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Arkansas Public Records

Arkansas public records are defined as any form of information available in writing, video, or sound that reflect the performance, or lack thereof, of a public office and its employees. 

How to Find Arkansas Public Records

Most public records in Arkansas are available for request under the Freedom of Information Act. Upon request issuance, the custodian has three business days to furnish a copy of the requested public record. Fees may apply for duplication and also mailing expenses. However, private sources can also provide access when the records are available.

Are Arkansas Public Records Available Online?

Public records in Arkansas are available online except for those exempted by law. The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) now publishes frequently requested documents online without a FOIA request. If not applicable, you may still submit a FOIA request available at DHS by providing requestor information on the first page and the details of your record request on the second page.  

What Records are Not Available in Arkansas?

All types of government information are considered public records in Arkansas and are available to the public. 

However, some records like state taxes, adoption records, unpublished judicial drafts, ongoing police investigations, and historical information are exempt from public scrutiny and inspection. 

Types of Public Records Available in Arkansas

Arkansas allows you to access the following records as an open records state.

Arkansas Public Criminal Records

You can look up public criminal records in Arkansas online using the Office of the Courts Public CourtConnect. You can search their database using the following information:

  • Name (person or a business)
  • Case type
  • Judgments
  • Case information
  • Cases filed by date
  • Docket filings by date

You may visit the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Information Center (ACIC) to request and review your criminal history information for other criminal record information.


Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Arkansas :

Pulaski County Sheriff's Office2900 S. Woodrow, Little Rock, AR
Benton County Sheriff's Office1300 South West 14th, Bentonville, AR
Washington County Sheriff's Office1155 W Clydesdale Dr, Fayetteville, AR
Sebastian County Sheriff's Office800 South A Street, Fort Smith, AR
Faulkner County Sheriff's Office801 Locust Street, Conway, AR
Saline County Sheriff's Office735 S Neeley St, Benton, AR
Craighead County Sheriff's Office901 Willett Road, Jonesboro, AR
Garland County Sheriff's Office525 Ouachita Ave, Hot Springs, AR
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office410 E. 2nd Ave, Pine Bluff, AR
White County Sheriff's Office1600 E Booth Rd, Searcy, AR

Arrest Records and Warrants

The Arkansas CourtConnect website allows you to view active arrest records and warrants in the state. You may also perform a local search through the county offices and sheriffs or use available information from third-party websites.

Inmate and Jail Records

The Arkansas Department of Corrections has an inmate search database where you can search for inmate information online.

You can use the following details to narrow down your search:

  • ADC number
  • Name (first and last)
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Race
  • County
  • Facility
  • Offense category

Jails and Prisons in Arkansas :

Polk County Jail & Sheriff455 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, AR
Wrightsville UnitP.O. Box 1000, Wrightsville, AR
Pulaski County Juvenile Detention Center3001 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR
Pulaski County Detention Facility3201 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR
J. Aaron Hawkins Sr. Center22522 Asher Road, Wrightsville, AR
Benton County Juvenile Detention Center1301 Melissa Drive, Bentonville, AR
Benton County Jail & Detention Center1300 Southwest 14th Street, Bentonville, AR
Washington County Detention Center1155 West Clydesdale Drive, Fayetteville, AR
Northwest Arkansas Work Release Center600 West Sunset Avenue, Springdale, AR
Washington County Juvenile Detention Center885 West Clydesdale Drive, Fayetteville, AR

Arkansas Background Checks

The ACIC does not provide background checks on individuals. However, you may use the Arkansas Criminal History (ARCH) facility to obtain criminal history information if you answer "yes" to any of the following:

  • You are mandated by law to perform a background check.
  • You have the signed consent of the person you are searching for.
  • You are performing a search for personal purposes.

Note that ARCH searches are only available online and can only be viewed and printed. However, remember every search you perform costs $24.00. Another $24.00 fee will apply for every result you view, regardless of the available results. 

For certified copies of background checks and criminal history information, you may mail your requests to the Arkansas State Police

How to Find Sex Offenders in Arkansas

The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) has a sex offender registry that lets you search offenders by name or area. The registry also contains information on thousands of "non-mappable offenders," which means their addresses are currently not available or cannot be recognized. However, they still belong to the registry of sex offenders in Arkansas. 

