Find Civil Court Records in Lonoke County

Lonoke County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Lonoke, Arkansas, and are part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search filings online, request copies of court documents, and access civil records for cases filed in Lonoke County.

Lonoke County Circuit Clerk Office

Deborah Oglesby serves as the Lonoke County Circuit Clerk. The office is at 301 North Center Street in Lonoke, with a mailing address of PO Box 870, Lonoke, AR 72086-0870. Main court records inquiries can be directed to (501) 676-2316. For real estate and recording matters, call (501) 676-3043. Child support questions go to (501) 676-3013. The fax number for the office is (501) 676-3014.

The Circuit Clerk serves as clerk of the civil, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile courts. The office maintains a record of all proceedings from these divisions and prepares dockets for each court. Staff issue summons, warrants, orders, judgments, and injunctions as directed by the court. The clerk also acts as ex-officio recorder for the county, which means recording and maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, surety bonds, and other property instruments is part of the same office.

All court records maintained by the Circuit Clerk are permanent public records under Arkansas law, with an exception for certain sealed or juvenile matters. Records are accessible upon written request. The clerk's office is not permitted to give legal advice, but staff can tell you what records exist, explain how to request them, and let you know what fees to expect. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Search Lonoke County Civil Court Records Online

Lonoke County is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit (East) and its case records are searchable through Search ARCourts, the free statewide portal operated by the Arkansas Judiciary. You can search by party name, business name, or case number. The system covers civil cases, criminal matters, domestic relations, and probate proceedings filed in Lonoke County Circuit Court.

The Circuit Court in Lonoke handles felony criminal cases and civil cases over $25,000, domestic relations cases, and probate. The District Court handles misdemeanor criminal matters, civil cases up to $25,000, and preliminary felony hearings. Both levels of court have records that can be searched online. Municipal courts operate in Cabot, Lonoke, Ward, Austin, Carlisle, and England for local ordinance matters and minor traffic violations.

For land records and property document searches, a separate title search system was maintained at lonokecountytitlesearch.com. As of May 1, 2016, that system no longer posts docket entries or court indexes. For current docket and case information, the official source is the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search portal. Archived land records may still be searchable through the title search system for older filings.

Cases from before January 1, 2009 have confidential details redacted in online records under Administrative Order No. 19. Very old files not yet entered into the Contexte system may require an in-person visit or written request to locate. If you cannot find a case online, call the clerk at (501) 676-2316. Technical support for the state portal is available at (501) 410-1900 (option 1) or toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Types of Civil Cases in Lonoke County Circuit Court

The Lonoke County Circuit Court civil division handles a wide range of case types. These include negligence claims, bad faith suits, fraud, malpractice, product liability, foreclosure actions, quiet title cases, partition actions, condemnation proceedings, declaratory judgment requests, and unlawful detainer cases. The civil division also handles injunctions, incorporations, election contests, foreign judgment registrations, writs, administrative appeals, property forfeiture, removal of disabilities of minority, and name changes.

Domestic relations cases in Lonoke County include divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, and alimony. These are civil matters filed with the Circuit Clerk and kept alongside other civil court records. If you need a copy of a divorce decree or a court order related to custody or support, you request it from the same office as any other civil filing.

Probate proceedings handled in Lonoke County include wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. All of these civil proceedings generate public court records unless a specific court order seals them. The Civil Court page at the Lonoke Circuit Clerk's office also notes that public notices for foreclosures, recordings, budget reports, bonds, and real estate are available through the clerk's office.

How to Get Copies of Civil Court Records

Lonoke County civil court records can be obtained in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through online access. Each method suits different needs.

In person is the most direct option. The courthouse is at 301 North Center Street, Lonoke, AR 72086. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring the party names, case number if you have it, and the approximate year the case was filed. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Staff can usually locate and copy records while you wait for recent cases already in the system.

Mail requests should go to PO Box 870, Lonoke, AR 72086-0870. Include all the case details you know, the type of record you need, and a check or money order for the estimated copy fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies returned by mail. Call (501) 676-2316 first to get an estimate of fees and turnaround time, especially for older records that may require more searching.

Free online access is available through Search ARCourts for cases entered into the system. You can view docket entries, case status, and party information without charge. Full document images are not always available online, so for actual copies of pleadings or orders, you will still need to contact the clerk's office.

Lonoke County District Court Civil Records

Lonoke County District Court handles civil claims from $0 up to $25,000, including small claims cases up to $5,000. District courts also handle misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. District court records are public and separate from circuit court records, though both can be searched through the statewide portal.

Small claims cases are simpler and faster than regular civil cases. There is no need for an attorney, and filing fees are lower. The process is designed for individuals and small businesses to resolve modest disputes quickly. For claims between $5,001 and $25,000, the standard district civil procedure applies. Lonoke County has municipal courts operating in several cities, including Cabot, for local ordinance matters and minor violations.

If you are not sure whether a case was filed in district court or circuit court, search by party name in Search ARCourts. The results will show which court handled the matter. If you need help locating a specific district court record, contact the Lonoke County Circuit Clerk at (501) 676-2316 for guidance on where those records are kept.

Public Access and Arkansas Law

Arkansas law presumes that court records are public. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq., gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records without needing to explain why. This includes civil court filings, docket entries, and case documents held by the Circuit Clerk.

Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court governs electronic access to court records. Under this order, records are presumed public unless a law or court order restricts them. Sealed cases, adoption proceedings, most juvenile records, and some mental health matters are not publicly available. A sealed case will not appear in online searches or be released through a standard records request.

Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. provides the specific framework for circuit court records access, including the fees clerks may charge and how quickly they must respond to requests. In Lonoke County, the Circuit Clerk follows these statutes when processing civil records requests. If a request is denied, the clerk must provide the reason in writing. The Association of Arkansas Counties page for Lonoke County has reference information about county offices and the Circuit Clerk's role.

Legal Resources in Lonoke County

Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents across the state, including Lonoke County. They handle cases involving housing, family law, consumer issues, and other civil matters. If you need legal representation or advice and cannot afford an attorney, reach out to Legal Services of Arkansas first.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation supports legal aid programs statewide and can connect residents with free or low-cost legal resources. The Arkansas Judiciary online services page offers self-help forms and guidance for people handling civil cases on their own. For state court system information and resources, visit arcourts.gov.

Lonoke County is in the greater Little Rock metro area. Residents of Cabot, the largest city in Lonoke County, file civil matters through the same Lonoke County Circuit Clerk's office. The Cabot Municipal Court handles minor local violations, but all civil circuit court filings go through the clerk in Lonoke.

Nearby Counties

Lonoke County is located in central Arkansas, east of Little Rock. Neighboring counties each have their own Circuit Clerk and civil court records system.

• Pulaski County - to the west
• Prairie County - to the east
• Arkansas County - to the southeast
• Grant County - to the southwest
• White County - to the north
• Jefferson County - to the south