Find North Little Rock Marriage Records

North Little Rock marriage records are managed by the Pulaski County Clerk, which serves both North Little Rock and Little Rock across the Arkansas River. If you need to get a marriage license, order a certified copy of a marriage certificate, or search historical records dating back to 1836, this guide covers the steps, contacts, and online tools available to you. The city itself does not issue marriage licenses. All license and record functions belong to the Pulaski County Clerk's office in downtown Little Rock.

Pulaski County Clerk: Getting a Marriage License

North Little Rock residents go to the Pulaski County Clerk to apply for a marriage license. The office is at 401 W. Markham Street in Little Rock, just across the river. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Both applicants must appear in person. You cannot apply alone or send someone in your place.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for each person. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all qualify. If either person was previously married, you must bring documentation showing that marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate are the accepted forms. The clerk will look over the documents, collect the license fee, and issue the license that same day. There is no mandatory waiting period in Arkansas, so you can marry as soon as you have the license. The license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued.

You can call the Pulaski County Clerk at (501) 340-8420 with questions. More information about Pulaski County services is on the Pulaski County website. The City of North Little Rock website covers city-level services but does not handle marriage licensing directly.

Note: The Pulaski County Clerk's office is in Little Rock, not in North Little Rock, so plan your trip accordingly.

Ordering a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate

Once a couple is married and the officiant files the license with the Pulaski County Clerk, the completed document becomes the official marriage record. You have two main paths to get a certified copy: the county clerk and the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office.

The Arkansas Department of Health keeps statewide marriage records going back to 1917. Their office is at 4815 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, phone (501) 661-2336. The Arkansas Department of Health website explains the full request process. Certified copies cost $10 each. You can order in person, by mail, or through the state's authorized online vendor. For online orders, use VitalChek, which processes the request for an added service fee. Mail requests can take several weeks, so if you need the record quickly for a court filing, loan closing, or passport application, online or in-person ordering is faster.

For records from before 1917, contact the Pulaski County Clerk directly. Pulaski County records go back to 1836. Some of the older records have been microfilmed and indexed through genealogy projects.

Note: Pulaski County records before 1917 are not available through the ADH and must be requested from the county clerk or the Arkansas State Archives.

Online Search Tools for Marriage Records

Several platforms let you search Arkansas marriage records without visiting an office in person. The Arkansas State Archives holds historical collections and accepts remote research requests. Their site at the Arkansas State Archives explains what records they hold and how to submit an inquiry. For Pulaski County, some records have been transferred to the archives for long-term preservation.

FamilySearch offers a free, searchable index of Arkansas vital records. The FamilySearch Arkansas Vital Records guide outlines which record sets are available and how far back the indexes go. Pulaski County has decent coverage on FamilySearch, especially for marriages from the late 1800s through the early 1900s. Results from FamilySearch are not certified records. They are useful for confirming dates and names before you place a formal request.

VitalChek handles online ordering for certified copies through the ADH. This is generally the fastest remote method for obtaining a legal-quality document. The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce can point residents toward local legal resources if you need additional help navigating these systems.

Arkansas Marriage Law Overview

Arkansas marriage law is set out in Title 9 of the Arkansas Code. The full text of these statutes is posted at the Arkansas General Assembly website. The rules described here apply statewide, including in Pulaski County and North Little Rock.

The minimum age to marry without any additional consent is 18. At 17, a person can marry with written parental or guardian consent. Anyone under 17 requires a court order before a license will be issued. Arkansas does not require a blood test prior to marriage. There is no residency requirement, so you do not need to live in Arkansas or in Pulaski County to get a license there. Common law marriage has not been recognized in Arkansas for new unions since 1941, which means a formal license and ceremony are required.

The license fee is approximately $60. Confirm the current fee with the clerk when you call ahead. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the county clerk within 60 days of the ceremony date.

Note: Arkansas has no waiting period between applying for and receiving a marriage license, so same-day licensing is possible.

Historical Records for North Little Rock and Pulaski County

Pulaski County is one of the oldest counties in Arkansas, established in 1836. Marriage records from that period exist at the county level, though the oldest documents may require special handling. The Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock holds many county-level historical records that have been transferred for preservation, and their staff can assist with hard-to-find documents.

For family history research, the combination of the Pulaski County Clerk's holdings, the ADH Vital Records collection (from 1917 forward), and the Arkansas State Archives gives researchers a strong base. FamilySearch also has indexed records for Pulaski County that cover parts of the 1800s and early 1900s. When a search comes up empty, try alternate spellings of surnames and check neighboring counties if family members moved between areas.

The Arkansas Secretary of State's website offers additional resources for researchers working with official state documents and record collections. The screenshot below shows the Arkansas Secretary of State site, which provides access to various state records and filing systems.

The Arkansas Secretary of State office maintains official state filings and can be a useful reference point when searching for records tied to official state registration systems.

Who Can Get a Marriage Record in Arkansas

Marriage records in Arkansas are public records. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be named in the record or prove a personal connection to the marriage. This open-access policy means that researchers, attorneys, family members, and the general public can all obtain copies.

Certified copies carry an official seal and are legally valid for use in courts, financial institutions, and government agencies. If you need to prove a marriage for insurance, a name change, a visa application, or a legal proceeding, ask for a certified copy. Informational copies are fine for personal research but will not satisfy most official requirements. When ordering, be clear about whether you need a certified or informational copy so the clerk or vital records office can fill your request correctly.

If the record is old or the exact date is not known, provide as much detail as possible when requesting. Full names of both parties, approximate year, and county of marriage will help the clerk locate the right document quickly.

Nearby Cities

North Little Rock sits in Pulaski County and is close to several other Arkansas cities. Marriage records for each city are handled by the relevant county clerk. If you are searching for records from a nearby area, these links may help.

• Little Rock - State capital, Pulaski County
• Jacksonville - Pulaski County
• Maumelle - Pulaski County
• Cabot - Lonoke County