Yell County Court Records Search

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    Yell County, Arkansas, is one of the state’s dual-seat counties, with county governance split between Danville and Dardanelle — a distinction that directly affects where court proceedings take place and where records are maintained. The county’s judicial activity flows through two primary courts: the Circuit Court, which handles the full spectrum of civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters, and the District Court, which has more limited jurisdiction over traffic violations, misdemeanors, preliminary felony matters, and smaller civil disputes. Records from these courts are the official documentary record of each case and are essential for anyone researching a party’s legal history, managing an estate, or pursuing a civil claim.

    Arkansas court records can be researched through several avenues depending on the type of case and how recent the filing is. The Arkansas Judiciary’s Search ARCourts portal provides online access to case information for courts using the Contexte Case Management System. Beyond that portal, ArkansasCourts.us can help orient researchers to the state court structure and direct them to publicly available case resources. In-person access, public access terminals at the courthouse, and written requests to the relevant clerk’s office remain the primary methods for obtaining certified documents.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Yell County?

    Because Yell County operates two courthouse locations, determining where a case was filed is the necessary first step before requesting records.

    Yell County Circuit Court — Danville (County Seat)

    • Address: 101 East 5th Street, P.O. Box 219, Danville, AR 72833
    • Phone: (479) 495-4850
    • Fax: (479) 229-5634
    • Email: yellcountyclerk@arkansasclerks.com

    Yell County Circuit Court — Dardanelle

    • Address: 106 Union Street, Dardanelle, AR 72834
    • Phone: (479) 229-4404
    • Fax: (479) 229-5634

    Yell County District Court

    • Address: 106 Union Street, Dardanelle, AR 72834
    • Phone: (479) 229-1389
    • Fax: (479) 229-5740

    The Circuit and County Clerk is Anna Ward, who oversees record-keeping for both courthouse locations. The Clerk’s office is responsible for maintaining all Circuit Court filings and county-level records.

    Searching records online: The Search ARCourts portal is the state’s primary public case lookup system and provides free access to case index information for participating courts. You can search by a party’s name, case number, or filing date range. The portal is accessible 24 hours a day and returns docket entries, case types, and party information, though it does not provide access to the underlying documents themselves.

    Requesting copies in person or by mail:

    1. Identify the court and location where the case was filed (Danville or Dardanelle).
    2. Contact the Circuit Clerk's Office or District Court Clerk to confirm the case number and document availability.
    3. Visit in person during business hours or submit a written request by mail with the case number and document description.
    4. Pay applicable copy fees at the time of request.

    Are Court Records Public in Yell County?

    Arkansas law establishes a clear presumption that court records are open to the public. Two overlapping frameworks govern this access: the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Administrative Order No. 19, issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Together, these authorities require that court records be available for public inspection and reproduction unless a specific exemption applies.

    The following categories of records are excluded from public access under Administrative Order No. 19 and related law:

    • Adoption records — sealed by statute and not available without a court order
    • Grand jury minutes — confidential by their nature; not subject to routine disclosure
    • Expunged and sealed criminal records — restricted following a court order to seal under Arkansas law, including proceedings under Act 346 (A.C.A. §§ 16-93-301 et seq.)
    • Trade secrets — protected from disclosure even when contained in court filings
    • Personally identifiable information — complete Social Security numbers and certain financial account data are redacted from public records
    • Deliberative and internal court materials — notes, draft orders, and judicial communications are not accessible
    • Juvenile records — matters involving minors in the juvenile division of the Circuit Court carry heightened confidentiality protections
    • Records sealed by court order — any document specifically restricted by a judge's order

    Members of the public who are denied access to a record may seek guidance from the Arkansas Attorney General’s office regarding FOIA rights and remedies.

    Yell County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Yell County move through two tiers of courts depending on the severity of the charge. Misdemeanor offenses and preliminary felony hearings are handled initially by the Yell County District Court, which also has jurisdiction over traffic violations and ordinance infractions. Once a felony matter advances past the preliminary hearing stage and is bound over for grand jury consideration, the case transfers to the Yell County Circuit Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over felony prosecutions and grand jury proceedings.

    The Circuit Court’s criminal division maintains records covering the complete felony case lifecycle, from indictment through sentencing, as well as appeals from the District Court. Criminal records accessible to the public typically include case docket entries, charges filed, court orders, plea and sentencing documents, and judgment records — though expunged or sealed matters are removed from public access.

    To search criminal case records online, the Search ARCourts portal provides index-level criminal case information. Researchers who need actual court documents must contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office directly.

    Arrest records are a separate category maintained by law enforcement rather than the court system. For booking information, arrest dates, and current jail roster data, contact:

    Yell County Sheriff's Office

    • Address: 201 East 5th Street, P.O. Box 99, Danville, AR 72833
    • Phone: (479) 495-4881
    • Jail Phone: (479) 495-4880
    • Jail Capacity: 82

    The Sheriff’s Department maintains jurisdiction throughout Yell County and manages the county jail and Juvenile Detention Center. An online inmate roster is available for checking current detainees. For broader criminal history background checks, direct your request to the Arkansas State Police, which maintains the statewide criminal history repository.

