Pope County Civil Court Records Search
Pope County civil court records are held by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Russellville and cover all civil case filings, judgments, domestic relations matters, probate records, and real estate documents for the county. This page explains how to find those records through the online portal, in person at the courthouse, or by submitting a mail request.
Pope County Civil Court Records Overview
Pope County Circuit Clerk Office
The Pope County Circuit Clerk is Rachel Oertling. The office is at 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. The main phone is (479) 968-6064 and the fax is (479) 967-2291. Mail can go to 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801-3723. The email listed for the county clerk is popeclerk@arkansasclerks.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday during normal courthouse business hours.
The Circuit Clerk keeps records for all divisions of the Pope County Circuit Court: civil, domestic relations, criminal, probate, and juvenile. The office also acts as the county recorder, holding deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. If you need to check the status of a civil case, get a copy of a judgment, or find a property record, this office is your starting point. Pope County is one of the more active courts in the Arkansas River Valley region, serving a county of around 63,000 people.
E-filing is available in Pope County through the Tradition Lien Service system, which offers same-day e-file capability for certain document types. If you are an attorney or a pro se filer looking to submit documents electronically, ask the Circuit Clerk's office about the e-filing options and what document types qualify. In-person and mail submissions remain options for all filers.
The circuit court in Pope County falls under the 28th Judicial Circuit. Judges assigned to this circuit handle civil, criminal, and other case types at the Russellville courthouse. The clerks maintain all case files, dockets, orders, and judgments for proceedings in that court. Contact (479) 968-7499 if the main Circuit Clerk line is busy, as that number is also listed for the Pope County courthouse in some directories.
Search Pope County Civil Court Records Online
Pope County participates in the Contexte case management system operated by the Arkansas Judiciary. That means civil case information is available through Search ARCourts, the official public portal. You can search by party name, business name, or case number for free. The portal is open around the clock except for brief maintenance windows on early weekday mornings and some weekend periods.
Because Pope County is a full participant in the online system, most current civil case data is searchable. Case summaries, party details, hearing dates, and docket entries are typically available for cases filed since the county joined the Contexte system. You can also look up judgments and see whether a case has been decided, settled, or is still pending. If you need to verify whether a judgment exists against a person or business, that information is searchable through the same portal.
Cases filed before January 1, 2009 must have sensitive personal information redacted before being made available online, under Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court. Very old records may not be in the online system at all. For those, an in-person visit to the courthouse or a mail request to the Circuit Clerk is needed. If you cannot find a case online, call (479) 968-6064 before assuming the record does not exist.
For technical help with the Search ARCourts portal, contact the Administrative Office of the Courts at (501) 410-1900 (option 1) or toll-free at (866) 823-5778. You can also email acap.help@arcourts.gov. Staff can help you navigate the search tools and explain what is available for Pope County.
Types of Civil Cases in Pope County Circuit Court
Pope County Circuit Court has general civil jurisdiction under Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution. The civil division handles cases where the amount at issue exceeds $25,000 and hears appeals from the district court below. Common civil filings include breach of contract, personal injury, property disputes, and negligence claims. All of these generate records that are public and kept by the Circuit Clerk.
The domestic relations division handles a large share of the civil docket in Pope County. Divorce, child custody, child support, visitation rights, and spousal support cases all go through this division. Those records are civil in nature and are stored alongside other circuit court files at the Russellville courthouse. A divorce decree or custody order from Pope County is requested the same way as any other civil record from this office.
Probate matters, including wills, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes, also come before the Pope County Circuit Court. Records from those proceedings are kept by the Circuit Clerk as well. If you are settling an estate or need documents from a probate case, contact the Circuit Clerk at 100 West Main Street or by phone at (479) 968-6064. Eviction cases and civil disputes under $25,000 are handled in district court, which keeps its own records separately.
How to Get Copies of Civil Court Records
You can get copies of Pope County civil court records in person, by mail, or by viewing the record online through the Search ARCourts portal. Each method works, but they differ in speed and what you need to provide.
In person is the quickest option for certified copies and for finding older records. Go to 100 West Main Street, Russellville during office hours. Staff can pull the file and make copies on the spot. Bring any identifying case information you have: the case number, party names, or the year the case was filed. Older cases may take more time to locate. The per-page copy fee applies, and certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Call (479) 968-6064 ahead of your visit to ask about payment options and current fees.
Mail requests work if you cannot travel to Russellville. Write to the Circuit Clerk at 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801-3723. Include the case number or party names, the approximate filing year, and payment to cover copying fees. A check or money order is standard. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies mailed back. Call first to confirm fees and processing time before sending your request.
The free online portal at Search ARCourts is a good starting point. It lets you view case information and print summaries. For cases that Pope County has fully entered into the system, document images may also be viewable online. For certified copies needed for legal proceedings, you will still need to go through the Circuit Clerk directly.
Pope County District Court Records
Pope County District Court handles civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000, as well as misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations. District court records are public and are separate from the circuit court records held by the Circuit Clerk. If you are looking for a small claims case or a civil matter filed in district court, contact the district court directly.
Small claims court in Pope County is available for lower-dollar disputes and is designed to move faster than standard civil proceedings. Businesses and individuals can use it to resolve unpaid bills, security deposit disputes, and similar matters. For civil claims between $5,001 and $25,000, the regular district court process applies. Some Pope County district court records may be searchable through the statewide Search ARCourts portal depending on how the district court participates in the Contexte system.
Public Access and Arkansas Law
Civil court records in Pope County are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. Any person has the right to view and copy public court records without giving a reason. That right applies in all 75 Arkansas counties, including Pope County.
The Arkansas Supreme Court's Administrative Order No. 19 governs electronic access to court records. Under this order, records are presumed public unless a specific law or court order restricts them. Juvenile records, adoption records, sealed cases, and certain mental health records are not public. When a case is sealed, it does not appear in online searches and cannot be obtained through a standard public request. The Circuit Clerk will indicate if a case is sealed and explain what, if anything, is accessible.
Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. provides the specific statutory framework for access to court records in Arkansas. This law, combined with Administrative Order No. 19, guides how the Pope County Circuit Clerk handles records requests. If a request is denied, the clerk should cite the rule or statute that limits access. If you believe a denial was improper, you may seek review through the court system or consult with an attorney.
Cities in Pope County
Pope County includes several cities. The largest is Russellville, which has a qualifying population and its own city page with civil court information specific to that city.
Other cities in Pope County such as Atkins, Dardanelle, Dover, and Hector do not meet the population threshold for a separate city page. For civil court records involving any city in Pope County, you contact the Pope County Circuit Clerk at 100 West Main Street, Russellville.
Legal Resources for Pope County Residents
Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents across the state, including those in Pope County. They handle housing, family law, consumer, and other civil matters. Apply online or call to check eligibility and get connected with help for your situation.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation funds legal aid programs and self-help tools statewide. The Arkansas Judiciary's online services page has forms and instructions for common civil filings. If you are handling a case on your own, those resources can help you understand the process. Courthouse kiosks available across Arkansas also give you access to case data, forms, and legal aid applications at no cost.
Nearby Counties
Pope County borders several counties in the Arkansas River Valley and surrounding areas, each with its own Circuit Clerk and civil court records.