Chicot County Public Records
Chicot County public records are maintained by several offices in Lake Village, Arkansas, and cover court filings, property data, arrest logs, and vital documents. Whether you need to search court cases, look up land records, or request a certified copy of a county document, this page walks you through the main sources and how to get what you need from each office.
Chicot County Records Overview
Chicot County Circuit Court Records
The Chicot County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of court records for civil, criminal, domestic relations, and land cases. The office is located at 108 Main Street, Room 109, Lake Village, AR 71653. You can reach Circuit Clerk Susan Jimenez by phone at (870) 265-8010. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Court records in Chicot County include civil filings such as negligence and foreclosure cases, criminal felony records, domestic cases covering divorce and child support, and land records such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. The office also records real property transfers and issues certified copies of filed documents. Fees for certified copies are $5.00 per document. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page under Arkansas Code § 21-6-406.
For new civil or domestic filings, the standard fee is $165.00. Each summons or subpoena costs $2.50 per person. Land recording fees start at $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. The real property transfer tax runs $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration over $100.
You can search Chicot County court cases online at no cost through the Arkansas Judiciary public case search portal, also known as CourtConnect. Search by case number, party name, or filing date. Basic case information is free; some document downloads may require fees.
County Clerk Records in Chicot County
The Chicot County Clerk, Jennifer Jones, maintains marriage records, probate court files, voter registration data, and DBA business filings. The office is at 108 Main Street, Room 106, Lake Village, AR 71653. Phone: (870) 265-8000, Fax: (870) 265-8026. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Marriage licenses cost $60.00 and must be paid in cash. Both parties must appear in person and bring valid photo identification and social security cards. If either party is under 21, a birth certificate is required. There is no waiting period for applicants 18 and older. Licenses are valid for 60 days from the date issued.
The Clerk also handles probate records including decedent estates, guardianships, and civil commitments. Adoption files are sealed by law. Full estate probate filings run approximately $165.00. DBA filings are accepted at $25.00 per filing. Business entities must register separately with the Arkansas Secretary of State at sos.arkansas.gov.
Note: Voter registration is available in person at the Clerk's office or online through the Arkansas Secretary of State elections portal.
Property Records and Assessment Data
The Chicot County Assessor, Carolyn J. Thompson, values all real and personal property at 20% of current market value. The office is at 108 Main Street, Lake Village, AR 71653. Phone: (870) 265-8025, Fax: (870) 265-8048. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Personal property must be assessed each year between January 1 and May 31. A 10% late penalty applies if you miss that window. Real property assessments run from January 1 through July 1. Property taxes are due by October 15 each year. The county covers 691 square miles, and about 75% of collected taxes flow to school systems.
The assessor also serves as County Collector. Property taxes are collected from March 1 through October 15. You can reach the Collector's office at (870) 265-8030.
The ARCountyData.com Chicot County portal lets you search property records by owner name, parcel number, or address. Results show property characteristics, assessed values, and recent sales data at no cost. This is the fastest online route for Chicot County property lookups.
Note: Vehicles, boats, campers, motorcycles, and farm equipment all count as personal property and must be assessed by May 31 each year to avoid the penalty.
Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office
The Chicot County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and operates the county jail. The office address is 108 Main Street, Lake Village, AR 71653. Sheriff Bobby Gore can be reached at (870) 265-8020. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Arrest records and incident reports are available through formal FOIA requests directed to the Sheriff's Office. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, codified at Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, gives Arkansas residents the right to request public records with no required explanation. Agencies must respond within three working days.
For current jail roster information, contact the Sheriff's Office directly at (870) 265-8020. You can also search Arkansas criminal history records through the Arkansas State Police criminal background check portal. The state sex offender registry is searchable at ark.org/offender-search.
Arkansas FOIA and Public Records Access
Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, most records held by Arkansas government agencies are open to Arkansas citizens. You do not need to state a reason for your request. Agencies must respond within three working days. Fees for copies are set by statute.
To request records from any Chicot County office, write or appear in person and identify the records you want. Each office has its own forms and procedures, but the three-day rule applies across the board. Court records are also accessible through the statewide CourtConnect case search at no cost. For records sealed by court order or by statute, such as juvenile files and adoption records, you will need a judge's order to proceed.
State-level resources are also helpful. The Arkansas State Police criminal records portal covers statewide arrest and conviction data. The Arkansas eFlex system handles electronic court filings. The Arkansas Secretary of State maintains corporation and LLC records statewide.
Nearby Counties
Chicot County borders several other Arkansas counties. Each maintains its own public records offices and online search tools.