Clay County Divorce Decree Search

Clay County divorce decree records are kept by Circuit Clerk Angela Self, with offices in both Piggott (Eastern District) and Corning (Western District). Clay County is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two county seats, so knowing which district a divorce was filed in matters. This page covers both locations, how to request divorce decree copies, online case search options, and what to expect under Arkansas law.

Two Courthouse Locations for Divorce Records

Clay County operates under a split-district system. Each district has its own Circuit Clerk office that handles divorce cases and maintains records for that district. Both offices are run by the same Circuit Clerk, Angela Self, but records are filed and stored at the location where the case was initiated.

Eastern District Circuit Clerk Office: 151 S. 2nd St, Piggott, AR 72454. Phone: (870) 598-2524. Fax: (870) 598-1107. Western District Circuit Clerk Office: 800 SW 2nd St, Corning, AR 72422. Phone: (870) 857-3271. Fax: (870) 857-9201. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM CST. Note the midday break — plan your visit or call accordingly.

Divorce records in Clay County fall under the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court. Records held here include the original petition, summons, response, financial affidavits, property settlement, custody and support orders, and the final decree. The Circuit Clerk also acts as ex-officio recorder, so the office handles deeds, mortgages, and land records alongside court filings.

The official Clay County Circuit Clerk page lists both office locations, contact numbers, Angela Self's contact info, and a breakdown of case types handled by each district.

Circuit Clerk Angela Self maintains divorce decree records at both the Piggott and Corning courthouse locations for their respective districts.

Online Divorce Decree Search

Arkansas provides the CourtConnect public case search portal for free access to case-level information. You can search by participant name, case number, or case type. The portal returns basic data: case ID, parties, filing date, docket entries, and case status.

Clay County has partial information in the online system. Older records and pre-2000 cases may not appear. The Third Judicial District court records at 220 Court Square, Piggott are searchable through CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov, though the digital records have limits. If you do not find what you need online, contact the appropriate district office directly.

The Arkansas Court Kiosk program has placed self-help kiosks at both Clay County Circuit Clerk locations in Piggott and Corning. These kiosks let you access court records, print forms, watch video guides about divorce and family law, and apply for legal aid. They are available during office hours at the Circuit Clerk's offices.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

These are different records. Each comes from a different source and contains different information.

A divorce decree is the court order. It includes everything: property division, custody arrangements, child support, alimony, and the final ruling. The Clay County Circuit Clerk holds these. For the Eastern District, request at Piggott; for the Western District, go through Corning. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 per additional page under Arkansas statute.

A divorce certificate is a short record issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. It shows only the names, date, and county. No custody details, no financial terms. Certificates are available for divorces since January 1923 at $10 per copy. Phone orders go through (866) 209-9482. Mail requests go to Vital Records Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday at that address from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Under Arkansas law, both record types are restricted. § 25-19-105 makes court case files generally public, but § 20-18-305 limits access to certificates. Eligible requesters include the parties, close family, legal representatives, and those with a documented legal interest. Records become fully open to the public 100 years after the divorce date.

Requesting Copies of Divorce Records

In-person is the fastest option. Bring valid photo ID and know which district the case was filed in. Eastern District cases go to the Piggott office; Western District cases go to Corning. If you are unsure, try CourtConnect first or call one office and ask them to check.

By mail, write to the relevant district office with both parties' names, the approximate filing year, your contact information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for the copy fee. Clay County charges $5.00 for the first certified page and $0.50 for each additional page. Payments by check or money order are standard.

Genealogy researchers can also use the Arkansas State Archives for older records. The Archives offers free remote research up to two hours. Email state.archives@arkansas.gov or use the Ask An Archivist form online. The Archives has a Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NEARA) that covers Clay County records.

For vital records directory information on Clay County, the vital records resource for Clay County lists both district offices with phone numbers and hours.

This vital records directory lists contact details for both Clay County district offices and links to state-level resources for birth, death, and divorce records.

Arkansas Divorce Law Basics

Arkansas uses fault-based grounds for divorce under § 9-12-301. Accepted grounds include adultery, cruelty or harsh treatment, habitual drunkenness lasting one or more years, felony conviction, permanent insanity, and separation of at least 18 months. If both spouses agree to all terms and the defendant files a written waiver, proof of specific grounds is not required in court.

Residency is required. One spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing. To get a final decree, three months of county residency is required. For Clay County, that means one party must have lived in Clay County for three months before the judge can sign off on the divorce.

Filing costs $165.00 in circuit court under Arkansas Code § 21-6-403. Reopening a closed case costs $50.00. These fees apply across all Arkansas counties. Court forms for self-represented litigants are available free through Arkansas Legal Help.

Self-Help Resources

Both Clay County courthouse kiosks are part of the statewide Arkansas Court Kiosk program. These kiosks let you access forms, legal aid, court record searches, and fact sheets for divorce and family law without needing an attorney. Arkansas is rolling out 112 kiosks statewide and Clay County has kiosks at both district locations.

Arkansas Legal Services (ARLawHelp.org) provides free interactive divorce forms. This is the same resource the Circuit Clerk will refer you to if you ask for help with paperwork. The forms are set up so you can fill them out step by step. You do not need a lawyer to use them, though legal advice is always worth getting for complex cases.

Nearby Counties

Clay County borders Randolph, Greene, Lawrence, and Mississippi counties. If you are unsure whether a divorce was filed in Clay County or a neighboring county, checking CourtConnect with party names is a good first step. For confirmed cross-county searches, contact each county's Circuit Clerk directly.

• Randolph County - Pocahontas
• Greene County - Paragould
• Lawrence County - Walnut Ridge
• Mississippi County - Blytheville / Osceola

For state-level certificate lookups, the Arkansas Department of Health can be reached toll-free at (866) 209-9482. The DivorceArkansas.org records guide is also a useful reference for understanding what the state keeps versus what each county maintains.