Pulaski County Public Records /Pulaski County Divorce Records

Pulaski County Divorce Records

What Are Pulaski County Divorce Records?

Pulaski County divorce records are official legal documents generated by the Pulaski County Circuit Court that formally document the dissolution of a marriage within the county's jurisdiction. These records are created and maintained pursuant to Arkansas Code § 9-12-301, which governs the dissolution of marriage in Arkansas, and are filed with the Arkansas Pulaski County Circuit Clerk upon the court's entry of a final divorce decree.

Divorce records in Pulaski County typically encompass the following documents:

Petition for Divorce — the initiating legal complaint filed by one spouse
Summons and service documents — proof that the opposing party was properly notified
Separation agreements or marital settlement agreements — outlining division of property, spousal support, and child custody arrangements
Final Decree of Divorce — the court order legally terminating the marriage
Related motions, orders, and hearing transcripts filed throughout the proceedings

Members of the public and authorized parties rely on Pulaski County divorce records for a wide range of legal and administrative purposes, including:

Establishing legal proof of a change in marital status
Qualifying for remarriage under Arkansas law
Completing a court-ordered name change
Applying for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
Satisfying documentation requirements for mortgage or loan applications
Supporting immigration petitions or visa applications that require proof of prior marriage dissolution

Are Pulaski County Divorce Records Public?

Access to Pulaski County divorce records involves a nuanced distinction between court case files and certified divorce certificates. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, records maintained by public bodies — including court filings — are presumptively open to inspection by any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

Court divorce case files held by the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk are generally available for public inspection. This means that petitions, decrees, and most pleadings filed in a divorce proceeding may be reviewed by any individual without demonstrating a personal interest in the case. According to the county records division of the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk, all Arkansas court documents — including domestic relations matters such as divorces — are public records available for anyone to search.

However, certain categories of information within divorce files may be restricted or sealed:

Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are routinely redacted from publicly accessible documents under court rules
Records involving minor children, including custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, may be subject to restricted access
Sealed orders issued by the presiding judge upon a showing of good cause limit public inspection of specific documents
Certified divorce certificates issued by the Arkansas Department of Health are restricted to the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, and other authorized individuals

How To Find a Divorce Record In Pulaski County in 2026

Members of the public seeking divorce records in Pulaski County may pursue several official channels depending on the type of document required and the intended use.

Step 1 — Identify the correct custodian. Divorce case files are maintained by the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk. Certified divorce certificates (vital records) are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Division.

Step 2 — Gather identifying information. Requesters should compile the full legal names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was finalized, and, if known, the case number assigned by the Circuit Court.

Step 3 — Choose a request method. Requests may be submitted in person at the Circuit Clerk's office, by mail, or through the court's online case search portal.

Step 4 — Submit the request and pay applicable fees. The Circuit Clerk charges per-page copy fees for paper records. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Fee schedules are available at the clerk's office.

Step 5 — Receive and verify the record. In-person requests are typically fulfilled on the same business day for available records. Mail requests may require additional processing time.

Pulaski County Circuit Clerk — Civil/Domestic Relations Division 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 340-8500 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Arkansas Pulaski County Circuit Clerk

Arkansas Department of Health — Vital Records 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 661-2336 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Arkansas Department of Health

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Pulaski County Online?

The Arkansas Judiciary provides a statewide online case search tool that allows members of the public to locate divorce case information without visiting the courthouse in person. The Arkansas Courts case search portal enables users to search by party name, case number, or filing date across all Arkansas circuit courts, including Pulaski County.

To conduct an online search:

Navigate to the Arkansas Courts case search portal
Select "Pulaski County" from the court location menu
Enter the full or partial name of either party to the divorce
Filter results by case type, selecting "Domestic Relations" or "DR" to narrow results to divorce proceedings
Review the case summary, which displays filing dates, party names, case status, and available documents
Select individual documents to view or download available digital filings

Not all historical records have been digitized. Cases filed prior to the court's electronic filing implementation may require an in-person or mail request to the Circuit Clerk's office.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Pulaski County?

