Crittenden County Marriage Records
Crittenden County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Marion and go back to 1825. Located in the far northeast corner of Arkansas directly adjacent to Memphis, Tennessee, Crittenden County serves a population that spans both sides of the state line. The County Clerk's office at 85 Jackson Street in Marion is the official source for marriage licenses and certified copies. This page explains how to apply for a license, how to request a copy of an existing record, and where to find older marriage records from the county's long archive.
Crittenden County Marriage Records
Crittenden County Clerk Office
The Crittenden County Clerk is at 85 Jackson Street, Marion, AR 72364. The phone number is (870) 739-3242. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk is the official keeper of all marriage licenses and records in Crittenden County. For any marriage document, whether a new license application or a certified copy of a past record, the Clerk's office is where you start.
The Crittenden County website is the best place to confirm hours and any procedure changes before you visit. Marion is the county seat, but many residents of this county live closer to West Memphis or the Memphis metro area. The city of Marion website can help with directions to the courthouse. Parking is available near the Jackson Street location. In-person visits are the fastest way to get a certified copy.
Because Crittenden County sits on the Arkansas-Tennessee border, many couples who live in the Memphis metro area may choose to get their license in Marion. Arkansas's marriage requirements apply regardless of where the applicants live. The county clerk's staff is experienced with out-of-area residents who come to get licenses or copies. Call ahead to confirm what you need to bring.
Marriage License Requirements
Both people applying for a Crittenden County marriage license must appear at the Clerk's office in person. Each applicant needs a valid government photo ID. Driver's licenses, state ID cards, and passports all work. If either person was married before, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse meets this requirement. After the Clerk reviews the materials, the license is issued.
Arkansas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued. The ceremony cannot take place until those 72 hours have passed. After the waiting period, the license is active and valid for 60 days. If the ceremony does not occur within 60 days, the license expires and a new application must be filed. Title 9 of the Arkansas Code governs these requirements statewide. All applicants, including Tennessee residents who cross the border to marry in Arkansas, are subject to the same rules.
Age requirements apply under state law. Adults 18 and older may marry without parental consent. A 17-year-old needs written parental or guardian consent. Anyone under 17 needs a court order. No blood test is required. Arkansas stopped recognizing common law marriages formed after 1941, so a valid license is necessary for all marriages in the state. There is no Arkansas residency requirement; out-of-state applicants are welcome.
Note: Crittenden County's location near Memphis means some applicants come from Tennessee; Arkansas law and the 72-hour waiting period apply to all applicants regardless of home state.
Certified Copies of Crittenden County Marriage Records
To get a certified copy of a Crittenden County marriage record, contact the County Clerk at 85 Jackson Street, Marion, AR 72364, phone (870) 739-3242. Certified copies carry the official county seal and are legally recognized by courts, government agencies, and financial institutions. Bring a valid ID and the names and approximate date of the marriage when visiting in person. Mail requests are also accepted; call to confirm the fee and what to include with your written request.
The Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office holds marriage coupons for the state since 1917. The ADH is at Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, phone (501) 661-2336. Copies cost $10 each. ADH records are summary documents, not full certified copies. They confirm the basic details of a marriage but are not the same as a county-issued certified copy for legal purposes. Online ordering is available through VitalChek for those who cannot visit in person.
The CDC vital records reference for Arkansas provides a plain overview of how to obtain records from the state and county levels. It is a helpful first stop if you are unsure of which office handles what type of record.
Historical Marriage Records in Crittenden County
Crittenden County records go back to 1825, spanning nearly 200 years. The courthouse has maintained these records over time, though some very early documents may be incomplete. For genealogy research, FamilySearch has a Crittenden County research guide that identifies what digitized records are available and where. Some older Arkansas marriage records have been indexed and are searchable online at no cost.
The Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock holds historical collections from many counties, including Crittenden. For marriages from the 1800s and early 1900s, the Archives may hold marriage bonds, registers, and other documents that supplement courthouse files. The Archives accepts written research requests and has an on-site research room for in-person visits. Crittenden County's Delta location and proximity to Tennessee means many families have cross-state connections worth tracking through both Arkansas and Tennessee records.
The Encyclopedia of Arkansas covers Crittenden County in detail. The University of Arkansas genealogy guide and the Arkansas Genealogical Society are solid resources for northeast Arkansas family history. Researchers looking for pre-1917 records should consider whether any related records might be in Tennessee archives as well.
Arkansas Marriage Law
Marriage records in Crittenden County are governed by Title 9 and Title 20 of the Arkansas Code. Title 9 covers marriage license requirements, age rules, waiting periods, and the role of the County Clerk. Title 20 governs vital records and describes the Department of Health's record collection duties. Both titles apply to every Arkansas county, including Crittenden.
Marriage records are public records in Arkansas. Anyone may request a copy from the County Clerk or the ADH. No relationship to the parties named in the record is required. The Clerk sets fees for county-issued copies; the ADH fee is $10 by statute for coupons. The Arkansas Secretary of State site is a useful resource for confirming county government contacts and finding official state information.
Name Change After Marriage in Crittenden County
A certified copy of your Crittenden County marriage record is the document you need to change your name after the wedding. Start with the Social Security Administration; update your Social Security card first. Then go to the Arkansas DMV for a new driver's license. After those two, update your bank accounts, employer HR records, and any federal documents like your passport. Keep at least one certified copy in a safe place at home.
Order two or more certified copies from the Clerk's office when you first request them. One goes to the Social Security Administration and you will want a spare. Getting extras at the time of the original request is easier and more cost-effective than ordering them separately later. If you live in the Memphis area but married in Crittenden County, you will still use an Arkansas-issued certified copy for Social Security and federal purposes before switching to Tennessee agencies for state ID updates.
The City of Marion is the seat of Crittenden County and home to the courthouse where all marriage licenses are issued and records are maintained for the county.
The City of Marion website provides information about local government services and can help visitors locate the Crittenden County Courthouse at 85 Jackson Street where the Clerk's office is based.
Nearby Arkansas Counties
Crittenden County borders several northeast Arkansas counties. If a marriage record is not found in Crittenden, check the clerks in these neighboring counties.