Cleburne County Court Records Search
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Cleburne County, Arkansas, produces court records across several venues — from the Circuit Court, which handles felonies and major civil matters, to district courts that resolve local disputes and traffic cases. These records cover the full documentary life of a legal proceeding: docket entries, pleadings, affidavits, witness testimony, exhibits, briefs, orders, decrees, and final judgments. The Circuit Clerk's office is the main keeper of most court records in the county, while vital records and property documents fall under separate offices.
If you're not sure where to start, ArkansasCourts.us is a useful entry point for navigating the Arkansas court system. From there, you can reach clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and the Arkansas Judiciary's online case search tools. The Search ARCourts portal, maintained by the Arkansas Judiciary, lets anyone search case records from courts using the Contexte Case Management System by party name or case number — at no charge.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cleburne County?
The Circuit Clerk's Office at the Cleburne County Courthouse is your first stop for most court record requests. The office handles filings for Circuit Court matters including criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate cases.
Cleburne County Circuit Clerk — Heather Smith
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Cleburne County Courthouse, 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 543, Heber Springs, AR 72543 |
| Phone | (501) 362-8149 |
| Fax | (501) 362-4681 |
| recorder@cleburnecircuitclerkar.gov | |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | cleburnecountyar.com/circuit-clerk |
There are four practical ways to search or request Cleburne County court records:
- Online via Search ARCourts: Visit caseinfo.arcourts.gov and search by party name, case number, or other identifiers. This portal gives free public access to case information from courts operating on the Contexte system.
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours. Bring the party's full name, approximate filing year, or case number to speed up the search. A public access kiosk is also available at the Cleburne County Library.
- By mail: Send a written request to the P.O. Box address above. Include all available case identifiers and specify whether you need plain or certified copies.
- By phone or email: Call (501) 362-8149 or email the Circuit Clerk with procedural questions. Staff cannot provide legal advice, but they can walk you through the records process.
For District Court cases — traffic, minor civil, and misdemeanor matters — contact the Cleburne County District Court in Heber Springs directly.
Cleburne County District Court — Judge Lance Wright
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 922 South 9th Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543 |
| Phone | (501) 362-6585 |
| Fax | (501) 362-4661 |
| districtcourtofcleburnecounty@yahoo.com | |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Cleburne County also has three additional District Courts serving the communities of Concord, Greers Ferry, and Quitman:
- Concord District Court: 75 Central Avenue, P.O. Box 273, Concord, AR 72523 | (870) 668-3315
- Greers Ferry District Court: 8739 Edgemont Road, Greers Ferry, AR 72067 | (501) 825-7172
- Quitman District Court: 52nd Street, P.O. Box 159, Quitman, AR 72131 | (501) 589-3312
Are Court Records Public in Cleburne County?
Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq.), court records in Cleburne County are generally open to public inspection and copying by any Arkansas citizen. Custodians must make records reasonably available upon request and are required to provide a written reason for any refusal.
That said, state law exempts several categories of records from disclosure or limits access to authorized requesters. Records commonly withheld from general public access in Cleburne County include:
- Juvenile records — case files involving minors in delinquency and dependency proceedings
- Adoption records — sealed by court order and generally inaccessible without judicial authorization
- Child protective services information — including the identity of child abuse victims
- Medical records — contained within court filings involving health-related matters
- Personal income tax records — protected under state law
- Ongoing law enforcement investigative records — withheld while an investigation remains active
- Records affecting fair hearing rights — information whose release could compromise a person's right to an impartial adjudication
- Safety and security information — records whose disclosure could endanger individuals
If a records request is denied, the custodian must explain the reason in writing. Requesters who believe a denial was improper may seek relief through the circuit court.
Cleburne County Criminal Court Records
Felony cases in Cleburne County go through the Circuit Court, while misdemeanors and lesser criminal matters are handled by the District Courts. The Circuit Clerk at the Cleburne County Courthouse maintains official records for all felony proceedings, including charging documents, arrest warrants, plea entries, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders.
Requesting Criminal Court Records
To obtain criminal case records from the Circuit Court:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, during business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday).
- Provide the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the approximate date or year of the case.
- Search for case information in advance using the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search portal to identify case numbers before visiting in person.
Criminal History and Arrest Records
For statewide criminal history background checks, the Arkansas Criminal History Search (ARCH) system is the official state portal. A $24.00 non-refundable fee applies to each name-based search. Results will show criminal history information if the subject appears in the state's records.
For locally generated arrest information and current jail custody status, the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible inmate roster and booking records.
Cleburne County Sheriff's Office
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 914 South 9th Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543 |
| Main Office | (501) 362-8143 |
| Dispatch (Non-Emergency) | (501) 362-8291 |
| Fax | (501) 362-7386 |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
The Sheriff's Office operates a detention center and provides an online inmate roster searchable by name, booking date, and charges. An ISOMS portal is also available for viewing recent bookings within the past 72 hours.
Cleburne County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Cleburne County is split between the Circuit Court and the District Court depending on how much money is at stake and the nature of the dispute. The Circuit Court handles larger civil claims, complex contract disputes, property matters, personal injury actions, and appeals from district courts. The District Court handles civil claims up to $20,000 and runs a Small Claims division for disputes not exceeding $5,000.