Basic divorce case information is available at no cost through official government resources. The Arkansas Courts case search portal provides free access to case summaries, party names, filing dates, and case status for Pulaski County divorce proceedings.

Members of the public may also inspect physical court files at no charge during regular business hours at the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's office. Inspection of records is free; fees apply only when copies are requested. The Circuit Clerk's public terminals allow on-site review of electronic case records without charge.

Free access options include:

Online case search via the Arkansas Courts portal — no registration or fee required for basic case information
In-person inspection at the Circuit Clerk's office — no fee to view records at the public counter
Arkansas State Library and county law libraries — may provide access to historical indexes and microfilmed records at no cost

Fees are assessed when certified copies, plain paper copies, or official court-stamped documents are requested for use in legal or administrative proceedings.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Pulaski County

A complete Pulaski County divorce record file may contain a range of documents generated from the initiation of proceedings through the entry of the final decree. The specific contents vary depending on whether the divorce was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant marital assets were involved.

Standard documents found in a Pulaski County divorce record include:

Complaint/Petition for Divorce — identifies the parties, grounds for divorce, and relief sought
Summons — official notice served upon the respondent spouse
Answer and Counterclaim (if contested) — the respondent's formal legal response
Marital Settlement Agreement — details property division, debt allocation, and spousal support terms
Parenting Plan or Custody Order — specifies legal and physical custody arrangements for minor children
Child Support Order — establishes financial support obligations
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) — addresses division of retirement accounts, if applicable
Final Decree of Divorce — the court's binding order dissolving the marriage, including the effective date
Name Change Order — if a party requested restoration of a former name
Hearing transcripts and minute entries — records of court proceedings

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Pulaski County?

Proof of divorce in Pulaski County may be obtained in two primary forms depending on the purpose for which the documentation is required.

Certified Copy of the Final Decree of Divorce — This document, issued by the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk, bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification. It is the most commonly accepted form of proof for legal, financial, and governmental purposes. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail to the Circuit Clerk's office at 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201.

Divorce Certificate (Vital Record) — The Arkansas Department of Health issues official divorce certificates for divorces granted in Arkansas. Under current Arkansas vital records law, certified divorce certificates are restricted to the parties named in the record and authorized representatives. Requests are submitted to the Vital Records Division at 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205, or through the department's online ordering system.

To obtain a certified copy of the final decree:

Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce
Submit a written request or complete the clerk's copy request form
Pay the applicable certification and per-page copy fees
Present valid government-issued photo identification if requesting in person

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Pulaski County?

Under Arkansas law, divorce proceedings are presumptively public, but certain circumstances permit the sealing or restriction of specific records. Pursuant to Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19, which governs access to court records, a party may petition the court to seal records upon a demonstrated showing that the privacy interest at stake outweighs the public's right of access.

Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be treated as confidential include:

Domestic violence or safety concerns — identifying information such as addresses may be withheld to protect a party from harm
Minor children's records — evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and certain custody-related documents may be restricted
Trade secrets or proprietary business information — financial disclosures involving closely held businesses may be sealed upon motion
Mental health and medical records — submitted as exhibits may be subject to restricted access
Sealed settlement agreements — parties may jointly petition the court to seal the terms of a private settlement

A court order is required to seal any portion of a divorce file. Absent such an order, the file remains open to public inspection consistent with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Pulaski County?

The duration of a divorce proceeding in Pulaski County depends on whether the matter is contested or uncontested, the complexity of marital assets, and the presence of minor children.

Uncontested Divorce — When both parties agree on all terms, Arkansas law imposes a mandatory minimum waiting period. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-307, a divorce may not be granted until at least 30 days have elapsed from the date the complaint was filed. In practice, straightforward uncontested divorces in Pulaski County are typically finalized within 60 to 90 days of filing, accounting for court scheduling and document processing.

