Hempstead County Divorce Decree Records

Hempstead County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Hope, Arkansas. This page covers where to find those records, how to request copies, what the fees are, and what online tools are available for searching cases in this county.

Hempstead County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk in Hempstead County is the keeper of all divorce decree records for cases heard in the county's Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is Gail Wolfenbarger. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1420, Hope, AR 71802-1420. The physical courthouse address is 400 South Washington, Hope, AR 71801. The clerk can be reached at (870) 777-2384.

The Hempstead County official government website lists the Circuit Clerk's full range of duties. The clerk handles real estate documents, court documents, court fines and fees, the juvenile division, child support payments, land records, and several other functions. Court documents can be filed electronically through eFlex for attorneys. People representing themselves can use USPS, FedEx, UPS, or hand delivery.

Fines and fees can be mailed to the Hempstead Circuit Clerk's Office, PO Box 1420, Hope, AR 71802. Online payment is also available at myfinepayment.com with a credit or debit card. Juvenile division records are not open to the public. Those are only accessible by attorneys of record or government agencies with a court order.

Online Search for Hempstead County Divorce Cases

Hempstead County cases are included in the Arkansas CourtConnect public portal. This is the statewide system for searching case-level information. You can look up by participant name, case type, or case number. Domestic relations cases, which include divorce proceedings, fall under Case Type 14 in the CourtConnect system. The search is free and no account is needed to view basic case details.

CourtConnect does not give you the full text of the divorce decree. It shows you that a case exists, who the parties are, the case number, and what actions have been filed. Once you have the case number, requesting a certified copy from the Hempstead County Circuit Clerk is easier and faster. The toll-free help line for CourtConnect is (866) 823-5778.

For fines associated with a case, the clerk's office also handles payments. Online payments go through myfinepayment.com. In-person payments are accepted at the courthouse during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Decree and Certificate Differences

Two different documents can prove a divorce in Arkansas. One is broad and detailed; the other is narrow and short. Getting the right one depends on what you need it for.

The divorce decree is the full court order. It spells out how property was split, who owes what, custody and visitation terms, and support amounts. It is entered by the judge and filed with the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Hempstead County has court records going back to 1819, with divorce records indexed from 1923. For the full decree, contact the Circuit Clerk at 400 South Washington, Hope.

The divorce certificate is a brief official summary. It shows names, date, and county. The Arkansas Department of Health holds these for all Arkansas divorces since January 1923. A certified copy costs $10. Orders can be placed online, by phone at (866) 209-9482, or by mail to ADH Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. The ADH does not have the decree itself.

Requesting Certified Copies in Hempstead County

Walk-in requests are accepted at the courthouse in Hope. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk's staff will locate the case file and make copies. Fees for certified copies typically run $5.00 per document. Regular photocopies are less. Payment by cash or money order is standard.

For mail requests, send a written request to Hempstead County Circuit Clerk, P.O. Box 1420, Hope, AR 71802-1420. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was granted, the case number if you have it, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.

Under Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105, court records are generally open to the public. Copy fees may not exceed actual reproduction costs. If the estimated fee is over $25, the clerk may require payment in advance. For records needed quickly, in-person visits are the fastest option.

Arkansas Divorce Law and Filing

Hempstead County Circuit Court handles all divorce filings for the county. Arkansas requires fault-based grounds to grant a divorce. Under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301, the accepted grounds are adultery, cruelty, habitual drunkenness lasting at least one year, a felony conviction, permanent insanity, and 18 months of continuous separation without sexual activity. An uncontested divorce can proceed without proving grounds if the defendant agrees in writing to waive the requirement.

At least one spouse must have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days before the divorce is filed. The final decree cannot be entered until one spouse has lived in the county for at least three months. These are minimums. Many cases, particularly contested ones, take longer due to scheduling and hearings.

Resources like DivorceArkansas.org and the CDC vital records guide for Arkansas are good starting points if you are trying to track down a record and are not sure whether you need the decree or the certificate.

Legal Help and Historical Research

For self-represented litigants, ARLawHelp.org provides free interactive forms for Arkansas divorce cases. The forms walk you through the process step by step. No legal advice is offered, but the forms are free and designed for use without an attorney.

The Arkansas Court Kiosk program places self-service stations in courthouse buildings. The kiosks give access to court records, forms, fact sheets, and video explainers. Check at the Hempstead County courthouse in Hope to see if a kiosk is in place.

For historical divorce records, the Arkansas State Archives offers up to two hours of free remote research. Staff will look through archived and microfilmed records on your behalf. Email state.archives@arkansas.gov or use the Ask An Archivist form to submit a request. Response typically comes within three to four days.

Nearby Counties

Hempstead County borders several counties in southwest Arkansas. Use these links if the divorce was filed elsewhere.

• Howard County
• Nevada County
• Columbia County
• Miller County
• Little River County
• Sevier County
• Pike County
• Clark County

Hempstead County has no qualifying cities for city-level pages on this site. All divorce records for the county, regardless of which town the parties lived in, are held at the Circuit Clerk's office at 400 South Washington, Hope, AR 71801.