, filing dates, case status, and hearing information. It does not display document images. The main value is that it gives you the case number, which you need when you contact the clerk in Clinton to order certified copies. The system is managed by the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts at 625 Marshall St Suite 1100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-682-9400. If you cannot find a case that should be in the system, contact the AOC or the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk directly.
Cases that predate Van Buren County's switch to the digital system will not appear in CourtConnect. The county has kept records since 1833, and some older cases may only exist in paper files in Clinton. For records not found online, call the Circuit Clerk at (501) 745-4140 and ask about manual search options for older cases.
Note: CourtConnect is free and shows case status and party names, but does not provide document images. Get your case number there, then contact the Clinton courthouse to order copies.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
Two different documents qualify as Van Buren County divorce records, and they come from two different agencies. Knowing which one you need matters before you make contact.
The divorce decree is the full court order that ended the marriage. This document is held by the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk in Clinton. It includes both parties' names, the date the divorce was finalized, grounds for divorce, and any court orders regarding property or children. The decree is a public record. Anyone can request a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk by paying the applicable fees and providing a valid photo ID. No special standing is required to get a copy of the divorce decree.
The divorce certificate is a summary document kept by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records. Under ACA § 20-18-305, this record is restricted. Only named parties, their immediate family members, or their legal representatives can order a divorce certificate from ADH. The ADH office is at 4815 W Markham St Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: 501-661-2336 or toll-free 866-209-9482. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
If you are a third party who needs to verify a divorce, the public decree from the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk is the right document to request. If you are a named party and a summary record will meet your legal need, the ADH certificate is also an option. Both require fees, so confirm current amounts before submitting any request or payment.
How to Request Van Buren County Divorce Records
You can request Van Buren County divorce records in person at the Clinton courthouse, by mail, or by ordering an ADH certificate online. Each route has its own process and turnaround time.
In person is the fastest option. Visit the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk at 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031, during regular business hours. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Provide the names of both parties and an approximate year. Staff will locate the file and prepare certified copies. Copy fees and a certification charge apply. Call (501) 745-4140 first to confirm hours and current fee amounts before driving to Clinton.
By mail, write to the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk at 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031. Include your name, return address, contact phone, both parties' full names, and an approximate case year. Attach a check or money order for the fee. Call to confirm the amount before sending payment. Mail requests take longer, and processing time varies.
For an ADH divorce certificate, order through VitalChek online for $10 per copy plus $5 processing and $1.85 ID verification. You can also visit the ADH Little Rock office in person for same-day service. Mail orders from ADH take 7 to 14 business days.
Arkansas Divorce Filing Rules That Apply in Van Buren County
Van Buren County divorce cases are filed in the Circuit Court under the 20th Judicial Circuit. Arkansas state law controls all filings. The requirements are the same in Van Buren County as in every other county in the state.
At least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing for divorce. After filing, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can grant a final decree. This wait cannot be waived or shortened by agreement of the parties. Arkansas allows fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Fault grounds are listed in ACA § 9-12-301. No-fault divorce based on 18 months of continuous separation is available under ACA § 9-12-306. Cases involving children require a parenting plan and child support order approved by the court before the divorce is finalized. Arkansas uses a statewide child support formula that courts in Van Buren County and every other county apply.
Van Buren County borders several other Arkansas counties in the central and north-central part of the state. The Clinton courthouse is the sole source for all Van Buren County divorce records from 1833 forward.
Legal Aid and Attorney Help for Van Buren County Residents
Legal resources are available to Van Buren County residents who need help with a divorce case or a records request. Rural counties like Van Buren are covered by the same state programs as urban areas.
The Arkansas Legal Services Partnership provides free divorce forms and plain-language guides that apply statewide, including Van Buren County. You can download the Complaint for Divorce, Financial Affidavit, and Child Support Worksheet at no cost. The site walks you through what to file and when. It is a useful starting point if you plan to handle the case without an attorney. For low-income residents, Legal Aid of Arkansas may offer free attorney assistance. Call their office to ask about eligibility and services available in Van Buren County and the 20th Judicial Circuit area.
For private representation, the Arkansas Bar Association at 501-375-4606 offers a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney familiar with Van Buren County's court procedures and the 20th Judicial Circuit. The Bar Association's referral service is free to use.