Search Cleburne County Civil Court Records

Cleburne County civil court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Heber Springs and can be searched online or requested in person. This page covers how to find case filings, get copies of court documents, and use the free state search portal for civil matters filed in Cleburne County.

Cleburne County Circuit Clerk Office

Circuit Clerk Heather Smith manages civil court records for Cleburne County at the courthouse in Heber Springs. The office is located at 301 West Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543. You can reach the office by phone at (501) 362-8149, by fax at (501) 362-4681, or by email at recorder@cleburnecircuitclerkar.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The mailing address is P.O. Box 543, Heber Springs, AR 72543.

The Circuit Clerk serves as keeper of all records for the 16th Judicial Circuit. That covers filings, docket entries, orders, judgments, and case files across the civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile divisions. The Clerk also acts as ex-officio county recorder, so deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property instruments are on file here alongside court records. If you need a certified copy of a civil judgment or want to check the status of a pending case, start with this office.

The office website at cleburnecountyar.com/circuit-clerk lists contact details and points visitors to the statewide CourtConnect portal for case lookups. Staff can assist with locating files and explaining how to submit a records request. For older records not yet in the digital system, an in-person visit or written request is required.

Search Cleburne County Civil Court Records Online

The Arkansas Judiciary runs Search ARCourts, the official public portal for court case information. Cleburne County has full case information available in the system, meaning you can search civil cases by party name, business name, or case number at no cost. The search is available any time and does not require an account.

Cases filed before January 1, 2009 must have confidential details redacted when viewed online, as required by Administrative Order No. 19. Records from before the county joined the Contexte case management system may not appear in online results at all. For those older files, you will need to visit the courthouse or send a written request to the Circuit Clerk.

The ARCourtKiosk program provides on-site access to case information at the courthouse. These kiosks let you look up cases, check hearing dates, and print basic case documents at no charge during regular court hours. The case types available through the kiosk include civil disputes, contract claims, evictions, divorce, custody, child support, and felony criminal matters. If you run into trouble with an online search, the Administrative Office of the Courts can help at (501) 410-1900, option 1, or toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Types of Civil Cases in Cleburne County Circuit Court

Cleburne County Circuit Court hears civil cases under the civil division established by Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution. Cases in this division involve disputes where the amount at issue exceeds $25,000. Common filings include breach of contract claims, property disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and appeals from the district courts below.

The domestic relations division handles divorce, child custody, child support, and alimony cases. These are civil proceedings even though they involve family matters. The probate division covers wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes. Records from all these divisions are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. If you are looking for a divorce decree, a child support order, or a probate filing, you request those through the same office as any other civil court record.

Contract and property-related civil suits are common filings in Cleburne County. Disputes over real estate, business agreements, and unpaid debts do come before the circuit court. Records of those proceedings are public and can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk at the Heber Springs courthouse. Bring the case number or the full names of the parties when you visit, as this speeds up the search considerably.

How to Get Copies of Civil Court Records

You have three ways to get copies of civil court records from Cleburne County: visit in person, send a mail request, or use the free online portal. In person is fastest. Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at 301 West Main Street in Heber Springs during business hours. Staff can pull the file and print copies at $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00 each. Bring any case information you have, including the case number, party names, and the approximate year the case was filed.

Mail requests take longer but work if you cannot travel to Heber Springs. Write to the Circuit Clerk at P.O. Box 543, Heber Springs, AR 72543. Your request should include the names of the parties, the case number if you have it, the year filed, and a check or money order covering the copying fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies returned by mail. Call (501) 362-8149 before mailing to confirm current fees and estimated turnaround time.

Online access through Search ARCourts is free and available around the clock for cases entered into the statewide system. You can view case details and docket entries without charge. Printed copies of records still require a request to the Circuit Clerk.

Cleburne County District Courts

Cleburne County has several district courts that handle civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims cases up to $5,000. These courts also hear misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic matters. District court records are separate from circuit court records, though both are public under Arkansas law.

The district courts serving Cleburne County include the Heber Springs District Court at 922 South 9th Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543, reachable at (501) 362-6585. The Concord District Court is at 75 Central Avenue, Concord, AR 72523, phone (870) 668-3315. The Greers Ferry District Court operates at 8739 Edgemont Road and can be reached at (501) 825-7172. The Quitman District Court is at 52nd Street, Quitman, AR, phone (501) 589-3312. For small claims under $5,000, district court is typically the right starting point because the process is simpler and costs less than circuit court.

District court records for more recent cases may appear in the Search ARCourts portal. Older district court files may only be available by contacting the individual court directly. If you are unsure which court handled a case, call the Circuit Clerk at (501) 362-8149 and staff can point you in the right direction.

Public Access and Arkansas Law

Arkansas law treats most court records as public documents. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records, including court filings, without needing to state a reason. Court records in Cleburne County are subject to the same access rules as all 75 Arkansas counties.

Administrative Order No. 19, issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court, governs how courts handle electronic access to case records. Under this order, records are presumed public unless a specific law or court order says otherwise. Cases that are sealed, along with juvenile records, adoption proceedings, and certain mental health matters, are not accessible to the public. Sealed cases will not appear in online searches and cannot be retrieved through a standard records request to the Circuit Clerk.

Ark. Code Ann. Section 16-13-901 and related statutes set out the framework that circuit clerks follow when responding to record requests. These laws work alongside Administrative Order No. 19 to define what is accessible and how clerks must handle requests. In Cleburne County, as in all Arkansas counties, the Circuit Clerk follows these rules when providing access to civil court records. If a request is denied, the clerk must give a reason in writing.

Legal Resources in Cleburne County

If you need help understanding a civil court case or finding legal representation, several resources are available to Cleburne County residents. Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal aid to low-income individuals statewide and covers matters such as housing disputes, family law cases, and consumer issues.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation supports legal aid programs across the state and can help connect you with resources if you are representing yourself in a civil case. The Arkansas Judiciary also has a range of self-help materials on its online services page, including forms and instructions for common civil proceedings. For questions about court forms specifically, arlawhelp.org is another resource that provides forms and plain-language guidance for people navigating civil courts without an attorney.

The courthouse kiosk in Cleburne County lets you look up your own case, check hearing dates, and print basic case information at no cost. It is available during regular courthouse hours. If you need help with the kiosk or can't find what you need, court staff can direct you to the right resource.

Nearby Counties

Cleburne County shares borders with several other Arkansas counties. Each has its own Circuit Clerk and civil court records system.

• White County - to the east
• Independence County - to the northeast
• Stone County - to the north
• Van Buren County - to the northwest
• Faulkner County - to the southwest
• Lonoke County - to the south