Arkansas ranks 2nd out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#4of 51
Speed#9of 51
Ease of ordering#1of 51
Birth certificates #1 of 51
Cost
$12 first copy, $10 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 7–14 business days; mail: 10–14 days; in person: same day if you arrive by 4 p.m.
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office in Little Rock or a local health unit
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from February 1914
Marriage records #2 of 51
Cost
$10 first copy, $10 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 7–14 business days; mail: 10–14 days; in person: same day if you arrive by 4 p.m.
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office (walk-in in Little Rock only)
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State marriage coupons from 1917; full copies from the County Clerk
Divorce records #2 of 51
Cost
$10 first copy, $10 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 7–14 business days; mail: 10–14 days; in person: same day if you arrive by 4 p.m.
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office (walk-in in Little Rock only)
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State divorce coupons from 1923; full decrees from the Circuit or Chancery Clerk
Death certificates #1 of 51
Cost
$10 first copy, $8 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 7–14 business days; mail: 10–14 days; in person: same day if you arrive by 4 p.m.
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office (walk-in in Little Rock only)
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from February 1914
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Arkansas birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get an Arkansas birth certificate?
A certified Arkansas birth certificate costs $12 for the first copy and $10 for each extra copy ordered at the same time from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Order online or by phone (typically 7–14 business days plus shipping), by mail (about 10–14 days plus mail time), or in person at ADH in Little Rock or a local health unit, where most requests are filled the same day.
Arkansas birth records: ordering details
Who can order
The person named on the certificate (16 or older), their mother, their father if named on the certificate, a child, spouse, maternal grandparent or grandchild, or a guardian with legal papers. See the ADH eligible individuals list.
Fee
$12 for the first certified copy, $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Extras: online and phone orders add a $5 processing fee and a $1.85 identity verification fee (neither is refunded), plus any expedited shipping you choose. If no record is found, ADH keeps $12 as a search fee and refunds the rest.
How to order
Online:ADH’s online Vital Records ordering (ar.gov/vitalrecords), or by phone at (866) 209-9482. Pay by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express; expedited shipping options are available. By mail: the birth certificate application (also in Spanish, and at local health units), a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order to “Arkansas Department of Health” (no cash or temporary checks) to Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. In person: ADH Vital Records, 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock (across from War Memorial Stadium), Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Most requests are filled the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Pay by cash, card, check or money order. You can also order at your local health unit; ADH offers vital records services in every county.
ID needed
A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a U.S. driver’s license or state ID card, a passport, a tribal ID or a U.S. military ID with your signature. If you don’t have one, ADH may accept two other documents that together show your current address and signature. See the ADH ID requirements. All requests, including online ones, require identity verification.
Processing time
Online or phone: typically 7–14 business days from when the order is approved, plus shipping. Mail: ADH’s order page says to allow 10–14 days for processing plus mail time (its application says 7–14 days). In person: most requests the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Estimate: plan on about 3 weeks for a mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
The state has birth records from February 1, 1914, with only a limited number filed before then (plus some original Little Rock and Fort Smith records from 1881). Same-day walk-in service isn’t guaranteed for genealogy requests before 1935.
Tip: Your local health unit can take your order in person, which can save a trip to Little Rock. Bring a photo ID that shows your signature, and arrive early in the day.
A certified Arkansas death certificate costs $10 for the first copy and $8 for each extra copy ordered at the same time from the Arkansas Department of Health. Order online or by phone (typically 7–14 business days plus shipping), by mail (about 10–14 days plus mail time), or in person at ADH Vital Records in Little Rock.
Arkansas death records: ordering details
Who can order
The mother, the father if named on the birth certificate, a child, spouse, grandchild or maternal grandparent of the person who died, the informant on the certificate, the funeral home, or a beneficiary with proper papers.
Fee
$10 for the first certified copy, $8 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Extras: online and phone orders add a $5 processing fee and a $1.85 identity verification fee (neither is refunded), plus any expedited shipping you choose. If no record is found, ADH keeps $10 as a search fee and refunds the rest.
How to order
Online:ADH’s online Vital Records ordering (ar.gov/vitalrecords), or by phone at (866) 209-9482. Pay by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express; expedited shipping options are available. By mail: the death certificate application (also in Spanish), a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order to “Arkansas Department of Health” (no cash or temporary checks) to Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. In person: ADH Vital Records, 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock (across from War Memorial Stadium), Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Most requests are filled the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Pay by cash, card, check or money order.
