Arkansas public records
Search ARCourts is the starting point for available Arkansas case information. Property records remain with county assessors and recording clerks, while the Secretary of State handles entity filings. Arkansas FOIA requests are a separate route for Arkansas citizens seeking non-exempt agency records.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
Arkansas Freedom of Information Act
Ark. Code Ann. §§ 25-19-101 to 25-19-109
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsArkansas Judiciary | Follow the judiciary's current Search ARCourts access links. | Case lookup and certified-copy orders are different services. Participating-court coverage and document availability vary; obtain authoritative copies from the clerk. |
| Property and land recordsArkansas Secretary of State / county officials | Use the Arkansas County Officials directory to find the assessor and circuit clerk/recorder. | Local copies and certifications have their own fees. There is no one assessment or deed search that replaces all county custodians. |
| Business recordsArkansas Secretary of State | Open the official entity search and search the filed business name. | Basic lookup and certified records have separate pricing. Registration records are not the same as a professional license or tax clearance. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceArkansas Department of Health | Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce record ordering. | Search, copy and online processing fees may apply. Eligibility restrictions apply; a divorce coupon or certificate does not replace the court's full decree. |
| Criminal-history checksArkansas State Police | Select the appropriate consent-based or authorized criminal-background-check service. | The service publishes different fees by check type. A state criminal-history check and a public docket search answer different questions. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Arkansas
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Arkansas FOIA gives Arkansas citizens access, subject to exemptions. The requester should identify the existing records with enough detail for the custodian to locate them.
- How to submit
- Identify the Arkansas agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Records ordinarily should be available during regular business hours. If in active use or storage, the custodian must certify that and set access within three working days.
- Fees and estimates
- Ordinary copying fees cannot exceed actual reproduction costs, excluding existing personnel time for search and copying. Special electronic compilations have separate rules.
- If access is denied
- Ask for the exemption and any releasable portion. A citizen denied access may seek relief in the appropriate circuit court.
Arkansas records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Arkansas public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 25-19-101 to 25-19-109), I request electronic copies of the county's approved purchase order and paid invoices for [project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Arkansas public records FAQ
Where can I find Arkansas court records?
Follow the judiciary's current Search ARCourts access links. Participating-court coverage and document availability vary; obtain authoritative copies from the clerk.
Sources: Arkansas JudiciaryAre Arkansas public records free?
Ordinary copying fees cannot exceed actual reproduction costs, excluding existing personnel time for search and copying. Special electronic compilations have separate rules. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Arkansas official public-records guidance; Arkansas Judiciary; Arkansas Department of HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Arkansas?
Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce record ordering. Eligibility restrictions apply; a divorce coupon or certificate does not replace the court's full decree.
Sources: Arkansas Department of Health; Arkansas JudiciaryIs a Arkansas court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. A state criminal-history check and a public docket search answer different questions. Select the appropriate consent-based or authorized criminal-background-check service.
Sources: Arkansas State Police; Arkansas JudiciarySources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Arkansas official public-records guidance — checked
- Arkansas Judiciary — checked
- Arkansas Secretary of State / county officials — checked
- Arkansas Secretary of State — checked
- Arkansas Department of Health — checked
- Arkansas State Police — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions