Arkansas Vital Records

Arkansas vital records are official records of major life events, including births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths. Operating under the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the Division of Vital Records is the state-level agency responsible for maintaining records of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, amendments, and delayed registrations.

In Arkansas, the uniform registration and preservation of vital records are governed by the state's Vital Statistics Act and the Arkansas State Board of Health's adopted rules. Under Ark. Code § 20-18-203, the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health appoints the State Registrar of Vital Records to oversee the statewide vital statistics system. Ark. Code § 20-18-305 also details how certified copies of vital records are issued and under what conditions records become publicly accessible, such as 100 years after birth or 50 years after death, marriage, divorce, or annulment.

Arkansas vital records serve several key functions. They are used to track public health statistics, provide legal proof of major life events, and preserve records for long-term archiving.

Public Access to Arkansas Vital Records

Arkansas typically does not consider vital records, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, as public records. Instead, the Arkansas Vital Statistics Act allows the disclosure or copying of vital records in accordance with specific laws and Board of Health rules. For instance, Ark. Code § 20-18-304 clearly prohibits the disclosure of vital records unless authorized by law, regulation, or court order. The law also requires the state to establish rules to protect the security and confidentiality of these records. Ark. Code § 20-18-305 also governs access to vital records (who may receive certified copies and under what conditions). Under the law, the general public may access birth records after 100 years; death, marriage, and divorce records are available after 50 years.

Although public records are generally open under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the law recognizes statutory exemptions, including vital records.

In Arkansas, requesters may access historical records (e.g., births older than 100 years or deaths older than 50 years) through the Arkansas Department of Health or archival/genealogical repositories without the same restrictions associated with recent records. Nonetheless, dated records are still managed under the state's vital statistics framework.

Types of Vital Records Available in Arkansas

The types of vital records in Arkansas, maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Vital Records, include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.

• Birth Certificates: This document records live births occurring in Arkansas.
• Death Certificates: Provides a record of deaths that occurred within the state. Requesters may obtain certified or informational copies, based on their eligibility.
• Marriage Records: The state preserves marriage certificates for marital unions recorded in the state. Depending on the record year and location, marriage certificates may be issued by the state and county clerks.
• Divorce Records: The state maintains divorce coupon records (abstracts of divorce filings), and the county court where a divorce is granted preserves the full divorce decrees.

The vital records outlined above document significant life events and serve as legal proof of identity, family relationships, and demographic information. Arkansas typically issues certified copies (used for legal identification) to eligible requesters and informational or non-certified copies to other applicants for genealogy and research purposes.

Arkansas Birth Records

In Arkansas, the state's Department of Health (ADH), Division of Vital Records, collects, registers, stores, and issues certified and informational copies of birth certificates. Eligible applicants may obtain certified Arkansas birth certificates through the Arkansas Department of Health or local county health departments where the birth occurred.

An Arkansas birth certificate usually contains the child's full name, sex, date and place of birth, the mother's full name (including maiden name) and place of birth, the father's name (if legally established), the attending physician or midwife, and other vital registration data.

Under the Arkansas Vital Statistics Act (Ark. Code § 20-18-401), which governs the birth registration process in the state, all births in the state are expected to be reported within 10 days of the event.

For further details on obtaining or amending a birth certificate, request procedures, and eligibility requirements, interested parties may visit the ADH Order Birth Records page.

Key Official Resources

• ADH General Vital Records Portal
• Birth Certificate Application
• Application to Amend Birth Certificate
• Birth Certificate Resulting in Stillbirth Application
• Eligible Individuals List (for ordering Birth Certificates)
• Vital Records Authorization Form
• Requirements for Acceptable Identification

Arkansas Death Records

An Arkansas death certificate provides information, such as the decedent's full name, sex, date and place of death, date and place of birth, last residence, and marital status. Other details on the document include the parents' names, cause of death, the attending physician or medical examiner, and the funeral director. In Arkansas, death certificates are submitted to the state's vital statistics system and filed in accordance with the Vital Statistics Act.

In Arkansas, the Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, maintains death records statewide. Eligible individuals may obtain certified Arkansas death certificates from the ADH's Vital Records Section or their local county health unit.

Under Code § 20-18-304, only authorized individuals, such as family members or legal agents, or by court order, may access death certificates that are less than 50 years old. However, these records become publicly accessible once they are 50 years old.

