Little River County Public Records
Little River County public records are managed by several county offices located in Ashdown, the county seat. Court filings, land records, arrest reports, property data, and marriage licenses are all held by separate offices. This guide covers each office, what records they hold, and how to search or request documents from Little River County and related state sources.
Little River County Records Overview
Little River County Circuit Clerk Court Records
The Little River County Circuit Clerk serves as the clerk of civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile courts in Ashdown. The office also acts as ex-officio county recorder for land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property instruments. Circuit Clerk Becky Lacy operates out of 351 N. 2nd Street in Ashdown. Phone: (870) 898-7208. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Court records in Little River County cover felony criminal cases, civil matters, divorce and custody filings, and juvenile matters. New civil and domestic filings cost $165.00. Reopening a prior case runs $50.00. Summons and subpoenas cost $2.50 per person. Certified copies of court documents are $5.00 each. Standard copies generally run $0.25 per page. To search cases online at no cost, use the Arkansas Judiciary CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. The public portal lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney without creating an account.
The Circuit Clerk also handles land record filings. Recording fees are $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each page after that. A real property transfer tax of $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration applies to sales above $100. Document requirements follow Arkansas standards: 8.5 by 11 inch paper, a 2.5-inch margin at the top right of the first page, and the preparer's name and address on the first page. The office does not accept filings by email. All requests for copies or filings must be made in person or by mail.
The free Arkansas court search tool below shows the CourtConnect portal where Little River County case records can be found by name or case number.
Use CourtConnect to look up civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases filed in Little River County at no charge.
Note: CourtConnect shows case-level detail only; full case documents must be requested from the Circuit Clerk's office in person or by mail.
County Clerk and Vital Records in Little River County
The Little River County Clerk maintains vital records, probate court records, and voter registration. County Clerk Judy Brunsell also serves as County Collector. The office is at 351 N. 2nd Street in Ashdown. Phone: (870) 898-7208. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Marriage licenses cost $60.00. Both parties must appear in person with a valid government-issued photo ID and social security card. There is no waiting period for applicants 18 and older. Licenses are valid for 60 days. The completed license must be returned to the Clerk's office after the ceremony. The Clerk also records minister credentials and assumed business name (DBA) certificates. Historical marriage records kept in the vault can help with genealogy and title research.
Probate filings handled by this office include decedent estates, small estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Adoption records remain sealed and confidential under state law. Full probate filing fees run approximately $165.00. Certified document copies cost $5.00 each. The Clerk acts as secretary to the Quorum Court and the Equalization Board, keeping minutes and official records of county government proceedings. Voter registration is also administered here; you must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote.
For marriage certificates and divorce records, the Arkansas Department of Health also maintains statewide vital records since 1917 for marriages and 1923 for divorces. You can order copies through the Arkansas Department of Health. Marriage and divorce certificates cost $10.00 per copy.
Property Records and Assessor Data
The Little River County Assessor values all real and personal property at 20% of current market value as required by Arkansas law. Assessor Johnny Edwards is located at 351 N. 2nd Street in Ashdown. Phone: (870) 898-7211. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Free online property searches for Little River County are available through ARCountyData.com. You can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address. Results include ownership information, assessed values, market values, legal descriptions, and property characteristics. The Assessor also maintains GIS mapping data that maps all parcels in the county.
Personal property must be assessed each year by May 31st. Real property assessment runs from the first Monday in January through July 1st. Late assessments carry a 10% penalty. Residents must notify the Assessor of vehicle purchases, sales, or address changes during the year. Homestead credits under Amendment 79 provide a $350 tax credit for primary residences and must be applied for through the Assessor's office. Property taxes are collected by Collector Judy Brunsell from March 1st through October 15th each year. Delinquent properties may be certified to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands after two consecutive years of unpaid taxes.
The screenshot below shows the ARCountyData portal where you can search Little River County property records at no cost.
Search ownership details, assessed values, and legal descriptions for any parcel in Little River County using the online tool.
Note: Property tax bills typically go out in the fall; contact the Collector's office at (870) 898-7208 if you have not received a statement by May 1st.
Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Little River County Sheriff's Office is located at 351 N. 2nd Street in Ashdown. Sheriff Mark Dalby runs the office, which provides law enforcement services and operates the county jail. Main phone: (870) 898-5115. Administrative hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Arrest records, incident reports, and booking records are public records in Arkansas. You can request these documents directly from the Sheriff's Office by submitting a written FOIA request in person or by mail. Requests made under Arkansas Code Section 25-19-105 must be fulfilled within three working days. Copy fees typically run $0.25 to $1.00 per page.
For state prison inmates, use the Arkansas Department of Corrections' free inmate search portal. The Arkansas Crime Information Center operates the statewide sex offender registry, searchable by name or location at no cost. Criminal history background checks for Arkansas records are available through the Arkansas State Police at arch.ark.org for a $24.00 fee per search.
FOIA Requests in Little River County
Arkansas residents can request public records from Little River County offices under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. The law is found at Arkansas Code 25-19-105. Only Arkansas citizens may make FOIA requests. This is one of only seven states with that restriction. You do not need to state a reason for your request. Agencies must respond within three working days.
Submit requests to the specific office that holds the records you need. For court filings, contact the Circuit Clerk. For arrest records, contact the Sheriff. For marriage licenses or probate, contact the County Clerk. For property data, contact the Assessor. Requests should be in writing and should describe the records as specifically as possible, including names, dates, and document types. Copy fees are set by each office and usually run $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certain records are exempt, including active criminal investigation files, sealed adoption records, and some personnel records.
Note: The Arkansas Attorney General's office handles disputes about FOIA compliance and can be reached at (800) 482-8982.
State Records Tools for Little River County
Several state-level resources cover Little River County records. The Arkansas Secretary of State handles business filings and corporate records at sos.arkansas.gov. You can search for business entities, DBA registrations, and corporate filings at no cost. The Arkansas State Archives holds historical records including older marriage, probate, and deed records. The Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives covers twelve southwestern counties and may hold older Little River County materials including pre-1917 marriage records.
The Arkansas State Police maintains a name-based criminal history search at arch.ark.org. The $24.00 fee covers one search. Results include Arkansas felony and misdemeanor convictions and pending felony arrests within the last three years. Registered sex offender records from the ACIC sex offender registry are free to search. Voter registration records for Little River County are managed by the County Clerk and can be verified through the state's voter registration portal.
Nearby Counties
Little River County borders four other Arkansas counties, each with their own public records offices and court systems.