Clark County Court Records Search
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Clark County, Arkansas, centered in Arkadelphia, maintains a court system spanning a Circuit Court and four District Courts that collectively handle felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate matters, and traffic infractions. Court records generated through these proceedings — including case dockets, criminal filings, civil complaints, transcripts, orders, and judgments — are official documents that track the progress and outcome of legal matters in the county. The Circuit Clerk maintains most judicial records, while the County Clerk oversees probate and administrative county court filings.
Arkansas residents and researchers have several pathways to locate court records, ranging from in-person visits to clerk offices and public access terminals at the courthouse to remote tools available through the state judiciary's online systems. ArkansasCourts.us may be a useful starting point for identifying which court holds a particular case and understanding what publicly available case information is accessible across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clark County?
Clark County court case information can be accessed through the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide online portal, in person at the appropriate clerk's office, or by mail. The right channel depends on the type of case and the records needed.
Online — Search ARCourts Portal:
The Search ARCourts portal maintained by the Arkansas Judiciary provides free public access to case information for courts using the Contexte Case Management System. Users can search by party name or case number to find public case information for Clark County Circuit Court proceedings.
Online — Arkansas Court Payment System:
Traffic fines and certain court fees can be paid through the Arkansas Online Court Payment system or directly through the Clark County District Court's online payment portal.
In Person — Circuit Clerk:
The Clark County Circuit Clerk's Office (Circuit Clerk Brian Daniel) is the primary in-person destination for criminal, civil, domestic relations, and property records. Staff can locate case files, provide docket information, and issue certified copies.
Clark County Circuit Clerk
Address: 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-4281
Fax: (870) 246-1419
Email: brian.daniel@clarkcircuit.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
In Person — County Clerk:
Probate records and marriage licenses are maintained by the County Clerk's Office (County Clerk Tracy Pruitt), located in the same building.
Clark County Clerk
Address: 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-4491
Fax: (870) 246-6505
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mail requests should be addressed to the appropriate clerk's office listed above, including the full names of all parties, case number if known, approximate dates, a description of the records requested, and payment for applicable fees.
Are Court Records Public in Clark County?
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1967 establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under FOIA, members of the public have the right to inspect and copy non-exempt records maintained by public agencies, including court records held by county clerks. This right extends to court dockets, transcripts, case files, criminal filings, civil documents, and property instruments.
Certain categories of records are explicitly excluded from public disclosure in Clark County:
- Juvenile records — all records related to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309; these records are not available for public inspection, and juvenile records are generally expunged upon the individual's 21st birthday
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and unavailable to the general public
- Sealed criminal records — records sealed by court order cannot be disclosed
- Family law records involving minors — certain sensitive details within domestic proceedings are redacted or restricted
- Confidential personal identifiers — even in public records, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal identifiers are redacted before release
When records are released, the clerk redacts protected information before providing copies to requesters. The Circuit Clerk's Office does not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents for parties, and it cannot assist with forms for divorces, name changes, or similar matters. Legal form resources are available through Arkansas Legal Services Help.
Clark County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Clark County are divided by severity. The Clark County Circuit Court handles all felony-level prosecutions, while the District Courts handle misdemeanors, traffic violations, and lower-level criminal matters. Records for both levels are maintained separately.
Felony Records — Circuit Court:
The Clark County Circuit Court is the venue for all felony criminal proceedings. Records include charging documents, indictments, arraignment orders, pretrial motions, trial transcripts, verdicts, and sentencing orders. You can search case information through the Search ARCourts portal or visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person.
Misdemeanor and Traffic Records — District Courts:
Clark County operates four District Courts handling misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic charges, and small civil matters. Their contact details are as follows:
| District Court Location | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkadelphia | P.O. Box 449, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 | (870) 246-9552 | (870) 246-1415 |
| Amity | P.O. Box 197, Amity, AR 71921 | (870) 342-5822 | (870) 342-6284 |
| Caddo Valley | 137 Malvern Rd., Arkadelphia, AR 71923 | (870) 246-8283 | (870) 246-5729 |
| Gurdon | P.O. Box 449, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 | (870) 246-9552 | (870) 246-1415 |
The physical District Court office serving Arkadelphia and Gurdon is located at 419 Clay Street, Arkadelphia. The Clark County District Court website provides general information, forms, and online fine payment options.
Arrest Records:
Arrest records are maintained by the arresting agency, not the court clerk. The Clark County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement custodian for county-level arrest records:
Clark County Sheriff's Office (Sheriff Jason Watson)
Address: 406 S. 5th Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-2222
Administration: (870) 246-1425
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Court-imposed fines and restitution are paid through the Sheriff's Office; for payment inquiries, call (870) 246-8859. Note that the Circuit Clerk's Office does not collect fines — payment must be directed to the Sheriff.
