Find Public Records in Centerton
Public records in Centerton are maintained by city offices and Benton County agencies in Arkansas. The city clerk handles official city documents, while the police department keeps incident and arrest records. Court filings and property records go through Benton County. This page covers how to search or request public records in Centerton, including FOIA procedures, court records, police reports, and online tools that are free to use. Most offices accept requests in person or by email.
Centerton Records Overview
Centerton City Clerk Records
The Centerton City Clerk is at 290 Main Street, Centerton, AR 72719. City Clerk Lindsey Parker leads the office. Phone: (479) 795-2798. Fax: (479) 795-2799. Email: cityclerk@centertonar.org. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The city clerk is the central record keeper for all official city business in Centerton. That includes city council minutes, ordinances, and resolutions. Any formal action taken by the Centerton City Council is recorded and stored through the clerk's office. The office also handles city contracts, election records, and certain financial filings. Certified copies of official city documents can be requested here for use in legal matters.
The screenshot below is from the Centerton city government website, which lists city departments, contacts, and links to city services and public documents.
The city website is the first place to check when you are not sure which department holds a specific record. Most departments list their contact details and hours there.
Centerton FOIA Request Process
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Code 25-19-105, gives the public the right to request and inspect most government records in Centerton. Agencies must respond within three business days. There is no special online portal for Centerton FOIA requests, so submissions go directly to the city clerk.
To file a FOIA request, write a description of the records you need and send it to the City Clerk at 290 Main Street, Centerton, AR 72719. You can also email cityclerk@centertonar.org. In-person requests are accepted during office hours. Arkansas law does not require a specific form, but a clear written request makes processing faster and more accurate. Include the type of record, the date range, and any names or case numbers involved.
Copying fees may apply. Simple single-page requests are often free or very low cost. For larger requests, ask for a cost estimate up front. Some records are exempt, including active investigation files, certain personnel records, and documents sealed by court order. If any part of your request is denied, the agency must tell you why and cite the applicable exemption.
Centerton Police Department Records
The Centerton Police Department is at 311 Wilson Street, Centerton, AR 72719. Non-emergency phone: (479) 795-1234. Call 911 for emergencies only.
Arrest records, incident reports, and dispatch logs generated by Centerton police are generally public under Arkansas FOIA. To request a police report, contact the department directly at the address or phone number above. Written requests tend to work best for anything beyond a basic incident report. Keep in mind that records tied to active investigations or juvenile cases are not public during that period.
For statewide criminal background check data, the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) maintains the central repository and processes requests through licensed providers. If you need to check the status of a current state prison inmate, the Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search is free and available online without an account.
Note: Local police records and state criminal history data are separate systems. A records request to Centerton PD only covers local incidents. ACIC covers the full state.
Court Records in Centerton
Centerton does not have its own district court. Residents fall under the jurisdiction of Benton County courts, including the Benton County District Court and the Benton County Circuit Court in Bentonville. Those courts handle misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, civil matters, and felony proceedings for Centerton residents.
Court records for cases in Centerton are searchable through Arkansas CourtConnect, the free statewide case portal. Search by party name or case number to find case status, hearing dates, and party information. CourtConnect covers most active and many older cases at no cost. It does not let you download full documents, but it shows you what is in the case file before you visit the courthouse.
For certified copies of court documents, contact the Benton County Circuit Clerk in Bentonville. Fees apply for certified copies. Mail requests require a check or money order. You can also visit Benton County for full details on court locations, fees, and procedures.
Benton County Records for Centerton Residents
Most formal records for Centerton residents are held by Benton County. That covers circuit court filings, property records, land transfers, divorce records, and probate cases. Benton County is the primary record-keeping jurisdiction for Centerton.
Property ownership and assessment records for Centerton addresses are held by the Benton County Assessor. Tax collection records go through the Benton County Collector. Both are public. The ARCountyData.com portal lets you search property data for free by owner name, parcel number, or address. It is a fast way to check ownership without going to the courthouse in person.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Benton County Clerk. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. Birth and death records are not issued locally. Those come from the Arkansas Department of Health, which handles vital records statewide from its Little Rock office.
Free Online Record Tools
Several no-cost tools help you search public records tied to Centerton before going in person. Arkansas CourtConnect is the go-to for court case searches. It covers all circuit and district courts statewide at no charge. Property records are searchable at ARCountyData.com by owner or address.
The ACIC criminal history portal covers state-level background check access for authorized users. The ADC inmate search shows current inmates in Arkansas state prisons. Business entity records and UCC filings are handled by the Arkansas Secretary of State. The Arkansas Sex Offender Registry is also searchable by name or ZIP code at no cost.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
These cities near Centerton also have public records pages on this site.