Conway Family Court Records

Conway family court records are maintained by the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk, which handles all domestic relations filings for Conway and the rest of Faulkner County. Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse protective orders filed by Conway residents are part of the Faulkner County Circuit Court's domestic relations docket in the 20th Judicial Circuit. Search these records for free through the statewide Search ARCourts portal or contact the clerk at 724 Locust Avenue in Conway.

Faulkner County Circuit Clerk - Conway

The Faulkner County Circuit Clerk handles all family court filings for Conway residents. The office is at 724 Locust Avenue, Conway, AR 72034. Reach the clerk at (501) 450-4911. Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County and the largest city between Little Rock and the River Valley. Faulkner County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Note that Faulkner County's domestic relations filing fee is $185.00, which is higher than the standard $165.00 charged in most other Arkansas counties.

The Faulkner County Circuit Clerk processes all family law filings, dockets motions and orders, issues summonses and subpoenas, and maintains the court registry for child support payments. The clerk also serves as ex-officio recorder for land records in Faulkner County. All court records that are not sealed or restricted by court order are public under Arkansas Code § 16-10-105. You can inspect records without being a party to the case and without stating a reason for your request.

Conway is a college town, home to the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College. The steady influx of students, young families, and professionals means the Faulkner County Circuit Court sees a consistent volume of domestic relations filings. The clerk's office has eFlex electronic filing available, and the statewide ARCourts portal covers Faulkner County with full case data. Self-represented filers can get procedural guidance from clerk staff but cannot receive legal advice at the counter.

The Faulkner County Circuit Clerk at 724 Locust Avenue in Conway maintains all domestic relations and family court records for Conway residents, including divorce filings, custody orders, child support dockets, and protective order records in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The filing fee for new domestic relations cases in Faulkner County is $185.00.

Online Search for Conway Family Court Records

The statewide Search ARCourts portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov covers Faulkner County Circuit Court. Under Administrative Order 8, all circuit courts in Arkansas must report case data through this system. Search by party name, case number, case type, filing date, attorney, or judge. Results show the parties, the assigned judge, all docket entries, scheduled hearings, and judgments. No account is needed. Access is free from any device.

Attorneys and authorized parties use the statewide eFlex system at eflex.arcourts.gov for electronic filing in Faulkner County cases. Filing fees are paid through the Information Network of Arkansas. A $20 electronic filing surcharge applies to new cases under Administrative Order 21, in addition to the $185 base filing fee for domestic relations cases in Faulkner County. For eFlex support, email courts.efiling@arcourts.gov or call (501) 410-1900. Older records not in the electronic database must be requested at the Conway courthouse in person or by mail.

Family Court Cases in Conway

All domestic relations cases filed by Conway residents go through the Faulkner County Circuit Court. The court handles divorce, annulment, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, domestic abuse protective orders, and contempt proceedings in family matters. Under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301, a divorce petition must be filed in the county where at least one spouse resides, so Conway residents file in Faulkner County.

Custody cases in Faulkner County follow § 9-13-101, which presumes joint custody serves the child's best interest. A parent who wants sole custody must show why joint custody would not be appropriate. Courts consider the child's relationship with each parent, each parent's ability to facilitate the other's involvement, and the child's own preferences if old enough to express them meaningfully. Modifications of custody require showing a material change in circumstances since the prior order.

Child support is calculated under the Arkansas Family Support Chart. The amount depends on both parents' net incomes and the custody arrangement. The Faulkner County clerk maintains a court registry for child support payments when the court orders payment through the registry. Modifications of child support orders require a material change in circumstances under § 9-14-107, such as a significant change in employment or the child's financial needs.

Emergency protective orders for domestic abuse can be issued quickly without prior notice to the other party. A hearing for a permanent order must be set within 30 days. Conway has domestic violence resources including shelters and advocacy groups. The clerk's office provides petition forms for protective orders at no cost to the filer.

Juvenile cases in Faulkner County are confidential under § 9-27-309 and are not searchable through the public portal. Adoption records are sealed under § 9-9-217. Administrative Order 19 governs public access to all court records in Arkansas, including those filed at the Conway courthouse.

Fees and Copies

New domestic relations filings in Faulkner County cost $185.00 -- note this is higher than the $165 standard in most Arkansas counties. Standard copies of court records are $0.25 to $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. If a records request will cost more than $25.00, the clerk may require payment upfront under § 25-19-105. Visit the clerk at 724 Locust Avenue, Conway, call (501) 450-4911, or send a mail request with party names, case number if known, return address, and a prepaid check or money order.

Legal Help in Conway

The Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS) serves Faulkner County including Conway. Income-eligible residents can apply for free civil legal help in divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence matters. Visit arjustice.org or call (501) 376-3423. The University of Central Arkansas and other colleges in Conway may have student legal services clinics that provide limited assistance or referrals as well.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation manages the AR Courthouse Kiosk program statewide. Kiosks at the Faulkner County Courthouse give self-represented litigants access to court forms, fact sheets, and legal resource contacts. The Arkansas Judiciary resources directory provides approved domestic relations forms and self-help guides. The ACAP helpline at (866) 823-5778 answers general questions about court access in Arkansas.

Nearby Cities

Conway is in central Arkansas, between Little Rock and the River Valley. Residents of these nearby cities file through their respective county circuit clerks.