Clark County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Clark County are divided by claim value. The District Courts handle civil matters valued up to $25,000, including small claims disputes. Cases exceeding that threshold, along with contract actions, property disputes, and equity matters, fall within Circuit Court jurisdiction.
Circuit Court Civil Records:
Civil case filings, orders, and judgments from the Clark County Circuit Court are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are publicly accessible subject to FOIA exemptions. Case information can be searched through the Search ARCourts portal.
Filing Fees — Clark County Circuit Court:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil, Criminal & Domestic Case | $165.00 |
| Subpoena or Summons | $2.50 each |
| Re-Opening & Transfer | $50.00 |
| District Court Appeal (Civil) | $165.00 |
| District Court Appeal (Criminal) | $150.00 |
| Writ of Garnishment, Execution, Possession & Scire Facias | $20.00 |
| Process Server | $140.00 |
| Renewal Process Server | $50.00 |
| Certified Copies | $5.00 per document |
| Scan & Email | Free |
The Circuit Clerk accepts cash, checks, and money orders. The office does not accept credit or debit cards.
Property Records:
As ex-officio county recorder, the Circuit Clerk also records and maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property instruments. Certified copies of property records cost $5.00 per document plus $0.25 per additional page. Property assessment data, parcel maps, and tax valuation records are held by the County Assessor:
Clark County Assessor's Office
Address: 401 Clay Street, First Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-4431
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Clark County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Clark County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence proceedings, adoptions, and name changes — are handled by the Clark County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk maintains all associated case records, which are generally public under FOIA except where specific exemptions apply.
Divorce Decrees:
Certified copies of divorce decrees filed in Clark County are available through the Circuit Clerk's Office at $5.00 per certified copy. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce. A valid form of identification confirming eligibility as a named party or eligible relative is required.
Divorce Certificates (State Level):
Divorce certificates — the vital records version of a divorce document — are available through the Arkansas Department of Health for $10.00 per copy. Requests are restricted to spouses, children, parents, and grandparents, who must provide a government-issued photo ID to demonstrate eligibility. Mail requests should be directed to:
Arkansas Department of Health — Vital Records Section (Slot 44)
Address: 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Marriage Records:
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Clark County Clerk's Office, not the Circuit Clerk. To apply for a marriage license or obtain a copy of a marriage record, contact:
Clark County Clerk
Address: 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-4491
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For marriages recorded after January 1, 1926, certified copies are also available from the Arkansas Department of Health's Vital Records Division at $10.00 per copy, using the same mailing address above.
Birth and Death Records:
Birth and death certificates are state-level records managed by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Division and are not held by the Clark County courts. Locally, both types of records can be requested through the Clark County Local Health Unit:
Clark County Local Health Unit
Address: 605 South 10th Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-4471
Local health unit hours for certified death certificates: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Birth certificate requests at the local unit are processed Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Vital Records Fee Summary:
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $12.00 | $10.00 |
| Death Certificate | $10.00 | $8.00 |
| Marriage Certificate (state) | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Divorce Certificate (state) | $10.00 | $10.00 |
Under Arkansas Code § 20-18-305, certified birth certificates are restricted to the registrant, their spouse, parents, children, legal guardian, or an authorized representative. Death certificates carry similar restrictions limiting access to spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, legal guardians, representatives of the deceased, and funeral home representatives.
Adoption and Juvenile Records:
Adoption records are sealed and unavailable to the general public. All juvenile records in Clark County are confidential under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309 and cannot be viewed or copied by members of the public. The Circuit Clerk's Office confirms this policy: juvenile records are not available for viewing under any circumstances without a court order.
Clark County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Clark County rests with the County Court, and the County Clerk's Office maintains all probate case records. Probate proceedings include the administration of decedents' estates, validation of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Types of probate records maintained by the County Clerk include petitions for probate and letters testamentary, wills and codicils submitted for validation, letters of administration for intestate estates, final accounts and inventories of estate assets, notices of appointment and affidavits of publication, guardianship and conservatorship filings, and court orders issued during probate proceedings.
To access Clark County probate records:
- Visit the County Clerk's Office at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- Provide the decedent's or ward's full name and the approximate year the case was filed
- Specify the document or case file you need and whether a plain copy or certified copy is required
- Pay applicable fees: $5.00 per certified document, plus $0.25 per additional page
Mail requests can be sent to: Clark County Clerk, 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. Include identifying case details, a description of the records requested, and a check or money order for the estimated fee.
For cases that can be searched online, the Search ARCourts portal may return results for probate matters filed in Clark County Circuit Court. Older archived probate records may not appear in the online system and would need to be requested directly from the County Clerk's Office.