Union County Family Court Records

Union County family court records for divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and juvenile matters are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at 101 North Washington, Suite 201, El Dorado, AR 71730, as part of the 13th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Union County has offered electronic filing since March 2021 through the eFlex Lite program. Marriage records go back to 1885, and online case searches are available through the statewide Search ARCourts portal with full information for the county.

Union County Circuit Clerk

The Union County Circuit Clerk's office is at 101 North Washington, Suite 201, El Dorado, AR 71730-5661. Phone: (870) 864-1940. Circuit Clerk Cheryl Cochran-Wilson oversees the office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk maintains all family court records for the county including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence, guardianship, and juvenile proceedings.

E-flex Lite filing became available in Union County on March 21, 2021. This system handles non-monetary filings only and lets attorneys and some self-represented parties submit certain documents without coming to the courthouse. Contact the clerk's office to find out whether your filing qualifies for eFlex Lite or needs to be submitted through the full eFlex system or in person.

The County Clerk's office, reachable at (870) 864-1910, handles marriage records, probate court filings, small estate matters, guardianship, commitment, and adoption at the county court level. Marriage records in Union County go back to 1885. If you need a marriage certificate rather than a circuit court record, contact the County Clerk at that number.

The Union County Circuit Clerk's official website has information on the clerk's duties, filing procedures, fee schedules, office hours, and how to access court records. Use it to verify current information before mailing a request or visiting the courthouse.

The Union County Clerk's website provides access to marriage records, probate information, and other county-level records. Marriage records date from 1885 in the county. Contact the County Clerk at (870) 864-1910 for marriage certificates and probate matters.

Search Union County Family Court Records Online

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

You can search from any device without creating an account or logging in. The portal is a good way to find a case number, verify that a divorce or custody filing was received, or check the current status of a pending case without calling the courthouse. Both open and closed cases appear in most search results.

Electronic filing for qualifying documents is available through the eFlex system, including the eFlex Lite option that became available in Union County in March 2021. Check the eFlex page for current registration instructions and a list of case types and document types accepted for Union County. The clerk's office at (870) 864-1940 can also answer questions about whether your filing qualifies for electronic submission.

Family Court Case Types in Union County

Union County Circuit Court handles all family law matters in the county. Divorce is filed under 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. The clerk's office at 101 North Washington has the petition forms and the current fee schedule.

Child custody follows § 9-13-101. Joint custody is presumed when parents agree or when the court finds it appropriate. When custody is disputed, the judge weighs the relationship each parent has with the child, the stability of each home, the child's own preferences based on age, and other relevant factors. Child support is set by the Arkansas family support chart and can be modified under § 9-14-107 when there is a material change in circumstances.

Juvenile records are confidential under § 9-27-309 and do not appear in public court searches. Adoption files are sealed under § 9-9-217. The County Clerk handles probate guardianship, commitment, and adoption at the county court level, while the Circuit Clerk handles circuit-level cases. Orders of protection are filed at no cost at the Circuit Clerk's office. Emergency orders can be issued the same day, with a ten-day follow-up hearing. Paternity cases are also filed with the Circuit Clerk.

Fees and Copies in Union County

The filing fee for a new family court case in Union County is $165.00. Reopening a closed case costs $50.00. Other costs for service of process and procedural steps may apply. Ask the clerk for a complete breakdown when you file.

Copies cost $0.50 per page and certified copies cost $5.00 each. Recording fees are $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. For mail requests, advance payment is required under § 25-19-105. Send a check or money order payable to the Union County Circuit Clerk at 101 North Washington, Suite 201, El Dorado, AR 71730, along with case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (870) 864-1940 to confirm the cost before mailing.

Legal Help in Union County

Union 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. Apply through their statewide intake line.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation provides referrals and supports the courthouse kiosk program statewide. Self-help court forms and guides are available at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. Union County has a larger bar than most rural south Arkansas counties, so finding a private family law attorney in El Dorado is typically easier than in more remote areas.

Cities in Union County

El Dorado is the county seat and largest city in Union County. It has a dedicated city page with additional family court access information.

Nearby Counties