Arkansas Vital Records Search

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What are Arkansas Vital Records?

The Arkansas Department of Health is the government agency in charge of vital records for the state. Those records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.  All orders for copies of certified records are processed online; however, they are working to institute a system where you can purchase them locally at the closest Local Public Health Unit. The agency is also in charge of all matters related to the health and wellbeing of Arkansas citizens, including The State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE). They provide reports and statistics based on regulatory mandates. They also keep a Putative Father Registry and process all amendments to vital records.

Arkansas Birth Records

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is the central repository for birth records from every county in the state. They make it easy to order certified copies through the mail (using a downloadable form), online using their own electronic service, through walk-in to the vital records office or by phone. On their website, they have a support email address should you have any questions regarding vital records or getting a copy of your birth certificate. When ordering birth records, you must provide adequate identification. Additionally, only specific people can obtain a copy of your birth records, such as parents, grandparents, or other relatives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Arkansas?

You can contact the state agency in charge of birth records, which is The Arkansas Department of Health. You can also check other public records sources online.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Arkansas?

You must contact the The Arkansas Department of Health for assistance. They provide a variety of ways to order records or a support email if you have questions.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Arkansas?

You must pay $12 for a certified copy and another $10 for each additional copy. If you order online, you must also pay a $5 processing fee and identity verification cost.

Who can request birth records?

Only certain people can request a copy of your birth records. The list includes:

  1. Individual age 16 and older (named on the record).
  2. Mother.
  3. Father (if named on the certificate).
  4. Child.
  5. Spouse.
  6. Maternal Grandparents.
  7. Grandchild.
  8. Guardian (with proper legal documentation).

What birth records are available in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Office has birth records from 1914. They do have older records from 1881 but not a full collection.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Arkansas birth certificate?

When ordering birth records, you need to supply information such as name, address, date of birth, and the driver's license number for electronic identity verification and appropriate proof of relationship documents. You must also produce adequate ID to verify your identity.

Where can I find historical vital records in Arkansas for genealogy research?

The Division of Vital Records and Arkansas Genealogy stores and maintains historical vital records going back to 1881.

Are birth records open to the public?

Not right away. In Arkansas, birth records are kept private until they reach 100 years old, then they may be opened up to the general public.

Can I get a refund if my Arkansas birth record is not available?

Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Arkansas Death Records

The Arkansas Department of Health is the main agency in charge of death records for the state. However, you can also get copies of death certificates through all local health units in your area. They do charge a fee, and copies are restricted to family members only and certain legal representatives. They make it easy to get copies if you qualify. You can order them through the mail using the downloadable form, online using their electronic service, by phone, or by visiting the Arkansas Department of Health's vital records office located at 4815 West Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205, across the street from War Memorial Stadium. They are open Monday-Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Death Records

How do I find death records in Arkansas?

You can contact the Arkansas Department of Health office to inquire about searching for records and getting certified copies of a death certificate.

Are death records public in Arkansas?

Not immediately. In Arkansas, death records are restricted for 50 years; then, after that, they are open to the general public.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Arkansas?

The cost for a death certificate in Arkansas is $10 and another $8 for each additional copy. If you order online, however, you must pay another $5 processing fee plus $1.85 to verify your identity.

How long does it take to get a copy of an Arkansas death record?

Unless you visit them in person, you may have to wait a week or so to get your copy.

Who can request death records?

The only people eligible to request death records for someone in Arkansas are:

  1. Mother.
  2. Father (if named on birth certificate).
  3. Child.
  4. Spouse Grandchild.
  5. Maternal Grandparents of deceased.
  6. Informant Funeral Home.
  7. Beneficiary (with proper documentation).

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Arkansas death certificate?

When you order a copy of a death certificate, you will need to supply:

  1. The full name of the deceased.
  2. The date of death.
  3. The county or city of death.
  4. The name of the funeral home (optional).
  5. The requester's relationship to the deceased.
  6. The requester's reason for requesting the death certificate.
  7. Please note if this was a stillborn infant.
  8. A check or money order payable to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Where can I find historical death records in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Department of Health has vital records going back to 1914 and even some as old as 1881.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

The Arkansas Department of Health has an email address on their website to help with fixing errors and fielding other questions.

