Garland County Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records in Garland County are kept by the Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse in Hot Springs. If you need to find, copy, or verify a divorce decree from this county, this guide covers where to go, what to bring, and what it will cost you.

Garland County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk is the main office for Garland County divorce decree records. The clerk keeps all family court filings, final decrees, and related documents on file. Divorce records go back to 1874 in this county, and the office maintains both paper records and a digital database for cases finalized after 1997.

The Garland County divorce records portal lists the clerk's office at 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 204, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Phone is (501) 622-3600. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in requests are accepted. You can also mail a written request with the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, the case number if you have it, and a copy of your photo ID.

The portal shows search fees of $5.00 per name searched and $10.00 per certified copy. Processing time for mail requests is typically 3 to 5 business days. In-person visitors can usually get copies the same day, though high-volume days may add wait time. Payment by money order is required for mail requests; cash is accepted in person.

Records held at this office include the original petition for divorce, the summons, financial affidavits, property settlement agreements, child custody arrangements, and the final divorce decree itself. Each is part of the case file and can be copied upon a valid request from an eligible person.

Online Divorce Decree Search in Garland County

The Garland Records Portal provides online access to some Garland County records. For divorce cases finalized after 1997, you may be able to search by case number or party name without visiting the courthouse. The portal covers court records, property records, liens, and other documents maintained by the Circuit Clerk.

The statewide Arkansas CourtConnect system also covers Garland County cases. You can search by participant name, case type, or case ID. CourtConnect shows basic case-level information but does not give you access to the full decree document. For a certified copy of the actual decree, you still need to contact the Circuit Clerk directly. The help line for CourtConnect is toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate

Two types of records exist for a completed divorce in Arkansas. Knowing which one you need will save you time and money.

A divorce decree is the full court order entered by the judge. It contains all terms of the divorce: property division, debt assignment, alimony, custody, visitation, and child support. This document is held only by the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Garland County decrees go back to the 1870s for records that survived to the present.

A divorce certificate is a shorter document showing the names of the parties, the date, and the county where the divorce was granted. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains these certificates for all divorces since January 1923. The cost is $10 per certified copy. You can order by phone at (866) 209-9482, by mail, or in person at 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. The ADH does not have the full decree, only the certificate.

Most legal and government purposes that require proof of divorce will accept either document. If you need specific terms like custody or support amounts, you need the decree from the Circuit Clerk.

Getting Copies of Garland County Divorce Decrees

To request a copy from the Garland County Circuit Clerk, you need to be an eligible person under Arkansas law. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, court records are generally open to the public. But divorce records also fall under the Vital Statistics Act, which limits access to the parties themselves, their immediate family, or those with a legal interest in the record.

When you go in person, bring a valid photo ID. Staff will locate the file and make copies for you. Mail requests should include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, the case number if known, a copy of your photo ID, and payment for the search fee plus copy costs. Send mail requests to: Garland County Circuit Clerk, 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 204, Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Genealogical researchers can also check the Archives.com vital records index for Garland County, which covers historical records and may help locate older cases before making a formal request.

For divorces before 1923, the Circuit Clerk's office is your only option since statewide records start in 1923. Records go back to 1874 in Garland County, though some very old files may have condition issues due to age.

Divorce Law and Filing in Arkansas

Arkansas uses fault-based grounds for divorce under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. Accepted grounds include adultery, cruelty, alcoholism lasting at least one year, felony conviction, permanent insanity, and an 18-month separation without sexual activity. Arkansas does not have a pure no-fault divorce option, though an uncontested case where both parties agree can proceed without proving grounds if the defendant waives the requirement in writing.

Residency requirements apply. One spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before the divorce can be filed. In addition, a final decree cannot be entered until at least three months after a spouse has been a county resident. These time frames are minimums, and contested cases often take much longer to resolve.

Filing fees in Garland County Circuit Court run around $165 for a standard divorce case. Contested divorces with property disputes or custody issues will involve additional hearings and can cost considerably more in total legal costs.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

If you need help with a divorce case or record request, a few free resources are available. Arkansas Legal Services (ARLawHelp.org) provides free legal forms for divorce cases and other self-help materials for people representing themselves. Forms are available at no cost and cover most standard divorce situations.

The Arkansas Court Kiosk program has self-service stations at courthouses across the state. These kiosks let you access court records, find forms and fact sheets, watch video explainers, and apply for legal aid. The goal is to have at least one kiosk in every county. Check whether the Garland County courthouse has one available.

For older genealogical records, the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock offers up to two hours of free research for people who cannot visit in person. You can submit a request through their online form or email state.archives@arkansas.gov. Response time is typically three to four days to confirm receipt, with results delivered within one to three weeks.

Nearby Counties and Cities

Garland County borders several other counties in central Arkansas. If the divorce you are looking for was filed in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right clerk.

• Saline County
• Pulaski County
• Hot Spring County
• Clark County
• Montgomery County
• Pike County
• Yell County
• Perry County

The city of Hot Springs is in Garland County and uses the same Circuit Clerk office for all divorce filings and record requests. Residents in Hot Springs looking for decree copies should visit 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 204, or check the DivorceArkansas.org records guide for additional steps. The CDC also provides a guide on where to write for Arkansas vital records if you need help finding the right state agency.