Public records in Arkansas include property deeds, court filings, vital certificates, criminal history reports, and business registrations. These records are maintained by county offices, state agencies, and the Arkansas judicial system. Many are accessible to the public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, though some categories are restricted by statute. Residents and researchers frequently perform an Arkansas public records search to locate property ownership, court filings, criminal history reports, and business registrations. This guide explains where each type of record is held, who can request it, and how to search for it.
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How to Access Public Records in Arkansas
- Identify the type of record you need and the agency or office that maintains it.
- Choose the record type — property, court, vital, criminal, or business.
- Visit the appropriate portal: county assessor or recorder, Arkansas Judiciary, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Crime Information Center, or the Secretary of State.
- Search by name, case number, parcel number, or entity name.
- Download records where available online, or submit a written request to the agency by phone, email, or in person.
- Be prepared to provide valid photo ID and pay applicable fees.
- For a directory of official Arkansas county record portals, see PublicRecordHub.com.
Arkansas’s Open Records Law
Public records in Arkansas are governed by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Ark. Code Ann. §§ 25-19-101 to 25-19-109. The law guarantees broad public access to government records and applies to all public bodies supported by public funds — including city, county, school, and state agency entities.
Key provisions:
- “Public records” is defined broadly, covering writings, maps, photographs, electronic data, recordings, and image captures.
- Citizens may request records during regular business hours by phone, email, or in person.
- Custodians must respond within a set timeframe, confirming the existence of records, citing applicable exemptions, or directing the requester to the correct custodian.
- Fees may be charged for copies and extensive searches.
- Denials must cite a specific legal exemption; requesters may seek judicial review if a denial is improper.
- Common exemptions include confidential personnel records, active law enforcement investigations, medical records, and grand jury materials.
Who Can Request Public Records in Arkansas?
Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act grants access to citizens of Arkansas. However, many agencies fulfill requests from out-of-state requesters as a matter of practice, particularly for non-sensitive records. Requests may be submitted during regular business hours through multiple channels.
However, certain categories of records carry access restrictions regardless of who is requesting. These include juvenile court records, sealed cases, active law enforcement investigative files, confidential personnel records, and restricted vital records. Authorized agencies, legal representatives, and individuals named in a record may access certain restricted records unavailable to the general public.
Common Reasons Records Are Denied in Arkansas
Even valid requests can be denied if they fall under a recognized exemption. Common reasons include:
- Active law enforcement investigations
- Sealed or expunged court records
- Juvenile records protected by statute
- Confidential personnel records
- Medical and mental health records
- Grand jury materials
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
If your request is denied, the agency must provide the specific legal basis. You have the right to appeal and, if necessary, seek judicial review in circuit court.
Property Records in Arkansas
Property records in Arkansas are maintained at the county level by county assessors, circuit clerks (who serve as recorders in most Arkansas counties), and tax collectors. The circuit clerk’s office handles recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. The county assessor maintains valuation and parcel data, and the county tax collector holds tax and payment records.
What property records in Arkansas contain:
- Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats
- Instruments affecting title, indexed by parcel or owner name
- Property tax assessments and payment history
- GIS parcel maps and property sketches
- Historical records held by county or state archives
How to search property records in Arkansas:
- Identify the county where the property is located.
- Visit that county’s circuit clerk (recorder) or assessor website to search recorded documents by owner name or parcel number.
- Use the county GIS portal where available to view parcel maps, tax assessments, and property characteristics.
- For tax and payment records, visit the county tax collector portal.
- For historical or undigitized records, contact the county recorder or the Arkansas State Archives directly.
Online access varies significantly by county — larger counties offer robust portals while rural counties may require in-person visits or charge fees for searches. For a directory of official Arkansas county property record portals, visit PublicRecordHub.
Court Records in Arkansas
Court records in Arkansas are accessible through the Arkansas Judiciary via CourtConnect — the Arkansas Judiciary’s statewide case search system — which provides electronic case searches and docket access across all counties.
What Arkansas court records cover:
- Criminal, civil, family, and probate cases
- Docket sheets, case summaries, judgments, and orders
- Pleadings, motions, and final decrees
- Court minutes, transcripts, and calendars
How to access court records in Arkansas:
- Go to the Arkansas Judiciary website and navigate to CourtConnect, the electronic case search portal.
- Search by party name, case number, or filing date.
- Review docket entries and available case documents online.
- For documents not available online, contact the circuit clerk in the relevant county — the official custodian of court records for that jurisdiction.
- In-person access is available at county circuit clerk offices during courthouse hours.
- Pay applicable fees for copies and certified documents — basic case searches are generally free.
Restrictions:
- Sealed cases and expunged records are not accessible through public portals.
- Juvenile records are confidential and excluded from public access.
- Rural counties may have limited online availability; in-person requests may be required.
- Fees and access procedures vary by county.
Vital Records in Arkansas (Birth & Death Certificates)
Vital records in Arkansas are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
State-maintained records:
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
Important: Marriage licenses and divorce decrees are not maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health.
- Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in the county where the license was obtained.
- Divorce decrees are maintained by the Circuit Court that granted the divorce.
How to obtain Arkansas vital records:
- Visit the Arkansas Department of Health Division of Vital Records website.
- Complete the application form for a birth or death certificate.
- Provide a government-issued photo ID or notarized affidavit.
- Provide proof of eligibility — certified copies are restricted to the person named, immediate family, legal representatives, or by court order.
- Submit requests online, by mail, by phone, or in person at a vital records office.
- Pay the applicable fee — $12 for a birth certificate, $10 for a death certificate, with additional fees for online orders. Processing times range from same-day for in-person requests to 2–4 weeks for mail submissions. Online orders through approved vendors may be fulfilled faster.
