Miller County Family Court Records

Miller County family court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Texarkana, covering divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic relations cases heard in Arkansas's 8th Judicial Circuit South. Search case records for free through Arkansas CourtConnect, or contact the circuit clerk's office directly for certified copies and in-person access.

Miller County Circuit Clerk

The Miller County Circuit Clerk is the clerk of the civil, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile courts for Miller County. The clerk also acts as ex-officio recorder for the county, recording deeds, mortgages, liens, surety bonds, and other orders and instruments involving property.

Miller County Circuit Clerk
400 Laurel Street, Suite 109
Texarkana, AR 71854
Phone: (870) 774-4501
Email: circuitclerk@mcarcircuitcourt.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The Miller County Clerk is a separate office located at 400 Laurel Street, Suite 105, Texarkana — phone 870-774-1501. The County Clerk handles accounts payable, elections, voter registration, county court, circuit probate court, DBAs, equalization board records, marriage licenses, and passports. The County Clerk also maintains adoptions and guardianship records within the county.

Miller County is unique because the county seat — Texarkana — straddles the Arkansas-Texas border. The Miller County Circuit Court is on the Arkansas side, at 400 Laurel Street. A separate Bi-State Justice Building serves both Arkansas and Texas jurisdictions for some matters. For Arkansas family court matters, the circuit clerk at Suite 109 is the correct office.

A Miller County District Court at the Bi-State Justice Building, phone (903) 798-3016, handles misdemeanor criminal matters that serve both Arkansas and Texas jurisdictions in some respects — but for family law cases, contact the circuit clerk.

Online Case Search

Miller County Circuit Court records are available through the Arkansas CourtConnect system with full information access. Search at caseinfo.arcourts.gov by selecting Miller County and entering a party name or case number. The portal is free and available any time.

For records not in the online system, contact the circuit clerk's office directly. Written requests should include names of parties, the years to search, prepayment for copy fees, and a return envelope. Send the request to 400 Laurel Street, Suite 109, Texarkana, AR 71854.

Note that if you are looking for a Texas case involving Texarkana, you would need to search the Bowie County, Texas records system separately. The Arkansas CourtConnect system only covers Arkansas court filings.

The City of Texarkana, Arkansas website provides information about local government services, including resources for residents navigating the Miller County Circuit Court system for family court matters.

Family Court Case Types

Miller County Circuit Court handles all family law and domestic relations matters for the Arkansas side of the Texarkana area. Case types include:

• Divorce — Filed under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. At least one party must have been an Arkansas resident for sixty days before filing. This is particularly important in a border city like Texarkana — if you live on the Texas side but work or have been on the Arkansas side, you may or may not meet Arkansas residency requirements. Consult an attorney if you are unsure which state's courts apply to your situation.
• Child Custody — Governed by § 9-13-101. Arkansas courts use the best interest of the child standard. Interstate custody matters involving both Arkansas and Texas law can be complex and may benefit from legal counsel.
• Child Support — Set using the Arkansas income guidelines. Modifications are available under § 9-14-107. For cases crossing state lines, enforcement may involve both states' systems.
• Paternity — Establishes legal fatherhood under Arkansas law. The circuit court in Miller County handles these filings.
• Orders of Protection — Emergency and extended domestic abuse orders are available through circuit court. Arkansas orders are enforceable in Texas under federal law, and vice versa.
• Juvenile Cases — Confidential under § 9-27-309 and not open to the public. Access requires a court order or authorized status.
• Adoption — Sealed under § 9-9-217. Adoption records are maintained by the County Clerk and require a court order to access.

Probate matters including guardianships and estate administration are handled through the County Clerk's probate division in Miller County.

Fees and Copies

Miller 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 copy: $5.00 per document (up to 10 pages)

Pay in person at the courthouse by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. For mail requests, prepay and include a return envelope. Call (870) 774-4501 or email circuitclerk@mcarcircuitcourt.com to confirm exact fees before sending. Online CourtConnect searches are always free.

Legal Help Resources

Miller County and Texarkana residents who need legal help with family court matters have access to several organizations.

Center for Arkansas Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to income-qualifying residents of Arkansas. Apply at arjustice.org or call 1-800-952-9243. They can help with divorce, custody, and domestic abuse cases on the Arkansas side.

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

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

If your case crosses state lines or involves both Texas and Arkansas law, you may want to consult with an attorney who practices in both jurisdictions. Border city family law cases can be complex.

Cities in Miller County

Texarkana is the county seat and largest city in Miller County. It qualifies for its own family court records page.

Nearby Counties

Miller County is in the far southwest corner of Arkansas, bordering Texas, and is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit South.