Van Buren County Public Records
Van Buren County public records are maintained in Clinton, the county seat since Van Buren County was formed in 1833. Clinton is located in north-central Arkansas in the Arkansas River Valley region. The county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, and sheriff each hold records covering court cases, land transactions, vital records, and arrest data. This page covers how to find Van Buren County public records at each office, what it costs, and what free online tools are available. Note: Van Buren County is not the same as the city of Van Buren, which is the county seat of Crawford County.
Van Buren County Records Overview
Van Buren County Circuit Clerk Court Records
The Van Buren County Circuit Clerk is Debbie Gray. Address: 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031. Phone: (501) 745-4140. Fax: (501) 745-3039. Email: gray.circuitclerkvbc@gmail.com. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The circuit clerk holds civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile court records for Van Buren County. Divorce filings, felony cases, child custody matters, and related court documents are all kept here. As ex-officio county recorder, the office also records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land instruments. Recording fees are $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. New court case filing fees are $165.00. Certified copies are available at the office window. E-filing has been required for attorneys in Arkansas circuit courts since March 2019. In-person and mail requests for copies are accepted by the public. Include a description of the record, the names of the parties, and the case number if known.
For free online court searches, use Arkansas CourtConnect. You can search by name or case number and see case status, filing dates, and outcomes for Van Buren County circuit court cases. Under Arkansas Code 25-19-105, the county must respond to all written public records requests within three business days.
Van Buren County Clerk Vital Records
The Van Buren County Clerk is Pam Bradford. Address: 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031. Phone: (501) 745-6995. Fax: (501) 745-3039. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The county clerk holds marriage licenses, probate court records, voter registration, DBA filings, quorum court minutes, and county court orders. Marriage licenses cost $60.00. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification. There is no waiting period for adults 18 and older. Licenses are valid for 60 days from issue. Certified copies of marriage licenses are $5.00 each. Copy costs for most county documents run $1.00 per page with a $5.00 certification fee on top. Mail requests should be sent to the Main Street address with payment by money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Probate records for decedent estates, guardianships, and adoptions are also managed by the county clerk. Probate case filing is $165.00. Adoption records are sealed under Arkansas law. The county clerk also manages DBA business name filings. Most county clerk records can be viewed in person during normal business hours without an appointment.
Van Buren County Property and Assessor Records
The Van Buren County Assessor is Emma R. Smiley. Address: 1414 HWY 65 South Ste. 117, Clinton, AR 72031. Phone: (501) 745-2464. Fax: (501) 745-3039. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The assessor appraises and values all real and personal property in Van Buren County. Real property assessment runs from the first Monday of January through July 1. Personal property must be assessed by May 31. A 10% late penalty applies if personal property is not assessed by the deadline. Arkansas law values property at 20% of market value for tax purposes. The $600 homestead credit is available for qualifying primary residences. Owners who are 65 or older or 100% disabled may be eligible for a freeze on their taxable assessed value.
The screenshot below is from the Van Buren County page on ARCountyData.com, which provides free property searches including owner name, parcel number, and address lookups.
ARCountyData.com shows assessed values, ownership history, legal descriptions, and tax information for Van Buren County parcels at no cost. Property tax collections in Van Buren County run March 1 through October 15. The County Collector is Laura Shannon. Phone: (501) 745-8550. Email: vbctaxes@gmail.com. Address: 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Van Buren County Tax Payment Portal
Van Buren County offers online tax payments through a county service portal. The screenshot below is from the Van Buren County online tax payment portal.
The online tax payment system accepts credit and debit cards. A convenience fee of 2.45% applies, with a minimum charge of $1.50. You can look up your account, see the balance due, and pay online without mailing a check. This tool is useful if you need to confirm payment status before a real estate transaction or verify your tax records are current.
The Van Buren County Treasurer is Mistie Wilson. Address: 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031. Phone: (501) 745-2400. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Treasurer manages county fund disbursements and financial records.
Van Buren County Arrest Records and Sheriff
The Van Buren County Sheriff is Eddie Howard. Address: 184 Detention Drive, Clinton, AR 72031. Phone: (501) 745-2112. Fax: (501) 745-3039. For emergencies, call 911.
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and the jail roster for Van Buren County. These records are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. You can request them in person at the Detention Drive address or send a written mail request. Include the full name of the subject, the date of the incident if known, and a description of what record you need. FOIA requests must receive a response within three business days.
For statewide criminal history checks, use the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC). The Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search covers state prison populations. The Arkansas Secretary of State maintains UCC filings and business entity records for Van Buren County businesses.
Note: Birth and death certificates for events in Van Buren County are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, not the county clerk's office.
Nearby County Records
Van Buren County is in north-central Arkansas and borders several counties. Each has its own records offices in Clinton or the respective county seat.