About Public Records in Arkansas

• General Jurisdiction / Upper Courts


• Circuit Courts - 28 districts. These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - torts, contracts, and real property rights for claims over $100.
• Estates and mental health
• Domestic relations.
• Criminal felony, drunk driving, and misdemeanor.
• Juvenile.


• Limited Jurisdiction / Lower Courts


• District Courts - 130 courts. These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - torts, contracts, and real property rights for claims up to $5,000, small claims.
• Misdemeanor and drunk driving.
• Traffic.
• Preliminary hearings.


• City Courts - 118 courts. These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - torts, contracts, and real property rights for claims up to $300.
• Misdemeanor and drunk driving.
• Traffic.
• Preliminary hearings.

Arkansas real and personal property tax records are kept by the Tax Assessor in each county.
 

Arkansas deeds and general document recording are handled by the Circuit Clerk in each county. Records kept include deeds, mortgage documents, easements, powers of attorney, and liens.

Marriage records maintained in Arkansas Vital Records begin with January 1917. Arkansas Vital Records does not have any marriage records prior to 1917. Divorce records maintained in Arkansas Vital Records begin with January 1923. Arkansas Vital Records does not have any divorce records prior to 1923. Death records maintained by Arkansas Vital Records start with February 1, 1914 through the present. Birth records maintained by Arkansas Vital Records start with February 1, 1914 through the present.