Craighead County Court Records

Arkansas court records are crucial in legal proceedings, historical research, and understanding the legal landscape. These court documents contain documentation resulting from criminal court proceedings and judicial operations. Examples include case information, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, hearings, and docket entries. These records promote transparency, facilitate conflict resolution, and enhance legal positions. In Craighead County, court record requests can be made through the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search tool or by contacting the relevant records custodian online or in person.

Are Court Records Public in Craighead County?

Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Administrative Order No. 19, court records are generally available to state citizens. These laws ensure that Arkansas citizens can inspect and obtain court records without stating a purpose for the record request.

Aside from the legal provisions that limit court records' accessibility to citizens of the state only, there are other restrictions to public disclosure. For instance, records containing information like HIPAA-protected health data, tax records, Social Security numbers, adoption records, grand jury proceedings, and drug test results are excluded from public access. In addition, notes, communications, and deliberative materials related to judicial decisions are also confidential.

Craighead County Court Records Search

Requesters who wish to conduct a general search for court records in Craighead County may utilize the following sources:

Search ARCourts: This portal allows users to look for public case records using a person’s name or the case number. The website provides general access to all civil, small claim, traffic, and misdemeanor criminal cases after August 1, 2018.

Craighead County Circuit Clerk’s Office: Record seekers may visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office in person to utilize their online resources to acquire public court case records. The Office stores and manages civil, criminal, domestic, and juvenile cases.

Craighead County Clerk’s Office: The County Clerk is the custodian of probate court records. The office maintains records in decedent estate cases, contested wills, adoptions, and guardianship cases. Record searchers can request these records by mailing in a record request or visiting the office in person.

Craighead County Court Records Search by Name

Interested parties who wish to perform a name-based search of civil court cases in Craighead County can use the search ARCourts portal. First, they must select the option to search by party name and enter the required details, like the first and last name of the person.

Searching for civil court records on Search ARCourts is typically free, but requesters may pay a nominal fee for copies of court records. In addition, record searchers will need to show a valid ID for in-person record searches.

Craighead County Courts

The Craighead County trial court system comprises Circuit Courts and District Courts. The locational addresses of these courts are as follows:

Craighead County Circuit Court
511 S Main St,
#200, Jonesboro,
AR 72401
Phone: (870) 933-4530
Fax: (870) 933-4534

Craighead County Circuit Court
107 Cobean Blvd,
P.O. Box 537,
Lake City, AR 72437
Phone: (870) 237-4342
Fax: (870) 237-8174

Craighead County District Court - Jonesboro
410 W Washington,
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 933-4508
Fax: (870) 933-4582

Craighead County District Court - Lake City
107 Cobean Blvd,
P.O. Box 537,
Lake City, AR 72437
Phone: (870) 237-4142
Fax: (870) 237-8174

Craighead County District Court Records

In Craighead County, the District Court—comprising the Western and Eastern Divisions—has jurisdiction over certain civil and criminal cases.

Craighead County District Court handles various misdemeanors and preliminary hearings in all criminal matters. The county's district court also hears traffic matters and municipal law infractions. Furthermore, the District Court hears civil matters involving small claims and other disagreements involving limited monetary values.

Individuals searching for Craighead court records can find them online. The Craighead County District Court Online Record Search tool allows users to examine archived records from September 1994 to July 31, 2018. Requesters can access all civil, small claim, traffic, and minor criminal cases filed after August 1, 2018, through the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search.

Craighead County Criminal Records

The Arkansas State Police provides applicants with access to Craighead County criminal records, encompassing Craighead County arrest records. Authorized users can review and request criminal history information through the State Police's Online Criminal Background Check System.

The following options are available to individuals who wish to conduct a criminal history search in Arkansas:

Online: The Arkansas State Police Online Criminal Background Check System is available to requestors and offers information comparable to that obtained through in-person or postal requests.

In-Person: Prospective candidates may visit the Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Little Rock, located at I-30 and Geyer Springs Road (exit 133), during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays).