Contested Divorce — When parties dispute property division, spousal support, child custody, or child support, proceedings may extend considerably longer. Contested divorces in Pulaski County commonly require 6 to 18 months or more, depending on:

The number and complexity of disputed issues
Whether discovery (depositions, financial disclosures) is required
Court docket availability and scheduling of hearings or trial
Whether mediation is ordered or pursued voluntarily
Appeals or post-decree motions filed after the initial decree

Cases involving significant business assets, real property disputes, or contentious custody matters may extend beyond 18 months in complex circumstances.

How Long Does Pulaski County Keep Divorce Records?

Pulaski County divorce records are subject to Arkansas's records retention requirements for court documents. Final decrees of divorce and the associated case files are classified as permanent records under Arkansas court records retention schedules, meaning they are maintained indefinitely by the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk and are not subject to routine destruction.

Key retention provisions include:

Final Decrees of Divorce — retained permanently as part of the official court record
Complete case files — retained permanently, including all pleadings, orders, and exhibits
Electronic case records — maintained in the Arkansas courts case management system with no scheduled destruction date for final judgments
Vital records (divorce certificates) — maintained permanently by the Arkansas Department of Health

The permanent retention of divorce decrees ensures that parties, their descendants, and authorized representatives may obtain certified copies of these records at any future date. This policy reflects the ongoing legal significance of divorce decrees for matters such as estate administration, Social Security claims, and subsequent family law proceedings.

How To Get a Divorce In Pulaski County

Obtaining a divorce in Pulaski County requires filing a legal action in the Pulaski County Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division. Arkansas is a fault and no-fault divorce state, permitting dissolution on grounds including general indignities, separation, and other statutory grounds enumerated in Arkansas law.

Residency Requirement — At least one spouse must have been a resident of Arkansas for a minimum of 60 days immediately preceding the filing of the complaint, and the divorce decree may not be entered until the plaintiff has been a resident for at least three months, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-307.

Steps to file for divorce in Pulaski County:

Determine eligibility — Confirm that residency requirements are satisfied
Prepare the complaint — Draft a Complaint for Divorce identifying the parties, grounds, and relief sought; forms are available through the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership and the Circuit Clerk's self-help resources
File the complaint — Submit the completed complaint and required attachments to the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk at 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201; pay the applicable filing fee
Serve the respondent — Arrange for proper legal service of process on the other spouse through the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office or a private process server
Await the response period — The respondent has 30 days to file an answer after being served
Negotiate or litigate — Resolve all issues by agreement (uncontested) or proceed to hearings and trial (contested)
Attend the final hearing — Appear before the circuit judge for entry of the Final Decree of Divorce
Obtain the decree — Receive a certified copy of the Final Decree from the Circuit Clerk

Pulaski County Circuit Clerk 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 340-8500 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Arkansas Pulaski County Circuit Clerk

How To Get Divorce Papers In Pulaski County

Divorce papers in Pulaski County may be obtained through several official channels depending on whether the requester is a party to the proceedings, an attorney of record, or a member of the general public.

Obtaining blank divorce forms for filing:

The Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's self-help desk provides access to standardized Arkansas divorce forms for pro se (self-represented) litigants
The Arkansas Judiciary's self-help center and the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership publish downloadable forms for uncontested divorces
Forms are available at the clerk's office at 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201, during regular business hours

Obtaining copies of filed divorce documents from an existing case:

Members of the public may request plain or certified copies of any non-sealed document in a divorce case file from the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's county records division
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or, for cases available in the electronic system, through the Arkansas Courts case search portal
Requesters must provide the case number or the full names of both parties and the approximate filing year
Copy fees are assessed per page; certified copies carry an additional fee payable at the time of the request

Pulaski County Circuit Clerk — Records Division 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 340-8500 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Arkansas Pulaski County Circuit Clerk