Garland County Marriage Records

Garland County marriage records are filed with the County Clerk in Hot Springs and date back to the county's founding in 1874. Hot Springs draws couples from across the state and beyond, making it one of Arkansas's busiest venues for weddings. The Garland County Clerk handles every step of the process, from issuing marriage licenses to keeping the official record after the ceremony is complete. This page covers how to get a license, what the requirements are, how to order copies of existing records, and where to find older records for research.

Garland County Clerk Marriage Records Office

The Garland County Clerk is the official keeper of marriage records for the county. The office is at 501 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach the office by phone at (501) 622-3610. For general information about county services, visit the Garland County website.

The clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains the record of every marriage performed in Garland County since 1874. When you apply for a license, staff will give you the license to bring to the officiant. After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the clerk. The clerk then files it as the permanent record. Both parties need to be present when applying.

You will need a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. If either person was previously married, you will need to show proof that the last marriage ended, either a divorce decree or a death certificate. The clerk's staff can tell you if you have questions about what documents to bring.

Marriage License Requirements in Garland County

Arkansas law sets the rules for marriage licenses statewide, and Garland County follows those rules. Under Arkansas Code Title 9, anyone 18 or older can get a license without parental consent. Someone who is 17 needs written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Anyone under 17 requires a court order in addition to parental consent.

There is a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires and you will need to apply again. There is no blood test required in Arkansas.

Arkansas has not recognized common-law marriage since 1941. A ceremony performed by an authorized officiant, followed by proper filing of the license, is required for a legal marriage in Garland County. Ordained ministers, judges, and justices of the peace are all authorized to perform marriages in Arkansas.

Hot Springs is a popular destination for weddings from outside the state. Out-of-state residents follow the same rules as Arkansas residents. You do not need to be a resident of Arkansas or of Garland County to get a marriage license here. Many couples choose Hot Springs specifically because of the setting near Hot Springs National Park and the amenity-rich resort corridor along Central Avenue.

Getting Copies of Garland County Marriage Records

If you need a certified copy of a marriage record from Garland County, you have a few options. The fastest way is to go to the Garland County Clerk's office in person. The clerk can search records and provide certified copies while you wait in most cases. Bring your ID and be ready to give the names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage.

You can also request copies by mail. Send a written request to the clerk at 501 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Include the full names of both parties, the date or approximate year of marriage, your return address, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. The clerk will mail the copy back to you once the search is complete.

The Arkansas Department of Health also holds records. The ADH Vital Records office at 4815 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205 maintains marriage record coupons from 1917 forward. These are summary records, not certified copies of the original license. The fee is $10. You can reach the ADH at (501) 661-2336 or visit healthy.arkansas.gov. For online ordering, the state uses VitalChek.

If you need a record for a name change after marriage, a certified copy from the clerk's office is what most agencies will accept. Courts, Social Security offices, and the DMV all typically want an original certified copy with a raised or embossed seal.

Hot Springs National Park draws visitors year-round, and many couples choose to marry in or near the park. The National Park Service has information on permits for ceremonies within the park boundaries.

The park and surrounding area make Garland County one of the most visited wedding destinations in the state, and the clerk's office handles a high volume of licenses each year as a result.

Historical Garland County Marriage Records

Garland County was formed in 1874 from parts of Hot Spring and Saline counties. Marriage records go back to that founding year. For records from 1874 through the early 1900s, the best sources are the Arkansas State Archives and the FamilySearch database. The Arkansas State Archives holds microfilmed records and original documents from many counties, including Garland.

The FamilySearch Garland County page lists available records collections for the county, including marriage indexes and images that have been digitized. This is a free resource and a good starting point for genealogy research. Some records go back to the late 1800s.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas has county-level articles that can provide context for genealogical research, including notes on record gaps or losses over time. For more in-depth research, the University of Arkansas Libraries also provides a genealogy research guide that covers county-level resources across the state.

The Arkansas Genealogical Society is another resource. The society maintains indexes and can sometimes help locate records that are not yet digitized. Membership is not required to use many of their resources.

Name Change After Marriage in Garland County

A certified copy of your marriage license is the key document for a legal name change after marriage. You will need it to update your Social Security card, driver's license, and passport. Each agency has its own process, but all of them start with the same document from the Garland County Clerk.

Start with the Social Security Administration. Take your certified marriage record and your current ID to your local SSA office. They will update your name in the federal system. After that is done, go to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for a new driver's license. You can find more information on name change procedures through the Arkansas Secretary of State and other state agencies.

For a passport name change, you will need to mail your current passport, the certified marriage record, and the appropriate State Department form. Processing times vary. If you are traveling soon after getting married, apply early.

State Resources for Arkansas Marriage Records

Several state-level resources can help with Garland County marriage records. The Arkansas Department of Health at healthy.arkansas.gov holds statewide marriage coupons from 1917. These are useful for confirming a marriage took place and getting key details, but they are not certified copies of the original license.

The CDC's Arkansas vital records reference gives an overview of what records exist, which agencies hold them, and what fees apply. This is a helpful starting point if you are not sure which office to contact.

For legal questions about marriage in Arkansas, the statutes are available through the Arkansas legislature website. Title 9 covers domestic relations including marriage requirements, and Title 20 covers vital statistics and record-keeping rules. Both titles are free to read online.

The City of Hot Springs website has information on local services and contacts that may be useful if you are planning a wedding in the city.

Nearby Counties with Marriage Records

Garland County borders several other counties, each with its own clerk's office and marriage records. If a marriage took place near a county line, the record could be in a neighboring county's files.

• Hot Spring County - Malvern
• Saline County - Benton
• Pulaski County - Little Rock
• Perry County - Perryville
• Yell County - Danville and Dardanelle
• Montgomery County - Mount Ida
• Pike County - Murfreesboro