Arkansas Public Vital Records 

The Arkansas Department of Health has a Vital Records Online Service that conveniently allows citizens to request public vital records like birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce certificates. 

According to state law, vital records less than 100 years old are only available to individuals named on the record, their next of kin, or a legal representative. Requesters must provide personal information upon request, including a driver's license number for verification. 

 

Regarding fees, each vital record request will charge $1.85 for identity verification on top of the standard $5.00 processing fee. Depending on the type of vital record, a fee of $10.00 to 12.00 may apply for the first copy. An additional cost of $8.00 to $10.00 applies for every additional copy. There is also a $10.00 to $12.00 search fee, not including the mailing and shipping costs.

 

 

Arkansas Court Records 

Court records in Arkansas are available through the CourtConnect search portal. You may also find court records in the state using the archives. For court records unavailable online like sealed juvenile records, you can go to the county clerk and make your request in person.

 

 

State Court System in Arkansas

The state court system in Arkansas is divided into three levels:

 

  • Appellate courts
  • Circuit courts
  • District court

 

The appellate court is the highest level, composed of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The circuit courts function as the state's trial courts. Lastly, the district courts handle civil matters, misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and violations of local ordinances and state law.


Courts in Arkansas :

Arkansas Supreme Court625 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Court of Appeals625 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR
Pulaski County District Court3001 W. Roosevelt, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas 6th Judicial Circuit401 W. Markham, Room 420, Little Rock, AR
Benton County District CourtP.O. Box 459, Gentry, AR
Arkansas 19th West Judicial Circuit102 NE A Street, Bentonville, AR
Arkansas 19th East Judicial Circuit124 North Main Street; PO Box 231, Berryville, AR
Arkansas 4th Judicial Circuit280 N. College, #302, Fayetteville, AR
Washington County District Court176 S. Church Ave. Suite 1, Fayetteville, AR
Sebastian County District Court-Fort Smith District901 South 'B' Street, Fort Smith, AR

Driving Records

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Driver Services maintains the state's driving record information, including civil driving infractions, road accidents, convictions, and previous driving record inquiries. 

Following the Federal Privacy Protection Act, driving records in Arkansas are considered confidential but can be released under certain exceptions. 

  • Requesting a complete driving history record can only be done in person or by mail plus an $8.50 fee. 
  • For commercial driving records for employment purposes, you may request online for $13.00 or do it by mail or in-person with a fee of $10.00. 
  • For driving records for insurance purposes, you can request online for $10.00 or by mail or in-person for $8.50.

Civil Driving Infractions

The most common civil driving infractions in Arkansas are the following, arranged from the highest to the lowest count.

  1. Speeding
  2. Driving with a suspended license
  3. Failure to appear in court
  4. Driving with an expired or no license
  5. Failure to maintain liability insurance
  6. Careless or improper driving
  7. Not using a seatbelt
  8. Failure to show proof ins
  9. Speeding
  10. Driving under influence

Arkansas License Plate Lookup

Unfortunately, license plate information is not available in Arkansas. To look up a license plate, you need to visit the local police or contact the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for license information.

Arkansas Property and Asset Records Online 

The Arkansas County Data is the easiest way to help you find property and asset information online in the state. Property records are managed by the registry of deed offices which are also organized on a county level. 

Arkansas Unclaimed Property and Assets

The Arkansas State Auditor is the agency body responsible for reuniting unclaimed properties and assets with their rightful owners or heirs. Anyone can file a claim online as long as you provide proper documentation to prove your ownership or that you are the legal heir of the property you filed a claim for.  

Important Government Agencies in Arkansas

Arkansas has the following government agencies to help you find public records in the state.

  1. Secretary of State
  2. Governor’s Office
  3. Legislature Office
  4. Arkansas Department of Human Services
  5. Department of Public Safety - Crime Information Center
  6. Department of Corrections
  7. State Police
  8. Department of Finance and Administration - Driver Services
  9. County Data
  10. State Auditor
  11. Arkansas Judiciary

Counties in Arkansas


Other Records in Arkansas