A filled ASP-122 form with the subject's release signature, a $25.00 cheque or money order, and a stamped, addressed envelope are required for mailed requests. The applicants are required to submit their criminal history request packet to the following address:

Arkansas State Police ID Bureau
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
Phone: (501) 618-8500

Payment Methods and Costs

Online Criminal-Based Check System: This service costs $22.00 for each Arkansas State name-based check request and $11.00 for volunteers. Each request, whether submitted via mail or in person, costs $25.00.

Craighead County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Searchers of criminal court cases that made it to the trial stage can look up these records using the following steps:

1. Navigate to the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search website.
2. Enter the required search criteria, including but not limited to Case ID, case number, or participant’s name, and click on “Search”.
3. Review the search result to find the court case of interest.

Get Craighead County Civil Court Records

In Craighead County, searchers can access civil court records through the Office of the Circuit Clerk, the county's primary custodian of civil court records. Some of the civil court paperwork available from the office includes dockets, summons, warrants, orders, judgments, and injunctions granted by the courts.

The Circuit Clerk’s Office also maintains records of deeds, mortgages, liens, surety bonds, and other property-related documents.

To access the civil court records mentioned above, searchers may use the following sources:

Online Search: Requesters can search the Arkansas Judiciary Case Search, or Search ARCourts, for civil court records using the case number or party name.

In-person Search: Interested parties may visit the Craighead County Circuit Clerk’s Recorder’s Office during business hours (8:00 am to 5:00 am, Monday through Friday at either of the locations below:

Jonesboro Courthouse
511 South Main Street
Suite 200 Jonesboro
Arkansas 72401
P.O. Box 120 Jonesboro
Arkansas 72403
Phone: (870) 933-4530

Lake City Courthouse
107 Cobean Boulevard, Lake City
Arkansas 72437
Phone: (870) 237-4342

When requesting civil court records in person, searchers must provide specific details such as the case number, name of the parties involved, or type of case. Please note that fees may apply for receiving record copies, depending on the type and number of court records requested.

Craighead County Family Court Records

As of 2024, Craighead County does not have a standalone family court. The domestic relations arm of the Circuit Court hears family law cases. Some of the family-related cases heard under domestic relations include annulments, custody, divorce, order of protection, paternity, custody, and divorce cases.

Inquirers can access family court records through the Circuit Clerk's Office unless sealed or deemed confidential by court order. Consequently, eligible individuals in possession of government-issued identity cards may visit the Craighead County courthouses in Jonesboro or Lake City to submit record requests for family court records of interest.

Family court records are significant because they document legal proceedings, support legal claims, and ensure accountability.

Craighead County Marriage and Divorce Records

Craighead County charges $10.00 for a copy of a marriage or divorce record. Vital Records, Arkansas' custodian of marriage and divorce records, charges online requesters a $5.00 processing fee, a $1.85 non-refundable proof of identification fee, and the cost of any expedited delivery choices.

In Craighead County, eligible parties have the following options for requesting marriage and divorce records:

Online: Vital Records accepts online requests for Craighead County marriage and divorce records. This service offers multiple rapid delivery choices. Requesters can pay the service charge, certificate cost, and charges for accelerated delivery options with a debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). Marriage and divorce record requests, including mailing time, usually take 7 to 14 business days after approval.

By Mail: Applicants can acquire official copies of their vital records by mailing completed marriage and divorce certificate request forms, checks or money orders payable to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), and copies of valid identification. Requesters can also send the application packet above to the Craighead County Health Unit in Jonesboro to obtain certified copies of their vital records. The addresses for the Arkansas Department of Health and the Craighead County Health Unit are as follows:

Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205

Craighead County Health Unit - Jonesboro
611 E. Washington Ave.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 933-4585
Fax: (870) 933-6416

In-person: Eligible requesters may get certified copies of their marriage and divorce records by contacting the Arkansas Department of Health's vital records office or the Craighead County Health Unit—Jonesboro, as mentioned above. The Arkansas Department of Health office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on state holidays. Conversely, the Craighead County Health Unit operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Phone: Craighead County marriage and divorce record applicants can obtain copies of their certificates toll-free at (866) 209-9482. This company offers various fast shipping options. However, applicants must pay service fees, certificate costs, and other associated fees for expedited delivery.

