Lee County Public Records Search
Lee County public records are held across several offices in Marianna and Augusta, Arkansas. Because Lee County has two district courthouses, knowing which district handles your request matters. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, and sheriff each keep separate sets of files covering court cases, land documents, property data, and arrest records. This page covers what each office holds, how to reach them, and what it costs to get copies. A free statewide court search is also available online at no charge.
Lee County Records Overview
Lee County Circuit Clerk Records
The Lee County Circuit Clerk runs offices in both county seats. The Southern District office is at 15 E. Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360. Phone: (870) 295-7720. Fax: (870) 295-7721. Pam Lewis serves as Circuit Clerk. The Northern District office is at 2 W. Walnut Street, Augusta, AR 72006. Phone: (870) 347-2601. Both offices are open 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. This office also acts as ex-officio county recorder for land documents. Court records held here include civil case filings, criminal case histories, divorce records, and child support files. Juvenile records are restricted under Arkansas law and are not open to the general public. Most other court records are available to anyone who asks.
Filing fees for new civil or domestic cases are $165.00. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Summons and subpoenas run $2.50 per person. 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 on sales over $100. You can search Lee County court cases free of charge through Arkansas CourtConnect.
Note: Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, government offices must respond to public records requests within three business days.
Lee County Clerk: Vital Records and Probate
The Lee County Clerk, Barbara Hess, maintains offices at both courthouses. The Southern District is at 15 E. Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360. Phone: (870) 295-7715. Fax: (870) 295-7721. The Northern District is at 2 W. Walnut Street, Augusta, AR 72006. Phone: (870) 347-2701. Hours for both locations run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
This office handles marriage licenses, probate court records, voter registration, and official county government records. Marriage licenses cost around $60.00. Both parties must show up in person with a valid photo ID and social security cards. There is no waiting period for adults 18 and older, and licenses are good for 60 days from the date they are issued.
Probate records kept by this office cover decedent estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Adoption records are sealed under state law. Probate case filing fees run about $165.00. The County Clerk also holds DBA filings, quorum court minutes, and county court orders. Copies typically cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 certification fee on top of the per-page cost. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order for payment. Barbara Hess also serves as Tax Collector.
Property Records in Lee County
The Lee County Assessor values all real and personal property at 20% of market value. The Southern District office is at 15 E. Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360. Phone: (870) 295-7730. The Northern District is at 2 W. Walnut Street, Augusta, AR 72006. Phone: (870) 347-2516. Faye Vance serves as Assessor. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at both locations.
The screenshot below is from the Lee County Assessor page on ARCountyData.com, a free public portal for property searches.
You can search Lee County property records at ARCountyData.com by owner name, parcel number, or address at no cost. The portal shows assessed values, ownership history, and legal descriptions.
Real property is assessed from January 1 through July 1 each year. Personal property must be filed between January 1 and May 31. Late filings carry a 10% penalty. The Amendment 79 homestead credit of up to $600 applies to qualifying primary residences. Owners who are 65 and older or 100% disabled may qualify for a freeze on their taxable assessed value.
Lee County Arrest Records and Sheriff
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is at 15 E. Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360. Phone: (870) 295-7777. Fax: (870) 295-7721. Sheriff Corey Wilson leads the office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Sheriff keeps arrest records, booking logs, incident reports, and the county jail roster for all individuals taken into custody in Lee County. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, these records are available to the public. You can request them in person or send a written request by mail. There is no online arrest record portal specific to Lee County.
For statewide criminal history searches, the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) handles formal background check requests through licensed providers. The Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search is available free online for anyone looking up individuals currently held in state prison. The Sheriff also handles civil process serving and runs the county detention facility.
Tax and Collector Records
Property taxes in Lee County are collected from March 1 through October 15. The Southern District Collector's office is at 15 E. Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360. Phone: (870) 295-7715. Barbara Hess holds a dual role as both County Clerk and Tax Collector. The Northern District Collector can be reached at (870) 347-2701 at the Augusta courthouse. Patsy Pearson serves as County Treasurer.
Property tax records, payment histories, and delinquent tax lists are public records in Arkansas. These can help you confirm current ownership, check payment status, or trace the history of a parcel. Unpaid taxes may result in a lien and eventual sale. Tax data is also viewable through ARCountyData.com at no charge.
Online Tools for Lee County Records
Several free tools let you search Lee County public records from anywhere. Arkansas CourtConnect gives access to circuit court cases statewide. Search by party name or case number. Most active cases and many older filings are in the system, though some older records may not be digitized.
Property data is searchable free at ARCountyData.com. The Arkansas Crime Information Center handles criminal history access for authorized requests. The Arkansas Secretary of State keeps business entity records and UCC filings statewide. For birth and death certificates, the Arkansas Department of Health maintains those records centrally. Vital records are not held at the county level in Arkansas.
Written FOIA requests to any Lee County office should be submitted in person or by mail. The county is required to respond within three business days. There is no single online FOIA portal for Lee County offices.
Note: Lee County has two courthouses. Make sure you contact the correct district based on where your case or property is located.
Nearby County Records
Lee County borders several counties in eastern Arkansas. Each maintains its own set of records offices.