Cleveland County Public Records
Cleveland County public records are held by county offices in Rison and can be accessed through in-person visits, written requests, and free state online tools. Court filings, property assessments, arrest records, marriage licenses, and other public documents are available from the offices described on this page for Cleveland County, Arkansas.
Cleveland County Records Overview
Cleveland County Circuit Clerk Court Records
The Cleveland County Circuit Clerk (Lisa Furr) is at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. Phone: (870) 325-6212. Fax: (870) 325-3901. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Circuit Clerk serves as clerk of the civil, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile courts and as ex-officio county recorder for land documents.
Cleveland County was established in 1873. Court filings follow statewide fee rules: new civil or domestic cases cost $165.00 to file. Summons and subpoenas are $2.50 per person. Reopening a closed case costs $50.00. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. Real property 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 over $100. Documents must meet standard recording requirements including 8.5 by 11 inch paper, a 2.5 inch top margin, proper notarization, and the preparer's name and address on the first page.
Court records can be searched online for free through the statewide CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. Search by party name, case number, or filing date to find civil, criminal, and domestic cases. No account or login is needed. The free portal covers Cleveland County cases and is updated regularly. For copies of specific documents, contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly.
Note: Juvenile court records are sealed under Arkansas law and cannot be obtained through standard public records requests or online portals.
County Clerk and Vital Records
The Cleveland County Clerk (Carla Whitington) is at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. Phone: (870) 325-6522. Fax: (870) 325-3901. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk serves as the official bookkeeper of county government and holds vital records going back to the county's founding.
Marriage licenses cost approximately $60.00. Both parties must appear in person with valid ID and social security cards. There is no waiting period for applicants 18 and older and no blood test is required in Arkansas. Licenses are valid for 60 days from the issue date. Probate records maintained by the Clerk include decedent estates, guardianships, civil commitments, and adoptions. Adoption records are sealed and confidential. Full probate filing fees are approximately $165.00. Small estates carry a lower filing cost. DBA filings for sole proprietorships and partnerships are processed here for $25.00. The Clerk also maintains voter registration rolls and administers county elections.
Property Records and Assessment Data
The Cleveland County Assessor (Teresa Hughes) is at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. Phone: (870) 325-3604. The Assessor is responsible for locating and valuing all real and personal property in the county at 20% of current market value as required by Arkansas statutes.
Free property searches are available at ARCountyData.com. The online portal lets you search by parcel number, owner name, or property address. You can view assessed values, ownership records, and property characteristics without visiting the courthouse. Real property assessments run from January 1 through July 1. Personal property must be assessed between January 1 and May 31. Late assessments after May 31 carry a 10% penalty. Residents must report vehicle purchases, sales, and trades to the Assessor. Business personal property must also be assessed each year.
Property tax disputes can be appealed through the County Equalization Board. The Homestead Tax Credit under Amendment 79 provides eligible homeowners a credit on their primary residence tax bill and must be applied for through this office. Disabled veterans with a service-connected 100% disability rating may qualify for property tax exemptions with proper VA documentation.
Arrest Records and Sheriff Public Records
The Cleveland County Sheriff (Johnny Mooney) is at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. Phone: (870) 325-6222. Fax: (870) 325-6911. Administrative hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Sheriff also serves as County Collector for property taxes.
Arrest records and incident reports are available through FOIA requests submitted to the Sheriff's Office. Requests should be in writing and describe the specific records sought including dates and parties involved. Allow up to three working days for processing. Copy fees may apply. For current jail information, contact the Sheriff's Office at (870) 325-6222 during business hours. The office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of Cleveland County and operates the county detention facility.
State tools supplement local records. The Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search is available at apps.ark.org/inmate_info. The Arkansas State Police criminal history search is at ark.org/criminal. The sex offender registry is at ark.org/offender-search.
Note: Under Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105, only Arkansas citizens may file FOIA requests, and agencies must respond within three working days.
Property Tax Payments and Delinquent Records
Property taxes in Cleveland County are collected by the Sheriff's Office, which serves as County Collector. Taxes are due between March 1 and October 15 each year. Late payments carry a 10% penalty on personal and real estate taxes, plus 10% annual interest on delinquent real estate amounts. Properties with unpaid taxes for two years may be certified to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands. Property owners with delinquent taxes can resolve them through the Commissioner of State Lands at cosl.org or directly through the Sheriff's Office before certification. Tax receipts and payment history can be searched through state property tax portals tied to Cleveland County. Payment methods accepted at the Sheriff's Office include cash, check, and money order. Online payment options may also be available through third-party county payment portals. Keeping taxes current prevents property from entering the state land system, which requires a separate redemption process to regain full ownership rights.
Nearby Counties
Cleveland County is bordered by several south-central Arkansas counties. Public records for neighboring counties are maintained at their respective courthouses.