Drew County Civil Court Records

Drew County civil court records are maintained by Circuit Clerk Beverly Burks at the courthouse in Monticello, Arkansas. This page explains how to search civil case filings online through the state portal, how to request court documents in person or by mail, and what types of civil records are available through the Drew County Circuit Court in the 10th Judicial Circuit.

Drew County Circuit Clerk Office

Circuit Clerk Beverly Burks serves Drew County and is currently in her fourth term in this role. The office is at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655. You can reach the office at (870) 460-6200 or (870) 460-6250. The courthouse itself is also located at 210 S Main St in Monticello with the same general phone number.

The Circuit Clerk accepts filings in felony criminal, civil, domestic relations, and juvenile cases. The office issues summonses, records deeds, mortgages, liens, and property-related instruments, calls jury panels, manages juror scheduling and pay, and handles some child support payments. The Clerk also compiles records of pleadings in appeals. Court and land records in Drew County go back to 1847, when the county was formed. Marriage and probate records through the County Clerk also date to 1847. These long historical archives make the Drew County courthouse a significant source for older civil records in southeastern Arkansas. A new land records system is being implemented through a county grant, which will improve access to property-related civil records over time.

Drew County was formed November 26, 1846 from Arkansas and Bradley Counties and is named for Thomas Drew, the third Governor of Arkansas. The county seat is Monticello, where the University of Arkansas at Monticello is located. Civil court matters in Drew County include land-related disputes, contract cases, and domestic relations filings, all processed through the Monticello courthouse.

Online Search for Drew County Civil Court Records

The Arkansas Judiciary's Search ARCourts portal is the main free tool for looking up civil case information in Drew County. Search by party name, business name, or case number. Use the filters for court type, case type, party type, or case status to narrow your search. No account or payment is needed for basic searches. The system is available around the clock.

Cases created before January 1, 2009 may have personal information redacted when accessed online under Administrative Order No. 19. Records from before the county joined the statewide case management system may not be available digitally. For older filings, contact the Circuit Clerk at (870) 460-6200 or visit the Monticello courthouse. The CourtConnect portal and the ARCourtKiosk system are additional online resources for case lookups. AOC support is available at (501) 410-1900, option 1, or toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Note: If you cannot find a Drew County civil case through the online portal, call the Circuit Clerk before assuming the record does not exist. Staff can confirm whether the file is on-site and explain what information you need to submit a records request.

Types of Civil Cases in Drew County Circuit Court

Drew County Circuit Court handles civil matters through its civil division as established by Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution. Civil cases include contract disputes, negligence and personal injury actions, foreclosures, eviction proceedings, quiet title suits, property disputes, declaratory judgments, and other matters where the amount at issue exceeds $25,000. Cases below that amount, including small claims up to $5,000, are handled in the district courts.

The domestic relations division covers divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity cases. These are civil proceedings and their records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Divorce records prior to 1950 are kept at the county level; records from 1950 onward are also available through the Arkansas Department of Health. The probate division handles wills, estates, and guardianships through the County Clerk's office. If you need a probate filing or an estate record, the County Clerk is the right contact. For any civil case filed in circuit court, Beverly Burks and her staff are the primary point of contact.

Note: Juvenile records are confidential in Drew County and throughout Arkansas. Adoption records are also sealed. Expunged records do not appear in public searches.

Getting Copies of Drew County Civil Court Records

In-person requests are the fastest way to obtain civil records from Drew County. Go to the courthouse at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655 during business hours. Bring valid photo ID and any case details you have. Party names, case number, and the year the case was filed are all helpful. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies require an additional certification fee and are needed for official legal use.

Mail requests are available for those who cannot travel to Monticello. Write to the Drew County Circuit Clerk, 210 South Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655. Include party names, case number if available, year filed, and payment by check or money order. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies returned. Call (870) 460-6200 before sending to check processing times and payment options. The office also handles some records by phone for initial inquiries, which can save time before you send a formal request.

Public Records Access in Arkansas

The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq., makes civil court records open to the public. Any person can inspect and copy these records without having to give a reason. The Circuit Clerk is required by law to respond to records requests and may charge only the fees allowed by statute. Drew County follows these same rules as all 75 Arkansas counties.

Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court governs how court records are made available electronically and confirms that records are presumed public unless sealed. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. provides the broader legal framework for circuit clerks when handling records requests. Exceptions to public access include juvenile cases, sealed proceedings, and adoption records. These categories do not appear in standard public searches and cannot be obtained through a routine request.

Legal Resources for Drew County Residents

Legal Services of Arkansas offers free civil legal help to income-eligible residents in Drew County. They handle housing, family law, and other civil matters. If you are handling a civil case on your own, the Arkansas Judiciary's online services page has forms and procedural guides for self-represented parties. The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation can also point you to legal resources in the 10th Judicial Circuit area.

For federal civil matters, Drew County residents fall under the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. State civil cases are handled at the Monticello courthouse, but federal jurisdiction applies when the dispute involves federal law or meets the requirements for federal court filing.

Nearby Counties

Drew County is in southeastern Arkansas in the 10th Judicial Circuit. Each surrounding county has its own civil records system and circuit clerk.

• Desha County - to the east
• Chicot County - to the southeast
• Ashley County - to the south
• Bradley County - to the southwest
• Cleveland County - to the west
• Lincoln County - to the north