Izard County Public Records
Izard County public records are held across several county offices in Melbourne, Arkansas. Whether you need court case filings, property data, arrest reports, or vital documents like marriage licenses, this guide shows you where to look and how to get the records you need. Most requests are processed under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, which gives residents the right to access government documents quickly and at low cost.
Izard County Records Overview
Izard County Circuit Clerk Records
The Izard County Circuit Clerk acts as the official keeper of all court records. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations filings, juvenile matters, and land records. The clerk also works as the ex-officio recorder of deeds and land instruments for the county. If you need a court record from Izard County, this is the right office to contact.
The clerk's office is located at 1 Court Square, Melbourne, AR 72556. You can call (870) 368-4316 or fax (870) 368-4307. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The circuit clerk for Izard County is Cindy Poe.
For court records available online, Arkansas uses the CourtConnect system statewide. You can search by party name or case number at no charge. Certified copies ordered through the clerk's office cost $5.00 per document. New civil or domestic filings carry a $165.00 filing fee. Land record recording fees run $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each page after that.
Court Filings and Case Records
Izard County falls under the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings. Records from these proceedings become part of the permanent court file held by the Circuit Clerk.
To search case records online, use the Arkansas CourtConnect portal. It lets you look up cases without charge, view case summaries, and in some instances see document images. Not every older record is available digitally, so for historical cases you may need to visit or write to the clerk's office directly.
Subpoena and summons fees are $2.50 per person. If you need a certified copy of a court order or judgment, expect to pay $5.00 per document. The office cannot give legal advice, so if you need help understanding your case options, contact an attorney or reach out to Arkansas Legal Aid.
Note: Adoption records are sealed by law and cannot be obtained through normal public records requests regardless of the county.
Izard County Clerk and Vital Records
The Izard County Clerk, also Cindy Poe, is located at the same courthouse address: 1 Court Square, Melbourne, AR 72556, phone (870) 368-4316. The County Clerk handles marriage licenses, probate filings, voter registration, and the official books of county government.
Marriage licenses cost approximately $60.00. Both people applying must show up in person with a valid photo ID and social security card. There is no waiting period in Arkansas for applicants 18 and older. Once issued, the license is good for 60 days. Arkansas does not publish marriage license records through a statewide vital records office; instead, records are kept at the county level.
Probate records such as estates and guardianships are also maintained by the County Clerk. Filing fees for probate matters run around $165.00. Voter registration can be handled through the clerk's office or online at sos.arkansas.gov/elections. The County Clerk also keeps county court records including board minutes, tax levies, contracts, and election results.
Property Records in Izard County
The Izard County Assessor locates and values all real and personal property in the county. Property is assessed at 20% of market value. The assessor's office is at 1 Court Square, Melbourne, AR 72556, phone (870) 368-4316. The current assessor is Terri Baker.
You can search Izard County property records online through the Arkansas County Data platform. This free tool lets you look up parcel data, ownership details, and valuation records by owner name or parcel ID. Real property assessment runs from January 1 through July 1. Personal property must be assessed annually by May 31 to avoid a 10% late penalty.
The screenshot above shows the Arkansas County Data portal for Izard County, where you can browse property ownership and assessment data at no cost.
Land records recorded in the Circuit Clerk's office include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Transfer tax on land sales runs $3.30 per $1,000 of value. These records go back many years and are part of the official real property file for Izard County.
Note: Property taxes are collected by the Izard County Collector, also Cindy Poe, from March 1 through October 15 each year.
Izard County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Izard County Sheriff's Office is at 300 Circle Drive, Melbourne, AR 72556. You can reach them at (870) 368-4203, fax (870) 368-4204. The current sheriff is Charley Melton. The office provides law enforcement services throughout the county and operates the county jail.
Arrest records in Izard County are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105. This law requires agencies to respond to public records requests within three business days. Arrests, booking records, and jail rosters are generally accessible to the public. The sheriff's office may charge reasonable copying fees for printed records.
For active inmate information, check with the sheriff's office directly. State-level incarceration data is available through the Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search. Sex offender data for Izard County can be found on the Arkansas Sex Offender Registry.
How to Request Public Records
Arkansas has one of the strongest open records laws in the country. Under Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105, any Arkansas citizen can request public records from any government agency. Agencies must respond within three business days. There is no requirement to state why you want the records.
To request records from Izard County, contact the relevant office directly by phone, mail, or in person. Written requests are best for complex or large record sets. Fees for copies are set by each office but must be reasonable. The state law allows agencies to charge for the actual cost of reproduction.
- Circuit Clerk (court records, land filings): (870) 368-4316
- County Clerk (marriages, probate, voter): (870) 368-4316
- Assessor (property values): (870) 368-4316
- Sheriff (arrest records, jail): (870) 368-4203
- Collector (tax records): (870) 368-4316
All offices are at 1 Court Square, Melbourne, AR 72556, except the Sheriff's Office at 300 Circle Drive. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
State Resources for Izard County Research
Several Arkansas state agencies maintain records that cover Izard County residents. The Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office in Little Rock holds birth and death certificates from 1914 onward. You can order copies by mail or through their online request system. These records are separate from what the County Clerk holds.
The Arkansas Secretary of State maintains business entity filings, UCC documents, and notary records at the state level. If you are researching a business that operated in Izard County, the Secretary of State's database is a good starting point. The Arkansas State Police criminal history request form lets you get background check records for specific individuals.
For unclaimed property searches, use the Arkansas Auditor's unclaimed property database. This is a free tool that can locate unclaimed funds tied to Izard County addresses or residents.
Nearby Counties
Izard County borders several other counties in north-central Arkansas. Each has its own records offices and online tools.