Lafayette County Family Court Records

Lafayette County family court records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Lewisville, covering divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic relations cases heard in Arkansas's 8th Judicial Circuit South. Case records can be searched at no cost through the Arkansas CourtConnect portal, or you can contact the clerk's office at the courthouse for copies and assistance with records requests.

Lafayette County Circuit Clerk

The Lafayette County Circuit Clerk maintains all court records for the county, including family court, civil, criminal, and probate matters. The clerk's office is at the courthouse in Lewisville, which is the county seat. Lafayette County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit South, which also serves nearby Hempstead, Howard, Little River, Miller, Nevada, and Sevier counties.

Lafayette County Circuit Clerk
Valarie Clark, Circuit Clerk
3 Courthouse Square
Lewisville, AR 71845
Phone: (870) 921-4878
Alternate: (870) 921-4633
Fax: (870) 921-4879 / (870) 921-4505
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The Lafayette County Circuit Court handles all probate and estate matters for the county, and the circuit clerk's office maintains all probate records. All probate documents are filed with the circuit clerk at the courthouse in Lewisville. This is notable because in many Arkansas counties, probate records are handled by the county clerk rather than the circuit clerk.

The Lafayette County Clerk is a separate office located at 2 Courthouse Square, Lewisville — phone (870) 921-4878. The County Clerk maintains marriage licenses and probate court records. Contact the county clerk for marriage licenses.

Online Case Search

Lafayette County provides partial case information through the Arkansas CourtConnect system. You can search case records online at caseinfo.arcourts.gov by selecting Lafayette County and entering a party name or case number. The search is free and available at any time.

Because Lafayette County provides partial information, some case data or older records may not appear in the online system. For complete records or documents not in the digital database, contact the circuit clerk's office directly or visit in person.

A public court kiosk serving Lafayette County provides guided access to legal forms and court information. Contact the clerk's office to find out the current kiosk location and hours.

The Lafayette County CourtConnect portal provides free public access to circuit court case records in Lewisville, including domestic relations and family law filings.

The Lafayette County Court Kiosk offers guided public access to court records and self-help legal forms, making it easier to navigate family court proceedings in Lafayette County.

Family Court Case Types

Lafayette County Circuit Court handles all family law and domestic relations matters. Case types filed here include:

• Divorce — Filed under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. Arkansas residency for sixty days before filing is required. Eighteen months of separation is one of several available grounds. Divorce cases with children require custody and support orders.
• Child Custody — Governed by § 9-13-101. The court sets custody based on the best interest of the child. Either physical or legal custody may be shared or awarded to one parent.
• Child Support — Calculated using state income guidelines. Modifications can be sought under § 9-14-107 when income or circumstances change significantly.
• Paternity — Actions to establish legal fatherhood so custody and support can be set for children born outside of marriage.
• 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. Not open to the public without a court order or authorized access.
• Adoption — Sealed under § 9-9-217. A court order is required to access adoption records.

Probate matters including estates and guardianships are also handled through the circuit court clerk in Lafayette County, which is somewhat unique among Arkansas counties.

Fees and Copies

Lafayette County follows the standard Arkansas fee schedule. New domestic relations filings cost $165.00. Other fees:

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

Pay in person at the courthouse by cash or money order. Mail-in requests require prepayment and a return envelope. Call (870) 921-4878 to confirm exact fees and current processing times before mailing a request. Online CourtConnect searches are always free.

Legal Help Resources

Lafayette County residents who need legal assistance with family court matters can contact these organizations.

Center for Arkansas Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to income-qualifying Arkansans. Services include divorce, custody, and domestic abuse cases. Apply at arjustice.org or call 1-800-952-9243.

Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation — Visit arkansasjustice.org for a directory of legal resources in southwest Arkansas and the 8th Judicial Circuit area.

Self-Help Resources — Free forms and instructions are available from the Arkansas Judiciary at arcourts.gov/directories/resources, covering divorce, custody, support, and protection orders for unrepresented parties.

The court kiosk serving Lafayette County also provides self-help legal forms and guided access to CourtConnect. Ask the clerk's office about the kiosk location.

Nearby Counties

Lafayette County is in the far southwest corner of Arkansas, in the 8th Judicial Circuit South, near several other counties with circuit court records.