Have you ever doubted whether your divorced fiance is leading a double life or not? Have you ever considered of verifying the background of the person before you commit yourself? It might be impossible to ask the question directly when you are already dating. It would be so much better if you could do the fact-finding secretly, just in case.
You are lucky, because this is precisely what you can do in Arkansas. You can access the divorce records to discover the truth. Divorce records are accessed for various reasons. You may want to access the record for a confirmation of the marital status of your partner, you may want to get the decree of your own divorce so that you can keep it in the file, and you may access the record for genealogy research.
The State of Arkansas maintains divorce records issued on or after 1923 at the Arkansas Vital Records office. So this means that, you cannot trace the divorce records preceding 1923 here. This office does not keep the original divorce decree, but will give you a copy of divorce in manuscript form – this is accepted at all government offices. To get a copy of the original document, you must request directly to the County Clerk or the Circuit Clerk office.
As per the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA), the state and the county offices are obliged to maintain the vital records which are inclusive of the divorce records.
You should realize that you cannot know the entire information that is there in the record. For example, you cannot know the ground of divorce, and the settlement issues such as the division of asset and liabilities, issues of child support and visitation rights, and alimony. You can at most know the date and the place of the divorce. You can get a conformation on whether the person is divorced or not.
According to the Arkansas state laws, there are prohibitions on who can access the divorce records. The state court allows access only to those who have been named in the decree, their assigned delegates, academic research groups, and anyone who can show a right to see. You need to furnish a properly authenticated photo ID with your request. You also must mention the reason why you want to view the record.
You need to fill out an application form where you must mention the husband's and wife's names, her maiden name, date and county of the divorce, your relationship to any one person, and your motive. Once you have filled out the form, you will need to mail it, or you should bring it in person to the Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Section office. You can make payment by check, money order, or by credit card if you are applying over the phone.
Arkansas Dept. of Health
4850 W. Markham
Phone: (888) 803-1118
To obtain Arkansas divorce decrees follow the instructions below:
Step 1.
Download and complete the Arkansas Divorce Record Application.
Step 2.
Fill out the form completely and include names of husband, wife, wife's maiden name, date and county of divorce, your relationship to the parties on the divorce, and reason for request.
Step 3.
Mail or bring your form to the Arkansas Dept. of Health, Vital Records Section, or place your order by phone, along with a $10.00 fee to the address below. Payment can be made by check, money order, or by credit card number via phone.
For more information contact the office below:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Statistics Section
4850 W. Markham
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (888) 803-1118
Information About Arkansas Divorce Records
The State of Arkansas keeps divorce records issued on or after 1923 in the Arkansas Vital Records office. Divorce records prior to 1923 are not recorded in the office of vital records. The Arkansas Vital Record office does not store the actual divorce decree, but will issue a copy of the divorce in paper form accepted by all state government offices. A copy of the original document must be made directly to the County Clerk or Circuit Clerk office.
Who May Obtain Arkansas Divorce Documents?
Arkansas state law forbids divorce records to be released to the general public, and restricts access to only the specific persons in the decree, their designated representatives, academic research groups, and anyone who can demonstrate a right to the record.
Information Required for Arkansas Divorce Records
Requests for Arkansas divorce records must include the full name of the husband, full name of the wife including maiden name, date and county of divorce, your relationship to the parties on the divorce certificate, reason for request, and a check or money order in the amount of $10.00
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