Key Official Resources

• Order Death Records (ADH)
• General Vital Records Portal
• Death Certificate Application

Arkansas Marriage Records

In Arkansas, marriage records are official documents that reveal that a couple acquired a valid license, held a wedding ceremony, and had their marriage registered with the state. They serve as legal proof of marriage for name changes, benefits, inheritance, immigration, and other civil purposes.

In Arkansas, the Department of Health (ADH), Division of Vital Records, maintains marriage certificates as part of the state's vital records system.

Under the Arkansas Vital Statistics Act, every marriage performed in the state is expected to be recorded and filed with the Division of Vital Records. The rule is that the official who issues the license prepares the record, and the individual who performs the marriage certifies it and returns it for registration.

Individuals seeking Arkansas marriage records may obtain certified copies of marriage coupons (an abstract of the marriage) from the ADH Vital Records, beginning from 1917. To obtain complete certified copies of marriage records, eligible applicants are expected to contact the county clerk where the marriage license was issued.

According to Ark. Code § 20-18-305, the State Registrar and other custodians may only issue certified copies of vital records to the registrant, their spouse, child, parent, guardian, or an authorized representative. Other requesters are expected to show proof that the record is needed to protect personal or property rights.

After 50 years from the date of marriage, most records held by the State Registrar become accessible to the public. However, the "statistical only" fields on the certificate remain confidential.

Arkansas Divorce Records

In Arkansas, divorce records consist of two types of documents: vital record divorce certificates (or "divorce coupons") and court divorce decrees or judgments.

Vital Records' divorce certificates: The Arkansas Department of Health maintains divorce certificates (also known as divorce coupons), which provide basic information about a dissolved marriage (e.g., the date of divorce and the county where it was granted). The ADH has maintained divorce certificates since 1923; the agency is responsible for issuing certified copies of divorce certificates as evidence that a divorce occurred.

Court divorce decrees/judgments: Sometimes referred to as a judgment of divorce or final order of dissolution, a divorce decree is the complete court order entered by the Circuit Court in its domestic relations division. This document comprises comprehensive terms on property division, spousal support, child custody and visitation, child support, and any other orders. The divorce decree is court case documentation, not a vital record. This is why the county's circuit clerk maintains these records, not the ADH.

According to Ark. Code § 20-18-502, the circuit clerk is expected to file a divorce record (for each divorce or annulment granted) with ADH's Division of Vital Records. This record is a precondition for the entry of the decree. Notwithstanding, it remains an abstract and is not the decree itself.

Individuals searching for a court where a divorce was filed or to access the case information may use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide online case search.

How to Order Vital Records in Arkansas

Eligible parties may order Arkansas vital records using the following channels:

Online: Eligible applicants may order vital records via the ADH ordering portal. They are expected to provide their name, address, date of birth, and driver's license number for electronic identity verification, and relevant proof-of-relationship documents when placing an order.

By Mail: Requesters order a certified copy of a vital record by mailing in a completed application to the ADH ( for a birth, death, or marriage record). Aside from the application, applicants are required to mail in a check or money order (record fee) made out to the Arkansas Department of Health (no cash or temporary checks), and a copy or copies of acceptable ID to:

Arkansas Department of Health

Walk-In: Applicants may visit the Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Office (at the address above) to order certified copies of vital records in person.

Telephone: Alternatively, requesters may order a certified copy of a vital record through the toll-free line at (866) 209-9482.

Who Can Request Arkansas Vital Records?

Under the Arkansas Vital Statistics Act, individuals who can access certified copies of vital records include the registrant, certain family members, legal guardians, or individuals who demonstrate a direct personal or property interest in the record. In Arkansas, only authorized persons may access birth certificates that are less than 100 years old, and death, marriage, and divorce records that are less than 50 years old. At the expiration of these statutory periods, the records become publicly accessible. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Division of Vital Records, is the primary record keeper, but county clerks also maintain marriage and divorce court records.

