Access Jefferson County Family Court Records

Jefferson County family court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Pine Bluff, covering divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and all domestic relations cases in Arkansas's 11th Judicial Circuit. Search case records free online through Arkansas CourtConnect, or contact the circuit clerk's office directly for certified copies and in-person access.

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk is the official custodian of record for the Circuit Court of Jefferson County. The clerk also serves as the ex-officio County Recorder for real property instruments. The office is located at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Pine Bluff.

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
Jefferson County Courthouse
101 E Barraque Street
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Phone: (870) 541-5306
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

The circuit clerk handles all case types filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court: felony criminal, breach of contract, and domestic relations matters. The office maintains the official court record, dockets all cases, issues summonses and subpoenas, and manages document filing and retrieval. Staff are prohibited by law from giving legal advice — they can explain procedures and provide forms, but cannot tell you what to file or how to argue your case.

The Jefferson County Clerk is a separate office from the Circuit Clerk. The County Clerk maintains voter registration, marriage licenses, and also serves as Clerk to the Probate Court — handling adoptions and guardianship records within the county. The County Clerk is also at the courthouse, phone (870) 541-5322, with the same hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

A public court kiosk is available at the courthouse for self-help access to case records and legal forms.

Online Case Search

Jefferson County Circuit Court records are available through the Arkansas CourtConnect system with full information access. This gives you access to case details, docket entries, and in some cases document images for recent filings.

Search at caseinfo.arcourts.gov by selecting Jefferson County and entering a party name or case number. The search is free and available at any time. For family court cases, look in the domestic relations category. Results show the case type, filing date, party names, case status, and a chronological list of docket entries.

For records not yet in the online system, visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written request. Written requests should include party names, the years to search, a prepayment for copy fees, and a return envelope.

The Arkansas CourtConnect portal provides free statewide case search, including full access to Jefferson County Circuit Court records covering divorce, custody, and domestic relations filings in Pine Bluff.

Family Court Case Types

Jefferson County Circuit Court handles the full range of family law and domestic relations matters through its domestic relations division. Case types include:

• Divorce — Filed under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. Arkansas requires sixty days of residency before a divorce can be filed. Grounds include eighteen months of continuous separation. Cases with minor children require the court to set custody and support orders before finalizing the divorce.
• Child Custody — Governed by § 9-13-101. Courts consider the best interest of the child. Joint or sole physical custody and legal custody can be ordered. Either parent can seek modification if circumstances change substantially.
• Child Support — Calculated using the state income shares model. Both parents' incomes are used to determine the support amount. Modifications are available under § 9-14-107.
• Paternity — Establishes legal fatherhood, which is required before custody and support can be set for children born outside of marriage.
• Domestic Abuse Orders — Emergency and extended protection orders are available through circuit court. An attorney is not required to file.
• Juvenile Cases — Confidential under § 9-27-309. Not available to the public. Access limited to parties, attorneys, and court-authorized agencies.
• Adoption — Finalized in circuit court. Adoption records are sealed under § 9-9-217. The County Clerk maintains these sealed records in Jefferson County.

Guardianship and estate matters are also handled through circuit court, with the County Clerk serving as the probate court clerk.

Fees and Copies

Jefferson County follows the standard Arkansas fee schedule. A new domestic relations filing costs $165.00. Additional fees:

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

Pay in person at the courthouse by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Mail requests require prepayment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (870) 541-5306 before sending a mail request to confirm the exact fee and current processing times. Online case searches through CourtConnect are always free.

Legal Help Resources

Jefferson County residents who need help with family court matters have several options for free or low-cost assistance.

Center for Arkansas Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to income-qualifying Arkansans. Family law services cover divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases. Apply at arjustice.org or call 1-800-952-9243.

Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation — Visit arkansasjustice.org for information on legal aid resources available in Pine Bluff and the 11th Judicial Circuit area.

Self-Help Resources — The Arkansas Judiciary website provides free forms and instructions at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. Forms for divorce, custody, support, and protection orders are available for people who are not represented by an attorney.

Court Kiosk — A public access kiosk at the Jefferson County Courthouse provides guided help with finding case records and accessing self-help forms.

Cities in Jefferson County

Pine Bluff is the county seat and largest city in Jefferson County. It qualifies for its own family court records page.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County is in the 11th Judicial Circuit of southeast-central Arkansas, bordering several other counties with circuit court records.