Jonesboro Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records for Jonesboro residents are filed and maintained by the Craighead County Circuit Clerk, which serves as the official custodian of all domestic relations case files, certified copies, and court documents for the county. Jonesboro is the county seat of Craighead County, and the courthouse where you file and retrieve divorce decrees is located in the city. This page covers the key details for searching and requesting divorce decree records in Jonesboro and Craighead County.

Craighead County Circuit Clerk in Jonesboro

The Craighead County Circuit Clerk office in Jonesboro is at 511 S. Main Street, Suite 202, Jonesboro, AR 72401. The phone is (870) 933-4530. This office handles all divorce filings, certified copy requests, and case record access for residents of the Jonesboro division of Craighead County. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Craighead County, like Sebastian County to the west, has two judicial districts. The second Circuit Clerk office is in Lake City at 107 Cobean Boulevard, Lake City, AR 72437, phone (870) 237-4170. Most Jonesboro residents use the Main Street office in the city. If you are not sure which office applies to your case, call (870) 933-4530 first and staff will direct you based on your address.

Jonesboro does not keep its own divorce records. The city has no authority over Circuit Court filings. All divorce cases for Jonesboro residents are handled by the Craighead County Circuit Clerk. The County Clerk's office, which handles other county records, can be reached at (870) 933-4520, but it is not the office for divorce decrees. Make sure you are calling the Circuit Clerk at (870) 933-4530.

Note: The Jonesboro Circuit Clerk office is open weekdays only. Plan visits during business hours and allow extra time if you have a complex request involving older records.

Jonesboro Divorce Decree Copy Fees

The Craighead County Circuit Clerk charges the following fees for copies of divorce records. Plain page copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies of a divorce decree are $5.00 each. Mail requests require a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your documents. These fees apply to both the Jonesboro and Lake City offices.

For in-person requests, bring valid photo ID and be ready to pay the applicable fee at the time of your visit. For mail requests, send a written request that includes the full names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was finalized, and the case number if you have it. Include a check or money order payable to the Craighead County Circuit Clerk. Mail to: Circuit Clerk, 511 S. Main Street, Suite 202, Jonesboro, AR 72401.

Processing time depends on the volume of requests at the courthouse and the age of the records. Older cases may need to be retrieved from storage, which can add time to the process. Call (870) 933-4530 to ask about current turnaround times before submitting a time-sensitive request.

Search Jonesboro Divorce Decrees Online

The Arkansas Judiciary's free statewide case search tool, CourtConnect, covers Craighead County divorce cases. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The results show filing dates, party names, and case status. CourtConnect does not display the full text of documents, but it confirms a case exists and gives you the case number to use when requesting copies.

The Arkansas Public Index for Craighead County provides another way to search court records online. It aggregates case data for Craighead County and can be used to find divorce cases, review case history, and look up docket entries for Jonesboro cases before contacting the clerk.

The Craighead County Circuit Clerk website also has court information including the court schedule, contact details, and guidance on what to expect when filing or requesting records. Under Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105, court records are public unless sealed by a judge. Sensitive identifiers like Social Security numbers may be redacted in copies provided to the public.

Filing for Divorce in Jonesboro

To file for divorce in Jonesboro, you submit your petition to the Craighead County Circuit Clerk at 511 S. Main Street, Suite 202. At least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing. A final decree cannot be entered until one party has been a Craighead County resident for 90 days. Arkansas recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds.

Common fault grounds include general indignities, cruelty, adultery, habitual drunkenness, and felony conviction. No-fault divorce is available after 18 months of continuous separation. Filing fees run approximately $165 or more depending on case type. When minor children are part of the case, both parties must complete a court-approved parenting education program before the court can enter a final decree. This is a state requirement and applies statewide, not just in Craighead County.

Self-represented filers can access free forms and step-by-step guides through ARLawHelp.org. For cases that are contested or involve significant assets, consulting a licensed Arkansas attorney familiar with Craighead County procedures is a good idea.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Craighead County

A Jonesboro divorce decree is the complete court order from the Craighead County Circuit Court. It contains all the case documents from start to finish, including the petition, any responses, financial affidavits, property division terms, child custody arrangements, and the final judgment. This is the document you need when dealing with property transfers, name changes on deeds, or enforcement of support orders.

A divorce certificate is a separate document issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. It is a short summary that includes only the names of the parties, the date, and the county of the divorce. Certificates are available for divorces since 1923 and cost $10 each. Contact ADH Vital Records at 4815 West Markham Street Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, or call (501) 661-2336. The Department of Health does not hold actual divorce decrees. Those remain on file permanently with the Craighead County Circuit Clerk.

Nearby Cities and County Resources

Jonesboro is the largest city in Craighead County and the primary filing location for county divorce cases. Paragould, a qualifying city in Greene County, has its own divorce decree page at Paragould. While both cities are in northeast Arkansas, residents of each file with their respective county Circuit Clerks.

For the full county-level overview, see the Craighead County divorce decree records page. The Craighead County divorce records page also provides local filing details and fee information. Legal aid is available statewide through ARLawHelp.org for Jonesboro and northeast Arkansas residents who need free legal guidance.