Arkansas County Public Records
Arkansas County public records are held by several county offices and state agencies, each responsible for a different type of document. Whether you need court filings, land records, arrest reports, or marriage licenses, this guide explains where to search and how to request records from the offices that maintain them in DeWitt and Stuttgart.
Arkansas County Records Overview
Arkansas County Circuit Clerk Records
The Arkansas County Circuit Clerk handles court records for civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile cases. The office also serves as ex-officio county recorder for land records. There are two courthouses: the main office at 101 Court Square in DeWitt and the Stuttgart office at 312 S. College Street. Both maintain public records and accept record requests in person during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Arkansas County is notable as the state's oldest county and one of only seven counties in the United States that share their name with the state. The oldest records at the DeWitt Courthouse date from 1796 and are written in Spanish, making them valuable for historical and genealogical research. Court records include felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, divorce and child custody filings, and probate proceedings.
New court filings cost $165.00. That fee covers domestic relations, civil, appeals, and foreign judgments. Reopened cases cost $50.00. Summons and subpoenas run $2.50 per person. Standard copies are $0.25 per page and certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page plus $0.50 per additional page. The statewide CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides free online case searches for Arkansas County cases without any registration required.
The Circuit Clerk screenshot below shows the online court portal where you can look up case information for Arkansas County.
Visit the official site to access case dockets, request copies, and get contact information for both courthouse locations.
As recorder, the Circuit Clerk files deeds, mortgages, liens, surety bonds, and other property instruments. Recording fees are $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. A real property transfer tax of $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration applies to transactions above $100. Phone: (870) 659-2102 in DeWitt or (870) 659-2080 in Stuttgart. Circuit Clerk: Sarah Merchant.
Note: Petitions to seal criminal records are filed at no charge for cases adjudicated after March 6, 2013, under Arkansas law.
County Clerk and Probate Records
The Arkansas County Clerk's office functions as the county's official bookkeeper and serves as Probate Clerk. The office is located at 101 Court Square in DeWitt and 312 S. College Street in Stuttgart. Phone: (870) 659-2099 in DeWitt and (870) 659-2101 in Stuttgart. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Marriage licenses are available for $60.00, cash only. Both parties must appear in person with a valid state-issued ID and social security card. There is no waiting period for applicants over 20 years old. Applicants under 21 need a birth certificate as well. Minors require parental consent and a 5-day waiting period. Licenses are valid for 60 days from the issue date. The Clerk has preserved marriage records from 1796, with some early entries in Spanish. No blood test is required anywhere in Arkansas.
Probate records are maintained for decedent estates (both testate and intestate), small estates, guardianships, civil commitments, and adoptions. Adoption records remain sealed and confidential under state law. Full probate filing fees run approximately $165.00. Small estate filings cost about $25.00. Certified document copies are $5.00 each. The Clerk also handles DBA (Doing Business As) filings at $25.00 for an original registration and $5.00 per certified copy. Voter registration is another function of this office, and residents may register in person, by mail, or online.
Property Records and Assessor Search
The Arkansas County Assessor values all real and personal property at 20% of current market value as required by Arkansas law. The Assessor's office is located at 101 Court Square in DeWitt and at 312 S. College Street in Stuttgart. Assessor: Marcia I. Theis. Phone: (870) 659-2099 in DeWitt and (870) 659-2098 in Stuttgart.
Free online property searches are available through ARCountyData.com and actDataScout.com. Both systems let you search by parcel number, owner name, or property address. Results include ownership details, assessed and market values, property characteristics, and legal descriptions. The county covers 1,033.79 square miles and approximately 21,653 residents, with the Assessor maintaining records for all parcels across that area.
All residents and businesses must report personal property for assessment between January 1st and May 31st each year. Late filings carry a 10% penalty with no exceptions for exempt property. Homestead tax credits under Amendment 79 provide a $350 credit on primary residences. Disabled veterans with a service-connected 100% permanent disability may qualify for a full property tax exemption. Both programs require applications through the Assessor's office.
The tax payment portal below makes it easy to pay property taxes online for Arkansas County.
The portal accepts debit and credit cards online, with processing fees applied to card transactions.
Property taxes are due between March 1st and October 15th each year. Late payments carry a 10% penalty plus 10% annual interest on delinquent real estate balances. Properties with two consecutive years of delinquency may be certified to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands.
Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Arkansas County Sheriff's Office operates a 136-bed detention facility at 1000 Ricebelt Avenue in DeWitt. The jail houses both male and female inmates and maintains an average daily population of 55 to 60. A South District office is located at 312 S. College Street in Stuttgart. Main phone: (870) 659-2060. Sheriff: Johnny Cheek.
The Sheriff's website provides an online inmate roster showing current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots. The roster is updated regularly. For booking inquiries, contact the Jail Administrator at (870) 659-2064. The website also posts a "Most Wanted" roster with names, last known addresses, charges, and photos of wanted offenders.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas County Sheriff's Office website, which includes the inmate roster and records request information.
Use the site to check the inmate roster, view most wanted listings, and find contact information for FOIA record requests.
Incident reports and arrest records are available through written FOIA requests submitted to the Sheriff's Records Division. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to jcheek@arcosheriff.org. Simple requests are usually fulfilled within three business days under Arkansas Code 25-19-105. Copy fees generally run $0.25 to $1.00 per page. The office is split into North and South districts, with four deputies in each. Services include court security, warrant service, civil process, and patrol.
For statewide inmate searches beyond county jail, the Arkansas Department of Corrections maintains a free inmate search portal for state prison records. The Arkansas Crime Information Center also operates a sex offender registry searchable by name or location.
FOIA Requests in Arkansas County
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, found at Arkansas Code Section 25-19-105, gives citizens the right to inspect and copy public records held by state and local government agencies. Access is limited to citizens of Arkansas. You do not need to state a reason for your request. Agencies must respond within three working days.
To make a FOIA request in Arkansas County, identify the office that holds the records you need. Submit a written request by mail, in person, or by email. Be specific about the record type, date range, and parties involved. Fees for copies are typically $0.25 per page for standard copies. Complex requests involving significant staff time may result in additional fees. Certain records are exempt from disclosure, including sealed adoption records, active criminal investigation files, and some personnel records.
Note: FOIA requests must come from Arkansas citizens, but there is no requirement to explain why you want the records or how you plan to use them.
Nearby Counties
Arkansas County borders several other counties with their own public records offices and court systems.