Boone County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Boone County in 2026
Members of the public seeking divorce records in Boone County may access publicly available information through BooneARRecords.us and official government channels. Boone County divorce records may include final decrees, case filings, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and support determinations. Access to specific documents depends on the nature of the case and applicable confidentiality protections under Arkansas law.
Records can be searched through official resources including the Boone County Circuit Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Arkansas Judiciary's online case search portal, and the Arkansas Department of Health's vital records system. The following methods are available to members of the public at present.
Online Searches
1. Arkansas Judiciary CourtConnect Case Search
- The Arkansas Judiciary CourtConnect portal provides free public access to circuit court case information statewide, including Boone County divorce proceedings.
- Search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
- Basic case information is available at no charge; certified copies require payment.
2. Arkansas Vital Records
- The Arkansas vital records system, administered by the Arkansas Department of Health, maintains divorce records for dissolutions granted in the state.
- Divorce certificates are available for events recorded since 1923.
- Fees apply; online ordering is available through the Department of Health portal.
3. Arkansas Department of Health – Divorce Records
- Members of the public may order divorce records directly from the Arkansas Department of Health.
- The current fee is $10.00 per copy, with an additional $5.00 standard processing fee and a $1.85 non-refundable transaction fee for online orders.
In-Person Searches
Boone County Circuit Clerk – Family Division
Boone County Courthouse – Circuit Clerk's Office
100 N. Main Street
Harrison, AR 72601
Phone: (870) 741-5560
Boone County Circuit Clerk
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail requests to: Boone County Circuit Clerk, 100 N. Main Street, Harrison, AR 72601
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce or case number if known
- Requestor's name, mailing address, and contact information
- Specific documents requested
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time is typically one to two weeks for standard requests.
By Phone
Limited Information Available by Phone:
- Boone County Circuit Clerk: (870) 741-5560
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, verify case status, and confirm the filing date.
- Detailed document contents, copies of filings, and confidential information cannot be provided by telephone.
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Arkansas may access court records on behalf of a client, request documents from sealed or restricted files upon proper showing, and navigate complex or contested case files. The Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses, including maiden names where applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and county of marriage
- Prior addresses of either party in Boone County
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301, a divorce petition must be filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who cannot locate a record in Boone County should consider whether the divorce may have been filed in an adjacent county. The county where the marriage occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed.
Residency Requirement: Under current Arkansas law, at least one spouse must have resided in Arkansas for 60 days immediately preceding the filing of the divorce petition, and the divorce must be filed in the county of that spouse's residence.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces: Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to two weeks for records to be indexed and available electronically.
Older Divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be maintained in paper archives. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a written request to the Circuit Clerk's office.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a divorce record may not be located include searching the wrong county, name variations between married and maiden names, spelling differences in party names, a case that remains pending and has not been finalized, or records that have been sealed by court order. Members of the public experiencing difficulty locating a record should contact the Boone County Circuit Clerk at (870) 741-5560, attempt alternate name spellings, search both spouses' names independently, and check the Arkansas Department of Health's vital records database.
What Are Boone County Divorce Records?
Boone County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Boone County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent public court file maintained by the Circuit Clerk and document the legal dissolution of a marriage under Arkansas law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the following documents:
- Petition for divorce (complaint for dissolution of marriage)
- Summons and proof of service
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Motions, orders, and hearing notices
- Transcripts of court proceedings (if ordered)
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property and debts, any alimony or spousal support awarded, child custody and visitation arrangements where applicable, child support obligations, and any court-ordered name restoration.
Supporting Documents filed in the case record may include property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plans, child support calculation worksheets, qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) for retirement account division, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including proof of marital status for remarriage, name change documentation, immigration proceedings, Social Security benefit claims, estate planning, property transfer documentation, and genealogical research.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Boone County Circuit Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains a statewide registry of divorce certificates, which provides summary-level information about dissolutions recorded in Arkansas since 1923. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 9-12-317, the clerk of the court in which a divorce is granted is required to report the dissolution to the Arkansas Department of Health within 30 days of the final decree.
Are Boone County Divorce Records Public?
Boone County divorce records are public court records subject to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq., which establishes a presumption of public access to government records. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of most divorce case documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of both parties and attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and disposition
What May Be Restricted:
Financial information filed with the court is subject to redaction requirements. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers must be redacted from publicly accessible documents under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19. Detailed financial statements and tax returns may be subject to limited access upon motion of either party.
Information concerning minor children is afforded heightened protection. The addresses and schools of children, psychological evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and child custody evaluations may be sealed or restricted by court order. Domestic violence allegations, mental health records, substance abuse treatment information, and the personal addresses of domestic violence victims may also be withheld from public access.
Sealed Records: A court may seal divorce records in whole or in part upon a showing of good cause. High-profile cases, cases involving abuse, and cases with confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents subject to restricted public access.
- Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon proper showing.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; sealed records require a court order.
Prohibited Uses: Members of the public may not use divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or violation of any protective order issued by the court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Boone County?