ID needed
A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a U.S. driver’s license or state ID card, a passport, a tribal ID or a U.S. military ID with your signature. If you don’t have one, ADH may accept two other documents that together show your current address and signature. See the ADH ID requirements. All requests, including online ones, require identity verification.
Processing time
Online or phone: typically 7–14 business days from when the order is approved, plus shipping. Mail: ADH’s order page says to allow 10–14 days for processing plus mail time (its application says 7–14 days). In person: most requests the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Estimate: plan on about 3 weeks for a mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
The state has death records from February 1, 1914, with only a limited number filed before then (plus some original Little Rock and Fort Smith records from 1881).
Tip: Order all the copies you’ll need at once: extra copies are $8 each instead of $10. Online orders add $6.85 in fees, so the mail and walk-in options cost less.
The Arkansas Department of Health issues certified copies of the state marriage coupon for $10 per copy, for marriages from 1917 on. Order online or by phone, by mail, or in person in Little Rock. A full certified copy of the marriage license comes from the county clerk in the county that issued it.
Arkansas marriage records: ordering details
State coupon vs. county license
State marriage coupon: a certified record of the marriage filed with ADH, available from 1917 on. Full copy of the license: from the county clerk in the county where the license was issued.
Who can order
From ADH: a person named on the coupon (16 or older), their mother, their father if named on their birth certificate, a child or a grandchild, or a maternal grandparent. The application asks your relationship and reason. County copies: ask the county clerk.
Fee
State coupon: $10 for each copy. Extras: online and phone orders add a $5 processing fee and a $1.85 identity verification fee (neither is refunded), plus any expedited shipping you choose. If no record is found, ADH keeps $10 as a search fee and refunds the rest. County license copy: set by the county clerk.
How to order
Online:ADH’s online Vital Records ordering (ar.gov/vitalrecords), or by phone at (866) 209-9482. Pay by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express; expedited shipping options are available. By mail: the marriage coupon application, a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order to “Arkansas Department of Health” (no cash or temporary checks) to Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. In person: ADH Vital Records, 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock (across from War Memorial Stadium), Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Most requests are filled the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Pay by cash, card, check or money order. Full license copy: contact the county clerk where the license was issued.
ID needed
A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a U.S. driver’s license or state ID card, a passport, a tribal ID or a U.S. military ID with your signature. If you don’t have one, ADH may accept two other documents that together show your current address and signature. See the ADH ID requirements. All requests, including online ones, require identity verification.
Processing time
State coupon: Online or phone: typically 7–14 business days from when the order is approved, plus shipping. Mail: ADH’s order page says to allow 10–14 days for processing plus mail time (its application says 7–14 days). In person: most requests the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Estimate: plan on about 3 weeks for a mail order to arrive. County copy: varies by county.
Older records
The state has marriage coupons from 1917 on. For earlier marriages, and for full copies of any license, contact the county clerk in the county where the license was issued. ADH asks that family history requests be made by mail or online.
Tip: Have the county where the license was issued ready: the state application asks for it, and it’s also the county clerk to contact for a full copy.
The Arkansas Department of Health issues certified copies of the state divorce coupon for $10 per copy, for divorces from 1923 on. Order online or by phone, by mail, or in person in Little Rock. A full certified copy of the divorce decree comes from the circuit clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Arkansas divorce records: ordering details
State coupon vs. decree
State divorce coupon: a certified record of the divorce filed with ADH, available from 1923 on. Full copy of the decree: from the circuit or chancery clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Who can order
From ADH: a person named on the coupon (16 or older), their mother, their father if named on their birth certificate, a child or a grandchild, or a maternal grandparent. Decree copies: ask the county clerk’s office that holds the case.
Fee
State coupon: $10 for each copy. Extras: online and phone orders add a $5 processing fee and a $1.85 identity verification fee (neither is refunded), plus any expedited shipping you choose. If no record is found, ADH keeps $10 as a search fee and refunds the rest. Decree: set by the circuit clerk.
How to order
Online:ADH’s online Vital Records ordering (ar.gov/vitalrecords), or by phone at (866) 209-9482. Pay by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express; expedited shipping options are available. By mail: the divorce coupon application, a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order to “Arkansas Department of Health” (no cash or temporary checks) to Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. In person: ADH Vital Records, 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock (across from War Memorial Stadium), Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Most requests are filled the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Pay by cash, card, check or money order. Decree: contact the circuit clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
ID needed
A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a U.S. driver’s license or state ID card, a passport, a tribal ID or a U.S. military ID with your signature. If you don’t have one, ADH may accept two other documents that together show your current address and signature. See the ADH ID requirements. All requests, including online ones, require identity verification.
