Search Franklin County Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records in Franklin County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk across two courthouse locations in Ozark and Charleston, Arkansas, a setup unique to this county in the state. If you need to find a divorce decree, get a certified copy, or understand how filings work at Franklin County's dual-seat Circuit Court, this page covers the right offices, addresses, fees, and procedures.
Franklin County Divorce Records Overview
Franklin County Circuit Clerk Locations
Franklin County is one of a handful of Arkansas counties with two county seats. Divorce decrees and court records are held at both locations. The Ozark Division is the primary seat: 211 West Commercial Street, Ozark, AR 72949. Phone is (479) 667-3607. The County Clerk is also at 211 W Commercial St. Suite 1600, Ozark AR 72949. The Ozark courthouse had a fire in 1949, so some older records may be incomplete.
The Charleston Division is at 101 West Laurel Street, Charleston, AR 72933. The Recorder of Deeds for Franklin County is at 607 East Main Street, Charleston, AR 72933, phone (479) 965-7332. If you are not sure which division holds the divorce record you need, call the Ozark office at (479) 667-3607 first and they can direct you.
The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil matters exceeding $25,000, criminal felonies, and domestic relations including divorce and child custody. Court records in Franklin County go back to 1840, land records to 1838, and marriage records to 1837. Divorce records from as early as 1844 through 1866 have been indexed by genealogical researchers.
The Arkansas Court Kiosk page for Franklin County lists case types handled at the Circuit Court in Ozark, including divorce and custody, and provides a link to the CourtConnect online case search tool along with the courthouse kiosk location at the Ozark Division.
Online Search for Franklin County Divorces
The Arkansas Judiciary's CourtConnect portal covers Franklin County divorce case records. Search by party name, case number, or citation to find basic case details: filing date, case type, parties, and status. The portal does not display the full divorce decree text. For the actual document, contact the Circuit Clerk at the appropriate division.
In-person requests at the Ozark or Charleston courthouse are processed immediately when possible. Mail requests may take 5 to 10 business days. Basic case information is free through CourtConnect; certified copies require payment. Fees include $6 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus certification fees. The CourtConnect help line is (866) 823-5778.
The CDC's Arkansas vital records page explains how the state-level certificate system works for Arkansas divorces, including cost ($10 per copy), the Department of Health's mailing address, and the distinction between county-held divorce decrees and state-held certificates.
Under the Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105, court records are generally open for inspection. If a record is in active use or temporary storage, the clerk certifies that in writing and makes it available within three working days. Copy fees cannot exceed actual reproduction costs.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
A Franklin County divorce decree is the complete court order signed by the Circuit Court judge. It covers property division, custody, support, and any other terms imposed by the court. The Circuit Clerk holds these records at either the Ozark or Charleston Division depending on where the case was filed.
A divorce certificate is shorter and only shows the names, date, and county. The Arkansas Department of Health holds certificates statewide for all divorces since January 1923. Cost is $10 per copy. You can order by phone at (866) 209-9482, online, or by mail to Vital Records Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. The state health department does not hold actual divorce decrees.
Franklin County historical divorce records from 1844 to 1866 are available through genealogical resources. For that era, the Circuit Clerk and the Arkansas State Archives are the best sources. Note that the Ozark courthouse burned in 1949, which may affect completeness of some records from that period.
Note: Franklin County has two courthouse locations. Confirm which division holds the record you need before traveling or submitting a request.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies of Franklin County divorce decrees are available from the Circuit Clerk at either courthouse location. Bring a valid photo ID or include a copy with a mail request. Fees are $6 for the first page and $0.50 per additional page, plus any certification fee. Copy fees under Arkansas law cannot exceed actual reproduction costs.
Access to divorce records is restricted under Arkansas Code § 20-18-305. Only the parties to the divorce, their immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives may obtain certified copies. After 100 years from the divorce date, records become fully public. If you are requesting a record on behalf of a legal matter, include your authorization documentation when you submit the request.
Filing a Divorce in Franklin County
Divorces in Franklin County are filed at the Circuit Court at either the Ozark or Charleston Division depending on the filer's location. Arkansas requires fault-based grounds under § 9-12-301. Recognized grounds include adultery, cruelty, habitual drunkenness for one year or more, felony conviction, permanent insanity, inability to have sexual relations, indignities making 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 issued until that spouse has lived in the county for at least 3 months. Uncontested divorces where both parties agree and the defendant waives proof of grounds in writing are simpler and faster. Cases with minor children require completion of a parenting education class.
Filing fees run approximately $165 or more. Uncontested cases often finalize in two to three months. Contested cases take longer, especially with property disputes or custody issues. Free self-help forms are available through Arkansas Legal Services. Public access kiosks at the Franklin County courthouse let you access court records and find forms without going to the clerk's window.
Legal Help and Historical Research
ARLawHelp.org provides free self-help divorce forms and legal information for Arkansas residents. They are not a law firm and do not give legal advice, but their resources are solid for straightforward cases. The Arkansas Court Kiosk program also provides terminals at the Franklin County courthouse with forms, video guides, and legal aid application help.
For historical divorce records, the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock offers up to two free hours of remote research. Email state.archives@arkansas.gov or call 501-682-6900. The FamilySearch Franklin County genealogy page lists record start dates and available indexed collections, including divorce records from 1844. The archives also carry materials relevant to the gap caused by the 1949 Ozark courthouse fire.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders the following counties in western Arkansas. Divorce records for those areas are held by the respective Circuit Clerks:
No cities in Franklin County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Ozark and Charleston both serve as county seats, with the Ozark Division handling the primary Circuit Court caseload.