Access restrictions:
- Arkansas is considered a “closed” state for records less than 100 years old — certified copies are restricted to eligible requesters.
- Records 100 years or older are generally open for genealogical research.
- Amendments and corrections require supporting legal documentation.
Criminal Records in Arkansas
Criminal history information in Arkansas is maintained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), which serves as the state’s central repository for criminal history data. Public access is available through the Arkansas Criminal History (ARCH) Portal, operated by ACIC via Arkansas.gov.
Arkansas provides relatively open public access to criminal history compared to many states, with an online portal available for both certified and non-certified searches.
What Arkansas criminal records include:
- Arrest records and charges
- Court dispositions and convictions
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry entries
How to request criminal records in Arkansas:
Online search:
- Visit the Arkansas Criminal History Search (ARCH) portal on Arkansas.gov.
- Search by name, date of birth, and other identifying information.
- Select certified or non-certified results depending on your purpose.
In-person or written requests: 4. Submit requests directly to ACIC, the relevant county sheriff’s office, or circuit clerk.
Inmate information: 5. Use the Arkansas Department of Corrections online inmate locator for sentence and release data.
Sex offender registry: 6. Search the public sex offender registry maintained by ACIC through the Arkansas.gov portal.
Restrictions:
- Sealed and expunged records are not available through ordinary public-access channels.
- Juvenile records are confidential and not accessible to the public.
- Grand jury materials are exempt from disclosure.
- Fees vary for certified copies and portal queries; turnaround ranges from instant to several weeks.
Business Records in Arkansas
Business entity records in Arkansas are managed by the Arkansas Secretary of State through the Arkansas Secretary of State Business Entity Search portal.
What’s included:
- Corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered entities
- Articles of Incorporation and formation documents
- Current entity status (active, dissolved, or terminated)
- Registered agent details and change history
- Officer and organizer information (depending on filing type)
- Annual reports, amendments, and mergers
How to search business records in Arkansas:
- Go to the Arkansas Secretary of State Business Entity Search portal.
- Search by entity name, charter number, or registered agent.
- View entity status, formation date, registered agent, and filing history.
- Download available formation documents and annual reports.
- Request official certified copies for a fee if needed.
- Bulk data downloads are available for authorized users.
Note: Sole proprietorships operating under the owner’s legal name and general partnerships typically do not register with the Secretary of State and will not appear in this database.
Additional Arkansas Public Records
Certain specialized records are maintained by other state agencies:
- Professional Licenses — healthcare providers, contractors, and regulated occupations are searchable through the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
- Voter Registration Records — maintained by the Arkansas Secretary of State and county clerks; available to authorized requesters.
- Environmental Permits — water use, air quality, and solid waste permits are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment.
- Inmate Records — sentence and release data available through the Arkansas Department of Corrections online portal.
- Sex Offender Registry — maintained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center and searchable through Arkansas.gov.
These records may require contacting the specific agency rather than a standard county or court portal.
Common Mistakes When Searching Arkansas Public Records
Avoiding these common errors will save time and prevent unsuccessful searches:
- Searching the wrong county — property records, court filings, and marriage licenses are all county-level. Always identify the correct county first.
- Expecting a statewide property database — Arkansas does not have a unified property records portal. Each county maintains its own system.
- Confusing circuit clerks with county clerks — in Arkansas, circuit clerks handle court records and property recordings. County clerks handle marriage licenses and other county business. These are separate offices.
- Assuming all court records are online — rural counties may have limited digital availability. Older cases often require in-person requests.
- Requesting restricted vital records without proof of eligibility — birth and death certificates under 100 years require documentation of your legal relationship to the person named.
- Expecting expunged or sealed records to appear in searches — expunged and sealed records are removed from public access and will not appear in ARCH portal searches or court record lookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Arkansas public records free?
Inspection of records is generally free during regular business hours. Copies are subject to fees set by each agency. The Arkansas Criminal History Search portal charges fees for both certified and non-certified results, and vital records carry set fees per certificate.
Can non-residents request Arkansas public records?
Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act technically applies to Arkansas citizens. In practice, many agencies fulfill requests from out-of-state requesters, particularly for non-sensitive records. If you are not an Arkansas resident, most agencies will still process your request, though they are not legally required to do so under the statute.
How far back do Arkansas records go?
It depends on the record type and county. Property records vary by county — many counties have digitized records going back several decades, with older documents available in archives. Vital records older than 100 years are generally open for genealogical research. Court records online generally cover more recent filings.
Are criminal records public in Arkansas?
Yes — Arkansas provides relatively open public access to criminal history through the Arkansas Criminal History Search (ARCH) portal. Both certified and non-certified searches are available online. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records are not accessible through public channels.
How long are vital records restricted in Arkansas?
Arkansas is a “closed” state for vital records less than 100 years old. Birth and death certificates under 100 years are restricted to eligible requesters — the person named, immediate family, legal representatives, or by court order. Records 100 years or older are generally open for genealogical research.
What is Arkansas’s open records law called?
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, codified at Ark. Code Ann. §§ 25-19-101 to 25-19-109. It applies to all public bodies supported by public funds and grants broad access to government records for any citizen.
Do all Arkansas counties provide online record access?
Online access varies significantly by county. Larger counties generally offer searchable online portals for property and court records, while smaller rural counties may have limited digital availability and require in-person visits. The Arkansas Judiciary electronic services portal provides statewide case search access across all counties.
Find Arkansas County Record Portals
Arkansas has 75 counties, each maintaining its own assessor, recorder, tax collector, and circuit clerk systems. Finding the right portal for a specific county — particularly for property records and court filings — can require navigating multiple agency websites.
A directory of official Arkansas county record portals, organized by county, is available free through PublicRecordHub — connecting you directly to official government sources for all 75 Arkansas counties.