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How to Find Public Records in Clark County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Clark County, Arkansas may access publicly available information through ClarkCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to a range of official record categories. Public records in Clark County encompass documents created or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business, and availability is subject to applicable state and local law. The types of records that may be found through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
Business licenses and fictitious name filings
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access: The Clark County Arkansas official government website provides online portals for property tax payments, real estate record searches, property assessments, and marriage license lookups. No registration is required to use the county's public search tools. Court records are accessible statewide through the Arkansas judiciary case search portal, which allows searches by party name, case number, or filing date without requiring an account.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Clark County Circuit Clerk's Office or the County Assessor's Office. The Circuit Clerk serves as the ex-officio county recorder and maintains court filings, land records, and related documents. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requester's name, a description of the records sought, and a preferred method of delivery. Under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-105, agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email: The Clark County Circuit Clerk's Office may be reached by phone at (870) 246-4281. Email contact options are available through the county's official web portal.

What Are Public Records in Clark County?

Public records in Clark County are defined under Arkansas law as writings, recorded sounds, films, tapes, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilations in any medium required by law to be kept or otherwise kept and that constitute a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions. Under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-103, all records maintained by public bodies are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies.

The following record types are maintained by Clark County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Clark County Circuit Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Circuit Clerk (ex-officio recorder)
Property assessments	County Assessor
Marriage licenses	County Clerk
Divorce decrees	Circuit Clerk
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk
Tax records	County Collector/Assessor
Voting and election records	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Clerk
Arrest logs and incident reports	Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Planning Office

The Circuit Clerk, as ex-officio county recorder, is the primary custodian of recorded instruments affecting real property, court judgments, and related legal documents.

Is Clark County an Open Records County?

Clark County operates in full compliance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which establishes the right of the public to inspect and copy government records. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, all public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas during the regular business hours of the custodian of the records.

As stated in the Arkansas Attorney General's guidance on the Freedom of Information Act: "The FOIA reflects a legislative determination that the public interest in knowing what government is doing outweighs the inconvenience to government of making its records available." This principle governs how Clark County agencies respond to records requests.

The Arkansas FOIA applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and agencies. Clark County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all public records access. The Arkansas Attorney General's office publishes interpretive guidance and opinions that clarify how the FOIA applies to specific situations, and county agencies are expected to follow that guidance.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clark County?

The current fee structure for public records in Clark County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Members of the public are not charged a fee to inspect records in person; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Standard Copy Fees:

Service	Fee
Paper copies (black and white)	$0.25 per page (standard)
Certified copies of court documents	$5.00 per document (Circuit Clerk)
Certified copies of recorded instruments	$5.00 for first page, $2.00 each additional page
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies by office
Search fees	Not permitted under Arkansas FOIA for standard requests

Under Arkansas FOIA, agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproduction and are prohibited from charging fees for the time spent searching for or reviewing records. Accepted payment methods at the Circuit Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requesters should confirm accepted payment methods prior to submitting a request.

Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by the Arkansas FOIA for private requesters, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as requests made in the public interest.

Does Clark County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Clark County government offices during regular business hours. Under Arkansas law, any person may inspect public records without charge; fees apply only to physical or electronic copies.

The following free resources are available to the public:

The Clark County government portal provides free online access to property tax records, real estate record searches, and property assessment data without requiring registration or payment.
The Arkansas judiciary online case search allows free public access to court case information, including case status, party names, and filing dates, for most civil and criminal matters.
The Search ARCourts platform links to documents for some public court records, allowing members of the public to view actual filings in a case at no cost.
Public access terminals are available at the Circuit Clerk's Office for in-person review of recorded documents and court filings at no charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Clark County?

Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, any citizen of the State of Arkansas has the right to inspect and copy public records. Arkansas courts have interpreted this provision broadly, and in practice, non-residents and organizations also submit records requests that agencies routinely fulfill.

Requesters are not required to:

Demonstrate residency in Clark County or Arkansas
Provide government-issued identification for standard records requests
State the purpose for which the records are sought
Justify the request or demonstrate a personal interest in the records

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Requests for records containing personal identifying information, sealed court files, or records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requester to demonstrate a legal basis for access or to submit a formal written request. Individuals seeking their own records—such as personal court filings or property records—follow the same process as any other requester, though additional verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal data.

Non-residents retain practical access to most Clark County public records, particularly through online portals and written requests, even though the Arkansas FOIA's express citizen language has historically been interpreted to include non-residents in agency practice.

What Records Are Confidential in Clark County?

Not all government records in Clark County are open to public inspection. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt records, and additional exemptions appear in other state and federal statutes. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b), the following categories of records are exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Arkansas juvenile justice statutes.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with a pending investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or charges are filed.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services.
Personnel records: Employee evaluations, medical information, and certain disciplinary records are exempt, though employment applications and base salary information remain public.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

As noted in the Arkansas Attorney General's FOIA handbook: "The exemptions in the FOIA are to be narrowly construed, and the burden is on the custodian to justify withholding records." Agencies must identify the specific statutory basis for any denial of access.

Clark County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Clark County Circuit Clerk (Ex-Officio County Recorder)
401 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
(870) 246-4281
Clark County Circuit Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Clark County Assessor's Office
401 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
(870) 246-4431
Clark County Arkansas – Official County Government Website

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Clark County Collector's Office
401 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
(870) 246-4349
Clark County Arkansas – Official County Government Website