Union County Public Records Lookup
Union County public records are held at offices in El Dorado, the county seat in south Arkansas. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, and sheriff each keep separate files covering court cases, land recordings, vital records, and arrest data. This page explains how to find Union County public records at each office, what fees apply, and which online tools offer free access to court cases, property information, and criminal records from home.
Union County Records Overview
Union County Circuit Clerk Court Records
The Union County Circuit Clerk's office is at 101 North Washington, Suite 201, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730-5661. Phone: (870) 864-1940. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The circuit clerk handles felony criminal cases, divorce proceedings, custody cases, child support matters, eviction cases, and contract disputes. This office also acts as ex-officio recorder, meaning deeds, mortgages, and land instruments are recorded here. Court filing fees are $165.00 for a new case and $50.00 to reopen a closed case. Summons and subpoenas cost $2.50 each. Writs and executions are $20.00. Recording instrument fees are $15.00 for one page and $5.00 for each additional page. As of March 21, 2021, the office accepts non-monetary filings through the e-filing Lite program. eRecording services are available through Corporation Service Company (CSC), Simplifile, and eRecording Partners Network (ePN).
The screenshot below is from the Union County Circuit Clerk page on the county's official website.
Free public case searches are available through Arkansas CourtConnect. You can search by name or case number and view filing dates, case types, and outcomes for most court cases in Union County. Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, the county must respond to written records requests within three business days.
Union County Clerk Vital and Probate Records
The Union County Clerk is Taylor Castleberry. Address: 101 North Washington, Suite 102, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730-5661. Phone: (870) 864-1910. Fax: (870) 864-1927. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on federal and state holidays, except Columbus Day.
Marriage records at this office go back to 1885. Marriage licenses cost $60.00 cash only. Both parties must appear in person with a government-issued photo ID. The license must be obtained at least one day before the ceremony and is valid for 60 days. Copies of marriage licenses cost $1.00. Certified copies are $5.00. Probate records include decedent estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Probate case filing is $165.00. Small estate filings are $30.00 for county court cases. Assumed name (DBA) filings are $26.00.
The screenshot below is from the Union County Clerk page, which lists all services and fee information.
Other records managed by this office include county court orders, proclamations, contracts, leases, annexations, quorum court ordinances and minutes, voter registration, and county financial records. Copies are generally $1.00 per page. Certification adds a $5.00 fee. Mail requests should be sent to Suite 102 with payment by money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Adoption records are sealed under Arkansas law and not available to the general public.
Union County Property Records
The Union County Assessor's office is at 101 North Washington, Suite 107, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730-5661. Phone: (870) 864-1920. Fax: (870) 864-1926. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The screenshot below is from the Union County Assessor page, which links to online property assessment and real estate search tools.
The assessor appraises all real property in Union County between the first Monday of January and July 1. Personal property must be assessed between the first Monday of January and May 31. Arkansas sets assessed value at 20% of market value. A 10% late penalty applies to personal property not assessed by the deadline. The office maintains property ownership records and determines assessed values for tax purposes. Links to "Search Assessor's Real Estate Records" and "Assess Property Tax Online" are available from the county website. The $600 homestead credit is available for qualifying primary residences, and eligible seniors or fully disabled property owners can freeze their taxable assessed value.
Union County Arrest Records and Sheriff
The Union County Sheriff is Charlie Phillips. Main office: 250 American Road, El Dorado, AR 71730. Main phone: (870) 864-1970. Fax: (870) 864-1992. Detention Center: (870) 864-1987. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitation at the detention center is every day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
The detention center at 250 American Road has a capacity of 346 inmates and 213 beds. The Sheriff's Office provides several online tools through the Citizen Connect portal, including interactive crime maps with heat maps, daily incident reports, inmate search, active calls display, and an anonymous tip submission form. Warrant checks and sex offender registry lookups are also available. These tools make it relatively easy to look up basic arrest and incident data without contacting the office directly.
The screenshot below is from the Union County Sheriff's Office website, which hosts the Citizen Connect portal and online search tools.
For formal statewide criminal history checks, contact the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC). State prison inmate records are available through the Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search. FOIA requests to the Sheriff's Office can be submitted in person or by written mail request.
El Dorado City Records
El Dorado city records are at City Hall, 204 North West Ave., El Dorado, AR 71731. City Clerk phone: (870) 881-4877. Fax: (870) 881-4164. Email: cityclerk@eldoradoar.org. City Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM. Mayor Paul Choate leads the city government.
The city clerk maintains ordinances, resolutions, and city council meeting minutes through a public document search portal at the city website. For residents of El Dorado seeking court cases, property records, or marriage certificates, those are handled by the county and state offices listed on this page. The El Dorado Police Department non-emergency number is (870) 881-4800. Police reports and arrest records from the city can be requested from the police department directly.
Nearby County Records
Union County is in south Arkansas and shares borders with five neighboring counties. Each has its own public records system.