Phillips County Family Court Records
Phillips County family court records covering divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and juvenile matters are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Helena-West Helena, the county seat, as part of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Online searches are available through the statewide Search ARCourts portal, and a courthouse kiosk is available for in-person access. The Circuit Clerk's office is at 620 Cherry St, Suite 206, Helena, AR 72342.
Phillips County Family Court Records Overview
Phillips County Circuit Clerk
The Phillips County Circuit Clerk is located at 620 Cherry St, Suite 206, Helena, AR 72342. The clerk's phone number is 870-338-5515 with a fax at 870-338-5513. Hours are 8AM-4:30PM CST. The recording officer for the county is the County Circuit Clerk, who maintains records for civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate cases. All family court filings for divorce, custody, child support, and orders of protection must be submitted to this office.
Real estate and deed records are available online through the county's recording system. Family court records including divorce, custody, and support files are accessible through the statewide CourtConnect system. The Circuit Clerk also acts as the ex-officio recorder of real property for the county.
Phillips County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, which also includes Monroe and Woodruff counties. Judges rotate across the circuit on a regular schedule. If you need to find out when a judge will be available in Helena-West Helena, contact the clerk's office for the court calendar.
The Phillips County CourtConnect portal provides free online access to family court records filed in the county. Search by party name, case number, or date. No login required. Full case information is available for most Phillips County case types through the statewide system.
Search Phillips County Family Court Records Online
The Search ARCourts portal is the main free tool for finding Phillips County family court records online. Enter a party name, case number, or date range to search. Results include party names, docket entries, the assigned judge, and upcoming hearing dates. Phillips County participates in CourtConnect with full case information available for most case types.
The AR Court Kiosk at the Phillips County Courthouse provides in-person access to the same case search system, along with court forms and legal aid resources. The kiosk is part of the statewide AR Courthouse Kiosks program run through the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation. It is free to use during courthouse hours.
Electronic filing through the statewide eFlex system is available for attorneys and eligible self-represented parties. This lets you submit documents without traveling to Helena-West Helena. Check the eFlex resources page for registration instructions and a list of accepted case types for Phillips County.
Family Court Case Types in Phillips County
Phillips County Circuit Court handles the full range of family law matters. Divorce cases are filed under Arkansas Code § 9-12-301 with grounds including general indignities and eighteen months of continuous separation. At least one spouse must have resided in Arkansas for sixty days before filing.
Child custody follows § 9-13-101. When parents agree, or when the court finds it appropriate, joint custody is presumed to be in the child's best interest. When there is a dispute, judges weigh the child's relationship with each parent, the stability of each home, and the child's own wishes when old enough to express them reliably. Child support is set using the Arkansas family support chart and can be modified under § 9-14-107 when there is a material change in circumstances.
Juvenile records from dependency and delinquency cases are confidential under § 9-27-309. Adoption records are sealed under § 9-9-217. These files do not appear in the public case search. Orders of protection can be filed without a fee at any time during business hours. Emergency orders are issued the same day if needed, with a follow-up hearing within ten days. Paternity cases and guardianship petitions are also filed with the Circuit Clerk.
Fees and Copies in Phillips County
The filing fee for a new family court case in Phillips County is $165.00. Other costs may apply for service of process and procedural steps. Ask the clerk for a complete breakdown when you come in to file.
Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Mail requests require advance payment under § 25-19-105. Include a check or money order payable to the Phillips County Circuit Clerk, the case name or number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call 870-338-5515 before mailing to confirm the cost of your request.
Legal Help in Phillips County
Residents of Phillips County who need help with family court matters and cannot afford an attorney 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. Apply through their statewide intake line.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation has referral resources and supports the statewide kiosk program. Self-help forms and guides are at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. The AR Court Kiosk at the Phillips County Courthouse also provides direct access to forms and video guides for common court matters.