Start Your Records Search:

Arkansas Public Records

The Freedom of Information Act gives every American citizen the right to access public records. Every state has its own version of the law, each with different rules and regulations.

Given the differences that exist from state to state, accessing records isn’t always as simple as it seems.

In fact, in many states, accessing records can be challenging. Most states keep records in different agencies, and some documents are closed or sealed from the public.

Arkansas public records include criminal records, inmate records, court records, and vital records.

Table of Contents

What does the Arkansas public records law say?

The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act allows public access to governmental records.

However, the state only allows residents of Arkansas to access public records. It’s one of few states with this requirement in place.

The Arkansas Freedom of Act requires records custodians to respond to requests within three days.

If a request is denied, a process is in place to appeal the decision. Arkansas public records law states that fees for copies of files must be reasonable.

How can a person access public records in Arkansas?

A person must submit a public records request to access documents in Arkansas. The request is sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

  • Your name and contact information
  • The name of the document you want access to with as much detail as possible
  • A time frame that you’d like to receive the materials by
  • The document delivery method, whether by email or mail

Arkansas recommends making all public records requests online.

Contact the agency or office before requesting in person.

Arkansas criminal records

A criminal record, or criminal history, provides a list of criminal offenses associated with a specific person. It should detail instances of arrest, prosecution, and convictions. Employers usually access these records to run a background check on new employees.

Most criminal records list misdemeanor or felony offenses but don’t mention minor infractions like speeding tickets or moving violations.

The Department of Safety maintains Arkansas criminal records.

What’s on an Arkansas criminal record

Criminal records generally provide the following information when accessed:

  • Personal information including name, date of birth, gender
  • Aliases
  • Physical descriptions
  • Records of any criminal conviction
  • Court orders
  • Warrant
  • Charges
  • Probation and probation orders
  • Convicted crimes

Where can a person find Arkansas criminal records?

The Arkansas State Police is the records custodian for all criminal records. Again, it’s usually employers who are looking to access this information. Fortunately, criminal records in Arkansas are online and provided to the public in a searchable database.

The request costs $22 for employers that use the Arkansas Stace Police Criminal Background Check with consent.

For any Arkansas other criminal records search, the charge is $24.

Arkansas State Police:
One State Police Plaza Dr
Little Rock, AR 72209

Phone number: 501-618-8000

Arkansas Inmate Records

Inmate records are kept on every person held within the state’s jails and prisons. Accessing these records can be done online.

The Department of Corrections maintains Arkansas inmate records.

What’s on an Arkansas inmate record?

An inmate record in the state of Arkansas usually offers the following information:

  • An inmate’s full name and aliases
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality/ethnicity as well as unique identifiers and associations
  • Inmate’s criminal data, such as the primary charges, arrest/booking details, current sentence, bail/bond conditions
  • Prospective court or release dates

Where can a person find Arkansas inmate records?

The Arkansas Department of Corrections holds all inmate records. The state does have these records organized digitally in a searchable database.

You will visit the Arkansas Department of Corrections Inmate Search to access an inmate record.

You can search for an inmate by name and facility. However, it is better to have the inmate’s prison ID number

Arkansas Court Records

Court record requests are challenging. You need to know which court heard the case and make a request to the court clerk.

It is helpful to know how the court system works to request public court records.

The Arkansas judiciary includes:

  • Trial courts
  • Juvenile Court
  • District Courts
  • Court of Appeals
  • Civil Court
  • Circuit Court
  • County Court
  • The Supreme Court

What’s on an Arkansas court record?

The information on a public court record can vary, but in Arkansas, most people are looking for these specific documents within a court record:

  • Court minutes
  • Case files
  • Dockets
  • Orders of the court
  • Judgment documentation
  • Jury records and files
  • Witness documentation

Where can a person find Arkansas court records?

All circuit courts and some district courts records are online. You will search the CourtConnect database.

Forty circuit courts, plus district courts from six counties and two counties with probate, provide in-depth documents on this platform. To use this portal, visit the website, enter the names of those involved and provide additional information like the judge’s name to narrow the search results.

A complete list of circuit courts that provide full information on CourtConnect is available on the Administrative Office of the Court’s website.

If you have questions while using the portal, direct your questions to the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts.

Available cases include civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate; case images are available for some records.

If you can’t find the court case you’re looking for on public CourtConnect, you’ll need to request information from the Court that heard the case.

Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts
625 Marshall St #1100
Little Rock, AR 72201

Phone number: (501) 682-9400

Arkansas vital records

Arkansas keeps vital records including:

If you want a copy of an Arkansas vital record, you need to be listed on the form, be a family member, or legally represent the person or family member.

