Ouachita County Public Records
Ouachita County public records are kept by several offices in Camden, Arkansas. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, sheriff, and collector each maintain separate sets of documents covering court cases, land records, property data, vital records, and arrest logs. This page explains what each office holds, how to contact them, and where to search or request Ouachita County public records in person, online, or by mail.
Ouachita County Records Overview
Ouachita County Circuit Clerk Court Records
Circuit Clerk Gladys Nettles is at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701. Mailing address: P.O. Box 667, Camden, AR 71701. Phone: (870) 837-2230. Fax: (870) 837-2252. This office is the clerk of the civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile courts and also serves as the ex-officio recorder for land documents in Ouachita County.
Court records here include civil case filings, criminal case histories, divorce records, child support files, and juvenile court records. The Circuit Clerk also records land documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Recording fees follow the Arkansas standard: $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each page after. The Real Property Transfer Tax is $3.30 per $1,000 on sales over $100. New civil and domestic case filings cost $165.00. Summons and subpoenas are $2.50 per person. Contact the office for the full fee schedule. The Circuit Clerk also processes passport applications and manages jury duty administration for Ouachita County.
For free statewide court case searches, use Arkansas CourtConnect. You can search by party name or case number. To request specific documents, visit the office in person or submit a written mail request.
Note: Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, all government agencies must respond to public records requests within three business days.
Ouachita County Clerk: Marriage, Probate, and Voter Records
County Clerk Sherri Hunter is at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701. Phone: (870) 837-2220. Fax: (870) 837-2217. The County Clerk holds marriage licenses, probate court records, voter registration files, county court records, and notary public filings.
Marriage licenses typically cost $60.00 in Ouachita County. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. There is no waiting period. Licenses are valid for 60 days. If either party was previously married, a certified divorce decree or death certificate must be presented. Probate records maintained here cover decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and adoptions. Adoption records are sealed under Arkansas law. Probate case filing fees are approximately $165.00. Copy fees are generally $1.00 per page, plus a $5.00 certification fee for certified copies. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by money order.
Ouachita County Assessor and Property Records
County Assessor Tonya McKenzie is at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701. Phone: (870) 837-2240. Fax: (870) 837-2242. The Assessor locates and values all real and personal property in the county at 20% of market value. Real property is assessed from January 1 through July 1. Personal property must be assessed by May 31. Late filings carry a 10% penalty. The office also handles homestead exemption applications and assessment appeals.
The screenshot below is from the Ouachita County page on the Arkansas Association of Counties website, which lists county offices and contact details.
The Arkansas Association of Counties site provides a quick overview of Ouachita County offices, officials, and links to local resources for public records access.
Ouachita County Sheriff and Arrest Records
Sheriff David Norwood leads the Ouachita County Sheriff's Office at 109 Goodgame Street, Camden, AR 71701. Non-emergency phone: (870) 231-5300. Fax: (870) 231-4329. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, booking logs, incident reports, warrant service records, and the county jail roster. All of these are public records under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
The screenshot below is from the Ouachita County Sheriff's Office website, where the online inmate roster and other public tools are available.
The online inmate roster is accessible at inmates.ouachitacountysheriff.org and shows current inmates, charges, and bond information.
To get arrest records or incident reports, submit a request in person at 109 Goodgame Street or by written mail. For statewide criminal history requests, contact the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC). The Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search covers individuals held in state prison.
Ouachita County Tax Collector and Treasurer
Sheriff David Norwood also holds a dual role as County Collector. The Collector's mailing address is P.O. Box 217, Camden, AR 71701. Phone: (870) 837-2260. Fax: (870) 837-2215. Property taxes are collected from March 1 through October 15. Multiple payment methods are accepted. County Treasurer Melinda Chambers manages county funds at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701. Phone: (870) 837-2250.
Property tax records, payment histories, and delinquent tax lists are public records in Arkansas. You can check tax status and property ownership through statewide tools like Arkansas Secretary of State for business records or the county's assessor data. For birth and death certificates, contact the Arkansas Department of Health, which maintains those statewide rather than at the county level.
Note: Unpaid property taxes in Ouachita County can result in a lien against the property and eventual sale. Checking tax payment status before a real estate transaction is a common reason people look up these records.
Online Search Tools for Ouachita County
Several free tools let you search Ouachita County public records without driving to Camden. Arkansas CourtConnect has circuit court case data for all Arkansas counties. You can look up cases by name or case number and view filings without creating an account. Most active cases and many older ones are in the system.
The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) handles formal statewide criminal history requests. Business entity records and UCC filings are searchable at the Arkansas Secretary of State website at no cost. For birth and death certificates, the Arkansas Department of Health maintains those statewide. FOIA requests to any Ouachita County office should be submitted in writing. The county must respond within three business days under Arkansas law.
Nearby County Records
Ouachita County borders several other south Arkansas counties, each with its own records offices.