Jefferson County Public Records
Jefferson County public records are maintained by several offices at the courthouse in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, and sheriff each hold different types of documents. Court filings, land records, property assessments, vital records, and arrest logs are all accessible to the public under Arkansas law. This page covers each office, what they keep, and how to search or request Jefferson County public records in person, online, or by mail.
Jefferson County Records Overview
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Court Records
The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk is at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 101 West Barraque Street, Suite on the upper floor, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Phone: (870) 541-5306. Flora Cook is the Circuit Clerk. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. This office is the official custodian of record for the Circuit Court and acts as ex-officio County Recorder.
Records maintained here include court dockets, civil filings, criminal case histories, divorce records, child support orders, and juvenile court files. The Circuit Clerk also records real property documents including deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, release deeds, liens, surety bonds, plats, and powers of attorney. Copy fees are $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus certification fees where applicable. New civil or domestic filing fees run $165.00. Summons are $2.50 per person.
The office is prohibited by law from providing legal advice. For free statewide case searches, use Arkansas CourtConnect. Land records recorded in the Circuit Clerk's office are also available as part of the online access tools through the county.
Note: Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, agencies must respond to public records requests within three business days.
Jefferson County Clerk: Marriage and Probate Records
The Jefferson County Clerk is at 101 W. Barraque Street, Suite 101, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Phone: (870) 541-5322. Fax: (870) 541-5324. Email: JeffersonClerk@arkansasclerks.com. Shawndra Taggart is the County Clerk. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
This office holds marriage records going back to 1830 and probate records from 1845. Marriage licenses cost $60.00 without premarital counseling or $30.00 with a certificate of premarital counseling completion. Licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance. No waiting period applies in Arkansas. You can search marriage license records for Jefferson County online at ARCountyData.com. Basic information including names and marriage dates is available for free.
Probate records include decedent estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Adoption files are sealed under state law. Probate filing fees run approximately $165.00. The Clerk also maintains DBA (Doing Business As) declarations, voter registration records, county court records covering annexations, incorporations, tax levies, board appointments, contracts, and quorum court ordinances and minutes. Copies are generally $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $5.00. Absentee ballot applications must be printed on legal-size paper and submitted by mail, fax, or email to the Clerk's office.
Jefferson County Property Records
The Jefferson County Assessor has three locations. The Courthouse office at 101 W. Barraque St. handles real property (Phone: 870-541-5344). Personal property is at 870-541-5334. Jefferson Square Revenue Office and White Hall Revenue Office also serve the public. Gloria Tillman is the Assessor. Courthouse hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; revenue office hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Assessor maintains current appraisal and assessment records, property valuations, and property transaction files updated throughout the year. GIS interactive mapping is available through the Assessor's website for parcel searches by owner name, parcel number, or address. Online assessment is available at scoutassess.com. You can also assess in person at any office or by phone at 870-541-5334.
All property is assessed at 20% of market value. Personal property must be assessed by May 31 each year to avoid a penalty. Real property assessment runs January 1 through July 1. The Assessor administers Amendment 79 homestead credits and offers a taxable value freeze for owners 65 and older or those who are 100% disabled.
Jefferson County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is at 410 E. 2nd Ave, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Phone: (870) 541-5351. Fax: (870) 541-5348. Email: sheriff.lwoods@jeffcoso.org. Lafayette Woods, Jr. is the Sheriff.
The screenshot below is from the Jefferson County Sheriff's website.
The Sheriff runs an online public records request system through the NextRequest portal at jeffcosheriff.nextrequest.com. You can submit FOIA requests, track their status, and download returned documents through this portal. The system also includes a searchable database of past requests.
Records available through the portal include mugshots, arrest and release dates, background checks, case reports, body-worn camera footage, and detention documents. Arrest records are maintained for all individuals taken into custody in Jefferson County and are accessible under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. An online inmate roster is available through the Sheriff's website and Vinelink. The W.C. "Dub" Brassell Adult Detention Center is the main jail facility for the county.
Note: Fingerprinting services for pre-employment background checks, professional licensing, volunteer work, and immigration applications are available at the Pine Bluff Police Department.
Pine Bluff City Records in Jefferson County
Pine Bluff is the county seat and largest city in Jefferson County. The Pine Bluff City Clerk is at 200 E 8th Ave, Second Floor, Pine Bluff, AR 71603. Phone: (870) 730-2006. Email: jroberts@cityofpinebluff-ar.gov. Janice L. Roberts is the City Clerk. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The City Clerk handles all statutory obligations related to city elections, records, and legislation. City Council meets every Monday at 5:30 PM at Pine Bluff City Hall. Records include council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, municipal legislation, election petitions, and city codes. Quick links on the city site include VoterView, city codes, and commission report submissions.
Free Online Tools for Jefferson County Records
Several free tools cover Jefferson County public records without a trip to Pine Bluff. Court cases are searchable at Arkansas CourtConnect. Property data and marriage records are at ARCountyData.com. The FOIA portal for the Sheriff is at jeffcosheriff.nextrequest.com. Business entity and UCC records are at Arkansas Secretary of State. Birth and death certificates are through the Arkansas Department of Health. Criminal history goes through ACIC.
Nearby County Records
Jefferson County is in southeast-central Arkansas. The counties around it each maintain their own public records offices.