Jefferson County Divorce Decree Records
Jefferson County divorce decree records are held by the Circuit Clerk's office in Pine Bluff, the county seat of the 10th Judicial Circuit. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, want to verify that a divorce was finalized, or need to look up the terms of a past judgment, this page explains how the process works and where to go to get what you need.
Jefferson County Divorce Records Overview
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk is the office that keeps all Jefferson County divorce decree records. Every divorce case filed and finalized in this county produces a case file that stays with the clerk for long-term storage. The file holds the original petition, summons, financial disclosures, any property settlement or custody agreement, and the final decree signed by the judge. That decree is the document you need for most legal purposes.
The Circuit Clerk's office is located at 101 W. Barraque, Suite 104, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Phone is (870) 541-5306. Jefferson County also has a separate County Clerk's office at the same building address, Suite 101, phone (870) 541-5322. Make sure you are contacting the Circuit Clerk for divorce decrees. The County Clerk handles different records, including marriage licenses, but divorce case files live with the Circuit Clerk. Normal court hours run Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours before making a trip.
Walk-in requests are accepted. Bring a valid photo ID and know the names of both parties and an approximate date for the divorce. If you have the case number, bring that too.
Jefferson County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. Divorce cases in Pine Bluff are heard in Circuit Court, Division Family, which handles all domestic relations matters including divorce, legal separation, and modification of prior decrees.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Divorce Decree
There are two main ways to request a certified copy from the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk: in person or by mail. In person is faster. Show up at Suite 104, tell the clerk what you need, and pay the copy fee. Certified copies cost $5 or more depending on the number of pages. Standard black-and-white copies are cheaper. Bring cash or ask about other accepted payment methods before you go.
Mail requests work too. Write out a letter that includes the full names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was finalized, the case number if you have it, and the purpose of your request. Enclose a legible copy of your photo ID and a check or money order made out to the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. Mail to: Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, 101 W. Barraque, Suite 104, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Turnaround time for mail requests is generally 3 to 7 business days after the clerk receives your request, not counting mail transit time.
Note: If you need proof of divorce but not the full decree, the Arkansas Department of Health provides divorce certificates for cases since 1923. Those cost $10 each and are available by contacting the ADH at (501) 661-2336.
Search Jefferson County Divorce Records Online
The Arkansas judiciary runs a free online case search called CourtConnect that covers Jefferson County cases. You can search by party name, case type, or case ID number. The portal shows basic information: case number, parties, filing date, case status, and hearing dates. It does not give you the full text of the decree. Think of it as a way to confirm a case exists and find the case number before making a formal request to the clerk.
CourtConnect is maintained by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts. If you run into technical issues, you can call their help line at (501) 410-1900, option 1, or toll-free at (866) 823-5778. The system is generally available around the clock, though brief maintenance windows can occur.
For older or historical Jefferson County divorce cases, the Arkansas State Archives may hold relevant records. The Archives offers up to two hours of free research for people who cannot visit in person. You can request help by submitting the online form or emailing state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Arkansas
People often confuse these two records. They are not the same thing. A divorce decree is the full court order issued by the circuit judge. It spells out every term of the divorce: who gets what property, how debts are divided, alimony amounts, and if children are involved, custody and support arrangements. The decree is the controlling legal document. Only the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted has this record.
A divorce certificate is a short summary document. It shows the names of the parties, the date the divorce was granted, and the county. It does not include property terms or custody details. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains these certificates for divorces since January 1923. If you only need to prove that a divorce happened, and not the specific terms, the certificate from ADH works fine. But for anything involving property, support, or custody, you need the decree from the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk.
Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, court records are generally public. Divorce case files are accessible to the parties and their representatives, immediate family members, and others who can show a legal interest in the record. The clerk's staff can tell you what ID and documentation to bring for your specific situation.
Filing for Divorce in Jefferson County
To file for divorce in Jefferson County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for a minimum of 60 days before the filing. A final decree cannot be entered until one spouse has been a resident of the county for at least 90 days (three months). These are minimums set by state law under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. Contested divorces with disputes over property or children usually take much longer.
Arkansas grounds for divorce are fault-based. Accepted grounds include adultery, cruelty, alcoholism lasting at least a year, felony conviction, permanent insanity, and physical incapacity. Spouses who have lived apart for 18 continuous months without sexual activity can also use separation as grounds. In uncontested cases where both parties agree, the defendant can waive the fault requirement in writing, which moves things along faster.
Filing fees in Jefferson County run around $165 for a standard divorce. If there are motions, contested hearings, or appeals, costs increase. The Circuit Clerk's office can provide the current fee schedule when you call.
Historical Records and State Archives
Jefferson County has been part of Arkansas since the state's early years, and court records go back well into the 1800s. For divorce cases from the 19th century or early 20th century that may not be in the Circuit Clerk's current digital system, the Arkansas State Archives is the best place to start. Their staff can help locate historical court documents, microfilmed records, and other primary sources relevant to Jefferson County.
The Archives is based in Little Rock and provides remote research services. Submit a request through their online portal or email state.archives@arkansas.gov. They ask that you provide as much detail as possible: names, dates, and the county where the divorce occurred. Free research is limited to about two hours per request, but for simple lookups that is usually enough to find a lead or confirm that a record exists.
Legal Help in Jefferson County
Arkansas Legal Services offers free legal forms and guidance for people handling their own divorce cases. The site includes plain-language explainers and downloadable forms approved for use in Arkansas courts. If you qualify based on income, an attorney may be able to assist at no charge.
For record access questions, the Circuit Clerk's staff can help point you in the right direction. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you which form to file, what fees to pay, and how to pick up or receive copies. Calling ahead at (870) 541-5306 before your visit saves time.
Cities and Nearby Counties
Pine Bluff is the county seat and the city most residents use for courthouse services. If a divorce you are looking for may have been filed in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right clerk's office.