Garland County Court Records Search
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Garland County is located in central Arkansas, with the city of Hot Springs serving as the county seat. The county’s judiciary operates within the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit East and includes a Circuit Court divided into four divisions, a District Court with two divisions, and the offices of the Circuit Clerk and County Clerk. These courts collectively handle felony and misdemeanor cases, civil litigation, domestic relations disputes, juvenile proceedings, probate matters, traffic violations, and small claims. The Circuit Clerk functions as the official custodian of Circuit Court records and doubles as the county’s ex-officio recorder, maintaining land records such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. The District Court clerk maintains separate files for misdemeanor criminal, traffic, small claims, and ordinance violation cases processed through that court.
Arkansas residents and members of the public can search for court records through several channels. The Arkansas Judiciary’s Search ARCourts portal provides free access to public case information for courts across the state that use the Contexte Case Management System. Records can also be located by contacting the Garland County Circuit Clerk’s office or the District Court directly, by visiting the courthouse in person and using public-access terminals, or by submitting written requests. For statewide court information and case lookups, ArkansasCourts.us may help users connect with publicly available court case data across Arkansas counties.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Garland County?
The first step is identifying which court handled the matter. Felonies, major civil cases, domestic relations disputes, probate, and juvenile matters are filed in the Circuit Court. Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, city and county ordinance violations, and small claims cases under $25,000 go through the District Court.
Online Case Search
The Search ARCourts portal allows searches by party name, case number, or other criteria at no charge. Results include case type, filing date, charges or claims, hearing schedules, and disposition information. The Garland County Circuit Clerk also operates an Online Records database that requires users to create an account. Once registered, account holders can search records and submit documents electronically.
In-Person Searches
Both courthouses maintain public terminals where visitors can look up case information during business hours. Staff at the clerk’s offices can assist with locating specific files, though they cannot provide legal advice.
Garland County Circuit Court / Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 207, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 622-3630
Fax: (501) 609-9043
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Garland County District Court
Address: 607 Ouachita Avenue, Room 150, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 321-6765
Fax: (501) 321-6764
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.)
Requesting Copies
To obtain copies of filed documents, contact the appropriate clerk’s office in person, by phone, or by mail. When submitting a request, provide:
- Full names of the parties involved
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date the case was filed or heard
- Description of the specific documents needed
- Whether you require regular or certified copies
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (for mail requests)
Copy Fees — Circuit Clerk
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document |
The Garland County public records portal powered by NextRequest also provides a way to submit and track records requests online for various county departments, including the Sheriff’s Office.
Are Court Records Public in Garland County?
Court records in Garland County are presumptively public under two overlapping legal frameworks. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq., guarantees every Arkansas citizen the right to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies, including courts. Separately, Administrative Order No. 19, adopted by the Arkansas Supreme Court, specifically governs access to court records and provides that all court records are open to the public unless restricted by law or by procedure established in the order itself.
Records that are exempt from public disclosure include:
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Juvenile court files and records involving minors
- Adoption proceedings and related documents
- Undisclosed law enforcement investigation files
- Medical records and protected health information
- Tax records and certain financial data that would constitute a privacy invasion
- Information that would reveal the identity of undercover officers
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Grand jury proceedings
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
When a record contains both public and exempt material, the custodian must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Section 25-19-105(b) of the FOIA details specific exemptions and the procedures for asserting them. Individuals who believe they have been improperly denied access to a record may seek review through the Arkansas Attorney General’s office or file a circuit court action to compel disclosure.
Garland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Garland County are split between two courts based on the severity of the offense. The Circuit Court handles all felonies and certain misdemeanors, while the District Court has jurisdiction over most misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and local ordinance infractions. The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit East currently has four Circuit Court divisions, each presided over by a judge who handles a share of the county’s criminal caseload alongside civil and domestic matters.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
Criminal case records from the Circuit Court can be searched through the Search ARCourts portal or the Circuit Clerk’s Online Records database. District Court criminal and traffic case information is available through the District Court clerk’s office at (501) 321-6765. In-person visitors can use public terminals at either courthouse. Copies of criminal case documents from the Circuit Court cost $1.00 per page, with certification at $5.00 per document.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records, incident reports, and booking information are maintained by the Garland County Sheriff’s Department. Requests can be directed in writing or submitted through the county’s NextRequest public records portal.
Garland County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 525 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 622-3660
Garland County Detention Center
Address: 3564 Albert Pike Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913
Phone: (501) 651-7804
The NextRequest system allows users to file requests online, monitor their status, and download records once they are ready. Note that arrest records document an arrest event and do not indicate whether the individual was ultimately convicted.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
For a more comprehensive criminal history search beyond Garland County, the Arkansas State Police offers two online options:
- Criminal Background Check (with subject consent or statutory mandate): $22.00 per search
- Open Criminal History (for personal or general-purpose inquiries): $24.00 per search
Results are returned electronically. The State Police can be reached at (501) 618-8000 for questions about the background check process.
Garland County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Garland County are filed in either the Circuit Court or the District Court depending on the type of dispute and the amount at stake. The Circuit Court exercises general jurisdiction over civil matters, including claims exceeding the District Court’s monetary threshold, foreclosures, real estate title disputes, and injunctions. The District Court handles small claims and civil cases involving lesser amounts, as well as forcible entry and detainer (eviction) actions.
