Access Maumelle Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records for Maumelle residents are filed and maintained by the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk in Little Rock. Maumelle is part of Pulaski County, and all divorce cases in the county are handled at the county seat courthouse in Little Rock. This page explains where to go, how to request copies, how to search online, and what Arkansas law requires for residents of Maumelle who need to access or file divorce decree records.

Pulaski County Circuit Clerk for Maumelle

Maumelle does not have a circuit court or a clerk's office that handles divorce records. All divorce filings and records for Maumelle residents are held at the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk at 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. The main phone is (501) 340-8500. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Maumelle sits just west of Little Rock along the Arkansas River, making the drive to the courthouse manageable.

When you visit in person, bring a photo ID and your case number if you have it. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $5.00 per document. Plain page copies are less. For mail requests, send your written request to 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Include the full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and a check or money order payable to the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk. Include a return mailing address.

The Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's website lists all office departments, phone numbers, and contact information. The Chancery division handles divorce and domestic relations matters. Their direct number is (501) 340-8411. For new filings, the Central Receiving department at (501) 340-8431 is the first point of contact at the courthouse.

Search Maumelle Divorce Records Online

Before going to the courthouse, use CourtConnect to check whether a Pulaski County divorce case is in the system. This free tool from the Arkansas Judiciary searches by party name, case number, or date range. It returns case-level data including the filing date, parties involved, and current case status. The tool does not show full document text, but it confirms case existence and gives you the number you need to order certified copies.

CourtConnect covers all Arkansas circuit courts and is available at any time. For cases filed before 2009, contacting the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk directly may be necessary to locate records in older paper indexes. Staff can advise on what is available and what steps to take for older files.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

Maumelle residents sometimes ask whether they need a divorce decree or a divorce certificate. The answer depends on why you need the document. A divorce decree is the full court order from the Pulaski County Circuit Court. It contains the entire case record: the petition, all court rulings, the final judgment signed by the judge, and any orders about property, support, or children. For refinancing a mortgage, changing a name on a title, or enforcing a custody order, the certified decree is what you need.

A divorce certificate is a short vital record maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health. It contains only names, county, and the divorce date. It does not include case details or court orders. Certificates are available for all Arkansas divorces since 1923 and cost $10 each. Order by mail from ADH Vital Records, 4815 West Markham Street Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, or call (501) 661-2336. The Department of Health does not hold decrees. Those are at the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk.

Note: If an agency asks for proof of divorce and does not specify which document, ask before you order. Most government and legal purposes require the certified decree from the circuit clerk, not the certificate from Vital Records.

Filing for Divorce in Maumelle

Maumelle residents who file for divorce do so at the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk in Little Rock. Arkansas requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for 60 days before filing. The final decree cannot be entered until one party has been a Pulaski County resident for 90 days. Both deadlines apply and the court verifies them before issuing a final order.

Arkansas requires fault-based grounds in a divorce petition. The most commonly used ground is general indignities. Other recognized grounds include separation for 18 continuous months, adultery, cruel treatment, and felony conviction. Filing fees are approximately $165. Cases involving minor children require a court-mandated parenting education class before a final decree can be entered. Self-represented filers can get free assistance at ARLawHelp.org, which offers interactive forms and plain-language guides for Arkansas divorces.

Under Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105, Pulaski County divorce records are generally public. Parties always have full access. Third parties can view basic case data. Social Security numbers and sensitive financial information may be redacted before release to third parties.

Historical Records and Legal Help

The Arkansas State Archives holds historical court records and can assist with remote research for older divorce cases. They offer up to two free hours of remote research assistance. Contact them at 501-682-6900 or state.archives@arkansas.gov. For current cases, the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk is the right office.

Free legal assistance for Maumelle residents is available through ARLawHelp.org. The site has guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for Arkansas divorce cases. For complex matters or contested cases, consult a licensed Arkansas attorney familiar with Pulaski County procedures.

Nearby Cities and County Page

Maumelle is in Pulaski County. Other Pulaski County cities with divorce decree pages on this site include Little Rock and North Little Rock. Jacksonville is also in Pulaski County and files at the same courthouse. All Pulaski County divorces are on file at the same clerk's office in Little Rock. For the full county-level overview, see the Pulaski County divorce decree records page.