Little Rock Marriage Records

Little Rock residents who need marriage records or a new marriage license get those services through the Pulaski County Clerk's office, not through any city office. The county clerk handles all license applications and certified copy requests for everyone living in the city, including those in the metropolitan area surrounding the state capital.

Pulaski County Clerk for Little Rock Marriage Records

The Pulaski County Clerk's office is the place to go for all Little Rock marriage records. The office sits at 401 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone is (501) 340-8420. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's office issues new marriage licenses and provides certified copies of licenses already on file. It handles more marriage license applications than any other county in Arkansas, given Little Rock's size as the state's largest city.

You can reach the clerk in person or by mail. In-person visits are the fastest way to get a certified copy. Mailed requests take longer and require a written request, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order. If you are not sure which county issued a license and need help tracking one down, the Arkansas Department of Health maintains a statewide index of marriage coupons going back to 1917. That index can help you confirm which county has the original record on file.

Little Rock Marriage License Requirements

To get a marriage license in Little Rock, both people must go together to the Pulaski County Clerk's office. Each person must bring a valid, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent. If one applicant is 17, a parent or legal guardian must provide written consent in person. Anyone under 17 requires a court order before the clerk can issue a license.

Arkansas does not require a blood test. The state stopped recognizing common law marriages in 1941, so all couples must have a valid license. No residency requirement exists, meaning you do not need to live in Arkansas or in Pulaski County to get a license there. Many couples choose to get their license in the county where the ceremony will take place. The license fee is approximately $60, though fees can vary. Call the clerk's office at (501) 340-8420 to confirm the current amount before you go.

Arkansas law requires a 72-hour waiting period. The clerk cannot perform or authorize a ceremony until 72 hours have passed since the license was issued. Plan your timeline accordingly. The license itself is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, which is long enough for most couples to hold their ceremony without rushing.

Getting Certified Copies of Little Rock Marriage Records

A certified copy of a marriage record proves the marriage occurred and is accepted by courts, Social Security, employers, and other agencies. In Little Rock, certified copies come from the Pulaski County Clerk because that is where the original license was filed. The clerk's office keeps the record permanently. You can get a copy in person at 401 W. Markham Street or by sending a written request by mail.

For a mail request, include a clear copy of your photo ID, the full names of both parties, and the approximate date of the marriage. Include a check or money order for the required fee made payable to the Pulaski County Clerk. The clerk will process the request and mail the certified copy to you. Processing times vary, so plan ahead if you need the copy for a legal deadline.

The Arkansas Department of Health also keeps marriage coupons since 1917 at its Vital Records Section, 4815 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: (501) 661-2336. The fee is $10 per coupon. These are index records, not full certified copies, so they contain basic information but not the full details of the original license. For legal purposes, most agencies want the certified copy from the county clerk, not the state coupon. VitalChek at vitalchek.com can process online orders for state coupons if you need that convenience.

Arkansas Marriage Laws That Apply in Little Rock

Arkansas marriage law is set at the state level, so the same rules apply in Little Rock as everywhere else in the state. Title 9 of the Arkansas Code covers domestic relations, including marriage. Title 20 governs vital statistics and record-keeping. Under these laws, the county clerk issues the license, keeps a record, and forwards a coupon to the Arkansas Department of Health. That division maintains the statewide index.

The 72-hour waiting period is a firm requirement. It applies to everyone regardless of age, residency, or circumstance. There are no exceptions for medical emergencies or imminent deployment. The 60-day validity window means a license expires if the ceremony has not taken place within two months of issuance. After that, the couple would need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. It is worth noting that Arkansas has not recognized common law marriage since 1941, meaning informal arrangements do not carry legal weight no matter how long the couple has lived together.

Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records in Little Rock

One convenient fact for Little Rock residents: the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Section is in the same city. The office is at 4815 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. This is where the state keeps marriage coupons since 1917. If you need a state coupon rather than a full county copy, you can visit or mail a request to that address.

The ADH requires a photo ID with each application. Cost is $10 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Payment by personal check or money order, payable to the Arkansas Department of Health. Call (501) 661-2336 for a recorded message with current fee information. The state office does not have evening or weekend hours, so plan for a weekday visit.

Historical Marriage Records for Little Rock Research

Researchers looking for older Little Rock marriage records have several options. Pulaski County has maintained marriage records since the county was established. The Arkansas State Archives at archives.arkansas.gov holds microfilm copies of county marriage records predating the 1917 state registration system. Records going back to the mid-1800s are available for Pulaski County. These old records sometimes contain additional detail like parents' names, ages, and the names of bondsmen.

FamilySearch offers digitized indexes for many Arkansas counties including Pulaski. The University of Arkansas Libraries Special Collections, accessible at libraries.uark.edu, also provides research guides for genealogists working with Arkansas vital records. For records spanning the Civil War and Reconstruction period, note that many historical Arkansas records were kept in separate volumes by race, which researchers should be aware of when searching those indexes.

Screenshot: Pulaski County Marriage Records Portal

The image below is taken from the Pulaski County official website, which serves Little Rock residents seeking marriage records.

The Pulaski County Clerk's office at 401 W. Markham Street handles all marriage license applications and certified copy requests for Little Rock and the surrounding metro area.

Nearby Cities and Counties

Little Rock is the county seat of Pulaski County. Residents of North Little Rock, also in Pulaski County, use the same county clerk office for marriage records. Other nearby counties with their own clerks include Saline County to the southwest and Faulkner County to the north. If you married in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk directly for your certified copy.