Union County Court Records Search
ArkansasCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on ArkansasCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Union County, Arkansas, anchors the south-central part of the state, with the city of El Dorado serving as the county seat. The county seat’s historic courthouse — a 1920s-era limestone and marble structure at the center of El Dorado’s downtown square — houses the primary court offices for the 13th Judicial Circuit. Records generated by Union County courts document a broad range of legal proceedings, from felony prosecutions and contract disputes to probate estates and family law matters. These records serve attorneys, researchers, journalists, and members of the public seeking information about individuals or ongoing legal proceedings.
Those looking to search Arkansas court records can begin by consulting ArkansasCourts.us, which can help orient users to the state’s judicial structure and connect them to available resources. In Arkansas, court records can be accessed through official clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and the state judiciary’s online case search tool. The sections below explain which offices maintain specific record types, how to request them, and what fees apply.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Union County?
Union County provides two principal pathways for searching court records: online through the Arkansas judiciary’s case search system, and in person at the courthouse offices where the case was filed.
Online: Arkansas Case Search
The Arkansas Case Search portal, operated by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts, provides free public access to case information for courts using the Contexte Case Management System. Users can search by name, case ID, or citation number to retrieve docket entries, case status, party information, offense details, sentencing data, and document filings. The portal is accessible at any time and requires no account registration for public searches.
In-Person at Courthouse Offices
For records not available digitally, or when certified copies are needed, requesters should visit the appropriate clerk’s office:
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk (Circuit Court) | 101 N. Washington, Suite 201, El Dorado, AR 71730 | (870) 864-1940 | M–F, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk (Probate/County Court) | 101 N. Washington, Suite 102, El Dorado, AR 71730 | (870) 864-1910 | M–F, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| District Court | 250 American Road, El Dorado, AR 71730 | (870) 864-1950 | M–F, business hours |
Both the Circuit Clerk and County Clerk offices are closed on federal and state holidays, with the exception of Columbus Day.
Are Court Records Public in Union County?
Arkansas court records are presumed public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under this framework, any citizen of the state may inspect and obtain copies of public records during a court’s regular business hours. The right to access is broad, but the FOIA expressly exempts certain categories of records under A.C.A. § 25-19-105:
- Adoption records — Sealed to protect the identities and privacy of all parties involved.
- Grand jury minutes — Confidential to preserve the integrity of the grand jury process.
- Unpublished judicial opinions and drafts — Working documents of judges not yet issued as final opinions are not subject to public disclosure.
- Internal memoranda and correspondence of Supreme Court Justices and Court of Appeals Judges — Shielded from disclosure as deliberative records.
Beyond these statutory exemptions, juvenile records are treated as confidential under Arkansas law, and certain mental health and medical records attached to court proceedings may be restricted. Requesters who believe a record has been improperly withheld may challenge the denial under the FOIA’s appeal procedures.
Union County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Union County fall under the jurisdiction of either the Circuit Court or the District Court, depending on the severity of the offense.
The Union County Circuit Court handles felony cases and serious criminal matters. It is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit, which also encompasses Ouachita and Columbia counties. Six circuit judges serve the circuit, three of whom are stationed directly at the Union County Courthouse in El Dorado:
- Judge Mary Thomason – 2nd Division: 101 N. Washington, Suite 205, El Dorado, AR 71730; (870) 864-1937
- Judge Gary McDonald – 4th Division: 101 N. Washington, Suite 203, El Dorado, AR 71730; (870) 864-1947
- Judge Gary Burbank – 6th Division: 101 N. Washington, Suite 303, El Dorado, AR 71730; (870) 864-1968
The Union County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic violations. The court is located at 250 American Road, El Dorado, AR 71730 (phone: (870) 864-1950), and holds civil and criminal sessions regularly.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal docket sheets and case information are searchable through the Arkansas Case Search portal at no charge. For physical copies of filed documents, requests must be made in person at the Circuit Clerk’s Office with sufficient identifying information about the case. Copying fees are $0.50 per page, with certified copies costing $5.00 and authenticated copies costing $15.00.
Arkansas Criminal Background Checks
Court docket searches are not equivalent to a criminal history background check. For an official statewide criminal history record, the Arkansas State Police operates two systems through the Online Criminal Background Check System:
- Mandated checks or searches with subject consent: $22.00 per search
- Open criminal history inquiries (personal or other purposes): $24.00 per search
Fingerprint-based checks for more comprehensive searches can be arranged by contacting the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau at (501) 618-8500.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
The Union County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, an inmate roster, and warrant information. The office is located at 250 American Road, El Dorado, AR 71730 (phone: (870) 864-1970; dispatch: (870) 864-1990). Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, though the facility operates every day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Sheriff’s Office publishes a live inmate roster on its website and allows users to check for active warrants online through its citizen portal.