Requesters for marriage and divorce certificates should contact the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Office with any questions about signing up, amending their records, or obtaining copies.

Please be aware that Arkansas Vital Records started keeping marriage and divorce records in 1917 and 1923, respectively.

Craighead Birth and Death Records

The Office of Vital Records in Little Rock accounts for all Craighead County birth and death records. Consequently, requesters can use the following options to obtain certified copies of birth or death records from the Office:

Online: Prospective record applicants can request a copy of their birth or death record from the Vital Records website. This straightforward approach allows applicants to select from various speedy shipping options. They can pay with a debit or credit card, and requests typically take 7 to 14 business days from the date of acceptance, including shipping time.

By Mail: Interested applicants who wish to mail their requests must fill out the appropriate application form (available on the Vital Records website) and return it to the ADH with a check or money order. They must also carry copies of their approved identity. Processing will take 10-14 days, including mail transportation.

Walk-in: Craighead County requesters may also visit the Craighead County Health Unit in Jonesboro or the Arkansas Department of Health's Vital Records Office in Little Rock. The county and state health departments' addresses are shown below:

Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205

Craighead County Health Unit - Jonesboro
611 E. Washington Ave.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 933-4585
Fax: (870) 933-6416

Phone: To obtain a copy of their birth or death record, call (866) 209-9482 toll-free. Numerous alternatives for expedited shipping are available, and applicants can use debit or credit cards to pay.

Importance and Possible Uses of Birth and Death Records

• Birth records give legal proof of identity and citizenship, whereas death certificates are required for estate settlement.
• These materials assist scholars in building family trees, tracking family histories, and identifying historical connections.
• Birth records contribute to public health data, which aids population management and healthcare planning. Mortality data provide information on health disparities and mortality rates.

Craighead County Probate Court Records

The Probate Court in Craighead County hears a wide variety of cases, including the following:

• Verification and appointment of administrators or executors for handling an individual's estate after death.
• Guardianship is the legal designation for appointing legal guardians or conservators for children or disabled individuals incapable of managing their affairs.
• The legal procedures for selecting a child are required for adoption.
• Legal steps for personal name changes
• Will contests encompass resolving disputes arising from the legality or interpretation of an inheritance.

Individuals looking for probate procedures in the county can conduct a free online search on Search ARCourts by entering case numbers, case titles, parties, attorneys, judges, docket entries, and other information.

Requesting parties looking for Craighead County probate court records should contact the County Clerk's Office. The County Clerk is the statutory custodian of records, ensuring that all probate court processes, such as decedent estate filings, adoptions, and guardianships, are fully and securely recorded.

The locational address of the County Clerk's Office is as follows:

Clerk's Office
511 South Main St. # 202
Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401
Phone: (870) 933-4520
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for court-approved holidays

Craighead County Property Records

Individuals searching for Craighead County property records can access them through the Assessor's office. The Craighead County Assessor’s Office sponsors a free public search tool of real estate records in the county on its website.

Users can search for property records using search values like parcel number and type, owner’s name, street name, and city. However, it is recommended that only a few search criteria be used simultaneously.

In addition to basic information that searchers can derive on a parcel of land, the search result also yields information on land subdivisions, sales, valuation, and parcel boundaries.

Alternatively, requesters may visit the County Assessor’s Office for further information. The location address of the Office is as follows:

511 S. Union Street
Suite 130
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 933-4570
Fax: (870) 933-4522

Craighead County Court Records Online

Requesters who wish to conduct a general search for court records in Craighead County using the CourtConnect search tool. Third-party websites like ArkansasCourtRecords.us may make accessing Craighead County court records easy. Such platforms have benefits like being accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, which saves time and effort for people who cannot visit the courthouse in person. They may also have easy-to-use interfaces that let users quickly search for specific cases or persons. However, the authorities do not regulate these websites, so they cannot ensure the data's correctness, volume, or dependability.