Ouachita County Divorce Decree Records
Ouachita County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Camden, Arkansas. This page covers where to find those records, how to request certified copies, what fees apply, how to search cases online, and what Arkansas law requires for divorce filings in Ouachita County.
Ouachita County Divorce Records Overview
Ouachita County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk in Camden is the custodian of all divorce decree records for Ouachita County. The office is located at 145 Jefferson St SW, Camden, AR 71701. The phone number is (870) 837-2230. Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call ahead to confirm current hours before visiting, as holiday schedules and staffing can affect availability.
Ouachita County is in the 13th Judicial Circuit. All civil and domestic relations cases filed in Ouachita County Circuit Court are maintained here. The clerk keeps the complete file from initial petition through the final decree and any post-decree actions. If a divorce was granted in Ouachita County, the Circuit Clerk in Camden holds the record.
Certified copies of a divorce decree typically cost $5.00 per document. For mail requests, send a written request to the clerk's office at 145 Jefferson St SW, Camden, AR 71701. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year of the divorce, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk.
Online Case Search for Ouachita County Divorces
The Arkansas judiciary provides a free public search tool called CourtConnect. Ouachita County cases are included in this statewide database. You can search by party name, case number, or case type without logging in. Domestic relations cases, which include all divorce proceedings, have their own category in the search interface.
CourtConnect is useful for finding case numbers and confirming that a divorce was filed in Ouachita County. The portal does not provide full document access. You will see the case header, party names, and a list of docket events, but not the actual decree text. Once you have the case number, requesting a certified copy from the Camden clerk's office is straightforward. Call (866) 823-5778 for help navigating the CourtConnect system.
Decree vs. Certificate: What Is the Difference?
People sometimes mix these two up. They serve different purposes.
The divorce decree is the court's full order. It sets out every term the judge decided on: property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and custody terms if the couple had children. This document is entered into the court record at the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk's office in Camden. Only that office can issue a certified copy of it. If you need proof of what was actually ordered in the divorce, you need the decree, not the certificate.
The divorce certificate is a brief form that confirms only that a divorce occurred. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains these for all Arkansas divorces since January 1923. A certified copy costs $10 and can be ordered by mail at ADH Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call (501) 661-2336 for recorded information on current fees and requirements. The ADH does not hold the actual decree.
Arkansas Divorce Grounds and Filing Rules
Ouachita County Circuit Court processes all divorce filings within the county. Arkansas law under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301 requires fault-based grounds for divorce. The accepted grounds are adultery, cruelty, habitual drunkenness lasting one or more years, a felony conviction, permanent insanity, inability to have sexual relations, and 18 continuous months of separation without sexual activity. If both parties agree and the defendant is willing to waive the fault requirement in writing, the court can grant an uncontested divorce without requiring proof of grounds.
Residency rules apply. One spouse must have been an Arkansas resident for at least 60 days before filing the petition in Ouachita County. The judge will not issue a final decree until one spouse has been a county resident for at least three months. Filing fees are approximately $165 for a standard petition. Call the Circuit Clerk in Camden for the current schedule before filing.
Note: Contested divorces that involve property disputes or custody issues usually take longer than uncontested ones, even after the residency requirements are met.
Public Records Access in Ouachita County
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, § 25-19-105, makes most court records open to public inspection. Ouachita County divorce case files are generally public records. Any person can ask to review or copy the file at the Circuit Clerk's office in Camden. The clerk must respond promptly, and for records in storage, within three working days. Copy fees are limited to actual reproduction costs.
Some records are restricted. If a judge sealed a case or certain portions of a file, those sections are not accessible. Records involving minors in a domestic case may also be partially restricted. For most standard adult divorce cases in Ouachita County, however, the file is open. You do not need to show a specific interest in the case to request access.
Historical Research and Legal Aid
The Arkansas State Archives holds historical court records from across the state, including older Ouachita County filings. For people who cannot travel to Little Rock, the archives offers up to two free hours of remote research per request. Email state.archives@arkansas.gov or use the Ask An Archivist form online to submit your request. Include names, approximate dates, and the county.
Divorces that predate January 1923 will not appear in the ADH certificate system. For those older cases, the county court records and the State Archives are the places to look. The archives may have microfilm copies of early Ouachita County circuit court dockets. For free legal help, ARLawHelp.org provides interactive divorce forms and legal aid referrals for Arkansas residents.
Nearby Counties
If the divorce was filed in a county adjacent to Ouachita County, these links will connect you to the correct clerk's office.
Ouachita County has no qualifying cities with separate pages on this site. All divorce decree records for the county are held at the Circuit Clerk's office at 145 Jefferson St SW, Camden, AR 71701.