Public Records in Prairie County
Prairie County public records are split between two courthouse locations: Des Arc for the Northern District and De Valls Bluff for the Southern District. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, and sheriff each hold separate records covering court filings, land documents, property assessments, arrest logs, and vital records. This page covers who to contact at each district office, what records are available, what fees to expect, and how to search Prairie County records online at no cost.
Prairie County Records Overview
Prairie County Circuit Clerk Records
Prairie County is unique in that it has two courthouse locations. Tammy Koons serves as Circuit Clerk for both districts. Northern District (Des Arc): 200 Court House Square, Des Arc, AR 72040. Phone: (870) 256-3714. Fax: (870) 256-4985. Southern District (De Valls Bluff): 183 W. Cypress Street, De Valls Bluff, AR 72041. Phone: (870) 998-2532. Fax: (870) 998-2533. Hours at both offices: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Circuit Clerk maintains all court records for Prairie County including civil case filings, criminal case histories, domestic relations records, and juvenile court files. Land records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are also recorded here. Recording fees are $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 per additional page. New civil and domestic court filings carry a base fee of $165.00. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document.
You can search Prairie County circuit court records for free through Arkansas CourtConnect. Search by party name or case number to find civil, criminal, and domestic cases. Written FOIA requests to the circuit clerk can be submitted in person or by mail at either district office.
Note: Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, county offices must respond to public records requests within three business days.
Prairie County Clerk: Vital and Probate Records
The County Clerk is also Tammy Koons. Contact information is the same as the Circuit Clerk since both roles are combined. Northern District: (870) 256-3714 at 200 Court House Square, Des Arc. Southern District: (870) 998-2532 at 183 W. Cypress Street, De Valls Bluff.
Marriage licenses, probate records, voter registration data, quorum court minutes, and county court orders are all held at the County Clerk's office. Marriage licenses require both parties to appear in person together with valid photo ID. The fee is $60.00. There is no waiting period for adults. Licenses are valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Probate filings cover decedent estate proceedings, guardianships, and adoptions. Adoption records are sealed under Arkansas law. Standard copy fees apply at $1.00 per page, plus a $5.00 certification fee for certified documents.
Prairie County Property Records
The Prairie County Assessor is Amy Freeman. Northern District: 200 Court House Square, Des Arc, AR 72040. Phone: (870) 256-3718. Fax: (870) 256-4985. Southern District: 183 W. Cypress Street, De Valls Bluff, AR 72041. Phone: (870) 998-2532. Hours at both offices: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The screenshot below is from the Prairie County property search on ARCountyData.com, a statewide public portal for property lookups at no cost.
ARCountyData.com lets you look up Prairie County parcels by owner name, address, or parcel number and view ownership history, assessed values, and legal descriptions.
The Assessor values all real and personal property in the county. Real property is appraised from January 1 through July 1. Personal property must be assessed between January 1 and May 31. A 10% penalty applies for late personal property filings. The Amendment 79 homestead credit reduces property taxes on a primary residence by up to $600 for qualifying owners. Seniors 65 and older or those who are 100% disabled may qualify for a freeze on their assessed value.
Prairie County Arrest Records and Sheriff
The Prairie County Sheriff is Rick Barnes. Address: 200 Court House Square, Des Arc, AR 72040. Phone: (870) 256-4137. Fax: (870) 256-4985. Emergency: 911.
The Sheriff holds arrest records, booking logs, incident reports, and the county jail roster for Prairie County. These records are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Submit a written request in person at the Des Arc courthouse or by mail. The Sheriff also handles civil process serving and operates the county detention facility.
For statewide criminal history information, the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) maintains the official criminal history repository and processes formal background checks through licensed providers. State prison inmate data is searchable through the Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search tool at no cost.
Prairie County Tax and Collector Records
Tammy Koons also serves as Tax Collector for Prairie County (dual role). Property taxes are collected March 1 through October 15. Northern District: 200 Court House Square, Des Arc, AR 72040. Phone: (870) 256-3714. Donna Morris serves as County Treasurer.
Tax records including payment histories, delinquent filings, and current tax balances are public records. You can view Prairie County property tax data through ARCountyData.com at no cost. Unpaid taxes can result in a lien and potential tax sale. Requesting tax records in person at either district courthouse is also an option for more detailed history.
Online Tools for Prairie County Records
Free tools exist to search Prairie County public records without visiting either courthouse. Arkansas CourtConnect covers court cases statewide and includes Prairie County circuit court records. Search civil, criminal, and domestic cases by name or case number. Property data is free at ARCountyData.com.
Business entity searches and UCC filings are available through the Arkansas Secretary of State. For vital records such as birth and death certificates, contact the Arkansas Department of Health, which maintains those records at the state level. Written FOIA requests to Prairie County offices should be delivered in person or sent by mail to the relevant district office.
Nearby County Records
Prairie County borders several other Arkansas counties. Each maintains its own set of records offices.