Ouachita County Family Court Records
Ouachita County family court records for divorce, child custody, child support, domestic relations, and juvenile matters are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Camden, the county seat, as part of the 13th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Court records are available from 1876 forward after a courthouse fire in December 1875 destroyed earlier records. Free online access is available through the statewide Search ARCourts portal and a courthouse kiosk installed through the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation.
Ouachita County Family Court Records Overview
Ouachita County Circuit Clerk
The Ouachita County Circuit Clerk's office is at 145 Jefferson St SW, Camden, AR 71701. Phone: (870) 837-2230. Fax: (870) 837-2252. Circuit Clerk Gladys Nettles oversees the office. The clerk handles all family court filings in the county, including divorce petitions, custody and support modifications, paternity actions, juvenile matters, and orders of protection. Records available through this office cover civil, criminal, family, and probate matters from 1876 forward.
A courthouse fire in December 1875 destroyed the original county courthouse and most records from that era. County records available today begin with 1876. Deed and mortgage records, military discharge records from the 1920s onward, and divorce records from the early 1900s forward are maintained by the clerk. This history means that for very old family records such as early divorce cases, researchers may need to check secondary sources.
Ouachita County is in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The circuit includes Union County to the southeast. Judges rotate on a regular schedule. Contact the clerk's office to check the current court calendar if you need to appear before a judge at a specific time.
The Ouachita County Court Records portal provides online access to public court records. Records can be searched by party name, case number, or case type. Probate cases are handled by the county Circuit Court, and records are also available through the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search Portal.
The Ouachita County ARGenWeb records page maintains historical indexes for county records going back to 1876. This resource is particularly useful for older divorce and chancery court records. The physical address for records requests is P.O. Box 667, Camden, AR 71711.
Search Ouachita County Family Court Records Online
The Search ARCourts portal is the primary free tool for searching Ouachita County family court records online. Enter a party name, case number, or date range to find records. Results include docket entries, party names, the assigned judge, and hearing information. Ouachita County participates in CourtConnect with full case information available for most current case types.
A courthouse kiosk installed through the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation is located in the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk's office in Camden. The kiosk allows users to access court records, print exhibits, find court forms and fact sheets, and apply for legal aid. Video guides and FAQs are also available through the kiosk. This free resource is designed to help unrepresented parties navigate the court system without a lawyer.
Records may also be requested by mail from the clerk's office. Copy fees are $1 per page for records ordered through the mail. If you are requesting online through the Arkansas Judiciary case search portal, you can view docket information free of charge. Copies of actual documents may require an in-person or mail request with payment.
Electronic filing through the eFlex system is available for attorneys and eligible self-represented parties. Check the eFlex page for instructions on how to register and what case types can be filed electronically in Ouachita County.
Family Court Case Types in Ouachita County
Ouachita County Circuit Court handles the full range of family law matters. Divorce cases are filed under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301 and require that at least one spouse has resided in Arkansas for sixty days before filing. Grounds include general indignities and eighteen months of continuous separation. The clerk can give you the correct forms and tell you the current filing fee.
Child custody decisions follow § 9-13-101, which creates a presumption of joint custody when both parents agree or when the court finds it appropriate. Judges look at each parent's relationship with the child, the stability of each home, and in some cases the child's own preferences. Custody orders can be modified later if circumstances change significantly.
Child support follows the Arkansas family support chart based on both parents' incomes and number of children. Modifications for material changes in circumstances are governed by § 9-14-107. Paternity cases, juvenile dependency proceedings, 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 no cost during business hours, and emergency orders can be issued the same day.
Fees and Copies in Ouachita County
The filing fee for a new family court case in Ouachita County is $165.00. Additional fees may apply for other procedural steps. Ask the clerk when you file for a full cost breakdown.
In-person copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Mail requests require advance payment and cost $1 per page for records ordered through the mail. Arkansas law under § 25-19-105 requires payment before records are sent. Include a check or money order payable to the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk along with the case information and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Records that are sealed, such as juvenile and adoption files, are not available to the public. The clerk will let you know if the record you are looking for is restricted. Some personal information in public records, such as Social Security numbers, may be redacted before copies are provided.
Legal Help in Ouachita County
Ouachita County residents who need help with family court matters and cannot afford a lawyer can contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS) for free civil legal aid. CALS handles divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases for income-eligible residents. Call their statewide intake line to apply.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation runs the courthouse kiosk in Camden and has legal aid referrals on their website. Self-help forms and guides are available at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. The kiosk at the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk's office also has video explainers and FAQs on common court matters.