The Arkansas Vital Records maintains records of all divorces that occurred in Arkansas since 1923.  Arkansas Vital Records does not have the actual divorce decree.  By making a request for divorce records to the Arkansas Vital Records, you will get a certified copy of the divorce in paper form.  Such certified copies are accepted by all state and federal government offices.  An actual copy of the divorce decree can be obtained by contacting the County Clerk or Circuit Clerk office where the divorce was recorded.

Request for the divorce record may be made over telephone, by mail, via electronic media or in person.  Divorce Record application is available online.  The processing time for divorce records is 4-6 weeks.

In order to access divorce records a fee of $10.00 is to be paid for each copy.  After conducting a search if no record is found or no copy is made, an amount of $10.00 will be charged as a search fee.  The applicant may request refund of any amount paid over $10.00 search fee.

If the request is by mail, fees must be paid in the form of checks or money orders, payable to the Arkansas Department of Health.  Cash must not be sent in the mail.

In order to make a request for divorce record over telephone or electronic media, the applicant must possess a Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express credit card.  The service and certificate fee will be charged to the applicant’s credit card.

Arkansas Vital Records Statute does not allow Arkansas Vital Records to release marriage and divorce coupons to the general public.  However, the County Clerks office where the event is recorded may operate under different rules.  The Statute permits the Division to release records to specific persons who are related to the registrant; designated representatives of the registrant; academic research groups; and persons who can demonstrate a right to the record.

Details to be submitted while making the request are:

• Full name of the husband
• Full name of the wife including the maiden name
• Date of divorce/dismissal
• County granting the divorce/dismissal
• Relationship between the applicant and the husband/wife
• Reason for requesting the divorce records
• A check/money order payable to the Arkansas Department of Health
• Signature and telephone number of the applicant