Find Marriage Records in Cleburne County

Cleburne County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Heber Springs and date back to 1883 when the county was formed. The clerk's office processes new marriage licenses and provides certified copies of existing records for legal and personal use.

Cleburne County Clerk Office

The Cleburne County Clerk's office is located at 301 W. Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543. You can reach them by phone at (501) 362-8149. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This is the place to apply for a marriage license or request a certified copy of a marriage record for any marriage that took place in Cleburne County.

Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. No blood test is required in Arkansas. The license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued, but you cannot hold the ceremony until 72 hours after the clerk gives you the license. Plan your ceremony date with that delay in mind.

Cleburne County sits in the Ozark Mountain region and is known for Greers Ferry Lake. The area draws residents from across Arkansas and beyond, so the clerk regularly serves people who are new to the county or who have moved here from out of state.

Cleburne County Marriage License Requirements

People who are 18 or older can apply for a marriage license in Cleburne County without parental consent. A 17-year-old can get a license if a parent or legal guardian comes to the clerk's office and signs a consent form. Anyone under 17 needs a court order authorizing the marriage before the clerk can issue a license. These age rules are set by Arkansas Code Title 9 and apply in every Arkansas county.

If either person was married before, you need to show proof that the prior marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of a deceased spouse. The clerk needs the exact date the prior marriage was legally dissolved. It is better to have too much documentation than too little when you visit the office. Gathering papers ahead of time makes the visit faster.

Arkansas has not recognized common law marriage since 1941. Living together, even for many years, does not create a legal marriage in this state. A license is required every time. This rule affects people who moved to Cleburne County from states that do recognize common law marriage. Regardless of what the other state says, Arkansas does not honor such a relationship without an Arkansas or valid out-of-state license.

Requesting a Certified Copy in Cleburne County

When a ceremony is performed in Cleburne County, the officiant fills out the license, signs it, and returns it to the County Clerk. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original document. A coupon goes to the Arkansas Department of Health, which has maintained a statewide marriage index under Title 20 of the Arkansas Code since 1917.

To get a certified copy from the county, visit or call the clerk at (501) 362-8149. The clerk can tell you the fee and what identification you need. Certified copies from the county clerk are accepted by courts, banks, social security offices, and federal agencies. The copy proves the marriage took place in Cleburne County and gives the date and names of both parties.

For records after 1917, you also have the option to order directly from the Arkansas Department of Health at healthy.arkansas.gov for $10. The authorized vendor VitalChek handles online orders and expedited processing. Either path gives you a valid certified record.

Cleburne County Historical Marriage Records

Cleburne County was created in 1883 from parts of White, Van Buren, and Independence counties. Records from that year forward are held at the county level. Marriages that occurred in those predecessor counties before 1883 would be found in their respective clerk offices, not in Cleburne County files.

FamilySearch has indexed many Cleburne County records and provides free access at familysearch.org. The Arkansas State Archives also holds older records and can help researchers locate marriage documents from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Greers Ferry Lake area developed heavily in the 1960s when the dam was built, so records from that era often reflect an influx of new residents and workers.

The image below is from the Cleburne County official website, the primary government portal for county services including the County Clerk. Source: cleburnecountyar.com.

The Cleburne County website provides contact information and office hours for the County Clerk in Heber Springs, where all marriage licenses and certified copies are processed.

Arkansas Statutes Governing Cleburne County Marriages

All Arkansas marriages are governed by state statute. Title 9 of the Arkansas Code sets out who can marry, what age requirements apply, how licenses are issued, and what waiting periods exist. The 72-hour wait and the 60-day validity window are both found in this title. These rules are uniform across all 75 Arkansas counties.

Title 20 of the Arkansas Code covers vital statistics. Under that title, the county clerk must report each marriage to the Department of Health within a set time after the license is returned. This creates the statewide record that the health department maintains. Both the county and state records are considered official and can be used as legal proof of a marriage.

For specific legal questions about a Cleburne County marriage, the full text of the statutes is at the Arkansas Legislature website. You can also consult an attorney or contact the clerk's office for general guidance on procedures.

Other Sources for Cleburne County Marriage Data

Beyond the county clerk, several sources can help you find marriage data for Cleburne County. The Arkansas State Archives holds historical records and accepts research requests by mail. Genealogy databases on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch have digitized many older records, though you should always verify against the original. Unofficial databases sometimes contain transcription errors.

If you need to verify a marriage for a legal matter, the county clerk's certified copy is the document that will be accepted. Online indexes are good for finding leads but not for official proof. When the stakes are high, get the certified copy from the clerk directly.

Nearby Arkansas Counties

Cleburne County is bordered by several other central Arkansas counties. If a record is not in Cleburne, it may be in a neighboring county. Counties near Cleburne include White County, Independence County, Stone County, Van Buren County, and Faulkner County. Each keeps separate records through its own County Clerk office.