Hot Springs, Arkansas Public Records
Public records in Hot Springs, Arkansas are maintained by city offices and Garland County agencies. The Hot Springs City Clerk handles city government records including ordinances and board minutes. The Police Department holds local arrest records and incident reports. Court cases for the city go through the Garland County Circuit Court. This page outlines each office, the records it holds, and how to request them under Arkansas law.
Hot Springs Records Overview
Hot Springs City Clerk Records
The Hot Springs City Clerk is at 133 Convention Boulevard, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Mailing: P.O. Box 2279, Hot Springs, AR 71914. Phone: (501) 321-6703. Fax: (501) 321-6710. Email: cityclerk@cityhs.net. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Elaine F. Hughes serves as City Clerk.
The City Clerk is the official records keeper for Hot Springs city government. Records held here include Board of Directors meeting minutes and agendas, city ordinances and resolutions, the municipal code, board and commission records, and election records. Many documents are available on the city website at hotspringsar.gov. The screenshot below was taken from the city clerk's page.
For records not posted online, submit a written FOIA request to the City Clerk by mail or in person. Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, Hot Springs must respond within three business days. Copy fees apply per page, and certified copies cost more.
Note: The City Clerk does not hold court case records or property deeds. Those are filed with Garland County.
Hot Springs Police Records
The Hot Springs Police Department is at 641 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Non-emergency: (501) 321-6789. Records Division: (501) 321-6779. Emergency: 911. More information is at cityhs.net.
The Police Department holds incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and traffic citations for events within city limits. You can visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request. Accident reports are typically available a few days after the incident. Incident reports may be requested from the Records Division directly.
Arrest records in Hot Springs are public under the Arkansas FOIA. For a comprehensive criminal background check, contact the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), which manages the statewide criminal history database. To look up someone in the Arkansas prison system, use the free Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search.
Hot Springs Municipal Court
Hot Springs Municipal Court is at 133 Convention Boulevard, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Phone: (501) 321-6680. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. See cityhs.net/government/municipal-court for more.
Municipal court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and ordinance violations that occur in Hot Springs. Felony matters and major civil cases go to the Garland County Circuit Court. If you need case records from the municipal court, contact the court clerk. Records can be requested in person or by mail. Some records may also appear in Arkansas CourtConnect, the free statewide court records search.
Garland County Circuit Court Records
Hot Springs is the county seat of Garland County. The Garland County Circuit Clerk maintains all circuit court records for the county, including those originating in Hot Springs. This covers civil cases, felony criminal filings, domestic relations matters, divorce records, child support cases, and probate.
The Garland County Courthouse is in Hot Springs. The Circuit Clerk also acts as the county's official land records recorder and keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Property documents for Hot Springs real estate are filed here. Copies and certified copies of any recorded document can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk's office. Fees apply per page and for certification.
For a fast, free search of circuit court case records, use Arkansas CourtConnect. You can look up cases by party name or case number. Active cases and most recent filings are available. Older records may require a visit to the courthouse. The Garland County Assessor maintains property value data and is a useful secondary source for property research.
Online Records Tools
Several free online tools cover Hot Springs and Garland County records. Arkansas CourtConnect is the main portal for circuit court cases. It is free and searchable by name or case number statewide.
The Arkansas Crime Information Center processes background check requests. The Arkansas Department of Corrections search covers state prison records. Birth and death certificates for events in Hot Springs are with the Arkansas Department of Health. Marriage licenses for Garland County are handled by the Garland County Clerk. Business records and UCC filings are through the Arkansas Secretary of State.
Property records for Hot Springs parcels are maintained by the Garland County Assessor. The assessor's online portal lets you search by owner name, parcel number, or address at no cost. Data includes assessed value, ownership history, and tax information. The Garland County Collector handles property tax payments and delinquency records.
How to Submit FOIA Requests in Hot Springs
Every city office in Hot Springs is subject to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. This includes the City Clerk, Police Department, Municipal Court, and all other city departments. Written requests are standard. You can hand-deliver or mail a request to the relevant office.
Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, each city agency must respond within three business days. If records are extensive, the agency may need extra time to gather materials but must notify you. Per-page copy fees are standard. If your request covers multiple departments, you may need to send separate requests to each office. The City Clerk at (501) 321-6703 can help point you to the right department if you are not sure where a record lives.
Note: Hot Springs city offices and Garland County offices are separate government entities. Requests to the city do not reach the county, so send each request to the correct office.
Nearby Arkansas Cities
These qualifying cities are near Hot Springs and each has its own records page.