Pope County Court Records Search
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Pope County occupies a central position in the Arkansas River Valley, with Russellville serving as the county seat and primary hub for judicial activity. The county’s trial court system consists of the Circuit Court—which handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, domestic relations, juvenile matters, and probate—and multiple District Court departments that adjudicate misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic cases across Russellville, Atkins, Dover, London, and Pottsville. The Circuit Clerk’s office is the principal custodian of court records in Pope County, maintaining files for all cases pending before or previously resolved by the Circuit Court, while also serving as the county recorder for deeds, mortgages, and other land instruments.
Arkansas provides several pathways for researching court records at both the county and state levels. The Pope County Circuit Clerk’s office accepts requests in person, by mail, and by phone during regular courthouse hours. For electronic access, the Arkansas Judiciary operates Search ARCourts, a public case information portal covering courts that use the Contexte case management system. Users can search by party name, case number, citation number, or case description. For a broader overview of court structures and record-access options across the state, ArkansasCourts.us may help users identify publicly available court case information and connect with the appropriate clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pope County?
Court records in Pope County are held by different offices depending on the type of case. The Circuit Clerk maintains all Circuit Court files (criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, and probate), while District Court records are kept at each individual department’s location. The County Clerk maintains probate, guardianship, adoption, and marriage records.
Pope County Circuit Clerk (Rachel Oertling)
Address: 100 W. Main, Russellville, AR 72801
Phone: (479) 968-7499 (court-related) / (479) 968-6989 (real estate)
Fax: (479) 880-8463
Email: rachel.oertling@popecircuit.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Pope County Clerk (Pam Ennis)
Address: 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801
Phone: (479) 968-6064
Fax: (479) 967-2291
Email: clerk@popecountyar.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Steps to Search for a Case
- Determine which office holds the record. Circuit Court records (felony, civil, domestic relations, juvenile) are with the Circuit Clerk. Probate, guardianship, adoption, and marriage records are with the County Clerk. Misdemeanor and traffic records may be with the relevant District Court department.
- Search online. The ARCourts case search portal provides free public access to case information. Users can search by participant name (first, middle, last, or organization) or by case number/citation number. An advanced search option allows further filtering by court, case type, and date range.
- Contact the office by phone or email. The Circuit Clerk’s office can be reached at (479) 968-7499 for court-related inquiries. The County Clerk handles probate and marriage inquiries at (479) 968-6064.
- Visit in person. Walk-in requests are accepted at both offices in the Pope County Courthouse during regular hours. Provide any available identifying information—case number, party names, or filing date—to help staff locate the record.
- Submit a mail request. Written requests should include the case details, the type of document needed, and applicable fees. The Circuit Clerk accepts money orders, cashier’s checks, and cash (except $50 and $100 bills). Personal checks are accepted only for recording and passport services.
Circuit Court Filing and Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| New case filing | $165.00 |
| Reopen a case | $50.00 |
| Summons | $2.50 |
| Appeal from District Court | $150.00 |
| Seal records | No charge |
Are Court Records Public in Pope County?
Arkansas law creates a strong presumption of public access to court records. Arkansas Administrative Order No. 19, adopted by the Arkansas Supreme Court, governs access to judicial records statewide. The order defines court records broadly and establishes that most case information—including filings, docket entries, judgments, and dispositions—is open to public inspection. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (A.C.A. § 25-19-103) provides additional access rights to governmental records.
Under Administrative Order No. 19, Section VII, certain categories of court records are excluded from public access. These include:
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Grand jury minutes and proceedings
- Unpublished drafts of judicial opinions and rulings
- Medical, educational, and financial records filed under seal
- Active or ongoing criminal investigation materials
- Personnel files and records protected by specific court rules
When a record contains both public and confidential information, the court may redact the restricted portions and release the remainder. Individuals seeking access to sealed records typically need a court order authorizing disclosure. The Circuit Clerk’s office does not provide legal advice regarding record access but can direct requesters to the appropriate forms and procedures.
Pope County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Pope County are divided between the Circuit Court and the District Courts. The Circuit Court handles all felony prosecutions and certain serious misdemeanors, while the District Courts process Class A, B, and C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and other lower-level offenses across multiple locations.
Circuit Court Criminal Division
The Circuit Clerk’s office maintains records for all felony and criminal cases filed in Circuit Court. Case information can be searched through the ARCourts portal or requested directly from the clerk. The office does not conduct criminal background searches, as it is not licensed or bonded for that purpose.
District Court Locations and Schedules
| Location | Address | Phone | Court Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russellville | 1506 E. 2nd St, Ste 2, Russellville, AR 72801 | (479) 968-1393 | Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. (pleas) / 10:00 a.m. (trials); Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. (trials) |
| Atkins | 305 E. Main St, Atkins, AR 72823 | (479) 641-1811 | 4th Monday, 5:00 p.m. |
| Dover | 8904 Market St, Dover, AR 72837 | (479) 331-3270 | 1st Monday, 4:00 p.m. |
| London | P.O. Box 130, London, AR 72847 | (479) 293-4115 | 2nd Monday, 5:00 p.m. |
| Pottsville | 173 E. Ash St, Pottsville, AR 72858 | (479) 567-5666 | 2nd Thursday, 3:00 p.m. |
Sheriff’s Office
The Pope County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency and maintains a records management system covering citations, incident/offense reports, accident reports, jail booking records, warrant records, and civil process records. Some records can be obtained by contacting the Sheriff’s Office by phone, email, or in person.
