Perry County Family Court Records
Perry County family court records for divorce, child custody, child support, domestic relations, and juvenile matters are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Perryville and fall under the 20th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Perry County shares circuit court jurisdiction with Pulaski County for certain matters through the 6th Judicial Circuit. Online case searches are available through the statewide Search ARCourts portal and through the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's system.
Perry County Family Court Records Overview
Perry County Circuit Clerk
The Perry County Circuit Court is located at the Perry County Courthouse, 310 W Main St, Perryville, AR 72126. The main contact for the Circuit Clerk is 501-889-5126. Mailing address: POB 358, Perryville, Arkansas 72126. The clerk handles all family court filings in the county, including divorce petitions, custody actions, child support modifications, and orders of protection.
Perry County is a small, rural county west of Little Rock. The county has one courthouse, and all circuit court matters for the county are handled there. Some circuit court functions for Perry County are also handled through the 6th Judicial Circuit, Division 1, which covers both Perry and Pulaski counties. That division is based at the Pulaski County Courthouse at 401 W. Markham, Room 420, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 340-8590.
If you are not sure whether your Perry County family court case is handled locally in Perryville or through the Pulaski County clerk's system, call the Perry County clerk's office first. They can tell you which court has jurisdiction over your case type and direct you to the right place to file.
The Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's website covers certain Perry County circuit court matters through Division 1 of the 6th Judicial Circuit. Contact (501) 340-8590 for matters routed through that division.
The Perry County CourtConnect page provides free online case searching for family court records filed in the county. The portal provides partial information for Perry County, so some records may need to be verified directly with the clerk.
Search Perry County Family Court Records Online
The Search ARCourts portal is the primary free tool for finding Perry County family court records online. Search by party name, case number, case type, or date. Results include docket entries, party names, the assigned judge, and hearing schedules. Perry County provides partial information through CourtConnect, so not all records may be visible online. For records not visible through the portal, contact the clerk's office directly.
When searching through the statewide portal, look for both Perry County and the 6th Judicial Circuit Division 1 if you know your case may be routed through the Pulaski County system. Some Perry County circuit matters appear under the Pulaski County clerk's jurisdiction in the portal. If you don't find what you need, call the clerk.
E-filing through the statewide eFlex system is available for attorneys and some self-represented parties. This allows document submission without traveling to either Perryville or Little Rock. Check the eFlex resources page for instructions on registration and accepted document formats for Perry County cases.
Family Court Case Types in Perry County
Perry County Circuit Court handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence, juvenile dependency, guardianship, and adoption cases. Divorce is governed by Arkansas Code § 9-12-301 with grounds including general indignities and eighteen months of separation. At least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for sixty days before filing.
Child custody follows § 9-13-101, which presumes joint custody is in the child's best interest when both parents agree or when the judge finds it appropriate. When parents disagree, the court weighs the relationship each parent has with the child, the stability of each home, and the child's wishes based on age and maturity. Child support is set under the Arkansas family support chart and can be modified under § 9-14-107 when circumstances change.
Juvenile records are confidential under § 9-27-309 and do not appear in public court searches. Adoption files are sealed under § 9-9-217. Orders of protection can be filed at the clerk's office without a fee. Emergency orders can be issued the same day with a ten-day follow-up hearing scheduled.
Fees and Copies in Perry County
Filing a new family court case in Perry County costs $165.00. Additional costs for service of process or other procedural steps may apply. Ask the clerk when you file for a complete breakdown.
Standard copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Mail requests require advance payment under § 25-19-105. Send a check or money order payable to the Perry County Circuit Clerk with the case information and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call 501-889-5126 to confirm the cost before mailing.
Legal Help in Perry County
Perry County residents who need legal help with family court matters and cannot afford a lawyer can apply for free civil legal aid through the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS). CALS handles divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases for income-eligible residents across Arkansas.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation has legal aid referral resources at their website. Self-help materials and court forms are available at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. If you live in Perry County and need to appear in court, knowing the rules ahead of time can make the process less stressful.