Independence County Family Court Records

Independence County family court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Batesville, covering divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic relations cases in Arkansas's 23rd Judicial Circuit. The clerk's office has an official website, and records are available online through Arkansas CourtConnect or in person at the Independence County Courthouse.

Independence County Circuit Clerk

The Independence County Circuit Clerk is an elected official who serves a four-year term. The clerk is the official custodian of all circuit court records, including domestic relations, civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. The clerk also serves as the ex-officio recorder for real property records.

Independence County Circuit Clerk
Greg Wallis, Circuit Clerk
Independence County Courthouse
192 East Main Street (County Clerk address)
Batesville, AR 72501
Phone: (870) 793-8833
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The primary duties of the office include filing and docketing cases, attending court sessions, issuing summonses and subpoenas, managing records, and reporting to the Administrative Office of the Courts. The clerk also prepares jury panels by random selection and maintains the complete record of all circuit court proceedings.

As ex-officio recorder, the circuit clerk handles the recording of deeds, mortgages, and conveyances of land and buildings throughout the county. Real property instruments are separate from court records but managed by the same office.

Independence County has an excellent historical record — researchers note there is no known history of courthouse disasters here. Marriage records date from 1826 and probate records from 1839. The County Clerk (a separate office from the Circuit Clerk) holds these older records. The County Clerk is at the same courthouse, phone (870) 793-8828.

Online Case Search

Independence County Circuit Court records are available through the Arkansas CourtConnect system with full information access. This includes case details, docket entries, and in many cases document images for more recent filings.

Search for free at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Select Independence County and search by party name or case number. The system is available around the clock without registration.

The circuit clerk also has an official website at independencecircuitclerk.com with information on filing procedures, forms, and office policies. This is a good starting point if you are unfamiliar with the process.

The Independence County Circuit Clerk website provides information on filing procedures, record types, and how to access domestic relations and family court records in Batesville.

The Independence County CourtConnect portal gives free online access to circuit court case records, including divorce, custody, and other domestic relations filings.

Family Court Case Types

Independence County Circuit Court handles all family law cases through its domestic relations division. Case types filed here include:

• Divorce — Filed under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. Parties must be Arkansas residents for at least sixty days before filing. Grounds include eighteen months of separation, general indignities, and adultery, among others.
• Child Custody — Governed by § 9-13-101. Courts use the best interest of the child standard. Joint or sole custody can be ordered for both physical placement and legal decision-making.
• Child Support — Set using the state income shares model. Both parents' incomes factor into the calculation. Modifications are possible under § 9-14-107 when income or circumstances change significantly.
• Paternity — Actions establishing legal parentage for children born to unmarried parents. Once established, custody and support can be ordered by the court.
• Domestic Abuse Orders — Emergency and extended orders of protection are available through circuit court. You can file without an attorney.
• Juvenile Cases — Confidential under § 9-27-309. The clerk maintains these records but they are not available to the general public. Access requires a court order or a showing that you are a party, attorney of record, or authorized agency.
• Adoption — Adoption records are sealed under § 9-9-217. A court order from a circuit judge is required to access sealed adoption records.

The clerk also maintains records for probate matters including estates, guardianships, and small estate affidavits.

Fees and Copies

Independence County follows the standard Arkansas fee schedule. New domestic relations filings cost $165.00. This applies to divorce, custody, support, and all family law matters.

Standard fee schedule:

• New filing (domestic relations, civil, appeals): $165.00
• Summons or subpoena: $2.50 per person
• Reopening a case: $50.00
• Standard copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 per document (first 10 pages)

Pay at the courthouse in person. Cash, money order, and cashier's check are standard methods. For mail requests, prepay fees and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (870) 793-8833 first to confirm exact fees for the documents you need.

Legal Help Resources

Independence County residents who need help with family court matters can contact these organizations.

Center for Arkansas Legal Services provides free civil legal help including family law for income-qualifying residents. Apply at arjustice.org or call 1-800-952-9243.

Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation offers resources for low-income Arkansans seeking legal assistance. Visit arkansasjustice.org for available services in north-central Arkansas.

Self-Help Forms — Free downloadable forms and instructions are at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. These cover divorce, custody, support, and orders of protection for people handling their own cases.

Electronic Filing — Attorneys use eFlex to e-file documents. Self-represented litigants file in person at the courthouse or by mail. The circuit clerk's office can explain the current filing process for non-attorneys.

Nearby Counties

Independence County is in north-central Arkansas, near several counties in the 23rd Judicial Circuit and surrounding circuits.