What information is needed to request an Arkansas Birth Certificate?

Arkansas Department of Health Office Vital Records Birth Certificate Application requires certain information to access the record.

  • First, middle, and last name of the person on the birth record
  • The date of birth
  • The place of birth
  • The father’s full name
  • The mother’s full name before marriage

Where can a person find an Arkansas Birth Certificate?

You can order a birth certificate online using the Arkansas Department of Health website, or by completing the Vital Records Birth Certificate Application and returning it by mail, fax, or in person.

You can find a complete list of local Health Departments using the Arkansas Department of Health website.

Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205

The cost for a copy of a birth certificate is $12, and $10 for every additional copy.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Department Arkansas Death Certificate Application form requires that you have specific information to access the record.

  • First, middle, and last name of the deceased
  • The date of the death
  • The place the death occurred
  • The name of the funeral home
  • The address of the funeral home
  • Contact information for the Attending Death Certifier

Where can a person find an Arkansas death record?

You can order a death certificate online using the Arkansas Department of Health website, or by completing the Death Certificate Application and returning it by mail, fax, or in person.

You can find a complete list of local Health Departments using the Arkansas Department of Health website.

Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205

The Arkansas fee for a death record is $10, and $8 for every additional copy.

What information is needed to request a marriage certificate in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Department of Health will ask for specific information on the Marriage Coupon Application form.

  • The name of the groom
  • The name of the bride before marriage
  • The date of the marriage
  • The county where the marriage license was issued.

Where can a person find an existing Arkansas marriage record?

You can order marriage records online using the Arkansas Department of Health website, or by completing the Marriage Coupon Application and returning it by mail, fax, or in person.

You can find a complete list of local Health Departments using the Arkansas Department of Health website.

Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205

The Arkansas fee for a marriage certificate is $10 per copy.

What information is needed to request a divorce certificate in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Department of Health will ask for specific information on the Divorce Coupon Application.

  • Name of the husband
  • Name of the wife
  • Date of the divorce
  • County where the divorce was granted.

Where can a person find an Arkansas divorce record?

You can order divorce records online using the Arkansas Department of Health website, or by completing the Divorce Coupon Application and returning it by mail, fax, or in person.

You can find a complete list of local Health Departments using the Arkansas Department of Health website.

Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205

The cost of a copy of a death certificate is $10 per copy.

Arkansas Property Records

Arkansas property records are maintained by Arkansas County Assessor Office.

You will need to submit public property requests to your local County Clerk’s office.

The information that you can access with an Arkansas public property records request includes:

  • Liens
  • Type of property, commercial or residential
  • Land records and plats
  • Foreclosure information
  • Other real estate records

What information is needed to request property records in Arkansas?

Public property request forms vary depending on the information you are trying to access, and the jurisdiction.

You can access the forms on your local county clerk’s website.

Example – Benton County
Benton County Assessor Forms

Where can I find an Arkansas property record?

Your County Recorder’s Office maintains Arkansas public property records.

Example – Benton County
Benton County Recorder’s Office

FAQS

Can a request be submitted by non-residents in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Freedom of Act does not allow non-residents to request or access public records or conduct a public records search, as of a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.

Arkansas is one of few states that still have this clause in its public records law.

Two other states, Virginia and Tennessee, won’t allow out-of-state residents to request public documents.

Is there a records custodian in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Freedom of Act does specify a records custodian must be appointed in each agency.

What exemptions exist in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act is a reasonably broad law and doesn’t specify any exemptions. It simply says that all public bodies, including the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government, must all provide public access to records.

There are cases where records requested from an organization have been deemed exempt because an organization is not a public body.

How long do agencies in Arkansas have to respond to a public records request?

Arkansas has three business days to respond to a request. It’s one of the fastest response times in the United States.

Are there a public records request appeal process in place in Arkansas?

If a public records request is denied, the requestor must appeal immediately.

The appeal is sent to the Pulaski County Circuit Court or the Circuit Court located in the requestor’s county.

A court date is then set within seven days, where a judge decides on the record’s access.

Pulaski CountyClerk and Circuit Clerk’s Office
401 W Markham St
Little Rock, AR 72201

Office hours vary depending on the County Judge.

It’s also possible to appeal a delay, should the request not be handled in a timely manner.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Arkansas?

Arkansas has a strict policy on fees for viewing or copying public records.

The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act says the public body may cover the cost of reproducing records but can’t charge a search or retrieval fee.

Start Your Records Search:

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 0 comments