Crittenden County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Crittenden County?

Public records in Crittenden County are defined under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act as writings, recorded sounds, films, tapes, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilations in any medium required by law to be kept or otherwise kept that constitute a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions that are or should be carried out by a public official or employee. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of documents maintained by Crittenden County offices, including:

• Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Crittenden County Circuit Clerk
• Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the County Assessor and Circuit Clerk
• Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, with birth and death records held by the Arkansas Department of Health and marriage and divorce records filed with the Circuit Clerk
• Business records — licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations maintained by the County Clerk
• Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records maintained by the Crittenden County Collector and Assessor
• Voting and election records — voter registration rolls and election results maintained by the County Clerk
• Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Quorum Court, county boards, and commissions maintained by the County Clerk
• Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records maintained by the County Judge's office
• Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, maintained by the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office
• Land use and zoning records — plats, zoning maps, and permits maintained by the County Planning Office

The Crittenden County Circuit Clerk serves as the primary custodian of court and land records, while the County Clerk maintains administrative and election records.

Is Crittenden County an Open Records County?

Crittenden County fully complies with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq., which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy government records. Under current law, all public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of Arkansas, and the burden of proof for withholding a record rests with the custodian of that record. Key provisions of the Act include:

• Public records must be made available for inspection and copying during regular business hours
• Custodians must respond to written requests within three business days
• Any denial of access must be made in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption relied upon

The Act reflects Arkansas's strong commitment to government transparency and is sometimes referred to as one of the most open public records laws in the United States. Crittenden County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance; all access rights and procedures are governed by the state statute. County offices are required to post public notices of meetings and make agendas available in advance, consistent with the open meetings provisions of the same Act.

How to Find Public Records in Crittenden County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Crittenden County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

1. Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record — the Circuit Clerk for court and land records, the County Clerk for administrative and election records, the Assessor for property data, or the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records.
2. Submit a written request. Although oral requests are accepted for many record types, a written request submitted in person, by mail, or by email provides a clear record and triggers the three-business-day response requirement under state law.
3. Use online portals where available. Court records may be searched through the Arkansas Judiciary's Search ARCourts platform, which provides access to case information and, for some cases, actual filed documents. Members of the public may also conduct a case search directly through the Arkansas Judiciary's online portal.
4. Visit the office in person. For records not available online, members of the public may inspect documents at the relevant county office during regular business hours without charge.
5. Request certified copies if needed. Certified copies of deeds, court orders, or vital records require payment of applicable fees and may require a completed request form.

Crittenden County Circuit Clerk 100 Court Square, Marion, AR 72364 (870) 739-4434 Crittenden County Circuit Clerk

Crittenden County Clerk 100 Court Square, Marion, AR 72364 (870) 739-4434 Crittenden County Clerk

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Crittenden County?

Current fees for public records in Crittenden County are governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-109, which limits copying fees to the actual cost of reproduction. Standard fees currently in effect include:

• Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter- or legal-size documents
• Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified copies of deeds and court documents typically range from $5.00 to $10.00 per document
• Vital records: The Arkansas Department of Health charges $12.00 for the first certified copy of a birth or death certificate and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time
• Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies are limited to the actual cost of the medium used

Accepted payment methods at Crittenden County offices generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Credit and debit card acceptance may vary by office. Under current law, no fee may be charged solely for the inspection of public records; fees apply only when copies are requested. Fee waiver provisions are not explicitly codified in the Arkansas FOIA, but custodians retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, particularly for requests serving a clear public interest.

Does Crittenden County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, which prohibits custodians from charging a fee merely to view records during regular business hours. Several categories of records are also available at no cost through official online platforms:

• Court records — Civil, criminal, and probate case information is searchable at no charge through the Arkansas Judiciary's online court records system
• Property assessment data — The Crittenden County Assessor provides property assessment information through the county's online portal at no charge
• Sex offender registry — The Arkansas Sex Offender Notification System allows members of the public to search for registered offenders by address, city, or county at no cost
• Meeting minutes and agendas — County Quorum Court minutes and agendas are posted publicly on the county website at no charge
• Voter registration information — General voter registration data is available for inspection through the County Clerk's office at no charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Crittenden County?

Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, any citizen of Arkansas has the right to inspect and copy public records. The Act does not require requestors to be residents of Crittenden County specifically, and non-residents of the state may also access records in practice, though the statutory right of inspection is expressly extended to Arkansas citizens. Key eligibility provisions include:

• No residency requirement at the county level; any person may submit a request
• No identification requirement for most record types; custodians may not demand identification as a condition of access
• No statement of purpose required for the vast majority of public records; requestors are not obligated to explain why they seek a record
• Restrictions apply to certain sensitive record categories, including juvenile records, sealed court files, and records containing personal identifying information, regardless of who is requesting
• Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or personnel files, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure

Non-residents retain practical access to most Crittenden County records, particularly those available through online portals, without restriction. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all treated equally under the Act's access provisions.

What Records Are Confidential in Crittenden County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Arkansas law. Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 enumerates the principal exemptions applicable to Crittenden County records. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection:

• Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order, including expunged criminal records
• Juvenile records — Records of proceedings involving minors in the juvenile division of circuit court
• Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations, where disclosure would be detrimental to the investigation
• Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers embedded in otherwise public documents
• Medical records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
• Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services relating to abuse and neglect investigations
• Personnel records — Employee evaluation and job performance records, with limited exceptions for records relating to final disciplinary action
• Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercial or financial information submitted to a government agency in confidence
• Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records whose disclosure could compromise public safety or security systems

When a custodian withholds a record, the denial must be in writing and must identify the specific statutory exemption. Courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure might cause.

Crittenden County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The recording function in Crittenden County is performed by the Circuit Clerk, who serves as the official custodian of land records, court filings, and related instruments. Members of the public may inspect records and obtain copies during regular public counter hours.

Crittenden County Circuit Clerk 100 Court Square, Suite 200 Marion, AR 72364 (870) 739-4434 Crittenden County Circuit Clerk

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time), excluding state and federal holidays.

Crittenden County Assessor 100 Court Square Marion, AR 72364 (870) 739-3741 Crittenden County Assessor

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time), excluding state and federal holidays.

Crittenden County Tax Collector 100 Court Square Marion, AR 72364 (870) 739-4171 Crittenden County Tax Collector

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time), excluding state and federal holidays.

Crittenden County Sheriff's Office 200 West End Street Marion, AR 72364 (870) 739-4434 Crittenden County Sheriff's Office

Lookup Public Records in Crittenden County

• Arkansas court case records and judgments — Search ARCourts, Arkansas Judiciary
• Arkansas Judiciary case search portal — Case Search, Arkansas Judiciary
• Arkansas registered sex offender search by address or county — Arkansas Sex Offender Notification System