Searcy Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records for Searcy residents are held by the White County Circuit Clerk, located in Searcy at 300 North Spruce Street. Searcy is the county seat of White County, so all divorce filings and certified copies are handled right in the city. This page explains how to find divorce decree records in Searcy and White County, what the process looks like for new filings, and where to search online before visiting the courthouse.

White County Circuit Clerk in Searcy

The White County Circuit Clerk's office is at 300 North Spruce Street, Searcy, AR 72143. The phone number is (501) 279-6223. This office holds all divorce decree records for White County, including cases filed by Searcy residents and residents from other parts of the county. Searcy is the county seat, so the courthouse is in the city. You do not need to travel elsewhere to file or get records.

A quick note about naming: this page is about the city of Searcy, which is the county seat of White County. Searcy County is a separate county in Arkansas, with its seat in Marshall. These are two distinct places. White County's Circuit Clerk and its records are here in the city of Searcy at 300 North Spruce Street.

Office hours are Monday through Friday during standard courthouse hours. If you plan to request a certified copy in person, calling ahead is a good idea to confirm staff availability. Bring a photo ID. If you have the case number from a prior search, bring that too, since it helps the staff locate the record faster. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $5.00 per document.

For mail requests, write to the White County Circuit Clerk at 300 North Spruce Street, Searcy, AR 72143. Include the names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and a check or money order payable to the White County Circuit Clerk. Include a return mailing address so the clerk can send you what you requested.

Online Search for Searcy Divorce Records

The Arkansas Judiciary offers a free public case search tool called CourtConnect. You can use it to look up White County divorce cases by party name, case number, or filing date. CourtConnect returns case-level data including the filing date, parties, and case status. It does not include the full document text, but it is the fastest way to check whether a divorce was filed in White County before you contact the clerk's office.

CourtConnect is available any time and covers all Arkansas circuit courts, including White County. It works best for cases filed after 2009. For older records, contact the White County Circuit Clerk directly. Staff can search earlier case indexes and tell you whether a file exists and what it costs to get a copy.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

Two different documents carry the word "divorce." They come from different agencies and are used for different things. A divorce decree is the full court order from the White County Circuit Court. It contains the original petition, the final judgment signed by the judge, any agreed or contested property division, custody arrangements if children are part of the case, and any other court orders tied to the case. This is the record that carries legal weight for most purposes.

A divorce certificate is a short record kept by the Arkansas Department of Health. It shows only the names, county, and date. Certificates are available for Arkansas divorces since 1923. They cost $10 each and can be ordered by mail at ADH Vital Records, 4815 West Markham Street Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, or by calling (501) 661-2336. The Department of Health does not hold decrees. For the full court record, contact the White County Circuit Clerk in Searcy.

Filing for Divorce in Searcy

Divorce cases for Searcy residents are filed at the White County Circuit Clerk's office at 300 North Spruce Street. Arkansas requires at least one spouse to have been a resident of the state for 60 days before filing. The final decree cannot be granted until one party has lived in the county for 90 days. Both timelines must be met. The court checks these requirements as part of the process before issuing a final order.

Arkansas uses fault-based grounds for divorce. You must state a recognized ground in your petition. The most common is general indignities, which refers to ongoing conduct that makes the marriage intolerable. Other recognized grounds include living separate and apart for 18 continuous months, adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment, and felony conviction. Most Arkansas divorce petitions list either general indignities or separation.

Filing fees are approximately $165. Cases that involve minor children require more steps. A parenting education class is required before the court will enter a final decree in any divorce involving children. This is a state-wide requirement, not specific to White County. Self-represented filers can find free forms, guides, and step-by-step help at ARLawHelp.org.

The Arkansas State Archives holds older records and can assist with remote research requests related to historical White County divorce cases. They offer up to two free hours of remote assistance.

Who Can Get Copies of Divorce Decrees

Divorce decrees filed in White County are public court records. Under Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105, court records are open to the public. The parties to the case and their authorized representatives can always get certified copies. Third parties may view basic case information. Some personal data in the file, like Social Security numbers and detailed bank account information, may be redacted before release to third parties.

Records older than 100 years are fully public with no restrictions. For more recent cases, the rules above apply. CourtConnect provides free public access to case-level data without requiring you to contact the clerk's office at all. If you need the actual document rather than just case info, a formal written request or in-person visit to the White County Circuit Clerk is required.

Note: The clerk's office does not give legal advice. For questions about record access rights or how to use a divorce decree for a legal purpose, consult an Arkansas attorney or contact ARLawHelp.org.

Nearby Cities and Resources

Searcy is the county seat of White County, located in central Arkansas. Nearby qualifying cities with divorce decree pages on this site include Cabot in Lonoke County and Conway in Faulkner County. Those cities each file their divorce records with their own county Circuit Clerk. White County records stay in Searcy regardless of which city in the county a resident lives in.

For the full county-level overview of White County divorce decree records, procedures, and court contacts, see the White County divorce decree records page.