Find a court case, docket, or judgment
Arkansas Judiciary online case search; then the county Circuit Clerk for the file
The statewide portal helps locate cases; the local clerk maintains the official record and provides certified copies.
Where To Start In Arkansas
Pick the office that normally holds the record, then narrow your search with a case number, parcel, date, or involved names.
Get a deed, mortgage, or lien copy
County Recorder or Circuit Clerk/Recorder where the property is located
Real estate documents are recorded at the county level; book/page or instrument number speeds the request.
Check property ownership, value, or taxes
County Assessor (ownership and value) and Tax Collector (tax status)
Assessors maintain parcel data and values; Collectors track bills, payments, and delinquencies.
Order a birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate
Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records; for divorce decrees, the county Circuit Clerk
Vital Records issues certificates; the court holds the divorce case file and decree.
Criminal history or inmate location
Arkansas State Police/ACIC for name-based checks; Department of Corrections or county sheriff for custody status
State systems manage background checks and prison data; jails and DOC list current custody.
Arkansas Record Holders And How To Access
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Judiciary (state court portal) | Statewide case lookup for many Circuit and District Courts | Case number, party name, date of birth, filing date range | Online search to view docket information; request copies from the clerk of court | Coverage varies by court and date; certified copies are only issued by the local clerk. |
| County Circuit Clerk (by county) | Case files, judgments, divorce decrees, certified court copies | Case number, party names, judgment date, attorney name | In person, mail, or clerk copy request options (varies by county) | Fees and identification may be required; older files may be archived or on microfilm. |
| County Recorder or Circuit Clerk/Recorder | Deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats | Book/page, instrument number, grantor/grantee, legal description or situs address | Online index in some counties; in-person searches and copy requests | Certified deed copies available; address-only searches can be limited—use parcel or grantor/grantee. |
| County Assessor and Tax Collector | Parcel ownership, assessed value, tax due/paid | Parcel/APN, situs address, owner name | Online parcel/Tax search (where offered) and counter service | Assessor data is not proof of title; request tax statements from the Collector. |
| Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records | Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates | Full name, date and place of event, parents’ names, spouse name | Order online, by mail, or in person through state options | Eligibility and valid ID required; divorce decrees come from the Circuit Clerk in the county of divorce. |
| Arkansas Secretary of State | Business entities, registered agents, UCC filings | Business name, filing/charter number, UCC debtor name | Online business/UCC search and copy requests | Business data does not replace court or property records; good for corporate status and agent details. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth or age range
- Case or citation number if available
- County where the event, filing, or property is located
- Street address and parcel/APN for property searches
- Book/page or instrument/document number for deeds and liens
- Business or LLC name and, if known, filing/charter number
- Date range for filings or events
- DOC/ID or inmate number for corrections lookups
Route By Record Type
Court Records
Civil, criminal, probate, domestic, traffic, and judgments
- Where To Start
- Search the Arkansas Judiciary case portal; then contact the county Circuit Clerk for files and certified copies
- Best Search Input
- Case number or party name with a filing date range
- Official Copy Note
- Only the clerk of court can issue certified copies; online printouts are informational.
Property & Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, assignments
- Where To Start
- County Recorder or Circuit Clerk/Recorder in the property’s county
- Best Search Input
- Book/page or instrument number; grantor/grantee; parcel/APN
- Official Copy Note
- Request certified deed or lien copies from the county recording office.
Vital Records
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Where To Start
- Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records; divorce decrees from county Circuit Clerk
- Best Search Input
- Full name, date/place of event, parents’ names or spouse name
- Official Copy Note
- Certified certificates require eligibility and valid ID; uncertified abstracts may not be accepted by agencies.
Criminal History & Inmates
Name-based state criminal record checks and custody status
- Where To Start
- Arkansas State Police/ACIC for background checks; Department of Corrections or county sheriff for inmate/jail lookup
- Best Search Input
- Full name, date of birth; inmate name or DOC/ID number
- Official Copy Note
- Background check responses and court-certified dispositions serve different purposes; confirm which is required.
Business Filings & UCC
Entity registrations, status, registered agents, UCC liens
- Where To Start
- Arkansas Secretary of State business and UCC search
- Best Search Input
- Business name, filing/charter number, or UCC debtor name
- Official Copy Note
- Certified entity documents and UCC copies can be ordered from the Secretary of State.
Official Records vs Background Check Services
Official Arkansas records come from the court clerk, recorder, assessor, vital records, corrections, or state police. Use these when you need certified copies, court filings, deeds, or agency-held documents. Background check services can help scan broad name-based data across many sources, but they may be incomplete, outdated, or aggregated, and they do not replace official court, clerk, recorder, or vital records offices.
How To Request An Official Copy
- Identify the correct Arkansas office that holds the record (court clerk, recorder, assessor, vital records, etc.).
- Capture key identifiers: case number, parcel/APN, book/page or instrument number, names, and dates.
- Confirm eligibility and ID requirements, especially for vital records and certified court copies.
- Decide whether you need a plain informational copy or a certified copy with a seal.
- Select an order method offered by the office: online form, mail request, or in-person visit.
- Submit the request with required details and payment per the office’s instructions.
- Verify the received copy includes the proper certification or seal if one was requested.
Coverage And Accuracy Notes
- Online indexes do not include every Arkansas county or historical date range; older records may require an in-person search.
- Names are not unique—confirm with date of birth, addresses, or case numbers before relying on a match.
- Property address searches can miss records; book/page, instrument number, or parcel/APN are more reliable.
- Some records are restricted or sealed by law (certain juvenile, adoption, and vital records).
- Statewide criminal checks and court dockets serve different purposes and may not show identical details or dispositions.
Arkansas Public Records FAQs
Are Arkansas court records public?
Many court dockets and filings are public, but some case types and documents are restricted. Start with the state court search and contact the county Circuit Clerk for the official case file or certified copies.
Which office records property deeds in Arkansas?
Deeds and liens are recorded with the county Recorder or Circuit Clerk/Recorder where the property is located. Have the book/page or instrument number if possible.
How do I get a certified birth or marriage certificate?
Order through the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records. Eligibility and valid identification are required. For divorce decrees, request the decree from the county Circuit Clerk that handled the case.
What if I do not know the case number?
Search by party name and a date range on the Arkansas court portal or ask the county clerk for index assistance. Narrow the search with middle names or date of birth.
Do statewide background checks replace court records?
No. A background check summarizes criminal history but may not include full docket details or the latest court actions. For official case information or certified dispositions, contact the court clerk.
How far back do online property records go?
It varies by county. Some counties post recent decades online, while older records may be on microfilm or books at the Recorder’s office.