Sebastian County Public Records
Sebastian County public records are split across offices in Fort Smith and Greenwood, the county's two official seats. The circuit clerk, county clerk, assessor, and sheriff each hold separate sets of documents covering court cases, land filings, vital records, and arrest data. This page covers how to find records at each office, what fees apply, and which free online tools are open to the public. Both courthouse locations serve the same county and maintain parallel operations.
Sebastian County Records Overview
Sebastian County Circuit Clerk Records
The Sebastian County Circuit Clerk is Susie Hassett. The Fort Smith office is at 901 South B Street, Room 205, Sebastian County Courts Building, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Phone: (479) 782-1046. Fax: (479) 784-1580. The Greenwood office is at 301 East Center Street, Greenwood, AR 72936. Phone: (479) 996-2817. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
This office holds civil case filings, felony criminal cases, domestic relations records including divorce, probate matters, and juvenile court records. The circuit clerk also acts as ex-officio county recorder, so deeds, mortgages, liens, and related land instruments are filed here. Recording fees are $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each page after that. New civil case filings cost $80.00. Small claims cases are $65.00. Certified copies are $10.00 per document. Regular copies run $0.50 per page for the first ten pages and $0.25 per page beyond that. Record searches cost $5.00 per name.
The screenshot below comes from the Sebastian County Circuit Clerk page, which lists court services, e-filing options, and public kiosk locations in Fort Smith and Greenwood.
Public access kiosks are available at the Circuit Clerk lobby in both the Fort Smith and Greenwood courthouses. As of August 1, 2022, e-filing through e-Flex is accepted in all courts except criminal court. For criminal cases, continue to use the JusticeWeb portal. Older cases before 2015 use the iSeries/AS400 system with username ccinqw and password ccpublic1. Free statewide court searches are available through Arkansas CourtConnect.
Note: Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, agencies must respond to public records requests within three business days.
Sebastian County Clerk and Vital Records
The Sebastian County Clerk is Sharon Brooks. Fort Smith office: 35 South 6th Street, Room 102, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Phone: (479) 782-5065. Greenwood office: 301 East Center, Room 104, Greenwood, AR 72936. Phone: (479) 996-4195. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at both locations.
The county clerk keeps marriage licenses dating back to 1865, mortgage and deed records, assumed name (DBA) filings, voter registration, elections records, and probate records going back to 1866. Marriage licenses cost $60.00 and are payable by cash or credit card. No personal checks are accepted. Both parties must be at least 18 with valid photo ID. There is no waiting period. Licenses are valid for 60 days from issue. A Covenant Marriage option is available in Arkansas, which requires a declaration of intent and premarital counseling. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $5.00 each.
The screenshot below is from the Sebastian County Clerk/Recorder page, which covers recording procedures, marriage license requirements, and eRecording options.
Instrument recording guidelines require original documents only, no photocopies. Documents must carry a notary acknowledgment and state the name and address of the preparer on deeds. A 2.5-inch margin is required at the top of the first page for the recording label. Maximum document size is 8.5 by 11 inches. Plats and surveys are filed separately. eRecording is available for electronic submission of documents. DBA filings cost approximately $25.00.
Sebastian County Property Records
The Sebastian County Assessor is Zach Johnson. The Fort Smith courthouse office is at 35 South 6th Street, Room 105, Fort Smith, AR 72901. The Greenwood courthouse office is at 301 E. Center, Room 113, Greenwood, AR 72936. There is also a Phoenix Avenue East location at 6515 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901, which closes at 4:30 PM. All other locations close at 5:00 PM. Hours are Monday through Friday.
The screenshot below is taken from the Sebastian County Assessor's department page, which covers online assessment options and property valuation details.
All property must be assessed annually. The window for personal property assessment runs January 1 through May 31. Late assessments after May 31 carry a 10% penalty that cannot be removed once applied. Personal property subject to assessment includes vehicles, ATVs, trailers, tractors, boats, motors, and business personal property. Business owners must list all fixed assets by type, year of purchase, and purchase price. After August 1, business assessment errors cannot be corrected for that year. Personal property can be assessed online through the county website. Property owners may appeal values through the Equalization Board.
Sebastian County Arrest Records and Sheriff
The Sebastian County Sheriff is Hobe Runion. Main office: 800 South A Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Phone: (479) 783-1051, available 24 hours. Administrative hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Fax: (479) 784-1595. Greenwood district office: 11 Town Square, Greenwood, AR 72936. Phone: (479) 996-2145.
The Sheriff's Records Department processes arrest record requests in person and by mail. When submitting a request, include the arrestee's full name, date of incident, location, and type of record needed. Records available include arrest records with charges and booking details, incident reports, mugshot photographs, and active warrants. The Civil Special Services Division at the main Fort Smith office serves civil papers at $50.00 per person and handles warrant search copies.
The screenshot below is from the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office page, which provides links to inmate inquiry, warrant search, and the sex offender registry.
Online tools available from the Sheriff's website include an inmate inquiry search and a warrant search. The sex offender registry is also accessible through the county website. In 2023, the Sheriff's Office recorded 776 adult arrests and 191 juvenile arrests. For statewide criminal history checks, contact the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC). The Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search covers individuals in state prison facilities.
Fort Smith City Records
Fort Smith city records are maintained at City Hall, 623 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901. The City Clerk's Office is on the 3rd Floor, Room 303. Phone: (479) 784-2208. Fax: (479) 784-2256. Email: cityclerk@fortsmithar.gov. The Board of Directors meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM.
City records handled here include municipal ordinances, city meeting minutes and agendas, municipal contracts, and records from Fort Smith District Court (phone 479-784-2420). FOIA requests to the city can be submitted through the online portal at www.fortsmithar.gov/foia. The Deputy City Administrator handles all FOIA requests to the city. For city-related public records in Fort Smith, start with the city clerk. Records such as marriage licenses, divorce filings, birth and death certificates, and property assessments are handled by the county and state offices listed on this page, not the city clerk.
Note: Birth and death certificates are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, not county offices.
Online Search Tools for Sebastian County
Several free tools let you search Sebastian County records without visiting an office. Arkansas CourtConnect covers circuit court cases statewide, including Sebastian County civil, domestic, and probate cases. Criminal cases require the JusticeWeb portal instead. Pre-2015 cases use the iSeries system noted above.
The Arkansas Crime Information Center handles statewide criminal history requests for authorized purposes. The Arkansas Secretary of State maintains business entity and UCC filing records. For property data, the ARCountyData.com portal provides free access to parcel records across all Arkansas counties. The Sebastian County website also links to online assessment tools for personal property. FOIA requests to any Sebastian County office must be submitted in writing. The county is required to respond within three business days under state law.
Nearby County Records
Sebastian County borders several other counties in western Arkansas. Each has its own public records offices.