Van Buren County Family Court Records
Van Buren County family court records for divorce, child custody, child support, domestic relations, and juvenile matters are maintained by the combined County and Circuit Clerk office at 273 Main St, Ste 2, Clinton, AR 72031, as part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Note that Van Buren County is different from the city of Van Buren, which is in Crawford County. Court and land records in Van Buren County go back to 1859, with divorce records dating from 1874.
Van Buren County Family Court Records Overview
Van Buren County Circuit Clerk
The combined County/Circuit Clerk office for Van Buren County is at 273 Main St, Ste 2, Clinton, AR 72031, phone (501) 745-4140. Clinton is the county seat of Van Buren County. The clerk's office handles all family court filings including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and orders of protection, as well as county-level records such as marriage licenses, probate, and real property recordings.
Marriage, court, and land records in Van Buren County go back to 1859. Divorce records date from 1874. Probate records go back to 1860. Chancery Records from 1859 to 1959 are also maintained. Van Buren County was created November 11, 1833 from Independence, Conway, and Izard counties and was named for Martin Van Buren, who was Vice President at the time of the county's creation.
Van Buren County is in the 20th Judicial Circuit along with Perry County. Circuit judges rotate between Clinton and Perryville. Contact the clerk's office at (501) 745-4140 to find out when a judge will be in Clinton for scheduled hearings on your case.
The Van Buren County CourtConnect portal provides free online access to family court records including divorce, custody, and domestic relations cases filed in the county. Search by party name, case number, or date range. No login is required. Full case information is available for most Van Buren County case types through the statewide system.
Search Van Buren County Family Court Records Online
The Search ARCourts portal is the primary free tool for finding Van Buren County family court records online. Enter a party name, case number, or date range to search. Results include docket entries, party names, the assigned judge, and hearing dates. Van Buren County participates fully in CourtConnect and full case information is available for most case types.
For older records predating the online system, the combined clerk's office in Clinton maintains physical files going back to 1859 for court and land records and 1874 for divorce records. If you are looking for a historical family court record for genealogical or legal purposes, contact the clerk's office directly to find out what is available and how to request it.
Electronic filing through the statewide eFlex system is available for attorneys and some self-represented parties. This allows document submission without traveling to Clinton. Check the eFlex resources page for registration instructions and accepted document types for Van Buren County cases.
Family Court Case Types in Van Buren County
The Van Buren 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. Divorce records in Van Buren County go back to 1874, making it one of the counties with longer documented family court histories in Arkansas.
Child custody follows § 9-13-101, which presumes joint custody when parents agree or when the court finds it appropriate. When custody is contested, the judge looks at the parent-child relationship, home stability, the child's preferences based on age, and other factors. Modifications to custody or support orders can be filed when circumstances change materially under § 9-14-107.
Juvenile records are confidential under § 9-27-309. 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 granted the same day, followed by a hearing within ten days. Paternity and guardianship cases are also handled at the Circuit Court level. The combined county/circuit clerk office handles all these case types in one location at 273 Main St in Clinton.
Fees and Copies in Van Buren County
A new family court case costs $165.00 to file in Van Buren County. Other fees may apply for service of process and procedural steps. Ask the clerk for a complete list when you go 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. Send a check or money order payable to the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk at 273 Main St, Ste 2, Clinton, AR 72031, along with case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (501) 745-4140 before mailing to confirm the total cost of your request.
Legal Help in Van Buren County
Van Buren 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 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 at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. Van Buren County is in a rural part of north-central Arkansas, so planning ahead for court visits and having your documents organized before you go will save time.