Access Cleveland County Divorce Decree Records

Cleveland County divorce decree records are filed and kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Rison, Arkansas. Brandy Herring serves as both Circuit Clerk and County Clerk for Cleveland County. Whether you need a certified copy of a final decree, want to look up a case on file, or are researching historical divorce records, this page walks you through the process, contact details, fees, and state resources.

Cleveland County Circuit Clerk

Cleveland County combines the Circuit Clerk and County Clerk roles into one office headed by Brandy Herring. The Circuit Court office phone is (870) 325-6902, and the County Clerk's office phone is (870) 325-6521. Email: clevelandclerk@arkansasclerks.com. The mailing address for the Circuit Clerk is P.O. Box 368, Rison, AR 71665.

The courthouse is located at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. All offices are open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. This is a smaller courthouse, so visiting during regular hours and calling ahead to confirm availability is a good idea before making a trip.

The Circuit Clerk in Cleveland County handles civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile court cases. Divorce records fall under domestic relations. The clerk maintains the full case file: petition, summons, financial affidavits, property settlement, custody orders, and the final decree. Records in Cleveland County go back to 1873 with no known courthouse disasters affecting the collection.

The Association of Arkansas Counties directory for Cleveland County lists all county officials with phone numbers and mailing addresses, including the Circuit Clerk and County Judge.

The Association of Arkansas Counties keeps an up-to-date contact directory for all Cleveland County officials, including the Circuit Clerk who maintains divorce decree records.

Online Case Search for Divorce Records

The Arkansas judiciary offers free public case search through CourtConnect. Search by name, case number, or case type to find basic case details for Cleveland County filings. The system shows party names, filing dates, docket entries, and current status for cases entered into the digital system.

Cleveland County records that predate the digital era may not appear online. If a search returns no results, that does not rule out the existence of a record. Contact the Circuit Clerk directly to check for older cases. For help with the CourtConnect portal, the Administrative Office of Courts can be reached toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Document copies are not available through the portal. CourtConnect is for locating cases and reviewing docket information only. Actual decree copies require a request to the Circuit Clerk in Rison, either in person or by mail.

Certificate vs. Decree: Which Record to Request

Two records document a divorce in Arkansas, and they come from different sources.

The divorce decree is the full court document. It has everything: property division, debt assignment, custody, support amounts, alimony, and the judge's final order. The Cleveland County Circuit Clerk in Rison holds these records. To get a certified copy, you pay $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 per each additional page. You need to visit in person or send a written mail request.

The divorce certificate is a short summary record issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. It shows only names, date, and county. Cost is $10 per copy and is available for divorces since January 1923. Call (866) 209-9482 to order by phone, or mail a request to Vital Records Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Walk-in service is available at that address Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The certificate is often enough for remarriage or name change paperwork. For anything that requires the actual terms of the divorce, you need the decree from the Circuit Clerk.

Under Arkansas law, access to divorce certificates is restricted by § 20-18-305 to the parties, their immediate family, legal representatives, and those with a documented legal need. Court case files are generally open under § 25-19-105, but social security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted.

How to Get Copies of Divorce Decrees

In person is the simplest option. Visit the Cleveland County Courthouse at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison. Bring a valid photo ID. Know the names of both parties and a rough year for the filing. Staff will pull the case for you; you handle the actual review and copying request.

By mail: write to the Cleveland County Circuit Clerk, P.O. Box 368, Rison, AR 71665. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year of the divorce, your contact information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by check or money order. Standard certified copy fees apply: $5.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page.

For historical research, the Arkansas State Archives provides free remote research up to two hours. Email state.archives@arkansas.gov or call 501-682-6900. The Archives is at One Capitol Mall, Room 2B-215, Little Rock. Results typically come within one to three weeks after your initial inquiry is acknowledged.

The Cleveland County Herald local contacts directory provides a quick reference for courthouse phone numbers and hours, including the Circuit Clerk and County Clerk contact info.

The local contacts directory confirms courthouse hours at 8:30 AM to 4 PM weekdays and lists all county office phone numbers and email addresses.

Arkansas Divorce Law and Filing Requirements

Arkansas divorce law requires fault-based grounds under § 9-12-301. You cannot simply say you want out — there must be a stated legal reason. Accepted grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, mental cruelty making the spouse's condition intolerable, habitual drunkenness lasting one or more years, felony conviction, permanent insanity, and 18-month separation without sexual relations. If both parties agree on all terms, the defendant can file a written waiver and proof of grounds is not required.

Residency rules apply. One spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before the petition is filed. A final decree cannot be issued until one spouse has been a Cleveland County resident for at least three months. That three-month period runs before the court date, not after filing. Plan accordingly if you are establishing residency specifically to file here.

Filing a new divorce case in circuit court costs $165.00 under Arkansas Code § 21-6-403. Reopening a past case costs $50.00. The DivorceArkansas.org records guide explains the difference between certificates and decrees and outlines the process for obtaining each type.

Legal Resources and Self-Help

Cleveland County is a smaller county without a large legal services infrastructure, but statewide resources are available. Arkansas Legal Help provides free interactive divorce forms for self-represented litigants. The Circuit Clerk will refer you there for any form-related questions. The site does not provide legal advice but covers the most common divorce filings.

The Arkansas Court Kiosk program aims to place kiosks in every county courthouse statewide. Check whether the Cleveland County Courthouse in Rison has a kiosk installed. These kiosks let you search records, print forms, apply for legal aid, and watch video guides on how the divorce process works in Arkansas courts.

The FamilySearch genealogy guide for Cleveland County notes that the County Clerk has marriage records from 1880 and divorce, probate, and court records going back to the county's founding in 1873.

Nearby Counties

Cleveland County borders Dallas, Calhoun, Bradley, Lincoln, Jefferson, Grant, and Saline counties. If you are trying to track down a divorce case that may have been filed in a neighboring county, you will need to contact each county's Circuit Clerk separately. CourtConnect with party names is a good first step since it covers all Arkansas counties in one search.

• Dallas County - Fordyce
• Calhoun County - Hampton
• Bradley County - Warren
• Lincoln County - Star City
• Jefferson County - Pine Bluff
• Grant County - Sheridan
• Saline County - Benton

The Arkansas Department of Health at (866) 209-9482 is the fastest way to confirm whether a divorce certificate exists under a given name before pulling county-level files.