    Yell County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Yell County is distributed between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the claim amount and subject matter.

    The Yell County Circuit Court handles the broadest range of civil matters, including personal injury and tort claims, contract disputes, appeals from the District Court, and actions that do not fall within any specific subject matter limitation.

    The Yell County District Court has civil jurisdiction over contract disputes, damage to personal property, and recovery of personal property where the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000. Within the District Court, a Small Claims Division provides an informal forum for self-represented litigants in matters valued at $5,000 or less, with relaxed evidentiary rules designed to make the process accessible without an attorney.

    Civil filing fees at a glance:

    Filing TypeFee
    Circuit Court new civil action$165.00 (paper) / $185.00 (electronic)
    Summons/Subpoena$2.50 each
    District Court small claims$30.00 – $65.00 (varies by county)

    Fees are paid to the Circuit Clerk’s Office at the time of filing. Litigants who cannot afford the filing fee may submit an Application for Waiver of Filing Fees to the court for judicial review.

    Civil case records — including pleadings, discovery materials, orders, and judgments — are public unless sealed. Copies of filings are available from the Circuit Clerk’s Office at both courthouse locations. For copy fee schedules, contact the Clerk directly, as fees are set by Arkansas statute under A.C.A. § 21-6-403. The Search ARCourts portal lets you locate civil case dockets online at no charge.

    Yell County Family Court Records

    Family law proceedings in Yell County fall within the Domestic Relations Division of the Yell County Circuit Court, which is part of Arkansas’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Circuit Judge David McCormick presides over cases at the Dardanelle courthouse. The Circuit Court handles all matters involving the legal rights and obligations arising from marriage and parenthood, including:

    • Divorce and annulment proceedings
    • Child custody and visitation arrangements
    • Child support establishment and modification
    • Paternity determinations
    • Domestic violence protective orders
    • Adoptions
    • Guardianship of minors and adults

    Divorce case records filed with the Circuit Court are generally public. To access a divorce decree or related court order, contact the Yell County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and provide the case number or the names of the parties. Index information for divorce records is also retrievable through the Search ARCourts portal.

    Vital records related to marriage and divorce are maintained separately by the Arkansas Department of Health. Certified copies carry access restrictions and are available only to eligible individuals — typically the named parties and their immediate family members.

    Yell County Local Health Units (vital records issuance):

    • Danville LHU: 1309 East 8th Street, Danville, AR 72833 | Phone: (479) 495-2741 | Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Dardanelle LHU: 719 North 5th Street, Dardanelle, AR 72834 | Phone: (479) 229-3509

    Vital record fees and ordering:

    Record TypeFirst CopyAdditional Copies (same order)
    Birth certificate$12.00$10.00 each
    Death certificate$10.00$8.00 each
    Marriage certificate$10.00Additional copies (contact Dept. of Health)
    Divorce certificate$10.00Contact Dept. of Health

    The Arkansas Department of Health accepts in-person, mail, telephone, and online requests for vital records. Online orders can be placed through the Arkansas Vital Records Online Service; an additional processing fee applies to online transactions. All applicants must provide acceptable government-issued identification. Eligibility requirements for birth and death certificates are published on the Department’s website. Specific ordering instructions for marriage records and divorce records are also available online.

    Yell County Probate Court Records

    Probate proceedings in Yell County are handled by the Probate Division of the Yell County Circuit Court, consistent with the structure established under Arkansas Constitutional Amendment 80, which consolidated all trial court functions into a unified circuit court system effective in 2001. The Probate Division has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents’ estates, the probating and contesting of wills, guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and civil commitment proceedings.

    Types of matters handled in probate:

    • Petitions for probate of will and appointment of personal representative
    • Intestate estate administration (when no will exists)
    • Will contests
    • Appointment and supervision of guardians for minors
    • Adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
    • Estate inventories, appraisals, and final accountings
    • Civil commitment petitions

    Probate records are public documents under the Arkansas FOIA and Administrative Order No. 19, with the same categories of exemptions that apply to other court records. To access probate filings or obtain certified copies of estate documents — such as letters testamentary, guardianship orders, or probate decrees — contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at either the Danville or Dardanelle location.

    Official probate forms, including petitions, inventories, accountings, and demand for notice forms, are published by the Arkansas Judiciary on its official probate forms page. These forms can be downloaded and completed before filing with the Circuit Clerk. Filings may also be submitted electronically where the court’s case management system supports e-filing. The applicable filing fee for probate actions follows the general circuit court fee schedule set out under A.C.A. § 21-6-403.

    Individuals managing an estate or seeking guardianship are encouraged to review the Arkansas Judiciary’s self-help resources and, for complex matters, consult a licensed Arkansas attorney. Court staff can assist with procedural questions but are prohibited from providing legal advice.