Introduction to Arkansas Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Arkansas Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure.

Arkansas Divorce certificates have been maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health for individuals divorced in the state of Arkansas since 1923.

Arkansas Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

By Arkansas state law, Arkansas Divorce certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Arkansas Divorce Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Arkansas Divorce Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Arkansas Divorce Certificate 
• Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Arkansas Divorce Certificate 
• Sister/Brother of Person Named on the Arkansas Divorce Certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Arkansas Divorce Certificate

Arkansas Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain an Arkansas Divorce Certificate, 50 years or later from the date of the Divorce for genealogy or other reasons.

Arkansas Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Arkansas Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Arkansas Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Arkansas Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Arkansas Divorce Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Arkansas Divorce certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Arkansas Divorce certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Arkansas Divorce certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Arkansas Divorce certificate
• Date of Divorce on the Arkansas Divorce certificate
• County (or city) of Divorce on the Arkansas Divorce certificate
• Your name
• Your signature
• Your relationship to the person whose Arkansas Divorce certificate you are requesting
• Address where the Arkansas Divorce certificate is to be mailed
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

 

Vital Records Section-Slot 44

Date 4815 West Markham Street

Little Rock, AR 72205

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Arkansas: You may go to any county health department in the State of Arkansas to obtain a certified copy of an Arkansas Divorce certificate. Most Arkansas Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Arkansas Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Arkansas Divorce certificate is $10.00, which includes one certified copy of the Arkansas Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Arkansas Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $8.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Arkansas Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.