Access Pope County Family Court Records

Pope County family court records for divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and juvenile matters are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Russellville, the county seat, as part of the 28th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. The Circuit Court is located at 100 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801. Free online searches are available through the statewide Search ARCourts portal, which provides full case information for Pope County.

Pope County Circuit Clerk

The Pope County Circuit Court and clerk's office is located at 100 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801. The main contact for the clerk is (479) 968-7499. The clerk's office handles all family court filings in the county, including divorce petitions, child custody and support matters, paternity cases, orders of protection, and juvenile proceedings. Pope County is one of the larger counties in the Arkansas River Valley and the courthouse in Russellville handles a significant volume of family court cases.

Pope County was originally created December 1, 1833 from Pulaski, Crawford, and Scott Counties. The Circuit Clerk maintains all circuit court records, prepares dockets, issues process, and acts as the ex-officio recorder for real property. Staff can accept filings and process payments, but they cannot give legal advice or help you complete your forms. The clerk's office is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday.

Pope County is in the 28th Judicial Circuit along with Yell County. Judges in this circuit rotate between Russellville and the Yell County courthouses. If you have a case pending in Pope County and need to know when your judge will be in Russellville, contact the clerk's office for the current calendar.

The Pope County CourtConnect portal provides free online access to family court case records. Search by party name, case number, or date range. Full case information is available for Pope County through the statewide system.

Search Pope County Family Court Records Online

The Search ARCourts portal is the primary free tool for finding Pope County family court records online. Enter a party name, case number, case type, or filing date to search. The portal returns docket entries, party names, the assigned judge, and scheduled hearing dates. Pope County participates fully in CourtConnect and full case information is available for most case types.

Using the portal does not require an account or login. Results include both active and closed cases in most situations. If you need to find a specific divorce or custody case but don't have the case number, searching by party name is often the fastest approach. The portal can search across all case types, so a single search may return both civil and domestic relations results for the same party.

Electronic filing through the statewide eFlex system is available for attorneys and some self-represented parties in Pope County. E-filing lets you submit documents without going to the courthouse in Russellville. Check the eFlex resources page for instructions on how to register and what document types are accepted. For filings that require in-person submission, visit the clerk's office during regular business hours.

Family Court Case Types in Pope County

Pope County Circuit Court handles all family law matters in the county. 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 lived in Arkansas for sixty days before filing a divorce petition.

Child custody follows § 9-13-101. The court presumes joint custody is appropriate when parents agree or when the judge determines it serves the child's best interest. When custody is contested, the judge weighs each parent's relationship with the child, the stability of each home, the child's preferences based on age, and other relevant factors. Pope County, as a mid-size county, has multiple circuit court judges who handle domestic relations matters.

Child support is set using the Arkansas family support chart based on both parents' incomes and the number of children. Modifications for a material change in circumstances are filed under § 9-14-107. Paternity actions, juvenile dependency, and guardianship cases are all handled by the Circuit Court. Juvenile records are confidential under § 9-27-309. Adoption files are sealed under § 9-9-217. Orders of protection can be filed for free. Emergency orders can be issued the same day, with a follow-up hearing set within ten days.

Fees and Copies in Pope County

Filing a new family court case in Pope County costs $165.00. Additional costs for service of process and other procedural steps may apply. Ask the clerk when you file for a full breakdown of expected costs.

Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. For mail requests, advance payment is required under § 25-19-105. Send a check or money order payable to the Pope County Circuit Clerk at 100 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801, along with the case name or number, the specific documents you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (479) 968-7499 before mailing if you are unsure of the total cost.

Legal Help in Pope County

Pope County residents who need legal 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 matters for income-eligible residents. Apply through their statewide intake line.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation provides legal aid referrals and has resources on their website for people navigating the court system without a lawyer. Self-help court forms and guides are at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. Pope County is also served by private family law attorneys in the Russellville area. The Arkansas Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service can help you find one.

Cities in Pope County

Russellville is the county seat and the largest city in Pope County. It has a page with city-specific family court information.

Nearby Counties