Find Public Records in Hot Spring County
Hot Spring County public records are held by offices based in Malvern, Arkansas. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, and sheriff each keep different types of documents. Court filings, land records, property data, arrest logs, and vital records are all part of what these offices maintain. This guide covers each office, what it holds, and how you can access Hot Spring County public records in person, by mail, or through free online tools.
Hot Spring County Records Overview
Hot Spring County Circuit Clerk Records
The Hot Spring County Circuit Clerk is at 210 Locust Street, Malvern, AR 72104. Phone: (501) 332-2281. Fax: (501) 332-7329. Rhonda Sullivan serves as Circuit Clerk. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This office acts as ex-officio county recorder and clerk of the civil, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile courts.
Records kept here include civil case filings, criminal case histories, divorce decrees, child support orders, and juvenile case files. The Circuit Clerk also records land instruments such as deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, and powers of attorney. Land recording fees are $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. The Real Property Transfer Tax is $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration.
Court filing fees for new civil or domestic cases run $165.00. Certified copy fees are $5.00 per document. Summons cost $2.50 per person. You can search or request records at the courthouse in person, or mail a written request with payment. For free, statewide case searches, the Arkansas CourtConnect portal is available at no charge.
Note: Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, public agencies must respond to records requests within three business days.
Hot Spring County Clerk: Marriage and Probate Records
The Hot Spring County Clerk is also at 210 Locust Street, Malvern, AR 72104. Phone: (501) 332-2281. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Rhonda Sullivan holds this role as well.
The County Clerk maintains marriage license records, probate court files, voter registration records, and official county government documents. Marriage licenses cost approximately $60.00. Both parties must appear in person together with valid photo ID and social security cards. No waiting period applies for adults 18 and older. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance.
Probate records maintained by the Clerk cover decedent estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Adoption files are sealed under Arkansas law. Probate case filing fees are approximately $165.00. The Clerk also keeps quorum court minutes, county court orders, DBA (Doing Business As) filings, and annexation records. Copies cost $1.00 per page; certified copies add $5.00. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order for payment.
Hot Spring County Property Records
The Hot Spring County Assessor is at 210 Locust Street, Malvern, AR 72104. Phone: (501) 332-2235. Fax: (501) 332-7329. Mary Ann Vineyard is the Assessor. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The screenshot below is from the Hot Spring County page on ARCountyData.com, a free property search portal for the state.
ARCountyData.com lets you search Hot Spring County property records by owner name, address, or parcel number at no cost. You can find ownership data, assessed values, legal descriptions, and tax payment histories.
All real and personal property in Hot Spring County is assessed at 20% of market value. Real property assessment runs from January 1 through July 1. Personal property must be assessed from January 1 through May 31 annually, with a 10% penalty for late filings. The Assessor administers the Amendment 79 homestead credit of up to $600 for qualifying primary residence owners. Those 65 and older or 100% disabled may qualify for a taxable value freeze.
Hot Spring County Arrest Records and Sheriff
The Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office is at 210 Locust Street, Malvern, AR 72104. Phone: (501) 332-8700. Fax: (501) 332-7329. Mike Owens is the Sheriff. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, jail rosters, incident reports, and related law enforcement documents for incidents in Hot Spring County. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, most of these records are available to the public. You can submit a records request in person at the office or send a written request by mail.
The Sheriff also operates the county detention center and handles civil process serving. For statewide criminal history background checks, the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) manages the repository through licensed providers. The Arkansas Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database of current state inmates.
Hot Spring County Tax and Collector Records
Property tax collection in Hot Spring County runs from March 1 through October 15 each year. The Collector is Rhonda Sullivan, reached at (501) 332-2281 at the same courthouse address in Malvern.
Tax records, payment history, and delinquent parcels are all public records in Arkansas. The Collector handles payments for both real and personal property. Unpaid taxes can lead to a tax lien and potential loss of the property through a tax sale. Tax record data for Hot Spring County is also available through the ARCountyData.com portal.
Note: The county Treasurer, also Rhonda Sullivan, manages county financial accounts and general fund records. These financial records are public under state law.
Online Resources for Hot Spring County Records
Several free tools are available for searching Hot Spring County public records remotely. Arkansas CourtConnect covers circuit court cases statewide. Property records are searchable at ARCountyData.com. The Arkansas Crime Information Center handles criminal history for authorized requests. Business entity records are at Arkansas Secretary of State. Birth and death records are held by the Arkansas Department of Health.
FOIA requests to Hot Spring County offices should be submitted in writing. In-person delivery or mail are the most reliable methods. The three-day response requirement under state law applies to all public records requests.
Nearby County Records
Hot Spring County shares borders with several other Arkansas counties. Each of those counties has its own records offices.