The current fee structure for obtaining divorce records in Boone County is governed by Arkansas law and applicable court rules. Fees vary depending on the source of the record and the format requested.
Boone County Circuit Clerk – Copy Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $5.00–$10.00 per document |
| Certification seal | Included with certified copy fee |
| Public access terminal use | No charge |
Arkansas Department of Health – Divorce Certificate Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (per copy) | $10.00 |
| Online processing fee | $5.00 |
| Non-refundable transaction fee (online) | $1.85 |
| Additional copies ordered at same time | $10.00 each |
Fees at the Circuit Clerk's office are payable by cash, check, or money order made payable to the Boone County Circuit Clerk. The Arkansas Department of Health accepts credit and debit card payments for online orders. Fee waiver provisions may be available to indigent parties upon filing of an affidavit of indigency with the court; members of the public seeking a fee waiver should contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly.
Inspection of public court records at the courthouse is available at no charge. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested. Under current Arkansas law, the Circuit Clerk is authorized to establish reasonable copy fees consistent with Arkansas Code § 25-19-109, which governs the recovery of actual costs associated with producing public records.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Boone County
A complete Boone County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Circuit Court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The scope of the file depends on whether the case was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic Case Information includes the case caption with case number, court name and division, names of petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and attorneys of record, along with the filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis.
Initial Pleadings consist of the petition for divorce setting forth the grounds for dissolution, the respondent's answer or counterpetition, and financial affidavits from both parties disclosing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Property-Related Documents include inventories of marital assets and debts, real property appraisals, business valuations, retirement account statements, and any qualified domestic relations orders entered to divide retirement benefits.
Children-Related Documents, where applicable, include the parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the timesharing schedule, child support calculation worksheets, any custody evaluations ordered by the court, and guardian ad litem reports. These documents may be subject to partial or full sealing.
Settlement Documents include the marital settlement agreement, if the parties resolved issues by agreement, and any mediation agreement incorporated into the final order. Mediation communications themselves are confidential and do not appear in the public record.
Court Orders and Judgments include temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case, the final judgment of divorce, and any post-judgment orders addressing modifications to custody, support, or property matters.
Post-Judgment Documents may include petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions for non-compliance, income deduction orders for support enforcement, and lien filings related to unpaid obligations.
What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence evidence and victim addresses
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Sealed settlement terms and mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Boone County?
Proof of divorce in Boone County is obtained through either a certified copy of the final decree from the Boone County Circuit Clerk or a divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health. A certified copy of the final decree carries the court's official seal and constitutes legally recognized proof of dissolution for remarriage, name change, immigration, and other legal purposes.
To obtain a certified copy of the final decree from the Circuit Clerk:
- Contact the Boone County Circuit Clerk at (870) 741-5560 or visit the office at 100 N. Main Street, Harrison, AR 72601.
- Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of divorce or case number.
- Pay the applicable certification fee at the time of request.
- In-person requests are typically fulfilled same day; mail requests require one to two weeks.
To obtain a divorce certificate from the Arkansas Department of Health:
- Members of the public may order divorce records online through the Arkansas Department of Health's vital records portal.
- The current fee is $10.00 per copy plus applicable processing fees.
- Requests may also be submitted by mail to:
Arkansas Department of Health – Vital Records
4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 661-2336
Arkansas Vital Records
A divorce certificate from the Department of Health provides summary information including the names of the parties, the county of divorce, and the date of dissolution. It does not contain the full terms of the decree. For legal proceedings requiring the complete court order, a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk is the appropriate document.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Boone County?
A divorce proceeding in Boone County may be partially or fully confidential under specific circumstances recognized by Arkansas law and Arkansas Supreme Court rules. Confidentiality is not automatic; it requires a court order based on a demonstrated legal basis.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be sealed or restricted include:
- Domestic violence cases: The addresses and identifying information of domestic violence victims may be withheld from public access to protect victim safety.
- Children's sensitive information: Psychological evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order to protect the best interests of minor children.
- Financial account information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar identifiers are subject to mandatory redaction under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are excluded from the public record.
- Court-ordered sealing: Either party may file a motion requesting that specific documents or the entire case file be sealed. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Boone County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court rules on such requests on a case-by-case basis, with notice provided to the parties of record.
How Long Does Boone County Keep Divorce Records?
Boone County divorce records are maintained for extended periods consistent with Arkansas court records retention requirements and the permanent nature of final judgments.
Retention periods for different categories of divorce records currently in effect include:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. Final divorce decrees constitute permanent court records and are not subject to destruction under Arkansas court records retention schedules.
- Complete case files (contested cases): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention of the final judgment.
- Complete case files (uncontested cases): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; may be purged from the file after the retention period while the final judgment is preserved.
- Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule.
- Arkansas Department of Health divorce certificates: Maintained permanently in the statewide vital records registry.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than 10 years ago should contact the Boone County Circuit Clerk directly, as older paper records may be archived off-site and require additional retrieval time. The Arkansas State Archives may also hold historical court records for cases of significant age. Retention requirements are established under Arkansas court administrative rules and applicable state records management statutes.