Search Union County Civil Court Records
Union County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in El Dorado, the county seat. This page explains how to search civil case filings, request copies of court documents, and access records from the 13th Judicial Circuit (East), whether you need recent case data or older files held at the courthouse.
Union County Civil Court Records Overview
Union County Circuit Clerk Office
The Union County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in the county. The office is located at the Union County Courthouse, 101 North Washington Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730. The main phone number is (870) 864-1940. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, closed on state and federal holidays.
The Circuit Clerk maintains records for civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases filed in Union County Circuit Court. This office is your starting point for any civil court record request, including case file copies, judgment lookups, and lien searches. The clerk also serves as the county recorder, so property instruments like deeds and mortgages are held here as well.
The Union County Circuit Clerk website provides contact details, office information, and links to online resources. If you need to verify the current clerk name or find out about specific filing requirements, that site is a good reference. The Arkansas Association of Counties also lists Union County contact information at their county directory.
For civil matters that involve property or business disputes, it is worth noting that Union County has a significant history of oil-related legal activity in southern Arkansas. Contract disputes, mineral rights cases, and business litigation have all passed through this court over the decades. The records from those proceedings are public and available through the Clerk's office.
Search Union County Civil Court Records Online
The Arkansas Judiciary provides free online access to case information through Search ARCourts. Union County participates in this statewide system. You can search by party name, business name, or case number at no cost. The portal is available around the clock and covers circuit court civil filings, domestic cases, and probate records.
Under Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court, records filed before January 1, 2009 are subject to redaction of certain personal details when accessed electronically. Older records that predate the Contexte case management system may not appear online at all. If a search returns no results for a case you know exists, call the Circuit Clerk at (870) 864-1940 before assuming the record is missing.
The statewide Arkansas Judiciary online services page lists all available tools for public record access, including court forms and self-help resources. If you are not sure which court handled a particular case type in Union County, start with that page for guidance on the Arkansas court structure.
Types of Civil Cases in Union County Circuit Court
Union County Circuit Court hears civil cases under Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution. The civil division covers disputes above $25,000, including breach of contract claims, personal injury lawsuits, property disputes, and debt collection actions. The court also handles appeals from the district court below it. Jury trials for civil matters are conducted here when a party requests one.
The domestic relations division handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective order cases. These are all civil proceedings, and the records sit in the same clerk's office as other civil case files. A divorce decree or custody modification order from Union County can be requested directly from the Circuit Clerk in El Dorado.
Probate matters -- wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and name change petitions -- are also civil cases handled by the circuit court. The probate division in Union County keeps records of those proceedings, and they are public records with limited exceptions for sealed cases or confidential filings.
How to Get Copies of Civil Court Records
Union County civil court records can be obtained three ways: in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the free online search portal.
In-person requests are the fastest. Go to the Union County Courthouse at 101 North Washington Avenue in El Dorado during business hours. Give the clerk the case number, party names, or filing year so staff can pull the right file. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 each and carry the court seal, which is often required for legal proceedings. Bring payment and be as specific as possible about the case you need.
Mail requests work well if you are not local. Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 101 North Washington Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730. Include the case number or party names, the year filed, and a check or money order for copying fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed return of the copies. Call (870) 864-1940 first to confirm the current fee schedule and expected turnaround time.
Online access through Search ARCourts is free and available any time. You can view basic case data without visiting the courthouse. Full document copies still require a request to the Clerk's office.
Union County District Court Civil Records
Union County District Court handles civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims cases up to $5,000. The district court also covers misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic violations, and city ordinance offenses. District court records are separate from circuit court records but are public under the same Arkansas laws.
Small claims cases -- those at or below $5,000 -- go through a streamlined process designed for individuals who want to resolve a dispute quickly and without complex legal procedure. You can file and represent yourself without an attorney, though having one is allowed. For civil disputes between $5,001 and $25,000, the standard district court civil process applies, with more formal procedures and a judge deciding the outcome.
Recent district court records for Union County may appear in the Search ARCourts portal. For older cases, contact the Circuit Clerk's office at (870) 864-1940, which can direct you to the appropriate records location.
Public Access and Arkansas Law
Civil court records in Union County are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. Any person can inspect and copy public court records. You do not need to give a reason or show that you have a stake in the case. The law applies to all government record holders, including the Circuit Clerk.
Administrative Order No. 19, issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court, sets the rules for electronic access to court records. Under this order, records are presumed open unless a law or court order closes them. Sealed cases, juvenile records, adoption files, and certain mental health proceedings are not available to the public and will not show up in online searches.
Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. provides the statutory framework for court record access in Arkansas and defines the obligations of circuit clerks when responding to requests. These statutes, read alongside the FOIA and Administrative Order No. 19, govern what Union County civil court records you can get and how to request them.
Legal Resources in Union County
Legal Services of Arkansas offers free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents across the state, including Union County. They handle housing, family law, consumer issues, and other civil matters. If you need legal advice but cannot afford an attorney, this is a useful starting point.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation funds legal aid programs statewide and can connect you with self-help tools if you are managing a civil case without a lawyer. The Arkansas Judiciary's online services page also has forms and guides for common civil proceedings.
The Arkansas Judiciary website provides court contact information, administrative orders, and general guidance on how courts work in Arkansas. It is a good reference if you are unfamiliar with the court system and need to understand what kind of case to file or which court has jurisdiction.
Cities in Union County
El Dorado is the county seat and the only qualifying city in Union County with its own civil court records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Union County sits in southern Arkansas and shares borders with several neighboring counties, each with its own Circuit Clerk and civil records system.
- Ouachita County - to the north
- Calhoun County - to the north
- Columbia County - to the east
- Ashley County - to the southeast
- Bradley County - to the northeast