Centerton Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Centerton, Arkansas are kept by the Benton County Circuit Clerk in Bentonville. Centerton is a city within Benton County and falls under the 19th Judicial Circuit, so all civil case filings from Centerton are processed at the county courthouse rather than any local city office. You can search civil court records online for free through the state's Search ARCourts tool, or make an in-person request at the Benton County Courthouse to get copies of specific case files and judgments.

Benton County Circuit Clerk

Benton County Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields maintains all civil court records for Centerton. The office is at 102 NE A St, Bentonville, AR 72712. For civil and domestic records, call (479) 271-1015. For criminal records, use (479) 271-1016. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's office serves the entire 19th Judicial Circuit and has been maintaining county court records since 1837.

Centerton city hall does not hold circuit court civil case files. All civil cases involving Centerton residents that go through circuit court are on file with the Benton County Circuit Clerk. This includes civil lawsuits, contract disputes, property matters, domestic relations cases, probate proceedings, and civil judgments. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. If your request total exceeds $25, full payment is required before processing begins.

The official Benton County Circuit Clerk website is at bentoncountyar.gov/circuit-clerk.

Online Search for Centerton Civil Records

Arkansas provides free access to civil court records through the Search ARCourts portal. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name without creating an account. The system covers Benton County Circuit Court and shows civil case status, docket entries, party information, and hearing dates. Most recent filings are indexed in this database.

The CourtConnect system is another online tool that provides deeper access to docket information. Benton County participates in the Arkansas Court Automation Project, which means civil records from Centerton cases may be available through CourtConnect as well. This system can show detailed case history and, in some situations, scanned documents. Use it when Search ARCourts does not show the level of detail you need.

Civil Case Types Filed in Benton County

Centerton civil court cases handled at the county level include a wide range of matters. Civil lawsuits over contracts and business disputes, personal injury claims, property boundary disputes, and civil judgment enforcement are all filed in circuit court. Under Amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution, circuit courts handle all major civil matters organized into specialized divisions: civil, domestic, juvenile, probate, and criminal. Benton County is large enough to have dedicated judges in each division.

Domestic relations filings from Centerton - including divorce, child custody, child support, and modification of prior orders - are also civil records in the circuit court. Probate matters for Centerton residents who die in Benton County go through the probate division of the same circuit court. All of these records are public unless a court order seals them.

Note: For civil disputes under $25,000, Centerton residents may have their cases handled in district court rather than circuit court.

District Court Civil Records

District courts in Arkansas have civil jurisdiction over claims up to $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000. Centerton is served by a local district court for matters that fall below the circuit court threshold. District court civil records are kept separately from circuit court files. If you are searching for a small claims judgment or a district-level civil case from Centerton, contact the district court directly rather than the county circuit clerk.

The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts can help identify which district court serves Centerton and how to make a record request. Reach the AOC at (501) 410-1900 or toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Public Access and FOIA

Civil court records in Arkansas are public documents. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. guarantees citizens the right to inspect and copy government records, which includes court filings. Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court sets the presumption that court records are open. Records may only be restricted if a specific law or court order applies. Categories of sealed or restricted records include juvenile files, certain domestic violence matters, adoption cases, and some mental health proceedings.

If you are not sure whether a particular Centerton civil court record is publicly available, staff at the Benton County Circuit Clerk's office can tell you. They cannot give legal advice but can confirm whether a file is open or sealed. The Arkansas judiciary online services page also lists tools and guidance for the public.

Legal Help for Centerton Residents

Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents in Benton County, including Centerton. The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation also supports legal aid programs across the state. If you are handling a civil matter without an attorney, the Arkansas Judiciary online services page has forms and guidance for common court proceedings. The Administrative Office of the Courts can be reached at (501) 410-1900 for general questions about court access.

Nearby Cities

Other Benton County cities have civil court records at the same circuit clerk's office in Bentonville.

• Bentonville - Benton County seat, 19th Circuit
• Rogers - Benton County, 19th Circuit
• Siloam Springs - Benton County, 19th Circuit
• Bella Vista - Benton County, 19th Circuit
• Fayetteville - Washington County, 4th Circuit

See the Benton County Civil Court Records page for county-level detail.