Union County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Union County is divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
The Circuit Court handles civil cases involving larger monetary claims, contract disputes, property litigation, personal injury actions, and appeals. New civil case filings at the Circuit Court carry a filing fee of $165.00. Additional fee items include:
- Reopening a case: $50.00
- Summons/Subpoenas: $2.50 each
- Writs/Executions: $20.00
- Judgments/Lis Pendens: $15.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page
The Circuit Clerk accepts non-monetary e-filings through the eFlex Lite program, which has been in operation since March 2021. For land and real property records filed with the Circuit Clerk, electronic recording (eRecording) is available through Corporation Service Company (CSC), Simplifile, and eRecording Partners Network (ePN).
The Union County District Court handles smaller civil claims. The filing fee for a civil claim is $80.00 plus $2.50 per summons, payable by check or money order only. Claims exceeding $5,000.00 must be filed at the Circuit Clerk’s Office rather than the District Court. The District Court meets at 9:00 AM on the last Tuesday of each month for civil matters.
Civil case records can be searched through the Arkansas Case Search portal or reviewed in person at the respective clerk’s office during business hours.
Union County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Union County — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile proceedings — are all handled within the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are civil filings maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Office at Suite 201, 101 N. Washington, El Dorado, AR 71730. Copies of filed divorce documents are available at $0.50 per page, with certified copies at $5.00. Requesters must provide sufficient case details — party names and approximate filing dates — to facilitate retrieval. Under the Arkansas Divorce Code (Title 9), divorce records are accessible to the public unless specifically sealed by a judge.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Union County date back to 1885 and are maintained by the Union County Clerk at Suite 102, 101 N. Washington, El Dorado, AR 71730 (phone: (870) 864-1910). The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
Applicable marriage record fees are as follows:
- Marriage license: $60.00 (cash only)
- Copy of a marriage license: $1.00
- Certified copy of a marriage license: $5.00
Marriage licenses are considered public records under Title 23, Chapter 15 of the Arkansas Domestic Relations Code, absent a sealing order.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are managed by the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Division. These are not court records, but they are frequently needed in connection with family law and probate proceedings.
Eligible individuals — including the person named (if 16 or older), immediate family members (mother, father, child, spouse), maternal grandparents, and guardians — may obtain certified copies by the following methods and at the following fees:
| Record Type | First Copy | Each Additional Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $12.00 | $10.00 |
| Death Certificate | $10.00 | $8.00 |
Requests may be submitted online (with an additional $5.00 processing fee and $1.85 identity verification fee), by mail using the completed Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application form, by walk-in at the Vital Records Division (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM), or by phone at (866) 209-9482. Mail requests should be sent to: Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Union County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Arkansas rests with the County Court, and the Union County Clerk serves as the probate clerk. The County Clerk’s Office at Suite 102, 101 N. Washington, El Dorado, AR 71730 (phone: (870) 864-1910) maintains records for all probate matters, including decedent estates, small estates, guardianships, conservatorships, commitments, and adoptions. Probate records in Union County have been kept since the county’s establishment, with the current office maintaining documents ranging from historical estate filings to modern-day proceedings.
Common Probate Filings and Fees
The following fee schedule applies to probate matters in the County Clerk’s Office:
- New probate case: $165.00
- Reopen probate case: $50.00
- Affidavit of small estate: $25.00 + $5.00 certification \= $30.00 total
- Letters of Administration or Testamentary: $5.00
- Letters of Guardianship: $5.00
- Filing affidavit of claim against estate: $5.00
- Filing and recording all accounts and settlements: $50.00
- Certified copies of letters: $5.00
- Issuing subpoenas or summons: $5.00
- Authenticated copies: $5.00 + $0.50 per page
- Petition for adoption: $165.00
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case records that are not sealed or restricted are public and accessible in person at the County Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. The Arkansas Judiciary’s official probate forms are available online and cover the full range of estate administration and guardianship proceedings. Requesters should bring identifying details about the decedent or subject, including full name and approximate date of death or case filing, to facilitate retrieval. The clerk’s staff can assist with locating records but are not authorized to provide legal advice — parties navigating complex estates are encouraged to consult a licensed Arkansas attorney.