Small Claims Court
Arkansas District Courts hear small claims cases under relaxed procedural rules, and attorney representation is not required. Under Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18 (2025), the monetary ceiling for small claims actions is $5,000. To file a small claims case in Cleburne County, visit the District Court at 922 South 9th Street, Heber Springs. The plaintiff must file a Claim Form at the district court clerk's office in the county where the defendant resides or where the obligation was to be performed.
The Arkansas Law Help small claims resources page provides official forms and step-by-step guidance for self-represented litigants. Guides on the process are also available from the Arkansas Attorney General's office.
Accessing Civil Court Records
For Circuit Court civil records, contact the Circuit Clerk at (501) 362-8149 or stop by the courthouse. For District Court civil records, contact Judge Lance Wright's office at (501) 362-6585. In both cases, having the party name, case number, and approximate filing date ready will speed up retrieval.
Property-Related Records
Civil property records — including deeds, mortgages, and liens — are maintained separately by county offices. Property assessment data is available through the Cleburne County Assessor:
Cleburne County Assessor's Office
320 West Main Street
Heber Springs, AR 72543
Phone: (501) 362-8147
Fax: (501) 362-4651
Email: rmiller@cleburnecountyassessor.com
Property tax records are also available online through the Arkansas County Data Scout portal, which aggregates property and tax information for Arkansas counties including Cleburne.
Cleburne County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Cleburne County — including divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic relations proceedings — go through the Circuit Court's domestic relations division. The Cleburne County Circuit Clerk maintains all case files from these proceedings.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings are filed with the Circuit Clerk at 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs. Once a divorce is finalized, the case file — including the complaint, decree, and any custody or support orders — stays in the Circuit Clerk's custody and is generally accessible to the public. To request a copy, contact the Circuit Clerk in person, by mail, or by email at recorder@cleburnecircuitclerkar.gov.
Certified copies of divorce certificates for events recorded from 1962 onward are also available from the Arkansas Department of Health. The cost is $10.00 for the first copy, plus a $5.00 processing fee and a $1.58 identity verification fee. Orders can be placed in person, by mail, or online through the Arkansas Department of Health. Processing typically takes 7–14 business days.
Marriage Records and Licenses
Marriage licenses in Cleburne County are issued by the County Clerk's Office. Both parties must appear in person and bring a government-issued photo ID, a document showing their full Social Security number, and $60.00 in cash.
Cleburne County Clerk — Sherry Logan
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543 |
| Phone | (501) 362-4620 |
| Fax | (501) 362-4622 |
| Sherry.Logan@cleburnecoar.gov | |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Arkansas Department of Health for events occurring from 1917 onward. The cost is $10.00 per copy, plus applicable processing fees for online orders. Requests are restricted to the named individuals (aged 16 or older), their parents, grandparents, and maternal grandparents. You'll need to present a valid government-issued ID.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Cleburne County residents are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. Access is limited to eligible individuals as defined by state law — generally the person named, their immediate family, and authorized legal representatives.
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $12.00 | $10.00 each |
| Death Certificate | $10.00 | $8.00 each |
| Marriage Certificate | $10.00 | $10.00 each |
| Divorce Certificate | $10.00 | — |
All four record types can be ordered by phone at (866) 209-9482, by mail using the applicable application form, or in person at the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office:
Arkansas Department of Health — Vital Records
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (866) 209-9482
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Birth certificates can also be ordered online through the state's vital records portal, with an additional $5.00 processing fee and $1.85 identity verification fee applied to online transactions. To check the status of any vital records order, use the Check Order Status tool from the Arkansas Department of Health by entering your confirmation number.
Cleburne County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Cleburne County rests with the Circuit Court, which handles the full range of estate and guardianship matters — including the probate of wills, administration of decedents' estates, guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults, and conservatorship proceedings. The Circuit Clerk prepares and maintains all probate court records.
How to Access Probate Records
There are three ways to access Cleburne County probate records:
- Online: Search the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search portal for probate case information by decedent or petitioner name.
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- By mail: Send a written request with the decedent's name, approximate date of filing, and case number (if known) to P.O. Box 543, Heber Springs, AR 72543. Include a check or money order for any applicable copy fees.
Types of Probate Matters Handled
- Wills — The Circuit Court authenticates and records wills filed for probate. Interested parties — including heirs, creditors, and named beneficiaries — may request copies of filed wills from the Circuit Clerk.
- Estate administration — The court supervises the distribution of assets to heirs, resolution of creditor claims, and appointment of personal representatives (executors or administrators).
- Guardianships of minors — When a minor lacks adequate parental oversight, the court may appoint a guardian to manage the child's personal affairs.
- Guardianships and conservatorships of adults — For incapacitated adults, the court appoints a guardian to make personal decisions and/or a conservator to manage financial matters.
The Arkansas Judiciary provides official probate court forms covering guardianship letters, estate claims, and other standard filings. These forms are free to download, complete, and file with the Circuit Clerk. While probate in Cleburne County is often informal for smaller estates, contested wills or complex estate disputes may require formal court proceedings before a Circuit Court judge.