The Arkansas Freedom of information Act has been in effect since 1967. It indicates that any function performed by a government employee should be a matter of public record. So they strive to keep the government transparent to the citizens. At www.allfreerecords.com you can access, or find out how to access, federal, state and county records.
There are records that have special exemptions from public viewing. The reasons for this are easy to understand if you look at what they entail. These records include:
But if a public record is not available for immediate viewing it must be made available to you within three days.
The Arkansas Menu here has a convenient county list to make searching easier. There are also court records, along with Genealogy, Military, Jail, and sex offenders records.
You will also find information on laws, history, and the cities in each county.
Arkansas public record searches are extraordinarily organized online. This site is geared toward genealogists, but the information is here for any vital records you may be looking for.
Arkansas birth certificates can be obtained for $12, death certificates are $10, marriage license copies are $8, and divorce decrees are $8. Most records date back to the early 1900's. Information is available on how to get certified copies. To get yours send your check or money order payable to Arkansas Department of Health to:
Division of Vital Records
Arkansas Department of Health
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
(501) 661-2174
This state office has records from Feb of 1914, and some records date back to 1881.
The site also offers land patents information, cemetery records, adoption registry, and sex offender records.
For county public records, Arkansas business records, transportation records, or legal records go to http://www.prsearch.com/arkansas/ . You will also find law enforcement and public services on this site.
Arkansas makes it easy for its citizens to get information that is much more difficult in other states. Their freedom of Information Act is broader than most, and the government records, whether on paper, video, or recordings, are accessible.
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), passed in 1967 (Act 93), was the first Arkansas public records law. It has been amended over the years as needed.
Pursuant to the Arkansas FOIA, public records are defined as ? a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions which are or should be carried out by a public official or employee, a governmental agency, or any other agency wholly or partially supported by public funds or expending public funds." This definition of public records in Arkansas has been determined to include documents and data in any form which is required to be kept by public offices or employees, including recordings, such as films, tapes or CDs. There are some exemptions to the availability of public records in Arkansas and these include State income tax records, Grand jury minutes, drafts of judicial opinions, ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies, the identity of law enforcement officers currently working undercover, closed court documents or any documents that would be an invasion of privacy,?such as personnel records, student records, medical records, and adoption records.
Arkansas public records are open to inspection by the public and can be copied, but any public records which may be actively in use or in storage have a notification time frame of three days.
Public Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Birth Records
Death Records
Marriage Records
Divorce Records
Genealogy Records