How to Access Civil Court Records
Civil case information from the Circuit Court is searchable through the Search ARCourts portal and the Circuit Clerk’s Online Records database. District Court civil records, including small claims filings, can be obtained by contacting the District Court clerk’s office at (501) 321-6765, ext. 3 (Small Claims/Civil). In-person visitors can review files at the courthouse using public terminals or with clerk assistance.
Copies of civil documents from the Circuit Court follow the same fee schedule as other Circuit Clerk records: $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 for certification. Requests can be made in person, by phone, or by mail to the Circuit Clerk at 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 207, Hot Springs, AR 71901.
Property and Land Records
Because the Garland County Circuit Clerk also serves as the ex-officio county recorder, the Recorder’s Office records all deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. E-recording is available through third-party providers including Corporation Service Company, Simplifile, ePN, and Indecomm Global Services. Recording fees in Arkansas are generally $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page.
The Garland County Assessor’s Office maintains property valuation data and offers online search tools for both real property and personal property records. Users can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address directly through the Assessor’s website.
Garland County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Garland County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations division. The Circuit Clerk serves as clerk of the Domestic Relations court and maintains all associated filings, including complaints, answers, orders, decrees, and settlement agreements. Cases handled by this division include divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, child custody, child support, visitation and parenting time, paternity, spousal support, and domestic abuse protection orders.
Searching and Requesting Family Court Records
Domestic relations case records can be looked up through the Search ARCourts portal or the Online Records database. Copies of filed documents are available from the Circuit Clerk’s office in person, by phone, or by mail at (501) 622-3630. The same copy fees apply: $1.00 per page for regular copies, $5.00 for certified copies.
Certain family court records carry access restrictions. Adoption files are sealed under Arkansas law and are not available through standard public records requests. Juvenile court records are also confidential and generally not accessible to the public. Custody evaluation reports and domestic violence risk assessments may be subject to protective orders limiting their distribution.
Marriage Licenses and Records
Marriage licenses in Garland County are issued by the Garland County Clerk’s office, not the Circuit Clerk. Both applicants must appear in person together and satisfy the following requirements:
- Present a valid photo ID (driver’s license or government-issued ID)
- Provide Social Security numbers
- Bring certified copies of any prior divorce decrees or death certificates of former spouses
- Pay the license fee of $60.00 (cash only)
Licenses are issued Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary, and the process takes approximately 15–20 minutes. A marriage license is valid for 60 days and must be signed by a credentialed officiant and recorded in the same county where it was purchased.
Garland County Clerk
Address: 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 103, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 622-3600
Certified copies of the marriage license bond page cost $5.00 each; non-certified copies are $1.00. Requests can be made in person or by mail using the Marriage License Copy Request form. Mailed requests must include the appropriate fee by check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Divorce records are held by the Circuit Clerk, since divorces are finalized through the Circuit Court. Statewide copies of marriage and divorce records are also available through the Arkansas Department of Health Certificates and Records division; marriage record copies cost $10.00 each through that office.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not court records but are frequently needed alongside family court filings. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains vital records and accepts requests in person, by mail, by telephone at (866) 209-9482, or online. Local requests may also be directed to the Garland County Health Unit. Fees are as follows:
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $12.00 | $10.00 each |
| Death certificate | $10.00 | $8.00 each |
Online orders carry an additional $5.00 processing fee and $1.85 identity verification fee. Only individuals on the state’s list of eligible parties may obtain certified copies. Applicants must present acceptable identification.
Garland County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Garland County are heard by the Circuit Court rather than a separate probate court. The Circuit Court handles the validation of wills, administration of decedents’ estates, distribution of assets, appointment of personal representatives, and supervision of trusts. It also adjudicates guardianship and conservatorship petitions for incapacitated adults and minors, as well as adoption proceedings.
How to Search for Probate Records
Probate case data can be located through the Search ARCourts portal or the Circuit Clerk’s Online Records database. The Garland County Clerk’s office also maintains a Probate Department with an online probate ledger where visitors can review probate information. In-person searches are available at the Garland County Courthouse, 501 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, using public terminals or by requesting clerk assistance.
Requesting Probate Documents
Copies of probate filings—wills, inventories, accountings, letters testamentary, guardianship petitions, and closing orders—can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk’s office through the same channels used for other court records. Provide the decedent’s name, case number if available, and a description of the documents needed. Regular copies cost $1.00 per page, and certification costs $5.00 per document.
Types of Probate Records Maintained
The Circuit Clerk’s files for a probate case typically include:
- Petition for probate and letters of administration
- Last will and testament (if one exists)
- Inventory of estate assets
- Claims filed by creditors
- Accountings (interim and final)
- Orders of distribution
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions and annual reports
- Trust instruments filed with the court
- Adoption decrees (sealed; restricted access)
Probate records are generally public, though adoption files remain sealed under Arkansas law and require a court order for access. Guardianship reports containing sensitive medical or financial information about a ward may also be subject to restricted access at the court’s discretion.
For property that passes through a probate estate, transfer documents such as deeds from personal representatives must be recorded with the Garland County Recorder’s Office at the Circuit Clerk’s office. Property valuations relevant to estate administration can be researched through the Garland County Assessor’s Office online search tools.