Lafayette County Public Records Lookup
Lafayette County public records are held by several offices at the courthouse in Lewisville, Arkansas. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, and sheriff each maintain distinct sets of documents. Court filings, property data, vital records, and arrest logs are all available to the public under Arkansas law. This guide covers each office, what types of records they hold, and how to search or request Lafayette County public records in person, online, or by mail.
Lafayette County Records Overview
Lafayette County Circuit Clerk Records
The Lafayette County Circuit Clerk is at 5 Courthouse Square, Lewisville, AR 71845. Phone: (870) 921-4878. Fax: (870) 921-4859. Christi McCormick is the Circuit Clerk. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This office serves as the ex-officio recorder and clerk of the civil, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile courts.
Records held here include civil case filings, criminal case histories, divorce records, child support orders, domestic relations cases, and juvenile court files. Land instruments recorded through this office include deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats, and powers of attorney. 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 value on sales over $100.
New civil or domestic case filing fees run $165.00. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Summons fees are $2.50 per person. Records can be searched at the courthouse in person. Mail requests need a written description of records, contact information, and payment by money order. For free statewide court access, use Arkansas CourtConnect.
Note: Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, all public offices must respond to FOIA requests within three business days.
Lafayette County Clerk: Vital Records and Probate
The Lafayette County Clerk is at 5 Courthouse Square, Lewisville, AR 71845. Phone: (870) 921-4858. Fax: (870) 921-4859. Barbara Williams is the County Clerk. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Williams also serves as the county Tax Collector.
The County Clerk maintains marriage license records, probate court files, voter registration data, and official county documents. Marriage licenses cost approximately $60.00. Both parties must appear in person 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 the date of issue.
Probate records cover decedent estate files, guardianship cases, and adoption records. Adoption files are sealed. Probate case filing fees are approximately $165.00. The Clerk also keeps quorum court minutes, county court orders, DBA filings, annexation records, and election documents. Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $5.00. Mail requests need a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order for fees.
Lafayette County Property Records
The Lafayette County Assessor is at 5 Courthouse Square, Lewisville, AR 71845. Phone: (870) 921-4894. Fax: (870) 921-4859. Angela Dempsey is the Assessor. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The screenshot below is from the Lafayette County page on ARCountyData.com, the statewide free property search portal.
ARCountyData.com lets you search Lafayette County property records by owner name, address, or parcel number at no cost. Records include assessed values, ownership data, legal descriptions, school district assignments, and tax information.
All real and personal property is assessed at 20% of market value. Real property assessment runs from January 1 through July 1 each year. Personal property must be assessed from January 1 through May 31. Late filings carry a 10% penalty. The Amendment 79 homestead credit of up to $600 is available for qualifying primary residences. Owners who are 65 or older or 100% disabled may qualify for a freeze on their taxable value.
Lafayette County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Lafayette County Sheriff's Office is at 5 Courthouse Square, Lewisville, AR 71845. Phone: (870) 921-4302. Fax: (870) 921-4859. Brian Harris is the Sheriff. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Sheriff maintains arrest records, booking logs, jail rosters, and incident reports for all individuals taken into custody in Lafayette County. These records are open to the public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. You can request them in person at the office or by mail. Provide a written description of the records needed and payment for any copy fees.
The Sheriff also operates the county jail and handles civil process serving. For statewide criminal history background checks, contact the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC). Current state inmates are searchable through the Arkansas Department of Corrections online database.
Lafayette County Tax and Collector Records
Property taxes in Lafayette County are collected from March 1 through October 15 each year. The Collector is Barbara Williams, reachable at (870) 921-4858 at the courthouse in Lewisville. Williams also serves as County Clerk, holding a dual role common in smaller Arkansas counties.
Tax payment records, delinquent parcel data, and property tax histories are all public in Arkansas. Unpaid taxes can result in a lien and eventual tax sale. Property tax data for Lafayette County is searchable through ARCountyData.com at no charge. County Treasurer Nancy Petty manages county financial accounts and fund records.
Free Online Tools for Lafayette County Records
Several free resources let you access Lafayette County public records remotely. Court cases are searchable through Arkansas CourtConnect. Property records are at ARCountyData.com. Business filings are through the Arkansas Secretary of State. Criminal history requests go through ACIC. Birth and death records are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Written FOIA requests to any Lafayette County office can be submitted in person or by mail to the courthouse. State law requires a response within three business days. No online FOIA portal exists for the county at this time.
Nearby County Records
Lafayette County is in southwest Arkansas near the Louisiana border. Neighboring counties each have their own public records offices.