Find Family Court Records in Izard County

Izard County family court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Melbourne, covering divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic relations cases in Arkansas's 16th Judicial Circuit. Search case records at no cost online through Arkansas CourtConnect, or visit the courthouse or the county library kiosk to access court records in person.

Izard County Circuit Clerk

The Izard County Circuit Clerk maintains all court records for Izard County, including domestic relations, civil, criminal, and juvenile case files. The office is at the courthouse in Melbourne, the county seat. The clerk also serves as the official county recorder for real property records including land records.

Izard County Circuit Clerk
Izard County Courthouse
100 Court Square
Melbourne, AR 72556
Mailing: P.O. Box 327, Melbourne, AR 72556
Phone: (870) 368-4316
Recorder: (870) 368-4280
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The Circuit Clerk has general jurisdiction over civil cases over $25,000, felony criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and probate. Records are divided between two offices: the County Clerk holds marriage records (from 1889), while the Circuit Clerk holds land records and court records. The County Clerk is also at the Melbourne courthouse — phone (870) 368-4328.

Note that Izard County experienced courthouse fires that destroyed all records before April 11, 1869, and again in 1889, which destroyed all county records at that time. Researchers looking for historical records before those dates should contact the Arkansas History Commission for any available alternate sources.

Online Case Search

Izard County Circuit Court records are available through the statewide Arkansas CourtConnect system. Search at no cost by party name or case number at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. The system is available any time of day without registration.

A public access kiosk is also available at the Izard County Library in Melbourne. This kiosk provides guided access to CourtConnect, legal forms, and self-help resources for family court matters. It is a good option if you do not have internet access at home or need help using the search system.

For records not yet in the digital system, contact the circuit clerk's office by phone or in writing. Include names of parties, the years to search, prepayment for copies, and a return envelope. Staff will search the physical indexes and respond with findings.

The Izard County CourtConnect portal provides free online access to circuit court case records, including domestic relations and family law filings in Melbourne.

Family Court Case Types

Izard County Circuit Court is served by the 16th Judicial Circuit and handles all family law matters for the county. Common case types include:

• Divorce — Filed under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. One party must have been an Arkansas resident for at least sixty days before filing. Grounds include eighteen months of separation, general indignities, and other statutory grounds.
• Child Custody — Governed by § 9-13-101. Courts weigh the best interest of the child. Both parents have equal standing to seek custody unless a reason exists to award sole custody to one parent.
• Child Support — Calculated under the state income shares model. Modifications can be requested under § 9-14-107 when there is a significant change in income or living circumstances.
• Paternity — Establishes legal fatherhood for children born outside of marriage. Once established, the court can set custody and support orders.
• Orders of Protection — Emergency and extended domestic abuse orders are available through circuit court without requiring an attorney.
• Juvenile Cases — Confidential under § 9-27-309 and not open to the public. Access requires a court order or proof of authorized status.
• Adoption — Sealed under § 9-9-217. Adoption records require a court order to access.

Probate proceedings — estates, guardianships, and wills — are also filed through the circuit clerk in Izard County.

Fees and Copies

Filing a new domestic relations case in Izard County costs $165.00, following the standard Arkansas fee schedule. Other fees:

• Summons or subpoena: $2.50 per person
• Reopening a closed case: $50.00
• Standard copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 per document (up to 10 pages)

Pay in person at the courthouse by cash or money order. For mail requests, include prepayment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (870) 368-4316 first to confirm exact fees and current processing times. Online CourtConnect searches are always free.

Legal Help Resources

Izard County residents needing help with family court matters can contact these organizations.

Center for Arkansas Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to low-income Arkansans, including family law cases. Apply at arjustice.org or call 1-800-952-9243.

Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation — Visit arkansasjustice.org for legal resources in the 16th Circuit and north-central Arkansas.

Arkansas Courts Self-Help — Free forms and guides are at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. These cover divorce, custody, support, and protection orders and are written for people without attorneys.

The courthouse kiosk at the Izard County Library also has self-help legal forms and guides for family court matters. Library staff can help you access the kiosk but cannot give legal advice.

Nearby Counties

Izard County is in the Ozark region of north-central Arkansas, bordering several other counties with circuit court records.