Montgomery County Family Court Records
Montgomery County family court records for divorce, custody, child support, domestic relations, and juvenile matters are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Mount Ida and fall under the 18th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. The county seat courthouse is the single filing location for all circuit court family matters in the county. Free online case searches are available through the statewide Search ARCourts portal, which provides full case information for Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Family Court Records Overview
Montgomery County Circuit Clerk
The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk is located at 105 Highway 270 East, Mount Ida, AR 71957. The clerk can be reached at (870) 867-3521 with a fax number of (870) 867-2177. Circuit Clerk Regina Powell oversees the office and is responsible for maintaining all circuit court records in the county, including family court filings for divorce, custody, child support, and domestic relations matters.
The courthouse address listed in county records is 1 George Street, Mount Ida, AR 71957. Court and county records in Montgomery County go back to 1845. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains records of all circuit court proceedings, prepares dockets, issues summons, warrants, and subpoenas, and records real estate instruments as the ex-officio recorder. Staff can take your filings and payments but cannot give legal advice.
The Circuit Court Judge in the 18th Judicial Circuit serves both Montgomery and Polk counties. This means judges rotate between Mount Ida and Mena depending on the court calendar. Call the clerk's office to find out when the judge will be in Montgomery County for scheduled hearings related to your case.
The Montgomery County page on ARCounties.org lists county contact information, elected officials, and department contacts including the Circuit Clerk's office. Use it to verify current contact details before mailing a records request.
The Montgomery County CourtConnect portal provides free online access to family court case records including divorce, custody, and domestic relations filings. No login or account is required to search.
Search Montgomery County Family Court Records Online
The Search ARCourts portal provides free access to Montgomery County family court records online. You can search by party name, case number, case type, or date range. Results include party names, docket entries, assigned judge, and hearing dates. Montgomery County participates fully in CourtConnect and full case information is available for most case types.
If you want to search from a desktop or mobile device, go to caseinfo.arcourts.gov and select Montgomery County from the location list. The search is free and does not require registration. You can use it to verify that a case was filed, check the current status of a divorce or custody case, or find a case number before requesting certified copies.
Electronic filing for attorneys and eligible self-represented parties is available through the statewide eFlex system. eFlex allows you to submit court documents without coming to the courthouse. Check the eFlex resources page for guidance on how to register and what case types are supported. If you prefer to file in person, visit the clerk's office during regular business hours.
Family Court Case Types in Montgomery County
Montgomery County Circuit Court handles all family law matters filed in the county. Divorce cases fall under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. Grounds for divorce include general indignities and eighteen months of continuous separation. At least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least sixty days before a divorce petition can be filed.
Child custody decisions follow § 9-13-101, which includes a presumption favoring joint custody when both parents agree or when the court finds it appropriate. Judges weigh many factors when custody is disputed, including the quality of each parent's relationship with the child, the stability of each household, and the child's own preferences if the child is old enough. Montgomery County is a small, rural county where family law cases may move at a different pace than in larger urban counties.
Child support uses the Arkansas family support chart based on parental incomes and number of children. Modifications can be sought when there is a material change in circumstances under § 9-14-107. The clerk's office has the forms needed to reopen a support case. Paternity actions, juvenile dependency cases, and guardianship petitions are also filed in Circuit Court. Juvenile records are confidential under § 9-27-309. Adoption files are sealed under § 9-9-217.
Orders of protection can be filed at the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk's office at any time during business hours. There is no filing fee for orders of protection, and you do not need an attorney to file one. Emergency orders are effective immediately when granted and are followed by a hearing date within ten days.
Fees and Copies in Montgomery County
The filing fee for a new family court case in Montgomery County is $165.00. This is the standard circuit court filing fee. Additional fees may apply for service of process and other procedural steps. Ask the clerk when you file for a complete list of costs that may apply to your case.
Regular copies of court records cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Certified copies are required when you need to provide proof of a court order to another state, a federal agency, or a financial institution. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Arkansas law requires advance payment for mailed records requests under § 25-19-105.
To request copies by mail, send a written request with the case number or party name, the type of document you need, and a check or money order payable to the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive the copies back. Allow additional time for mail requests to be processed and returned.
Legal Help in Montgomery County
Residents of Montgomery County who need legal help with family court matters and cannot afford an attorney can contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS). CALS provides free civil legal aid to income-eligible residents and handles matters including divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence. Contact them through their statewide intake line to apply for services.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation supports legal aid programs statewide. Their website lists resources and referral options. For self-help materials, the Arkansas Courts page at arcourts.gov/directories/resources has forms, instructions, and guides for the most common family court matters.
Montgomery County is a rural county without a large local bar, so finding a family law attorney locally can take some effort. The Arkansas Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with attorneys who handle family law cases and are licensed in Arkansas. Many family law attorneys in the region will consult by phone before requiring an office visit.