Find Marriage Records in Arkansas County

Arkansas County marriage records are held by the County Clerk and go back to the early 1800s, making this one of the oldest record repositories in the state. Whether you need a certified copy of a marriage license or want to search historical records for family research, the clerk offices in DeWitt and Stuttgart can help you get what you need.

Arkansas County Clerk Office: Two Locations

Arkansas County is one of a handful of Arkansas counties with two county seats, and each seat has its own clerk office. The Southern District office sits at 101 Court Square, DeWitt, AR 72042 and can be reached at (870) 659-2098. The Northern District office is located at 200 E. Jefferson, Stuttgart, AR 72160 and takes calls at (870) 673-2056. Both offices keep the same hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

If you need a marriage license or a certified copy, go to the office that served the district where the marriage took place. For marriages that happened before 1883, the county used a single record-keeping system, so either office can help point you in the right direction. Calling ahead saves time, especially if you are traveling from out of town.

The clerk does not accept credit cards at all locations. Bring cash, a check, or a money order. Fees vary depending on the type of document and the number of copies you need. Ask about the current rate when you call.

Getting an Arkansas County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Arkansas County, both people planning to marry must appear together at either clerk office. Each person needs a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. No blood test is required. You do not need to be an Arkansas resident to get a license here.

Under Arkansas Code Title 9, a 72-hour waiting period begins the moment the clerk issues the license. The ceremony cannot happen before that window closes. Plan your wedding date at least three days after your license appointment. The license itself stays valid for 60 days from the issue date, so you have time to schedule the ceremony without rushing.

Age rules are set by state law. Anyone 18 or older can get a license without parental input. A 17-year-old may marry with written parental consent. Anyone under 17 needs a court order before the clerk can issue a license. Arkansas County clerks follow these rules closely and will ask for supporting documents when needed.

Arkansas has not recognized common law marriage since 1941. A couple living together in Arkansas County, no matter how long, does not automatically become legally married. If you need to establish a legal marriage, you must go through the formal license and ceremony process.

Requesting Arkansas County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Arkansas County marriage records are available in person at either clerk office. Mail requests are also accepted. Write a letter that includes the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and your contact information. Include a check or money order for the fee and a photocopy of your ID.

Mail requests to the office that covers the district where the marriage occurred. For the Southern District, send to: 101 Court Square, DeWitt, AR 72042. For the Northern District, use: 200 E. Jefferson, Stuttgart, AR 72160. Processing times for mail requests vary. In-person visits get you a certified copy the same day.

If you are not sure which district handled a specific marriage, call either office. Staff can often check records across both districts or direct you to the right location. Having the groom's last name and the year of marriage helps narrow the search quickly.

For online ordering, VitalChek processes Arkansas vital records requests and works with authorized state agencies. This is a good option if you cannot visit in person or prefer to order from home. The Arkansas Department of Health at healthy.arkansas.gov also holds marriage coupons from 1917 onward at a cost of $10 per copy. These coupons are summary records, not full certified copies.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas documents how Arkansas County has maintained vital records through multiple historical eras, including the territorial period, Civil War, and Reconstruction. Arkansas County was established in 1813, making it one of the five original Arkansas Territory counties.

This reference reflects Arkansas County's deep record-keeping history. Marriage records from the early 1800s survive in some form and can be accessed through the clerk or through archival collections.

Historical Arkansas County Marriage Records

Arkansas County holds records from the territorial period, well before Arkansas became a state in 1836. These older records are among the most historically significant in the state system. Some date to 1813 and capture marriages from a time when the entire region was still transitioning from French and Spanish colonial governance.

The Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock holds microfilm copies of the earliest Arkansas County marriage records, including bonds and licenses from the territorial era. Researchers who cannot visit the archives in person can request reproductions by mail or check digitized holdings through the archives website.

FamilySearch has digitized a portion of Arkansas County's historical marriage records, and many are indexed and searchable online without cost. The Family History Library in Salt Lake City holds additional microfilm for records not yet available digitally. If you are tracing family lines that run through the Arkansas County area in the 1800s, these collections are worth checking before you contact the clerk.

The University of Arkansas Libraries Genealogy Guide offers research tips for accessing early state records, including how to handle gaps caused by courthouse fires or incomplete early registration. Many Arkansas counties have some gaps, but Arkansas County's dual-seat structure actually helped preserve records that might otherwise have been lost.

Name Change After Marriage in Arkansas County

After a marriage is recorded in Arkansas County, the certified copy of the marriage license is the key document for a legal name change. You will need this document to update a Social Security card, driver's license, passport, and other official IDs.

Start with the Social Security Administration. Bring your certified marriage record and current ID to the nearest SSA office. Once your Social Security card reflects your new name, take that along with your marriage record to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration to update your driver's license or state ID.

The Arkansas Secretary of State handles updates for voter registration and any business filings tied to your old name. If you own a business entity registered with the state, you will need to file an amendment reflecting the name change. The process is straightforward, but keeping a few certified copies of the marriage record on hand makes it much faster.

State-Level Marriage Records for Arkansas County Residents

Even if the county holds the original license, residents of Arkansas County have additional access points for marriage record information. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains a statewide marriage coupon index going back to 1917. These coupons are stored at Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. They are useful for confirming whether a marriage took place and getting the basic facts, though they are not a substitute for the certified copy from the county.

The CDC reference page for Arkansas vital records lists the state office and explains what types of documents are available at each level. For legal purposes such as insurance claims, estate matters, or court proceedings, always request a certified copy from the county clerk rather than just the state coupon.

Arkansas County residents can also look to the Arkansas Genealogical Society for published transcripts of early marriages and research guides. The society has compiled a number of county-level marriage indexes that can speed up a search before you request a formal copy.