Processing time
State coupon: Online or phone: typically 7–14 business days from when the order is approved, plus shipping. Mail: ADH’s order page says to allow 10–14 days for processing plus mail time (its application says 7–14 days). In person: most requests the same day if you arrive by 4 p.m. Estimate: plan on about 3 weeks for a mail order to arrive. Decree: varies by county.
Older records
The state has divorce coupons from 1923 on. For earlier divorces, and for full decrees, contact the circuit or chancery clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Tip: Have the county where the divorce was granted ready: the state application asks for it, and that county’s circuit clerk holds the full decree.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Arkansas records people search for
Official Arkansas sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Arkansas public records
While some states have adopted public records laws that provide wide access to these documents to anyone, regardless of whether they live in the state or not, Arkansas has opted for more limited access to its public records. Under the original Freedom of Information Act, passed in 1968, only residents of the state could access records, as the state authorities aimed to curb the risks of people disseminating and abusing public record information outside the state. However, federal courts have ruled that such a limitation of access to information runs counter to federal law, so Arkansas, like other states with a limited access legislation, have allowed for non-state residents to access their public records upon request. One thing to note, however, is that there are restrictions as to what constitutes public record; for birth and death certificates, a certain period has to pass before they become public records. See more on that below.
The Arkansas FOIA defines as public record “any writing, sound or video that reflects the performance or lack of performance of an official function”. The open access regime for documents falling under this definition also concerns public meetings, with a special open-meetings provision for government agencies that meet to make decisions on the behalf of the public.
Arkansas Vital Records
Vital records in Arkansas are stored at and managed by the state Department of Health. Arkansas birth records are only provided to either the person whose birth record it is or their parents. If you are neither, you will be asked to supply a valid reason for accessing the documents, such as academic research, for instance. In fact, birth records are not even considered public records until 100 years have passed from the date of issuance of any given certificate. After that, anyone can access them. What this means is that birth records from 1914 are openly accessible from this year on. Request for a copy of a birth certificate can be made either at an office of the Vital Records unit of the ADH or through an express service. Costs for copies of these records can vary, but in general cannot be deemed "excessive" relative to the actual cost of retrieval to the agency.
The procedure is much faster for death certificates -- you can order the issuance of a certified copy online, using the tool provided on the ADH website. However, this only applies to death certificates created between 1935 and 1961. These documents automatically become public records 50 years after being issued. Certified copies of death certificates can also be ordered and collected from the office for a small fee.
If you need to get a copy of an Arkansas marriage license or a divorce decree, you will have to contact the office of the County Clerk or Circuit Clerk for the area in which the marriage/divorce took place. However, the ADH’s Vital Records could issue certified copies of the marriage/divorce certificates in hard copy. This type of document is also accepted by all state and federal authorities. Like with birth certificates, the persons eligible for access to these records should either be directly related to one of the names on them, or prove legitimate interest. It is probably worth noting for those doing historical research, that the ADH only stores marriage records from 1917 onwards, and divorce records from 1923 onwards.
Arkansas Court Records
Most court records in Arkansas are held at Circuit Courts and there are online search resources for these, although only available for a limited amount of such information. At the Administrative Office of the Courts you can search for specific cases by a person’s name or a business name, by date of birth or license plate number, and also by county, by date of filing, by case ID and by citation number. However, information is only openly available for cases heard at the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, as well as for a list of District Courts and Circuit Courts, available on the AOC website.
Arkansas Criminal Records
Criminal records fall, hardly surprisingly, within the scope of work of the Arkansas State Police. Anyone can request a copy of their own criminal record after filling out a standard form and submitting it to the ASP along with an administrative fee. Among the types of information available in criminal records are convictions for felony and misdemeanor crimes and whether someone is a registered sex offender. These are all public records, but if you are an investigative journalist and need information about pending charges for misdemeanors or arrests related to cases that have been dismissed or acquitted, you are out of luck as only law enforcement professionals have access to this information.
Business Records
Business records in Arkansas are openly available from the Secretary of State Business and Commercial Services, which handles business registrations and a range of related services. On the website of the agency you can search for and obtain information about business entity registration, trademarks, notary public certifications, and any other relevant information about business entities and non-profit organizations.
Historical Records
For those doing historical research for academic or literary purposes, the Arkansas History Commission is the place to go for county court records, marriage certificates, wills, deeds, and probate and tax records. You can request a photocopy of the document you need using the request form on the agency’s website and the History Commission will send it to you by mail.