Can I get a refund if my Arkansas death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Arkansas Marriage Records

A copy of your marriage record comes in handy for many purposes, such as validating identity, obtaining a passport, changing your name, and other things like that. Thankfully, the Arkansas Department of Health makes it easy to get a copy through various methods. If you need the copy quickly, a walk-in option would be best. Otherwise, you can order online, through the mail or by phone. There are fees involved, and only certain people can request copies of your marriage records. The ADH has marriage records going back to 1917 but none older than that. Another option is to consult the County Clerk's office, where the marriage took place.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Marriage Records

Are Arkansas marriage records public?

No, marriage records in Arkansas under control by the ADH are kept private. However, county law may differ.

What Arkansas marriage records are available?

Arkansas has marriage records dating back to 1917. Unfortunately, they do not have any older than that.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Arkansas?

You can visit the Arkansas Department of Health's office and receive same-day service, but otherwise, you may wait a few days before you can get a copy.

How much does an Arkansas marriage certificate cost?

A certified copy of a marriage record in Arkansas costs $10 per copy. If you order online through their custom system, you must also pay a $5 processing fee and another $1.85 to verify your identity.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When you order marriage records from the Arkansas Department of Health, you must supply the following:

  1. The full name of the groom.
  2. The full name of the bride, to include her maiden name.
  3. The marriage date.
  4. The county in which the license was issued.
  5. The requester's relationship to the parties named on the marriage certificate.
  6. The requester's reason for requesting the certificate.
  7. A check or money order payable to Arkansas Department of Health.

How do I get a copy of an Arkansas marriage record?

Contact the Arkansas Department of Health and order them online, through the mail, by phone or by visiting their office which is located at 4815 West Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205, across the street from War Memorial Stadium, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Who do I contact if I have questions about a marriage certificate?

The Arkansas Department of Health has an email address they use to respond to questions and provide assistance.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Arkansas?

Arkansas law has given the Arkansas Department of Health the authority to correct all vital records that have errors on them. They have a specific process you must follow, which involves the courts, and you must pay a fee to get the record corrected.

Arkansas Divorce Records

Arkansas has been keeping track of divorce records since 1923. They do not have any going back further than that. According to Arkansas law, divorce records are kept private and not given to the general public. Only eligible adults may get copies. The Arkansas Department of Health is the agency in charge of divorce records, and they provide copies through phone, by mail using a downloadable form, by walk-in service at their office, or using an online portal. Using the online portal costs more money as they have to validate your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Arkansas?

You can locate copies of your own or a relative's divorce records, but you cannot look up some stranger's. Divorce records in Arkansas are closed and not considered public records.

How do I find old divorce records?

The Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Genealogy society keeps track of historical divorce records going back to January of 1923. You may contact either of them if you need copies for research.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

It's easy to get a copy of your own divorce certificate in Arkansas. Simply contact the Arkansas Department of Health and order them online using their portal. You can also visit their office on 4815 West Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205, across the street from War Memorial Stadium. You also have the option of ordering through the mail or by phone.

How much does it cost for a certified copy of my divorce certificate?

Each divorce certificate will cost you $10. If you order online, you have to pay additional fees. It will take 10-14 days to receive your certificate if your order through the mail.

What information is needed to search for an Arkansas divorce record?

When you request copies of divorce records in Arkansas, you must supply a bit of information such as:

  1. The full name of the husband.
  2. The full name of the wife, to include her maiden name.
  3. The date of divorce or dismissal.
  4. The county in which the divorce was granted or dismissed.
  5. The requester's relationship to the parties named on the divorce certificate.
  6. The requester's reason for requesting the certificate.
  7. A check or money order payable to the Arkansas Department of Health.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

How do I check on the status of my order?

When you use the online portal, you have the option of clicking the link that says "Check Order Status" so you can find out where in the process your order is at any time. You can also contact the ADH via email to ask about your order or other questions and concerns.

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