Pope County Sheriff’s Office
Address: #3 Emergency Lane, Russellville, AR 72802
Phone: (479) 968-2558
Fax: (479) 968-6145
Email: blake.wilson@popecountyar.gov
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a comprehensive criminal background check, Arkansas law (A.C.A. § 12-12-1501 et seq.) directs individuals to the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau. Searches can be conducted through the Arkansas Criminal History (ARCH) portal for $24.00 per search (non-refundable), using the subject’s name, sex, and date of birth. Mail-based, name-only searches are also available for $22.00 using the official request forms, submitted to:
Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
Fingerprint-based background checks are limited to National/FBI requests and are processed through separate channels.
Pope County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Pope County encompass contract disputes, personal injury claims, property litigation, and other non-criminal proceedings. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases, while the District Court in Russellville handles small claims and lower-value civil disputes. Civil and small claims cases in the District Court are heard on Mondays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. at the Russellville location.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case files are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and can be accessed through the ARCourts portal online, in person at the courthouse, or by submitting a written request. When submitting requests, provide the case number, party names, or filing date to help staff locate the record. Copies are available for a fee, and payments must be by money order, cashier’s check, or cash.
Property and Land Records
The Circuit Clerk’s office also serves as the county recorder, maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and other land instruments. A Deed Search can be conducted through the office. Recording fees under Ark. Code Ann. § 21-6-306 are:
- Deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, plats, and most recordable instruments: $15.00 first page, plus $5.00 for each additional page (two-sided instruments count as two pages)
- Mortgage assignments and releases (single document listing multiple instruments): No fee for the first instrument; $15.00 for each additional, not to exceed $300.00
- Mortgage or trustee’s notice of default and intention to sell: $140.00 plus $15.00 recording fee for the first page, $5.00 each additional
- Real property transfer tax: $3.30 per $1,000 of actual consideration on transactions exceeding $100
For real estate questions, contact the Circuit Clerk’s real estate division at (479) 968-6989.
Online Property Resources
The Pope County Assessor’s Office provides free access to online real estate records through ARCountyData. The GeoStor GIS portal offers property mapping data. The Assessor’s Office is located on the second floor of the courthouse and can be reached at (479) 968-7418.
The Circuit Clerk also offers a Property Fraud Alert service—a free online subscription that monitors recordings under a subscriber’s name to detect potential fraudulent activity.
Pope County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Pope County—including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, orders of protection, and adoption—are handled by the Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations division. The Circuit Clerk’s office maintains all domestic case files, which can be searched through the ARCourts portal or requested from the clerk’s office directly.
Divorce Records
Divorce judgments and related filings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. To request a copy, visit the office or submit a written request with the parties’ names and the approximate date of the divorce. Copies are subject to applicable fees. Alternatively, divorce verification certificates can be obtained from the Arkansas Department of Health, Division of Vital Records by phone, mail, online, or in person. Each copy costs $10.00, plus any applicable processing and delivery fees. The mail request form for divorce records should be sent to:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records Section – Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Pope County Clerk’s office. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security cards. The license fee is $60.00, payable by cash, check, or money order. The license is valid for 60 days and must be returned to the County Clerk after the ceremony (or returned unused for cancellation). There is no waiting period for applicants 18 and older. Arkansas does not require blood tests or medical exams.
Certified copies of marriage licenses can be requested from the County Clerk for $5.00 per copy; non-certified copies cost $1.15. Mail requests require a completed request form sent to:
Pope County Clerk
100 West Main Street
Russellville, AR 72801
Marriage records are also available from the Arkansas Department of Health for $10.00 per copy, using the marriage record application. Eligible individuals must present valid identification with their request.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health rather than the county offices. Eligible individuals may request records online, by Phone: (toll-free at (866) 209-9482), by mail, or in person. Fees are as follows:
| Record | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $12.00 | $10.00 each |
| Death certificate | $10.00 | $8.00 each |
Mail requests require the appropriate application form (birth or death) with valid identification, sent to the ADH Vital Records address above. Local health units may also process vital records requests.
Pope County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Pope County—including the administration of decedent estates, probate of wills, guardianship of minors and incapacitated persons, conservatorships, and adoptions—are overseen by the Circuit Court with the County Clerk serving as Clerk of the Probate Court. The County Clerk files all instruments in estate cases, swears in witnesses in contested estates, and maintains all records related to adoptions and guardianship proceedings.
Record Availability by Time Period
The County Clerk’s office holds the following records:
- Wills: 1862 to present
- Probate records (probate court, small estates, claims against estates, guardianship, commitment, adoptions): 1887 to present
- County court records: 1857 to present
Probate records predating 1887 are stored in the Historical Vault. Researchers interested in these older documents should contact the county historian, Charity Park, at (479) 970-2414 or charity_park@yahoo.com.
Searching Probate Records
Current probate case information can be searched through the ARCourts portal by selecting the probate case type or entering the decedent’s name. In-person requests can be made at the County Clerk’s office in the courthouse, where staff can assist with locating files by case number or party name. Written requests by mail should be directed to the County Clerk at 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801.
Common Probate Filings
The County Clerk’s probate division handles applications for administration of estates (with and without a will), small estate affidavits, claims against estates, guardianship petitions for minors and incapacitated adults, commitment proceedings, and adoption filings. The Circuit Court filing fee of $165.00 applies to new probate cases initiated through the Circuit Court. Copy fees apply for obtaining duplicates of filed documents. Payment is accepted by money order, cashier’s check, or cash at the Circuit Clerk’s office; the County Clerk’s office may accept additional payment methods for certain transactions.
Individuals who need assistance navigating the probate process should consult a licensed attorney, as both the Circuit Clerk’s office and County Clerk’s office are prohibited by law from providing legal advice or supplying fillable legal forms.