Benton County Civil Court Records

Benton County civil court records date back to 1837 and are maintained by Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields at the Bentonville courthouse. This page explains how to search case files, request copies of civil court documents, and navigate the court system for the 19th Judicial Circuit, one of the busiest in Arkansas.

Benton County Circuit Clerk Office

Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields operates the Benton County Circuit Clerk's office at 102 Northeast A Street, Bentonville, AR 72712, within the Benton County Administration Building. For civil and domestic matters, call (479) 271-1015. Criminal records inquiries use (479) 271-1016. The fax line is (479) 271-1018. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The official clerk website is at bentoncircuitclerk.com.

Brenda DeShields serves as Parliamentarian of the Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association, reflecting the office's role in statewide circuit clerk leadership. The Benton County office maintains a comprehensive online records portal through BIS Online Services. Public records index data is available from May 3, 1945, and images go back to January 31, 1933. Internal records and images extend from August 2002 forward.

The Circuit Clerk maintains civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile records for all of Benton County. The office also handles e-recording of land documents through approved vendors including Simplifile and eRecording Partners Network. Archives of historical records in film format are maintained jointly by the Circuit and County Clerks, and email inquiries about archived records can be sent to archives@bentoncountyar.gov.

Search Benton County Civil Records Online

Benton County provides strong online access to civil court records. The Search ARCourts portal lets anyone search case information for Benton County by party name, case number, or filing date at no cost. Benton County maintains comprehensive online records through CourtConnect, and the county was involved in a significant Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on public records access. In that case, the court confirmed that requests for court records related to a specific individual are not "compiled information" under Administrative Order No. 19, affirming open public access to civil court records through FOIA.

The Benton County Circuit Clerk's own records search portal provides access to recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and plats. Judgment records go back to 1992 with images available from 1970. Deed records are indexed from 1945 with images from 1933. This is a more detailed resource than the statewide portal for property-related civil records.

The Benton County government also maintains an online services page where users can pay court fines, search land records, and access case information through the Circuit Clerk's portal. A subscription service is available for frequent record searchers such as title companies, law firms, and research professionals.

Note: Sealed cases, juvenile records, and adoption proceedings do not appear in any online search. Contact the clerk's office at (479) 271-1015 if you believe a record exists but cannot locate it online.

Civil Case Types in Benton County Circuit Court

Benton County Circuit Court handles a high volume of civil filings given the county's population and economic activity. Civil division cases include contract disputes, real property litigation, personal injury lawsuits, negligence claims, business disputes, and any civil action where the amount exceeds $25,000. The court also handles appeals from district court rulings.

Domestic relations filings include divorce, legal separation, custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support. These cases make up a substantial share of circuit court activity in Benton County. Modifications of prior divorce decrees and custody orders are also filed here. Records from domestic relations cases are civil records maintained by the Circuit Clerk, with some portions restricted by court order when they involve the welfare of minor children.

Probate cases in Benton County include wills, estate administrations, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes. The Circuit Clerk's archive section maintains microfilm formats of older probate records. For recent probate filings, the CourtConnect system will often show the case filing information. Certified copies of probate orders or will documents can be requested from the clerk's office for a $5.00 fee per document plus copying costs.

How to Obtain Benton County Civil Court Copies

In-person requests are handled at 102 Northeast A Street, Bentonville, during regular business hours. Bring the party names and any case number you have. Staff can search the docket and print copies at $0.25 per page. Certified copies with the court seal cost $5.00. For documents you found through the online portal, you can often print images directly if they are available in the system. Images for internal records (non-public-index records) are available from August 2002 forward.

Mail requests should go to Brenda DeShields, Circuit Clerk, 102 Northeast A Street, Bentonville, AR 72712. Include party names, filing year, case number if available, and payment by check or money order. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps ensure copies are returned promptly. For large research projects or extended searches, calling ahead to (479) 271-1015 is recommended to discuss the scope and estimated fees.

Online subscriptions through BIS Online Services (866-658-0865 or onlineservices@bisonline.com) allow for higher-volume access to recorded documents. This is primarily used by attorneys and title professionals who search records regularly. For one-time public access, the free CourtConnect portal is the better starting point.

Benton County District Courts

Benton County has four district court locations, which is more than most Arkansas counties. The Bentonville District Court is at 306 SW A Street, Bentonville, AR 72712, phone (479) 271-1002. Bella Vista District Court operates at 1801 Forest Hills Boulevard, Bella Vista, AR 72715, phone (479) 855-2231. Rogers District Court is at 2200 W. Sunset Street, Rogers, AR 72756, phone (479) 621-1153. Siloam Springs District Court is at 410 N. Broadway, Siloam Springs, AR 72761, phone (479) 524-4558.

All four district courts handle civil claims up to $25,000, small claims up to $5,000, misdemeanor criminal offenses, and traffic violations. The district courts generate their own set of records, which may overlap with circuit court records for cases that are appealed. Online case records for Benton County district courts may be accessible through the CourtConnect portal or through the specific district court location.

Public Access Laws for Benton County Civil Records

Civil court records in Benton County are public under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq., the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. This law gives any person the right to inspect and copy court records without stating a reason. The right applies regardless of whether you live in Benton County or anywhere else in the country.

Administrative Order No. 19, issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court and available at arcourts.gov, governs electronic access to court records. It establishes a presumption of public access and defines which categories of records can be withheld. In Benton County and all other Arkansas counties, sealed cases, juvenile proceedings, adoption records, and certain mental health records are not publicly accessible.

Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. provides the statutory basis for court record access statewide. Under this framework, the Circuit Clerk must provide reasonable access during business hours and must process written requests with appropriate fees. The maximum copy fee is set by statute, and the clerk cannot charge more than the approved rate for standard or certified copies.

Legal Resources in Benton County

Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying residents of Benton County. They can help with family law, housing, consumer issues, and other civil matters. Income guidelines apply. The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation also supports legal aid in this region.

For self-represented litigants, the Arkansas Judiciary online services page links to court forms and self-help resources. The Benton County District Court at bentoncountyar.gov also provides local procedural information. If you need a court kiosk, the ARCourtKiosk program locations are available in participating Arkansas courthouses for free case lookup.

Nearby Counties

Benton County sits in the far northwest corner of Arkansas. Neighboring counties all have their own circuit clerks and civil court records systems.

• Carroll County - to the east
• Washington County - to the south
• Madison County - to the southeast