Record Type	Eligible Requestors	Required Documents	Official Source Link
Birth Certificate	Registrant (18+) Parents/legal guardians Spouse, child, sibling, grandparent Legal representative Anyone with a demonstrated personal/property right	Valid government-issued ID; completed ADH application form	ADH Birth Records: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/certificates-records/order-birth-records/
Death Certificate	Spouse, parent, child, sibling Legal representative Individuals proving a direct interest (e.g., estate matters)	Valid ID, ADH death record application, proof of relationship if required	ADH Death Records: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/certificates-records/order-death-records/
Marriage Record	Either spouse Family members with proof of relationship Legal representatives Individuals with a qualifying interest; unrestricted after 50 years	Government-issued ID, ADH form, or county clerk requirements	ADH Marriage Records: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/certificates-records/order-marriage-records/
Divorce Record (Certificate/Coupon)	Either party named on the record Family with proper documentation Legal representatives Public access after 50 years	Valid ID, divorce certificate application	ADH Divorce Records: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/certificates-records/order-divorce-records/
Divorce Decree/Court File	Parties to the case Attorneys Individuals with a court-recognized interest	Photo ID; may require case number or written request to circuit clerk	Arkansas Courts Directory: https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov or county circuit clerk

Processing Times for Arkansas Vital Records Requests

Arkansas vital record processing time typically depends on the request method, record type, and whether ADH or the county circuit clerk is processing the request. As the primary custodian of vital records, the ADH processes larger volumes of record requests than a county circuit clerk's office. Likewise, walk-in services tend to be faster than mail-in requests, which are often slower due to postal delivery and verification processes. Online orders also involve additional identity verification steps or high demands, which may result in longer turnaround periods.

Walk-in requests at ADH are generally the fastest, while mail requests are slower due to postal delivery and verification steps. Online orders may require additional identity verification and can take longer during periods of high demand.

Record Type	Factors That Influence Processing Time	Considerations
Birth Certificate	Request method (online, mail, phone, or in person). Verification of identity and eligibility. Volume of pending requests at ADH	In-person requests at ADH are typically faster Online/mail requests may be delayed if the documentation is incomplete
Death Certificate	Inclusion of cause-of-death information. Whether the medical examiner/coroner data must be confirmed. State-level vs. county assistance	Some counties assist faster than the state office Additional verification may be required for restricted fields
Marriage Record (State Copy)	Whether the record is held at ADH or needs county confirmation Age of the record (archival vs. recent)	Older records may require additional search time County clerks may process certain requests faster
Marriage Record (County Clerk Copy)	County clerk workload Need to search archived paper records	County turnaround times vary by jurisdiction Certified copies may require proof of relationship
Divorce Certificate / Coupon (ADH)	Age of the record (recent vs. archival) Search time for older divorce coupons	ADH issues certificate abstracts, not full decrees Older records may take longer to locate
Divorce Decree/Court File	Court record retrieval process Case age and whether stored onsite or in archives	Must be obtained from the circuit clerk in the county of divorce Court backlogs can affect retrieval times

Fees for Obtaining Vital Records in Arkansas

The precise cost of a vital record depends on the record type, the method of request (online, mail, phone, or in person), and whether additional services are required (e.g., extra copies, expedited handling at the counter, or search fees for older archival records). Nonetheless, some standard state-regulated fees for obtaining certified copies of vital records from the Arkansas Department of Health are as follows:

• Birth certificate: $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.

• Death certificate: $10.00 for the first copy and $8.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.

• Marriage and divorce coupons (certificates): $10.00 per copy.

• If the ADH cannot locate the record, the vital record fee (for a birth, death, marriage, or divorce record) is kept as a search fee.

• For online requests, the ADH charges a $5.00 processing fee and a $1.85 non-refundable identity verification fee (in addition to the certificate fee).

How to Search Vital Records Online in Arkansas

Individuals in quest of reputable online sources for obtaining Arkansas vital records may utilize the following resources:

Arkansas Department of Public Health (CDPH) - Vital Records: This portal does not provide a conventional search tool for accessing vital records. Nonetheless, it offers applicants an easy-to-use platform for ordering birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates using several certified application forms.

Arkansas State Archives: Information seekers may access pre-1917 birth records and pre-1923 death records via the Arkansas State Archives' digitized or scanned historical collections. Individuals conducting family history research may utilize the California State Archives. Although these are not modern certificates, they are valuable sources for Arkansas genealogical records.

County Recorder/Clerk Online Indexes: In Arkansas, some circuit clerk offices offer websites that allow users to access online marriage license indexes, conduct docket searches for divorce case files, or obtain contact information for requesting older marriage and divorce records held at the county level.