Search Monroe County Family Court Records
Monroe County family court records covering divorce, child custody, child support, domestic relations, and juvenile matters are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Clarendon as part of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Records include filings, judgments, court orders, and settlement documents from the Circuit Court. Online access is available through the statewide Search ARCourts portal and through the Monroe County Court Kiosk at the courthouse.
Monroe County Family Court Records Overview
Monroe County Circuit Clerk
The Monroe County Circuit Clerk is located in Clarendon and serves as the official keeper of all circuit court records in the county. The clerk's office handles domestic relations cases including divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity, as well as civil, criminal, and probate matters. Clarendon is the county seat, and the courthouse is where all family court filings must be submitted in person or by mail unless electronic filing applies.
Family court records in Monroe County cover civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic court matters. Divorce records include filings, judgments, and settlements. Child custody and support records provide information about legal agreements, court orders, and modifications. Juvenile records are confidential with limited access under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309. If you need access to a record, the clerk's office can help you determine what is publicly available and what requires a court order to access.
The Monroe County Court Records Portal provides information about case types, how records are organized, and how to access divorce, custody, and other family court documents filed in the county.
The Monroe County Circuit Court is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, which also includes Phillips and Woodruff counties. Judges in this circuit handle a broad range of family law matters. If you are not sure who to contact about a specific case, start with the Circuit Clerk's office and they can direct you to the right division.
The Monroe County AR Court Kiosk is located at the courthouse and provides free access to the statewide case search portal, court forms, and legal aid resources for divorce, custody, child support, and other family court matters.
Search Monroe County Family Court Records Online
The Search ARCourts portal is the primary free tool for searching Monroe County family court records online. Enter a party name, case number, case type, or date range to find records. The portal shows docket entries, party names, the assigned judge, and scheduled hearings. No account is needed to use the basic search. Monroe County Circuit Court records are available through CourtConnect with full information for most case types.
The AR Court Kiosk at the Monroe County Courthouse provides in-person access to the same online search tools. You can print documents, find and fill out court forms, access fact sheets, and apply for legal aid through the kiosk terminal. The kiosk is part of the statewide AR Courthouse Kiosks program operated through the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation.
For e-filing of new cases or documents, attorneys and self-represented parties can use the statewide eFlex system. Electronic filing saves a trip to the courthouse and creates a paper trail you can track. Check the eFlex site for accepted case types and technical requirements before submitting your first filing online.
Family Court Case Types in Monroe County
The Monroe County Circuit Court handles all family court matters in the county. Divorce cases are filed under § 9-12-301 of the Arkansas Code. Grounds for divorce in Arkansas include general indignities and eighteen months of continuous separation. The divorce petition must be filed in the county where at least one spouse has lived for at least sixty days before filing.
Child custody is governed by § 9-13-101, which presumes joint custody is in the child's best interest when both parents agree or when the court finds it appropriate. When parents do not agree, the judge weighs factors including each parent's relationship with the child, each home's stability, and the child's own wishes if they are mature enough to express them. Monroe County Circuit Court judges apply these standards consistently with state law.
Child support in Arkansas follows the family support chart, which sets amounts based on each parent's income and the number of children. Support can be modified when there is a material change in circumstances under § 9-14-107. Modifications must be filed with the Circuit Clerk. Paternity cases, guardianship petitions, and juvenile dependency matters are also filed in Circuit Court. Juvenile records are confidential. Adoption records are sealed under § 9-9-217 and are not available to the public without a court order.
Orders of protection in Monroe County can be filed at the Circuit Clerk's office without an attorney and without a filing fee. An emergency order can be granted the same day you file if the judge finds immediate danger. A hearing will be set within ten days to determine whether the order should remain in place.
Fees and Copies in Monroe County
Filing a new family court case in Monroe County costs $165.00. This is the standard circuit court filing fee for domestic relations matters. Additional costs may apply for summons fees, service of process, or publication when the other party cannot be located. The clerk's office can give you a full cost breakdown when you come in to file.
Copies of court records cost $0.25 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies. Certified copies are needed when you want to use a court order in another state, apply for a name change, or provide proof of a divorce or custody order to a government agency. Copies can be requested in person or by mail. Arkansas law under § 25-19-105 requires advance payment for records requests made by mail.
Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Monroe County Circuit Clerk, along with a description of the records you need, the case number if known, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow extra time for mail requests since the clerk must locate and copy the records before sending them back.
Legal Help in Monroe County
Monroe County residents who need help with family court matters and cannot afford a lawyer can reach the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS) through their statewide intake line. CALS provides free civil legal aid to income-eligible residents, including help with divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence matters. Eligibility is based on income and the type of legal problem.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation supports legal aid programs statewide and runs the courthouse kiosk program. Their site has referral information and resources for unrepresented parties. The Arkansas Courts self-help page at arcourts.gov/directories/resources has forms, instructions, and guides for common family court matters.
The AR Court Kiosk at the Monroe County Courthouse has video guides, printed forms, and fact sheets on topics such as divorce, custody, child support, and orders of protection. Using the kiosk is free. You can also access court forms online through the Arkansas Judiciary website and print them at home before going to the courthouse to file.