Drew County Divorce Decree Lookup
Divorce decree records in Drew County are held by the Circuit Clerk in Monticello, Arkansas, and the office is the primary source for anyone who needs a certified copy of a court-issued divorce order from this county. From understanding who can request records to knowing where to go for older files, this page covers the full process for accessing Drew County divorce records.
Drew County Divorce Records Overview
Drew County Circuit Clerk
Beverly Burks serves as Circuit Clerk for Drew County and is the official custodian of all divorce decree records filed in Monticello. The office is at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655. Phone is (870) 460-6250. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
The Circuit Clerk accepts filings in felony criminal, civil, domestic relations, and juvenile cases. The office issues summonses, records deeds, mortgages, and liens, calls jury panels, communicates scheduling, and processes child support payments. Court records in Drew County date back to 1847, and no major courthouse disasters have affected the county's records. All records maintained at the Circuit Court are considered evidence of official acts.
A new land records system is being implemented, and online access for new filings is being developed. For current access, in-person or mail requests remain the standard method.
The official Drew County government page lists clerk contact details, office staff, and services available including marriage licenses, passport processing, and access to court case search tools. It is the official source for county government contact information in Monticello.
Searching Drew County Divorce Records
The Arkansas Judiciary's CourtConnect portal provides free public access to case-level court records across all Arkansas counties, including Drew County. Search by party name, case ID, or citation number to find a case and confirm the filing date and status. The portal does not give document-level access to divorce decrees themselves, only basic case information.
For the full decree, contact the Circuit Clerk directly at (870) 460-6250 or visit in person. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse during business hours. The Arkansas Court Kiosk program places self-service terminals at courthouses statewide, where you can search records, find forms, and get help applying for legal aid.
Under the Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105, public records must be made available during regular hours. If a record is in active use or storage, the clerk has up to three working days to make it available. Fees for copies cannot exceed actual reproduction costs. CourtConnect help is available toll-free at (866) 823-5778.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
These are two different documents. A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It includes custody arrangements, property division, support terms, and the legal grounds for the divorce. In Drew County, decrees filed before 1950 are classified among equity records at the Circuit Clerk's office. Divorces issued after 1950 moved to the Arkansas Department of Health vital records system, though certified copies of the full decree may still require a request to the clerk.
A divorce certificate is a shorter document. It lists the names, the date, and the county where the divorce was granted. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains these statewide for all divorces since January 1923. Each copy costs $10. Orders can be placed online, by phone at (866) 209-9482, or by mail to Vital Records Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205.
The Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness guide for Drew County documents record start dates, what the Circuit Clerk holds, and how pre-1950 versus post-1950 divorce records are split between the county and the state health department. Useful for genealogical research involving Drew County divorces.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies of Drew County divorce decrees are available from the Circuit Clerk at 210 South Main Street, Monticello. Bring a valid photo ID to the office, or include a copy with a mail request. Copy fees are set under state law and cannot exceed actual costs of reproduction. Certified copy fees are generally $5 or more per document.
Access is restricted under Arkansas Code § 20-18-305. Only the named parties, their immediate family members (parents, children, grandchildren), and authorized legal representatives can get certified copies of divorce decrees. After 100 years from the divorce date, records become fully public. Provide the names of both parties and an approximate year in your request to help staff locate the record quickly. The Clerk's office does not do research; staff can help you find materials, but the actual search is yours to do.
Note: Drew County divorce records prior to 1950 are held among equity records at the Circuit Clerk, while post-1950 divorce certificates are at the Arkansas Department of Health.
Divorce Filing Requirements in Drew County
Divorces in Drew County are filed at the Circuit Court in Monticello. Arkansas uses fault-based grounds for divorce under § 9-12-301. Recognized grounds include adultery, cruelty, habitual drunkenness lasting one year or more, felony conviction, permanent insanity, inability to have sexual relations, indignities that make the spouse's condition intolerable, and living separately for 18 continuous months without sexual contact.
Residency requirements: at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before filing. The final decree cannot be entered until the filing spouse has lived in the county for at least three months. In an uncontested divorce where both parties agree and the defendant waives proof of grounds in writing, the process is simpler. Cases involving minor children require a court-approved parenting education class.
Court filing fees run approximately $165 or more. Uncontested cases typically finish in two to three months. Contested cases can take much longer depending on property issues, custody disputes, and whether mediation is ordered. For self-help filers, Arkansas Legal Services provides free interactive forms and plain-language guides at no cost online.
Historical Records and Legal Help
Drew County has intact records going back to 1847. The county has no known courthouse disasters, so records are relatively complete for their age. For very old divorce records or those not in the current clerk's system, the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock provides up to two free hours of remote research. Contact them at state.archives@arkansas.gov or 501-682-6900. They hold materials from all over the state including records from smaller counties like Drew.
For genealogical research, the FamilySearch Drew County genealogy page lists record start dates and collection links. Marriage records from 1847 and court records from 1847 are available. DivorceArkansas.org also has a plain-language overview of the difference between certificates and decrees and how to get each type in Arkansas.
The Arkansas State Archives also has a Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NEARA) and a Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives (SARA) with region-specific collections that may hold materials relevant to Drew County, which is in southern Arkansas.
Nearby Counties
Drew County borders several other Arkansas counties. Divorce records for neighboring areas are held at those county Circuit Clerks:
No cities in Drew County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Monticello is the county seat and the location of the Circuit Court for all divorce case filings.