Lee County Civil Court Records

Lee County civil court records are held by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Marianna, Arkansas. This page explains how to search civil case filings online through the Arkansas Judiciary portal, how to request copies in person or by mail, what types of civil cases the court handles, and where to find legal help in Lee County.

Lee County Circuit Clerk Office

The Lee County Circuit Clerk office is at 15 E Chestnut St, Marianna, AR 72360. The main phone number is (870) 295-7700. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Circuit Clerk is the legal custodian of all court records for Lee County and serves as the official records keeper for the 1st Judicial Circuit court proceedings within the county.

The office maintains records across all circuit court divisions: civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile. As ex-officio county recorder, the Circuit Clerk also files and indexes property instruments, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and conveyances. If you need a civil court record and a property document tied to the same matter, both are held in this office. The staff cannot give legal advice but can confirm what records are on file and explain how to request them.

Lee County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, which covers counties in the eastern part of the state. Civil cases are heard by circuit judges who cover the circuit. All filings, orders, and judgments from those proceedings become permanent public records maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Marianna.

The Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association provides resources and standards for circuit clerks statewide. Lee County's clerk is elected to a four-year term and operates under the same statutes and oversight as every other county in Arkansas.

Search Lee County Civil Court Records Online

Lee County civil court records can be searched for free through Search ARCourts, the Arkansas Judiciary's public portal. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or citation number. No account or fee is required. Lee County case types available through this system include felony criminal, divorce, custody, child support, eviction, contract disputes, and other civil disputes.

The Lee County court kiosk page lists the case types available online for the county. Cases filed before January 1, 2009, show only non-confidential details online per Administrative Order No. 19. For records not in the online system, an in-person visit to the Marianna courthouse is the most reliable approach.

Technical support for the Arkansas Judiciary search tools is available at (501) 410-1900, option 1, or toll-free at (866) 823-5778. The CourtConnect page describes additional access options for participating counties. Note: If a case does not appear in Search ARCourts, contact the Circuit Clerk at (870) 295-7700 before concluding the record does not exist.

Types of Civil Cases in Lee County Circuit Court

Lee County Circuit Court handles civil cases under Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution, which established five circuit court divisions. The civil division covers disputes where the amount at issue exceeds $25,000. Contract disputes, personal injury actions, property claims, quiet title suits, and foreclosures are all common civil filings in Lee County. Records from those cases are public and held by the Circuit Clerk in Marianna.

The domestic relations division adds to the civil record set. Divorce filings, child custody cases, support orders, and visitation matters are all public proceedings with records kept by the same Circuit Clerk. Probate proceedings, including wills, estate administration, guardianships, and name changes, are handled under the probate division. All are requestable through the Circuit Clerk office just as any civil case file would be.

District courts handle civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000. Those records are separate from circuit court filings but are also public. Some district court data may appear in Search ARCourts. For records not in the online system, contact the district court or ask the Circuit Clerk for direction on where those files are kept.

How to Get Copies of Civil Court Records

In person is the quickest option. Go to 15 E Chestnut St, Marianna, AR 72360, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring the case number if available, plus party names and the approximate year filed. Standard copies are $0.25 per page, and certified copies are $5.00 each. Call (870) 295-7700 first to confirm accepted payment methods and any requirements for your specific request.

Mail requests are accepted at the same courthouse address. Include all identifying information about the record you need, a check or money order for copy fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Call ahead to estimate processing time and confirm the fee for your request type before mailing payment.

Free case summary and docket review is available anytime through Search ARCourts. Full document images must be obtained from the Clerk directly. Property records in the recorder's custody may also be reviewed in person at the courthouse.

Public Access and Arkansas Law

Arkansas court records are public by default. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq., gives any person the right to inspect and copy records held by public offices without stating a reason. The Circuit Clerk must respond to requests under this law. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. establishes the framework specifically for court record access and sets the rules circuit clerks follow statewide.

Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court governs electronic access to civil court records. Under it, records are presumed open to the public unless restricted by a statute or a specific court order. Sealed cases, juvenile records, adoptions, and some mental health proceedings are exempt from public access. Those records do not appear in online searches and cannot be retrieved through a standard request. Lee County's Circuit Clerk follows these rules for every request it handles.

Legal Resources in Lee County

Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents throughout the state, including Lee County. The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation supports legal aid efforts statewide and can connect you to local resources.

Self-help forms for common civil filings are on the Arkansas Judiciary's online services page. The court kiosk program provides free on-site case lookups at participating courthouses. Federal civil matters for Lee County may go through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Historical records may be available at the Arkansas State Archives.

Nearby Counties

Lee County is in eastern Arkansas, part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. Its neighboring counties each have their own Circuit Clerk and civil court records.

• St. Francis County - to the north
• Phillips County - to the south
• Monroe County - to the west
• Woodruff County - to the northwest
• Crittenden County - to the northeast